Teaser Issue #018 | Riding in Rio de Janeiro

Finding trails within a metropolis of millions might not be that unusual – but there’s nowhere quite like Rio. A city full of contrasts, Rio enraptures the senses with its pulsating rhythms, the Copacabana and the freshly fallen coconuts. However, fast legs and a good bike lock won’t go amiss either.

Finally 18! For the big birthday bonanza issue #018, no journey was too long, no thought too crazy and to hell with the budget. This is how I found myself walking down to departure gate 12 with my youthful recklessness in my hand luggage and a bike in my suitcase. One ticket to Rio, please.

Videos and stories were what inspired me to take this voyage. The beach babes, the weather and the locals took care of the rest.

After 14 hours of cat-napping over the Atlantic, Rio greets me with a ghetto-style smack in the face. CRACK CRACK CRACK resounds through the favela backstreets. I’m soaked in sweat, shaking, and close to vomiting. Was that a machine gun I just heard?

My phone call with the German HQ leaves me disenchanted. I’m supposed to stay here to experience the real Rio with the locals and duly report back. Of course, by the end I’m happy to have been forced into this situation.

The smell of a gunfight, the true face of Rio and just how sick can riding in Brazil be – all of this and more will be revealed in issue #018!

Words: Julian Lemme Pictures: Eduardo Biermann

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