In the wee hours yesterday morning, Mr. Barboza completed his 100-mile trip — about four laps of the city — on his pedal-powered vehicle.

More important, he said, were the donations of food, clothing and money that will benefit the Neediest Families Fund.

Last night he declared himself none the worse for wear after the 14-plus-hour journey.

“Actually, I’m not too sore,” Mr. Barboza said. “The worst thing was my fingertips got numb. I was able to change into warm clothes, but I didn’t have extra gloves. And when it turned cold Saturday night, my hands were cold and wet. That was about it, though.”

He collected a few warm memories along the way, however, as city residents opened their hearts and wallets.

“I went into a doughnut shop on Braley Road, Delicious Donuts, just to use the rest room,” Mr. Barboza said. “There was a mailman in the shop who recognized me, and while I went in the rest room he took up a collection. One of the employees wrote a check. I didn’t even know what they were doing.

“And they said they would collect food for us, too.”

Mr. Barboza said he decided some time ago to use his vehicle to raise donations and awareness of the Neediest Families Fund, sponsored by The Standard-Times to help brighten the holidays for needy families.

He started his trip Saturday afternoon at Brooklawn Park in the city’s North End and just kept going, attracting attention — and donations.

“The reaction I got from the people on the street was incredible,” he said. “People were blowing their horns, waving. I have a lot of people who were very generous.”

“It’s been unbelievable,” said the man who was pedaling his hybrid vehicle, with the properties of a bicycle, golf cart and hover craft.

Employees and patrons at the Endzone Sports Pub pledged $10 a mile, which translated to a $1,000 donation.

Attorney Brian D. Cunha and his staff came up with a $200 check for the Neediest Family Fund.

The ride also incorporated a food and gift drive where canned goods, clothing and gifts for Christmas could be dropped off along the route at the New Bedford House of Pizza, Super Lube and the Mill Store. Designs and More and Blessings from Above Day Care also were among participating businesses.

The ride, which he called, “Jesus and I putting the Pedal to the Metal for Thanksgiving and Christmas, would be by far the longest distance he has traveled in his contraption. The most he had pedaled in one shot had been 25-30 miles.

He said he took plenty of liquids along to replace what he burned in energy.

The journey ended at about — a.m., when he pulled in at Smuggler’s Den — the 100-mile mark he pledged to complete.

Right behind him was buddy Scott Gomes, who “followed in his car the whole way,” Mr. Barboza said, and Mr. Gomes’ friend, Grace Souza. Another friend, David Farias, had accompanied Mr. Barboza for a city lap on his 10-speed bike.

“When I finished, I realized I had to bring the vehicle back to my sign shop, another five miles away,” Mr. Barboza said. “I just couldn’t do it. So we tied some trash bags together and Scott towed me. We laughed the whole way.”

Mr. Barboza said he expects to have a tally of what he collected, by week’s end, but added that donations of food and money to the fund are welcome any time.