Cayo cyclist returns from S. American odyssey

We often see cyclists from all over the world pedalling the highways of Belize as part of some round the world quest or similar dream. Today, News 5’s Janelle Chanona met one more adventurous soul…but this story is different; he’s one of our own.

Janelle Chanona, Reporting

For the past two and a half years, Rodolfo Juan has been bonding with this bicycle as he fulfilled a lifetime goal of cycling through the countries of South and Central America.

Rodolfo Juan, Cyclist

“You could say it had a long gestation period of being one of the ideas in my mind that I’d like to a little bit more of the world. I had this wonderful opportunity and I just couldn’t lose it. So I just decided right, I just decided I’ll do it, and that was it, I didn’t hesitate. A curiosity to know what was around the corner, that I guess was the basis of it all, the desire to see what is out there and the willingness to go and find out you know.

I flew down to Brazil, to Belem, I took this bike, which is my brother’s bike and from there on I just decided, ride, let’s go. Along the way I kept learning about the bike and learning about different things I might need along the way. It was very much a learning experience to begin with, but after a few months, I pretty much had a hang of what I had to do.”

After the twenty-seven year old mastered his machine, he got his supply list straight, taking along a tent, tools, food and clothes.

Rodolfo Juan

“But most of all food and a sense of humour. You need to have a positive outlook on life, that’s probably the most important thing, a desire to do it and a willingness to do it, and you will overcome whatever you come across.”

But there were a few bumps along the way.

Rodolfo Juan

“Initially it was learning Portuguese, but I was in Brazil. But after that, certainly, the mountains of Bolivia and Peru were physically draining and not just that, but there was an element of mentally being drained as well, the constant having to think ahead. Especially for example when you’re crossing a desserts of Atacama in northern Chile, you need to take three four days worth of water and food with you, and you’re on your own, so you don’t even have the opportunity to talk to anyone, so it can be lonely in many ways.”

Juan spent his nights camping on farms or at community centres and even finding lodging at police stations.

Rodolfo Juan

“You learn to trust yourself, God and trust other people. What else are you going to do? You cannot live in fear, otherwise you just go neurotic or you come overly anxious about everything. No, people were just so very kind and friendly wherever I went, that I always felt very safe, even when I was in Colombia. I never really felt threatened in the least, apart of course from the traffic on the road, which very serious and constant danger in many countries. That is something that I was always conscious of, but the mirror is here to help me.”

Earlier this week, Juan entered Belize by boat from Honduras. This afternoon we were on hand as he was reunited with his sister Margaret in Belmopan.

And the first order of business after his long ride, was his first plate of Belizean rice and beans chicken and salad in two years.

Rodolfo Juan

“This rice and beans is nice.”