It still seems incredulous to me that Gabe literally rode through the whole country of Honduras with no food or water in one day; granted the section of Honduras that the highway traverses is less than 100M, but there is still something uncanny about it, especially considering the humidity and high temperatures.

I'm sure that no coach would suggest such a training workout considering the potential for dehydration. The few places that offered ATM service for some reason denied his card so he was without money as well.

Of course all of things that we as parents and sane human beings warned Gabe about are coming true: mad mosquitoes who's only goal in life seems to be to keep Gabe awake whenever he chooses to sleep; little microscopic fauna that cause diarrhea (it is difficult if not impossible to refrain from drinking untreated water); and corrupt authorities.

When Gabe got to the border of Costa Rica--leaving Nicaragua--he had to go inside to take care of bureaucratic details and when he returned he found his Nike runner's watch gone. Of course the soldiers outside were ignorant of where it might be. Maybe Nike will provide him with another.

Moreover, there are the desperate people who have decided that morality is for people dealt a better hand in the game of life.

Gabe has been robbed twice more since the last time in Mexico. He met some French students in Granada, Nicaragua; he and French were hanging out in a park sharing stories in Spanish, the mutual language when a violent Nicaraguan accosted them and demanded money. Gabe says he appeared to be on drugs and was brandishing a stick bordering on a club; there was no way he was going to get money from the group; there were five of the French and Gabe. Nevertheless, somehow he caught Gabe off guard and whacked him on the head.

Needless to say, it hurt and Gabe, spouting expletives, began pursuit. Occasionally the attacker would turn around and taunt Gabe with the stick. Finally he dropped the stick and took off in full flight. Gabe could obviously have caught him, but decided that it would be pointless. He returned to the group and tended his wound. It still hurts, as does his jaw, from the truck collision.

The French students happened to be touring in Granada; they attend school in San José, Costa Rica. Subsequently, Gabe rendezvoused with them in San José for a bit of rest and relaxation on the solstice(yeah right, they partied all night). At this point, I tried to talk Gabe into seeing a doctor for his intestinal problems, as well as, to rejuvenate his ailing bicycle. The roads with their crater-sized pot holes take a toll on the rims, especially when the gringo loco rides at night.

Gabe agreed that he and his bike need attention, but he wanted to get out of the big city and into a more pastoral setting before nurturing body, soul, and vehicle. The other robbery happened in Liberia, Costa Rica, while Gabe was catnapping in a park.

Somebody took his money and chromatic harmonica from his fanny pack while he slept; evidently the same guy (Gabe suspects) came back afterward with way too much knowledge of the situation (he knew where Gabe's bank card was stashed) and claimed he could get Gabe's stuff back for a fee of course. He wanted Gabe to use his bank card to get more cash to give him for his services. Gabe was astonished at his hubris, but declined his services. The loss was less than $10; the harmonica was a nice one worth about $30, and will be difficult to replace.

At one point in Managua, Nicaragua, while in a restaurant eating, Gabe was watching a televised soccer match; President Bush interrupted the program to announce his "shock and awe" proposal. This was the first Gabe had heard of the war. Gabe was neither shocked nor awed, but he did ask for details.

In spite of the inconveniences, Gabe seems to be meeting new friends and making quick, but deep connections. He basically loves the indigenous people and most of the urbanites whom he meets. He finds time to play music and--much to my chagrin and against his better judgment--he sometimes dances all night with the party-hearty people along the way. I guess one could say he has added dancing to his training regimen, but after riding all day, it is probably not the best idea.

On the other hand, I and many staff and students have been sick for weeks at a time this winter with viruses, so who knows, maybe Gabe's way isn't any more deleterious than the sedate by comparison lifestyle of the typical American.

Gabe hasn't made up his mind whether he will sail from the Caribbean side of Panama for Brazil or sail from the Pacific side for Ecuador. He is enquiring from the people he meets as to road conditions and other factors to help him determine the plan. Thankfully, he at this point, has agreed to skip Colombia.

Gabe and I are already talking of an extensive rock climbing program this summer which will continue probably as a lifestyle for both of us. I hear Billy Herman is a rock climber and I think other runners would benefit. It strengthens and toughens without adding bulk.

We will have to see if capoeira fulfills its function; in a way it already has by motivating this trip. He is also looking forward to track workouts.

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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