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Brazilian adventurer José Geraldo de Souza Castro, better known as 'Zé do Pedal' (Pedal Joe), embarked on an extraordinary journey of 17,000 kilometres on a specially adapted BERG off-road go-kart.
He set off on 10 May 2008 from Paris, France, with Johannesburg, South Africa, as his final destination, aiming to attend the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
On 10 May 2008, Pedal Joe began his journey under the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris. Throughout his adventure, he travelled through 22 countries in Europe and Africa, including France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Namibia, and South Africa.
Over two years and three weeks, he braved extreme temperatures, mountainous landscapes, sandy roads, and political unrest in some regions. His BERG go-kart was no ordinary model. BERG custom-built an off-road version equipped with durable tyres, a reinforced drivetrain, disc brakes, a 7-speed gearbox, LED lighting, a solar panel, and even a rear-view mirror. With this robust setup, he managed to cover an average of 100 km per day.
Check out a short travel report below:
The journey was not without danger. Pedal Joe was robbed twice, lost his luggage to theft, and fell ill twice along the way. In some areas, he encountered impassable roads and political instability. Yet, he persevered and was warmly welcomed by Lions Club members, local communities, and even the Brazilian embassy. His arrival in Johannesburg on 1 June 2010 was an emotional moment. At Melrose Arch, he was greeted by BERG representatives, Lions Club members, and many supporters. In total, he had pedalled for 3,049 hours to reach his final destination.
Pedal Joe’s adventure was not just about the physical challenge; it carried a deeper message. As a member of Lions Club International, he used his journey to raise awareness for the fight against blindness. He supported the SightFirst programme, which focuses on preventing and treating diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts, affecting millions of people worldwide.
During his stay in South Africa, he visited social projects and schools in Lesotho, Swaziland, and Mozambique, where he shared his message about the environment, health, and social responsibility.
Pedal Joe’s story shows the power of dreams and determination. His journey not only proved the reliability and durability of BERG go-karts but also inspired many to see the world from a different perspective.
Because let’s be honest: who would have thought you could pedal from Paris to Johannesburg?
With BERG by his side and the wind in his hair, Pedal Joe truly embodied what BERG stands for: The Outdoors is Yours!
