Unfortunately there has been a bit of bad news, but things are already better with lessons learned.

In any event, about a week ago Gabe was pedaling out of Oaxaca at about 15–20mph, slightly down hill, and didn't notice a truck sticking out at an intersection; he plowed into it and was knocked out; he was rushed to the hospital and stiched up in several places on his face.

The cafe owner near the accident gathered Gabe's bike and trailer and kept it for him until he returned later that evening. In the end Gabe couldn't eat solids for 4-5 days; fortunately they have great liquados so he maintained caloric intake.

He had to replace his frame--which was bent badly--and several other parts, but he of course made a deep acquaintance with a bike mechanic who worked for over 12 hours and charged Gabe $20; Gabe tipped him another 20, and I'm sure the guy was stoked.

Oh yeah, the ambulance and shots and stitches set Gabe back a whopping 350 pesos, about $3.50. Besides the moral of, "If you're going to need emergency care do it in Mexico," Gabe realizes how important helmets are (he wasn't wearing one; it had been stolen), and the eyes are a major organ most excellent for avoiding accidents.

Anyway, Gabe should be in Guatemala by now; we haven't heard from him in about a week. After I got over the devastation of conceiving of Gabe's dangerous adventure, I of course bought back in to Gabe's intrepid enthusiasm and love of life.

He is on a mission and I do believe it will end in Athens.

Introduction
(In which Gabe’s decision to ride his bike to Brazil [T&FN, March] is explained)

Trip updates from Gabe’s father, Jim:

Report 1
(In which Gabe is robbed in Guadalajara, then pedals all night to keep warm in the high altitude near Mexico City)

Report 2
(In which Gabe runs into a truck in Oaxaca)

Report 3
(In which Gabe is robbed in both Nicaragua and Costa Rica, but remains in high spirits, meeting many new friends)

Report 4
(In which monkeys assault Gabe with coconuts as he runs through the Costa Rican jungle and Gabe later accedes to his parents' wishes that he skip violence-torn Colombia in favor of a plane hop to altitudinous
Peru)

Report 5
(In which Gabe climbs the Andes with underinflated tires and is beset by mosquitos in the rapidly disappearing rain forest on the other side.)

Report 6
The final update, in which Gabe reaches his capoeira destination of Salvador, Brazil, but is forced to return home by a dangerous case of hepatitis.

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