It was the year of his 70th birthday and he had a dream. To take the bike and some friends and ride from the place where he was living, Berkeley, CA USA, to the place where he was born and raised, Salvador, BA Brasil.
He was a capoeira mestre and had several pupils or peer mestres who were up to the challenge.
On their way they would be visiting other capoeira groups and documenting it all. Then, the money raised from the media created on their journey would go to project Kirimurê, helping kids in need in Bahia.
On September 1st, 2013, they started their 1-year-long bike ride from the United States towards Brasil. It was a trip of a lifetime!
This post was written in response to the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, that this week has a prompt from pixabay.
Although the challenge is for fiction, there is nothing fictional about my story. The bike ride did happen, and one of my friends was part of the team.
You can see their website here: http://b2bjogacapoeira.com/
To see other stories inspired by the same prompt, click the blue frog below:
Creative Busyness 
What an amazing adventure to go on at any time, but at age 70? Wowsa!
Yep. My dad is the same age and can barely walk a mile… haha. The guy is a champion. And so are his companions. My friend who joined him had to quit the job to do so and does not regret a bit.
Well, I think if you keep pushing yourself to be active your whole life, you’re more likely to still be active in those older years. I’m hoping for that myself, but already have the aches and the pains and the… Okay, I’m stopping complaining now. 😉
😉 Stop complaining would be the first step to get rid of the pain… So you’re in the right track… hehe
Yes I know, complaining never helps. Which reminds me: time for more physical therapy exercises — that at least helps!
I have the same feelings as Joy. That would be an awesome trip but to make such a trip at the age of 70 he must be in really great shape!
I believe he is. I never met him, but from what I understand he’s been a capoeira mestre for like forever. And capoeira is very intense workout… I never dared. I always wanted to try but never had the courage. Like to have my 2 feet on the ground (or at least one at any time). Who knows at my 50’s…??? (I’m 42 now, so I have 8 years to build up the courage). Anyway, I really admire all of his team, especially him, and that’s why I decided to write about them. During their trip I followed it in facebook, through my friend’s posts. It was awesome.
He sounds awesome! That really sounds very interesting! Maybe in your 50’s you too will get up the nerve to work out like that (however, I don’t know what it means. LOL).
It’s like a martial arts mixed with dance and music, and incorporates a lot of gymnastics/acrobatics… very cool to watch. I found a video with a documentary made with the same mestre. It’s a bit long, but shows well what it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGtvpzzN86s
Sounds cool! When I get a chance, I’ll check it out. Thanks!
Sounds like a wonderful idea. A wonderful big adventure. Lot’s of fun and will raise money for worthy causes. Both great things. Nice writting
Hey!! Nice of you to write this up 😊
My friend sent me the link and in particular Mestre will lovr hearing about it. It was amazing to see him ride everyday. No matter how much pain he was in!
And Capoeira is for everyone 😊especially because it has so many aspects. Yeah, when people show their cool stuff it can appear to be intimidating. But there are many people who do it out of passion for music, for community or simply to move and be happy. I’ll show you sometimes
You’re welcome, my dear! 😉
What a wonderful adventure!
Adventure is out there … loved it.
Amazing, it’s never too late to follow your dreams! Nicely written 🙂
What a great trip. And to do so at 70! Lovely.
That would be a great adventure, especially at age 70, he may be in better shape than some at age 55 or 60! People who say active usually can do more than those that have not stayed active.
I love that this is actually a factual story. 🙂 Making a trip like that at 70 is an incredible achievement. He must be a very fit man. I had to look up capoeira, though – I don’t think it’s something you really find in the UK.
I believe you can find some good “mestres” in capoeira in the UK , more so if you live nearby an University , look it up 😉
Turtle Hugs 🙂
An amazing adventure at the age of 70! There’s still hope for me yet (a few years, at least 🙂 ) But it’s true that many people of that age can keep themselves incredibly fit – and do things they’ve wanted to do for years. The fact that this is a true story makes it very special.
What a feat to achieve at 70. Lovely!
Loved the way you inserted a real story into this photo prompt , and called the attention to Mestre Acordeon and his project 🙂
Simply amazing what one can do , at any age , anywhere , when our heart is put into it
Turtle Hugs