Press Release: Biking for Sustainability

In search of a sustainable future, with minimal impact on our environment and socially responsible beings; on October 6th, 2008, the Brazilian/Canadian, Hilário Porto Gonçalves (aka Lalo Porto), 28, will depart on an ambitious bicycle ride that will cross 23 countries and approximately 50,000 kilometres in the span of roughly three years. The route will be the shaped in an infinity symbol crossing the shores of North, Central and South Americas, starting and finishing in Toronto, Canada. “The main objective of InfinityCycle is to meet people, experience their way of life, and share knowledge to empower positive change in our lives,” says Porto.

Porto will only have basic supplies such as food, tent, camping gear, bike repair kit, a basic laptop to upkeep this blog, plus his smog free vehicle, the bicycle. “I will camp, and cook meals on a fuel efficient camp stove, and as much as possible consume local goods with the least amount of packaging and use solar power to fuel electronic devices” says Porto.

This idea has been developing for over six months, and Porto is seeking partners that relate to his concerns and would be interested in sponsoring this project. Porto will be an official ‘ambassador’ for Bikes Without Borders, a Canadian not-for-profit organization that uses bikes as a tool for development in marginalized communities, to visit and assist existing communities and find new ones for their projects.(www.BikesWithoutBorders.org)

The first ideas of cycling around the Americas started 3 years ago with some long distance rides in Ontario. He is inspired by the belief that person-to-person contact can cause a ripple effect of positive action. Porto also seeks to connect with the participants of the Eagle and Condor Prophecy: An Aboriginal belief to have peace and unity between people of the North and South.

It is 17 day before my official departure date, October 6th. Thing are starting to come together and I'm starting to feel that warm fuzzy feeling of adrenaline rushing through my vain... Similar feeling of when I stand on the edge of a cliff, and enjoy the few moments before taking the plunge into the water!!!

On the road I will also be working to spread to word about Bikes Without Borders and help them develop contacts in both the U.S., South and Latin America. Bikes Without Borders is a Canadian not-for-profit organization that uses bike and bike-related solutions as a tool for development in Marginalized communities (www.BikesWithoutBorders.org).


Tonight I'm playing my last show with my brothers, Mulambo Groove at Cantina 1288 Dundas St. West. It will be a good show! That is why I gotta go!!!

I've had my bike for a week now and I'm getting used to the cleats, even though I did crash 4 times cause U was not able to relaese my feet in time...

Got my touring bicycle today from Velotech. Chris, the shop owner custom assembled it part by part. Together we decided all the different part that would make up the bike. It is a steel frame called Double Cross by Soma. Steel is very strong to handle the weight of all the gear, and it absorbs shock much more than Aluminum.
The handle bar, going against all regular touring bicycles, is vintage cruiser handle, to support the back and aid in maintaining a position of mechanical advantage while riding. Since riding will be how I spend most of the time, I might as well be healthy doing it... Another really exciting part of the bike are the pedals. on one side they are normal and the other they have clips. For this I have a pair of sandals with clips and can do some cycling with double the efficiency. "Just under a Km after leaving the bike shop. I was riding past a friends place and slowed to a stop, forgetting about the clips, I got stuck and feel down on the concrete. Better to fall in the begging and get used to it before I leave".
Talk to you soon...

BWB

Wow, it is now 24 day before my previewed date of departure, Sept 30th 2008. This are starting to become much more concrete and the word is starting to go around.

This week I had my first meeting with Mike Brcic, founder and board member of the new Canadian not for profit organization, Bikes Without Borders, whose mission is to use bikes and bike-related solutions as a tool for development in marginalized communities. It possibility of me working together witht them on this trip is really exiting. It would probably involve me representing/introducing BWB's work to communities both in the north and south. Like finding new cities interested in gathering used bike to send to the south as well and finding new communities that would really benefit and be impacted by their programs!

Check out www.DoctorsWithoutBorders.org

For now I simply await their response!

Keep cycling...