So you’ve heard that Jeff and I are going to race a co-ed duo in Brasil.  I’ve mentioned it’s 6 days and 326 miles, but I haven’t mentioned much else.  Better late than never… but I’m finally getting into the details.  We are leaving on Wednesday.

First, here is the race website.  I got all this info from here: http://brasilride.com.br/site/Home

I thought I’d break each stage down. I’m not really sure what I’m getting myself into. I expect it to be extremely hot and humid, to feel tired, to put up a fight, to have fun and enjoy the moment, and to never give up.

STAGE 1 – Prologue

The race starts in Mucuge, Bahia.

There wasn’t an elevation profile. This is the shortest stage of the race clocking in at 22km/13.67 miles. Elevation gain is still unknown. I imagine it’ll be more like a TT, and good for openers. I’m glad I’ve been racing cross, because that will help with this short, intense effort.

STAGE 2

Distance: 139km/86.4 mi (eeek)
Elevation Gain: 11,063′

STAGE 3

Distance: 85km/ 52.82 mi
Elevation Gain: 5,728′

STAGE 4

Distance: 96km/59.65 mi
Elevation Gain: 5741′

STAGE 5

Distance: 83.9mi/135km
Elevation Gain: 5629′

STAGE 6

Distance: 50km/31 mi
Elevation Gain: 4,836′

Everyone will sleep in tents every night. We are provided with a black duffel bag to haul all of our race stuff for the week which will be driven from location to location. It’ll be fun to sleep in a tent – but it definitely will add extra challenges. No one gets the creature comforts of a hotel which I think makes the race more “organic.”

Where in Brazil are we going? It’s a big place! We will fly into Salvador, Bahia.

Salvador is on the coast. Beach time for a day!! YEAHOOO!

The UV index is high in Brazil since we are close to the equator. I packed my sunscreen. It’ll be weird and sweet coming back to what will be the Colorado winter all bronzed from the sunshine.

Race route:

Tomorrow, I’ll post some photos I found of the area. It looks beautiful, and almost desert-like. I’m hoping to get in a ride or two before I leave. I still have to pack, wrap up some stuff with work, and take an exam tomorrow. I can’t believe I’m actually going to Brazil on Wednesday!