10

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.

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.

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.

Now time will say who I meet up with and when. I am now in Fort Nelson, in
"Super Natural British Columbia". All the scenery has been beautiful. Many
mosquitoes the whole trip, but still breathtaking places to see. Also, great
people to meet along the way. I have had some close black bear crossings on
the Alaska Highway. I have been warned by motorist, so I ask a vehicle to
drive next to me, between the bear and myself. So far I have done that
twice, and has worked well. The bear just kept eating its berries by the
side of the road.

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.

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: