Why?

Travel, learning, eco-friendliness... these have been in our minds for a long time. We both had done long-term adventures before, Tamara by bike and Danny by foot, and we wanted to do some sort of trip that would combine the two. 

Our first thought was that we would bike to all the U.S. National Parks and then go backpacking in them. We soon transitioned this idea to a cycle tour with backpacking to natural areas in Central and South America, reasoning that it was silly to travel for over a year and never leave our home country. 

But even this idea didn't seem to encompass all that we wanted to explore, and finally we ended up with the current monster: biking from Deadhorse, Alaska, the northernmost town accessible by road, to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost town in South America. 

A rare paved section of the Dalton Hwy, Alaska

Why, you ask, have we taken on such an enormous endeavor? 

To us, the answer is simple: why not?

As former outdoor educators, we recognize the importance of experiential learning, and cycle touring, possibly more than any other form of travel, provides ample opportunity for this. Along the way we have learned, and continue to learn, about the true nature of reality: different ways of living, natural areas, languages, foods, bikes, and so much more. Perhaps most importantly, we've learned an incredible amount about ourselves. 

But why exactly is bicycle touring so educational? Simply because every day is different. Sure, there is some monotony—every day we get on our bikes and spin our legs in circles—but there are always unexpected surprises. A broken dérailleur, lollipops given out of a car window, a storm and then a rainbow. It's a constant challenge to adapt to new situations and learn from them. 

Whether we find good or bad surprises along the way, we've seen that putting yourself out there in the world is always rewarding in ways that are impossible to predict.

And the thing is, once you start, it's addicting. We're always challenging ourselves to be better at whatever we're doing, pushing past the limits we think we have. Because that's how you keep learning, living, and loving life. 

See you down the road!

Lagunas de Atillo, Sangay National Park, Ecuador

A common bond exists between those who feel the need to venture away from the ordinary and hit the road, the ocean, or the dirt and mud of mountain trails. Here are some of the people, blogs, and books that helped prepare us and continue to inspire us.

Machacasonwheels.blogspot.com
Theridesouth.com
Whileoutriding.com
Velofreedom.bike
Fatcycling.wordpress.com

www.350south.org

www.bicycletouringpro.com

www.cyclingabout.com

www.worldonabike.com

www.elpedalero.com

www.pedalingnowhere.com

The Road That Has No End and Down The Road in South America by Tim and Cindie Travis

Travels With Willie and Spokesongs by Willie Weir 

Falling Uphill by Scott Stoll