Curious Pedals – Cycling Across the Americas

100 days, 10,000 kilometers – and the journey has only just begun

Over 100 days and 10,000 kilometers on the saddle, cycling across North America — yet Finnish duo Valtteri and Alvari are only at the beginning of their journey toward South America. What started as a quest to explore the Americas has turned into an adventure that tests both body and gear — and reveals the raw power and diversity of nature in ways impossible to imagine beforehand.

From Alaska to the deserts – encounters with the wild

The journey began in the endless forest landscapes of Alaska and the Yukon, where “the scenery changes little in a week,” and now the pair are feeling the relentless heat of the Mexican desert sun. Along the way, they’ve faced unforgettable challenges: foxes raiding their camp, bikes breaking down in the remote mountains of Colorado, and the uneasy comfort of finding safe places to camp in Mexico’s Copper Canyon region, an area controlled by cartels.

Their most terrifying encounters, however, have been with bears. One night in Del Norte, New Mexico, as they slept under the stars in a town park, rustling sounds near their bikes woke them up. Their headlamps revealed a large black bear tearing open Valtteri’s pannier and helping itself to breakfast. Finnish curse words eventually scared the bear off — though not before it had devoured part of their food. “That morning we didn’t need coffee,” Valtteri laughs. “But we did have to buy new breakfast, since the bear had already eaten our bread and cheese before we woke up.”

Beyond the headlines

Despite all the hardships, the most important lesson so far has been the contrast between what we read about the world — and what we actually experience. “The news paints certain images of places,” Valtteri reflects. “We cycled through regions many would call dangerous, yet we only met generous, kind-hearted people. Their political views may differ from ours, but beneath that lies a shared humanity.”

At the limits – but with the right gear

Their daily routine is simple yet efficient. Most nights are spent in a tent, rivers and lakes serve as showers, and in drier regions, a single bottle of water becomes a makeshift wash. Breakfast is oatmeal; dinners range from pasta and couscous to instant mashed potatoes. Temperatures have varied from the snowy mountain passes of Colorado to Mexico’s 35°C heat — a true test for their merino wool gear. The fabric has proven indispensable: boxers prevent chafing, socks stay fresh for days without washing, and the lightweight layers work equally well in Arctic chill and desert sun.

“Good gear lets you push your limits,” says Valtteri.

Moments to remember

There have been moments of pure wonder: sleeping under the Milky Way, swimming in glacial rivers, watching salmon fishermen in the Yukon, resting by campfires, and standing in awe of Wyoming’s Great Basin and Canada’s majestic waterfalls. They even found a speck of gold in a Yukon river — a tiny reminder of nature’s hidden treasures.

Southward bound

The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route — often romanticized in conversation — has lived up to its reputation as a formidable challenge. The rough trails of Canada tested their gravel bikes in unexpected ways, but those were the days that became unforgettable.

A strict visa schedule added extra pressure: they had only 90 days to cover 8,100 kilometers from Alaska to Mexico. Yet the limitation turned into motivation. Averaging 100 kilometers a day, the duo found their rhythm — enough to push forward, yet still pause to take in the landscapes, people, and silence.

Now, as they continue south, Valtteri and Alvari embrace both the hardships and the marvels of nature. Each pedal stroke reminds them that a journey is not measured in distance alone — but in the discovery of one’s limits, the raw beauty of the wild, and the unexpected kindness of the world.