EMMANUEL'S 10% PROGRESS REPORT

July 26, 1999 Miles Completed: 1,699.21

Dear Friends and Supporters:

I knew my bike journey would bring about lots of surprises. A 16,000+ mile bike ride from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, gives one the opportunity and time to see many different things.

I had planned this trip for the last year with my good friend Nolan Lamb. After spending much time preparing and many dollars in equipment, we flew to Prudhoe Bay on June 22, 1999.

From left to right: Nolan, Mom, Myself, Dad, sister Clarissa, brother Francesco, at the San Francisco airport

We rode together on June 23 and 24. The morning of June 25th I received my first surprise. Nolan said he was going home. OK. So we switched some gear around and Nolan waited by the road to hitch a ride to Fairbanks and fly home. I continued riding, and 13 miles down the road I destroyed my rear wheel, no spinning motion at all. The gravel and ruts of the Dalton Highway really punish bikes.

I had no choice but to hitch a ride to Fairbanks myself. It was where the nearest bike shop was. After flagging cars and trucks down for three and a half hours, I ended up on the same bus as Nolan.

In Fairbanks I went to the airport to help Nolan pack and go home. I would continue on. Not alone, though.

When my dad, Mario Anibal Gentinetta, heard what had happened, he did something not every father would do. First, he bought a new bike in case mine could not be fixed. Second, he flew up to Fairbanks to meet me. Third, he rented a Ford Explorer and took me back to the spot where I had broken down, 400 miles north of Fairbanks. For six days my dad followed me to make sure I was OK and to teach me a lot about camping and survival.

Together with him we experienced 24 hours of daylight, with the sun just spinning in the sky about 30 degrees above the horizon.

In Alaska I saw a grizzly, moose, caribou, dolly sheep, snowshoe hare, and Snowshoe Scott, a local singer in the town of Coldfoot. Coldfoot holds the record for lowest temperature in North America. -82 degrees F. When I was there it was about 80 degrees and very, very sunny all day long.

Upon my second arrival at Fairbanks, this time by bike, it was time to say good bye to dad. My bike had been repaired successfully, so the spare went back home. Thanks dad.

Saying good bye to Dad at Fairbanks airport in Alaska

I continued on on my own, through the rest of Alaska. After a few days I met a German guy who is riding through Alaska and the Yukon. His name is Jan (pronounced Yan, like in Yanni). We rode together for five days, until our routes split.

I have ridden all the way, and conquered every hill, with the help of my Lord Jesus. He gives me the endurance and strength to carry on. I have been doing between 70 and 100 miles a day, with my longest day having been 127 miles. The only sections I have not ridden were in about four different construction zones, where I was forced to cross in the back of the pilot truck. Too dangerous to ride, they say. Those distances add up to about 13 miles. Everything rideable so far, I have ridden.

I know all of you, my friends, are supporting me. Thank you. I will not let you down. This may be my trip, but all of you should feel as part of the adventure. I will continue. I can't find a better thing to do.

The area where Cruise The Americas became "Bike It Solo"
Click on picture for an enlarged version

BIKE IT SOLO,

Emmanuel Gentinetta

Consider the Following:

-please forward or make copies of this report and post them where others may read it as well.

-due to the fact that I have close to 100 people on my mailing list, please let me know if you have email. You will receive the report sooner, with pictures attached. Send your name and email to:

emmanuel.gentinetta at bikeitsolo.com

-Watch for Emmanuel's 20% Progress Report, coming to your town in a few more miles.

-Thank you for your continued support, both spiritually and financially. If you would like to support with trip expenses, feel more than welcome to send a check to:

Bike it Solo

15460 Paseo de los Robles

Sonora, CA 95370

I HAVE NOT HAD ONE FLAT TIRE. WE'LL SEE HOW LONG I CAN GO LIKE THAT.