Pedaling to the Beat of His Own Drum

Growing up in rural Brazil, Kiko Silvelet says bikes had a very specific purpose: transportation. But after seeing the movie “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” as a boy, Kiko convinced his parents to buy him a BMX bike – a very impractical bike.

Ever since then, Kiko has been in love with the BMX bike.

“The simplicity of it is just so beautiful,” he said. “And it's really easy to get it right because there's less to go wrong.”

Now he’s in his early 50s and living in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He competes in these hardcore mountain bike races where riders are decked out in expensive gear with bikes that cost thousands of dollars. Kiko rides a used BMX bike he bought for $150 bucks. And he almost always finishes last. Why does he do it?

To find out, listen to this episode of Points North.