Rio - Santos Highway by Bike

Dado Galdieri along the train tracks between Itacuruça and Muriqui, near Mangaratiba, Rio state, Brazil, during a trip on the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Rio Santos
Dado Galdieri cycles up a hill on the Rio-Santos highway near Mangaratiba, Rio state, Brazil. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A view of the Praia do Saco in Mangaratiba, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
The Mendonça hotel in Mangaratiba, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The hotel makes a decent layover for those traveling the Rio Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A sign indicates direction in Mangaratiba, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Passengers disembark from the ferry arriving from Ilha Grande in Mangaratiba, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The island makes for a great escape from Rio, but in order to catch the 8am boat to the island, passengers must take a 5am bus from Rio. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Dado Galdieri makes photographs as passengers disembark from the ferry arriving from Ilha Grande in Mangaratiba, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The island makes for a great escape from Rio, but in order to catch the 8am boat to the island, passengers must take a 5am bus from Rio. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Th ferry arriving from Ilha Grande in Mangaratiba, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The island makes for a great escape from Rio, but in order to catch the 8am boat to the island, passengers must take a 5am bus from Rio. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A view of Mangaratiba Bay in Mangaratiba, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
The Ilha Grande ferry is silouetted by the dusk in Mangaratiba, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The island makes for a great escape from Rio, but in order to catch the 8am boat to the island, passengers must take a 5am bus from Rio. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A dog named Beethoven on the ferry pier in Mangaratiba, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A dog named Beethoven on the ferry pier in Mangaratiba, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A view of Mangaratiba Bay in Mangaratiba, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A view of Mangaratiba Bay in Mangaratiba, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A fresh produce market buit around a tree in Conceição de Jacarei, Mangaratiba, Rio state, Brazil. the marked is a great stop to stock up on items while traveling the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably one of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A fresh produce market buit around a tree in Conceição de Jacarei, Mangaratiba, Rio state, Brazil. the marked is a great stop to stock up on items while traveling the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably one of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A fresh produce market in Conceição de Jacarei, Mangaratiba, Rio state, Brazil. the marked is a great stop to stock up on items while traveling the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably one of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Bicycles parked outsdie the Verolme shipyard in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Bicycles are widely used in small towns and factories in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Bicycles parked outsdie the Verolme shipyard in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Bicycles are widely used in small towns and factories in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Bicycles parked outsdie the Verolme shipyard in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Bicycles are widely used in small towns and factories in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Bicycles parked outsdie the Verolme shipyard in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Bicycles are widely used in small towns and factories in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Bicycles parked outsdie the Verolme shipyard in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Bicycles are widely used in small towns and factories in Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A view of the Verolme shipyard in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Dado Galdieri rides across a bike/pedestrian bridge in Monsuaba, near Angra dos Reis, Rio state, Brazil, during a trip on the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
The "Bar do Chuveiro" (Shower Bar) has a huge shower/fountain in which patrons can take a bath while waiting for the bar's specialty, shrimp pastried. The bar makes a great stop while traveling the Rio-Santos highway, the 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean. It passes through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably one of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
The "Bar do Chuveiro" (Shower Bar) has a huge shower/fountain in which patrons can take a bath while waiting for the bar's specialty, shrimp pastried. The bar makes a great stop while traveling the Rio-Santos highway, the 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean. It passes through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably one of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
The "Bar do Chuveiro" (Shower Bar) has a huge shower/fountain in which patrons can take a bath while waiting for the bar's specialty, shrimp pastried. The bar makes a great stop while traveling the Rio-Santos highway, the 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean. It passes through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably one of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Douglas Engle and Dado Galdieri pose in front of a sign during a bicycle trip on the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Sunrise over the Angra Bay in Angra dos Reis, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. Rising early is a good way to avoid the Southern Hemisphere summer (December-March) heat, and allows for beautiful moments like this. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A view of the Angra Nuclear power plant in Angra dos Reis, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest - and a nuclear power plant. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A view of the Angra Nuclear power plant in Angra dos Reis, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest - and a nuclear power plant. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Dado Galdieri wears a head-lamp light during a brief stop to view of the Angra Nuclear power plant in Angra dos Reis, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest - and a nuclear power plant. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Dado Galdieri wears a head-lamp light during a brief stop to view of the Angra Nuclear power plant in Angra dos Reis, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest - and a nuclear power plant. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A view of the Vila Historica de Mombucaba, the original fishing village of Mombucaba, part of the municipality of Angra dos Reis, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A view of the Vila Historica de Mombucaba, the original fishing village of Mombucaba, part of the municipality of Angra dos Reis, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A view of the the São Gonçalinho beach, part of the municipality of Paraty, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. São Gonçalinho makes for a great refreshment and swimming stop, and even for a night over in nearby simple hotels. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Dado Galdieri relaxes in a roadside fresh-water pool during a trip on the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Sunrise at Trinidade beach, about 20 km from downtown Paraty, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Sunrise at Trinidade beach, about 20 km from downtown Paraty, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. Many tourists, even though have a paid hotel or hostel, sleep on the beach. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Sunrise at Trinidade beach, about 20 km from downtown Paraty, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A view of the Trinidade beach, about 20 km from downtown Paraty, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A view of the Trinidade beach, about 20 km from downtown Paraty, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A view of the Trinidade beach, about 20 km from downtown Paraty, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A view of the Trinidade beach, about 20 km from downtown Paraty, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A view of the village of Trinidade, about 20 km from downtown Paraty, Rio state, Brazil, just off the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Douglas Engle and Dado Galdieri pose in front of a car and their bikes during a trip on the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Biek shadows on the highway during a mini rescue operation to take cyclists Douglas Engle and Dado Galdieri up a mountain during a trip on the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Douglas Engle and Dado Galdieri pose in at the state line between Rio and São Paulo states during a trip on the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
Douglas Engle and Dado Galdieri pose in at the state line between Rio and São Paulo states during a trip on the Rio-Santos highway. The 500 plus kilometer road runs along the Atlantic Ocean, passing through, near and around dozens of beaches, waterfalls, mountains and forest. It is arguably of of Brazil's most beautiful roads. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)
A view of one of the many roadside waterfalls along one of Brazils most beautiful roads, the Rio Santos highway, at approximately kilometer marker 15 in São Paulo state. (Douglas Engle/Australfoto)