Day 634 15th April 2018
48 miles (Bandeirantes to Jataizinho) Average speed 10.7 mph Top speed 34 mph
I got up at 8 for my usual brekkie of ham and cheese toasted sarnie, melon and cake with coffee and OJ + yoghurt and muesli. I also realised that I’d left my reading glasses in a hotel two days ago so I need to find some new ones so that I can read again!
After a rest I left at 11.15 and took the 3 mile climb back to the main road, with the wind behind me and cloud cover, it was not too bad. At the top was a massive church which took over both sides of the road and had an impressive metal saint next to it.
Then it was a good run down and lots more ups and downs followed, some were very long and hard on the legs. I had considered stopping after 11 miles at Santa Mariana but with the strong wind from the east it felt right to carry on. At the next town, Cornelio Procopio, the hotel was at the top of a hill that I’d already passed and when I stopped at a restaurant to buy drinks the smell of churiscoa was very tempting, but I had a chat with a guy outside and decided to push on as far as I could. The wind was helping even on the big climbs and I felt I should make the most of it, as it was the strongest I’ve had in Brazil.
I had lunch of ham and cheese and tomato sarnies and crisps at a bus stop outside a chicken restaurant and took cover from a little shower. Then it was a long downhill run, but, as ever, you know what will be awaiting you around the next bend and there were many big climbs.
I was heading to the only hotel on the map in Jataizinho, but came across this one about 500 metres before it. I eventually found the owner after asking a beautiful girl in a house, who rang the patron and I checked in, he had a very impressive three wheeled motorcycle and was very welcoming.
I didn’t even bother with a shower and went to find a bar with espitinhos and a few beers from a friendly barman and a guy who had lived in Washington and spoke some English. Around the corner I discovered a hotdog place that provided me with a burger with dog and cheese which was just what I needed after a hard day in the saddle. I took a beer back to the hotel and wound down in the cool of the air con. Another early night and I was asleep by 9pm. At least the bed was more comfortable than last night.
Roadkill today was very diverse and included two porcupines, an armadillo, a frog, an owl, a vulture, a bat, a dog and fox together and quite a few rats. The odours were a delight. I also passed a sewage works and a coffee factory to add to the aromas.
Hotel iolanda 50 reais with double bed, good tv, shower and ensuite.