A motorcycle journey spanning continents and cultures has brought Brazilian rider Eduardo Ximenes to Cochrane for a quick but meaningful stop.
Ximenes is on a solo trek from Ushuaia, Argentina to Miami, clocking in over 35,000 kilometres so far. By the time he finishes the trip and ships his bike home, he expects to hit 40,000.
Ximenes pulled into the Car Wash Corral, where he met Germán, who was kind enough to translate for this interview.
“This trip is a dream I’ve had for years,” says Ximenes (through Germán). “It’s not easy, but it’s something I needed to do.”
His route has taken him through Patagonia, the Atacama Desert, Central America and the United States before winding into the Canadian Rockies.
“Canada is one of the most beautiful places I have seen,” says Ximenes. “The lakes, the mountains, everything here is incredible.”
He made a brief stop in Cochrane to visit his nephew and take in the local scenery before heading south again.
Ximenes says the journey hasn’t always been smooth. From heavy rains in the north to dangerous roads in parts of Central America, the ride has tested him physically and mentally.
“You have to be very strong,” he says. “There are many obstacles, and you must be sure this is really what you want.”
Despite the challenges, the highlights are unforgettable. Ximenes recalls seeing a volcano erupt in Guatemala, exploring Chile’s Atacama Desert and visiting NASA in Houston.
He was also awed by the wineries in Mendoza, Argentina and the legendary Route 66 in the U.S.
“Each place has something different to teach you,” he says.
“You learn from the road, the people and the silence.”
Riding alone has its ups and downs. Ximenes says it offers freedom and peace, but also moments of deep solitude.
“There are days when the only person I talk to is myself,” he says with a smile.
When asked about his favourite Canadian stops, he pointed to Lake Louise.
Once he reaches Miami, Ximenes will ship his motorcycle to Paraguay, then fly home to Brazil.
Very few people complete a ride from Ushuaia to Alaska. Ximenes is proud to count himself among them.
“You can count them on your fingers,” he says. “It’s something very few will ever do.”
