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Emmanuel “Manny” Gentinetta just turned 18 but is doing something that most
people twice his age wouldn’t even consider. Undertaken the task of Pedaling
a bicycle -Most Solo- over 17,000 miles from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, our interview
with him in Mazatlán took place on his 105th day on the road to Tierra del
Fuego, Argentina; he had only rested on 24 of them. On June 23, he started
out with his good friend, Nolan Lamb the two had devoted to planning the
journey and had spent many dollars for equipment. For two days they rode
along like champions and as free as the breeze. But on the 25th (their 3rd
day out) “Manny” received his first of many surprises along the way. Nolan
Lamb had decided to quit and head home. They switched some gear around and
Nolan set out to hitch a ride to Fairbanks to fly home. Manny’s second surprise
came 13 miles down the road when his rear wheel succumbed to rough roads.
He had to get Fairbanks and the nearest bike shop. His third surprise came
as he stepped onto the same bus as Nolan. When Manny’s missionary father
Mario, from sonora, Calif., heard what had happened, he engineered Manny’s
fourth suprise. Dad bought a new bike, flew to Fairbanks, rented a Ford
Explorer and drove his son 400 miles back to spot where he had broken down.
For six days, his father followed for safety’s sake, while also teaching
him more about camping and survival. Manny said, “Then sun was just spinning
in the sky about 30 degrees above the horizon” as they experienced 24 hours
of daylight. Meanwhile they spotted a grizzly, moose, caribou, dolly sheep
and snowshoe hare. They passed through the town of Coldfoot which boasts
of its North America temperature of minus 82 degrees F. Hearing that made
them truly apreciate the sunny 80 degrees they had that day. In Fairbanks,
it would be time to bid dad a fond farewell. His bike was properly repaired
and dad would take the new one home as a spare. Once alone, he met a German
biker named Jan (pronounced Yan as in Yanni). For days they enjoyed each
other’s company until the road forked. Jan had been a great comfort and
kept his drive and spirits up, heeding warnings from motorists, Manny twice
chose to put a car between him and the black bear , thankfully, the bear
just keep eating his berries. Manny tries for 70 to 100 miles a day, longest
day covering 127. On August 20th he had his first of 8 flats to date!!!
Unfortunately in bigger cities due to more litter it was worse. Continueing
through British Columbia he stayed in Dawson Creek at the home of the local
newspaper editor’s home. Yes, he did give an interview. People have been
very pleasant and kind, like his stop at Mae’s Kitchen on the Alaskan Highway.
The people started asking about his trip and before long the entire room
joined in and the people at the next table paid for his meal. Naturally,
this has been the biggest help because he’s making this trip mainly thanks
to generous donations. Now crossing into the U.S. at Sumas, Washington.
was to spend his last Canadian cash...bought a postcard and an 85 g chocolate
bar. Starting to pay he realized he had more money, so he exchanged the
85 g bar for a 100g one. “3.74” said the cashier. Emptying his pockets $3.74.
She said “You ought to go on the Price is Right”! In Washington, enjoyed
a five-day with his parents and siblings.............visit. Downsizing his
load became a priority and the little he kept now became his closests friends.
Farther south, the road made it is way to the splendor of the gorgeous Oregon.
On the beautiful 101 he wound around the heavily vegetated hills to the
East, viewing the ocean with it is carefully placed large boulder rocks
to the west. Besides looking forward to |
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crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, he got caught up in the thought and excitement
of meandering through the beatiful redwoods of Northern California. This
included the world famous “Avenue of the Giants” and the “Drive-thru Tree”.
On Aug. 28 he again met 40 members of his family and friends on the north
side of the Golden Gate Bridge for the crossing. At first, he thought may
be dreaming seeing all of those familiar faces. Jolting back to reality,
they all crossed and enjoyed a big potluck picnic. Down highway One he continued.
It had become the greates exprience of all, meeting bikers while riding
and in the State Parks at night. After All his reason for making this trip
was to meet people; it couldn’t get any better! . At Huntington Beach his
bike under major upgrading, for durability preparing for the Central and
South America trip where parts and dealers are not so widely available.,
while the work was taking place, again enjoyed family and friends. Soon,
his bike, body and mind were ready for MEXICO!. At this point his dad was
able to be with him for the crossing and to help him slip gently into the
likes of his Latino culture and background. Not that one is better than
the other, he explains, because he feels he has a great balance between
the two, American and Argentine, for his benefit at this point, he’ll definitely
be leaning to the Latin side. Four days swiftly sped past before his dad
left. But not before much more teaching. And by the time, all of the things
that Manny had heard about “South of the Border” banditos had been put to
rest. This enable dad to feel comfortable going back to his missionary duties
and family while his son continued his dream. Traveling down Baja there
were many long hot lonely stretches but Manny said “People were more accommodating
than anyplace else”. Unable to help you financially, they give you food,
a place to sleep and a shower even if it’s only a cup of water, it feels
like the best shower you’ve eve had. Many miles go by never seeing anything
or anybody except a speedy lizard dashing to and from. The flies seem to
keep up with you no matter how fast you pedal. After a time you stop swatting
as you become exasperated turning your thoughts and energy towards the heavens
praying for endurance and strength. The long arms of the giant cactus extends
her arms out as giving you that much needed nudge of encouragement.... In
most all the Baja towns, the police found him lodging with local families
or in their offices. They also provided food for him, all in all making
him feel very safe. Miles clicking by, before he knew it he was in La Paz
for the ferry crossing to Mazatlan. He left on the 7th of October, his 107th
day biking with 5,300 miles behind him and at least another 11,700 ahead.
His final destination should be reached in April. As of Oct. 21th he had
made it to Oaxaca, México. His parents will meet him in Ecuador for Christmas
and again at his final destination in Argentina. We certainly wish him all
the best hope to one day see him on Tonight Show with Jay Leno or Rosie
O’Donnell show. My desire is for more people to see this young man and hear
his story first hand. On his return home he will be setting up meetings
for the month of June 2000 to give out his story. He’ll start his book entitled
“BIKE IT SOLO” and start his college classes in the fall of 2000 at Stanford
university majoring in Physics. If you happen to be in the Sonora, CA. area,
he is on the radio every Wednesday morning from 8:40 to 9:00...KKBN (93.5
F.M.) via phone from wherever he is at that time of his trip. E.mail to
get on his mailing list regarding his travels...emmanuel@grinfeld.com If
you’d like to make a donation to him through his parents feel free to do
so by sending it to Bike it solo...15460 Paseo de los Robles..Sonora, Ca.
95370. |
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Emmanuel "Manny"
Gentinetta
Emmanuel with
Mike and maricha Veselik
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