Belem - Humaita - Manaus
 

Does anyone know anything about the road BR 230 Transamazonica from Belem to Humaita and from Br 319 Humaita to Manaus! Is it possible or not do drive or is the boat really the only solution!

We heared so many things over this stretch trough Brasil and still don`t know anything serious about that part of the road!

If someone knows anything please tell us!

Thanks a lot Appie and Stefan!

We are in Manaus now and the road from Belem to Humaita is open! Even the road up to Manaus is open but do not enter by rain and be award of the wildlife (last 180km are paved, before the road is bad and a couple of bridges missing). Lot´s of big cats around! We dit not drive it, but that´s what the locals say on the other side of the river on the road down to Humaita (Puerto Velho). All over Brasil they will tell you that it´s not possible to drive. That´s why we tooked the boat as well, but it´s a reason to be back again next year.
The waterlevel from the Amazon is very low this year, it´s may be the best chance to drive through!

Appie

Lisa (my wife) and I have just completed the route from Manaus to Porto Velho (lisa riding F650GS and I'm riding R1100GS), butI wouldn't recommend it.

It was some of the toughest riding we've done.
The first 200km south of Manaus is demanding but nothing impossible as long as it doesn't rain.

Our problems began on the second day when attempting to cross one of the bad bridges I fell from the bike and landed badley on my head. I was out cold for 15 minutes. Then spent the next 4 days repairing my bike which had been on its side for 3 hours, after my fall.

The next 4 days riding were bloody tough, we rebuilt several bridges in order to get the bikes across. Between, the bridges, water laiden track, rivenes, and unbelievable heat and humidity we almost didn't make Humaita.

Oh yeah, we did see one 'large black cat' prob'a Jaguar. Yep, scary as hell...

For more info and photos see http://www.2ridetheworld.com/diary_b...th_chapter.htm

At the moment I'm in Hospital in Sao Paulo having been diagnosed with a 'broken neck' post BR319 and my fall. They'll operate tomorrow, wish me luck????

take care, ride safe
Simon T
www.2ridetheworld.com

Best to you, Simon.

Hellava adventure you guys are on!

Thoughts are with you re your operation. Quite a ride with a broken neck! Best of Luck

Simon, and Lisa, keep us posted on how you're doing!

Best of luck, Grant

Hi guys,

thanks for the kind words, when your feeling low and in pain a few kind words have such potency...really appreciated.

Well, they discharged me from hospital today and we're in a hotel in Sao Paulo right now. Doc's reckon it'll be 6 weeks until I'mabletoride again. I'm aiming to make it happen a little sooner. I'malready having withdrawl symptoms and stating to twitch from my lack of 'bike fix'.

I've got another scar to add to my collection...it's about 4-5 inches across teh base of my neck. The stitches should be comming out in another week.

Right now I'm feeling pretty doped up with teh medication and anti-inflamatories I'm taking,bit wobbly on my feet, but looking forward to getting on the bikes and seeing the rest of South America and the World.

If anyones interested theirs a bike meet happening in Medoza in Argentina from the 18th November to the 21st. It's the 1st Annual South American BMW gathering. We were going toit but now can't.

stay safe, and thanks again for the kind words.
Simon T
www.2ridetheworld.com

We drove the stretch from Porto Vehlo - Humaita - Manaus in two days april 2005. It rained all the time and there we're same dodgy bridges. There is nothing there so take fuel for 700 km, no fuel between Humaita and 100 km before Manaus. Stunning rainforest. The only people that use this road are the Brazilian Telecom they have masts every 35 km (to connect Manaus with mainland Brazil), which make a good place to camp, beacause you can sling a hammock in the mast.

Great wildlife on the way. But there is nothing else out there. Light crossbikes have a clear advantage on this stretch, we drove two XT 600 Z Tenere's 1990 model. In the dry this road should be easier.


check foto's on www.trans-amerika.nl
travellog only in dutch sorry

[This message has been edited by MillsRoadsurfer (edited 19 January 2006).]