What am I Doing, Cycling Around the World
I stand on the wet sand of Cannon Beach, Oregon, shivering in the cold wind that whips across my face. The sea smell is strong in the air, and the sky above is a bleak, overcast grey. I'm holding my packed bike, ready to embark on a journey: cycling around the world, solo.
My name is Keifer, and I'm 28 years old at the start of this adventure. I hail from Canada, and have been living on the west coast of the country for the past decade. I set out on December 17th, 2022, and I've been on the road for about a month. The first leg of my journey will take me down to the bottom of South America.
The Route
I'm following the Pacific Coast Bike Route through Oregon and California, and then I'll ride the Baja Divide through Baja California and Sur. After that, I'll travel through the southern states of Mexico and Central America, before heading to South America. My plan is to travel down the west side of the continent, through Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile. From there, I'll decide my next destination based on the best biking season – either Africa or Europe.
On a day-to-day basis, my journey looks something like this: I wake up at dawn, pedal through the sunlight hours, and make camp before dusk (if I'm camping). When the weather is bad, I'll spend a day or two at a motel.
Weather and Challenges
The first few weeks of my journey have thrown some wild weather my way. In addition to the high gust wind warnings of 70 mph and freezing rain, I've also had to deal with flash flood warnings. But despite the challenges, Oregon and California has been a great place to get my "sea legs" and start my journey.
I know that I'll face many challenges along the way, and I'm prepared for that. I'm bringing spare parts for my bike, and I've learned basic bike maintenance and repair skills. I'm also bringing a first aid kit and other supplies in case of emergencies.
But I'm not just focused on the practicalities of my journey. I'm also looking forward to the opportunity to push myself to the limits and see what I'm capable of. I'm excited to see new places, meet new people, and learn about different cultures.
Sharing My Journey
I encourage you to follow my adventures. I'll be posting here on my website, and I'll also be sharing updates on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keifer.a.edelmayer/ . I plan to document my trip and share the day-to-day experiences of my journey.
If you think you'll be in the area of my route, please reach out! A trip is always better with the chance to see old friends and make new ones along the way.
Until next time, Keifer
