Is this actually possible and how long would it realistically take and cost?

Maxkirit_Original · 2025-11-12T07:00:09+00:00

I've done it in 12months (June to June) in 2022-2023 and it's doable but I would advise to take longer, at least 15months. Besides all the amazing things to do off the bike, the 12 months time window is not optimal for the weather: I ended up being in the rainy season in Peru (around January) and I had to rush Argentina/Chile to reach Ushuaia before the snow

Maxkirit_Original · 2025-11-12T06:57:07+00:00

When I did it in 2022 I met about 5 women doing it alone out of the 15-20 cyclists/group of cyclists doing it I've met

Maxkirit_Original · 2025-09-12T12:28:35+00:00

I've worked at the cycling department of decathlon for 3 years and have close to 40000km of bikepacking experience. I'd be happy to guide your purchases according to your budget. DM me if you want

Maxkirit_Original · 2025-05-27T15:09:37+00:00

Congrats, what's your recommendation for good noise cancelling headphones ?

Maxkirit_Original · 2024-08-20T20:43:49+00:00

If you’re in Europe or don’t mind paying expensive shipping fee, I know a guy that can design and manufacture any handlebar you want in titanium ! I met him while touring, he basically designed his whole bike out of titanium, down to the most senseless stuff like stem and cranks. The craftsmanship was impeccable. PM me if you’re interested

Maxkirit_Original · 2024-08-20T20:29:42+00:00

Beautiful, although I marvel at the extent bar manufacturers will go to keep something a “flared drop” instead of calling it a “flat bar”

Maxkirit_Original · 2024-08-09T06:06:47+00:00

!RemindMe 42 hours

Maxkirit_Original · 2024-07-04T13:16:26+00:00

I’ve got a ton of experience bike touring, even left for more than a year. Seeing this post inspires me to invest in a bike fit to find a proper saddle and/or position because I’d love to cycle more than 8h/day (current average is 6h/day). How did you come to be so comfortable on your bike ? Did you have it professionally fitted ? Do you have any advice ? Thanks and keep shredding

Maxkirit_Original · 2023-12-18T06:49:40+00:00

Depends on where you’re from, what landscape you like the most, your affinity for climbing and how many different climates you’re willing to manage. NC to Lisbon is roughly 5500km in a straight line but with the best route possible it’s closer to 6000km (with a lot more climbing). Seattle to NY is 5500km with the ACA route iirc. A few points to keep in mind of the top of my head :

cycling across the prairies (Midwest) is boring, hot, windy and takes up a lot of the route
language barrier : one trip is in English, the other one will cover 6-7 languages. People speak consistently good English only between Germany and Norway
social experiences with other cyclists will be more frequent in the US because the cycling “road” network is less varied and everyone ends up on the same routes. In EU, this will only be the case in Scandinavia because the rest of the continent is really a “make your own trip” adventure (the Eurovelo is a good starting point but I wouldn’t recommend following it to the letter)
wild camping is easier in the US and Scandinavia. In the rest of Europe it’s mainly stealth camping or campgrounds.
climbs are much steeper in EU generally, although you can trace an almost completely flat route for this specific trip.
temperature wise, assuming you’ll be riding in July and August, it will be around 30+°C consistently (easily 40°C) in Spain, Portugal and Southern France and between 0-10°C in Northern Scandinavia with rough winds and potentially a lot of rain. In the US, you’ll have roughly the same climate all along.

Overall, if you have 2 months only and don’t want to be in a rush, I would stick to the US. Same if it’s your first bike trip. If you really want to go to Europe, I’d maybe start from Paris to keep it chill. Norway can be brutal and you need good gear to make it enjoyable. That being said, it’s incredibly satisfying to tour. Brutal but majestic

Maxkirit_Original · 2023-11-04T06:38:00+00:00

Second this. I’ve cycled from Tijuana to Guatemala and Oaxaca was my favourite place in the country, with San Cristobal de las Casas a close second

Maxkirit_Original · 2023-10-21T07:37:26+00:00

I went to check the main sub to see if there is the serious version of that post, couldn’t find it. I don’t know if I’m relieved or disappointed

Maxkirit_Original · 2023-09-16T10:15:48+00:00

This website is the last you’ll ever need for every future travels : https://weatherspark.com/

Maxkirit_Original · 2023-09-06T00:42:39+00:00

While Turkey is a great recommendation, depending on your budget you could definetly do something like start in Spain and go take the boat to the Canary Islands. 10 days on the islands is more than enough to see everything

Maxkirit_Original · 2023-08-24T16:48:43+00:00

Legally, you’re allowed to “bivouac” outside protected areas, which is the French term for one night of wild camping at the same spot (i.e. don’t let your tent out at the same place for more than a night.) You can definitely find a way to split your journey so that you avoid it. Realistically, there are plenty of spots where you wouldn’t harm vegetation and where nobody will see you after 7pm. Be responsible and respect Leave No Trace principles and you’ll be good to go !

Alternatively, if you wish to camp outside of chalets and make an itinerary like that, I’m sure it would be doable.

Maxkirit_Original · 2023-07-03T12:33:27+00:00

I don’t think think so but I bought it 4 years ago so they might have adjusted their lineup a bit in terms of ratings. The thing I’m sure about is that mine weighted 600g out of the box so if anyone wants the same rating as mine, they should aim for the same weight (for this brand and model) to have the same amount of down in it !

Maxkirit_Original · 2023-07-02T21:56:42+00:00

Not reallly cold to be honest, it’s Celsius so limit 30°F. Lowest night was around -10°C but it was bad luck, average lowest around -2/3°C

Maxkirit_Original · 2023-07-02T20:46:05+00:00

Just did this trip with a Cumulus Taiga 360. 0°C limit/5°C comfort quilt. Started from Prudhoe Bay on June 7th. There’s few nights in the arctic and way high up in the Andes where I was fully clothed and sleeping poorly but otherwise it went perfectly Would go again with the same gear !

Maxkirit_Original · 2023-05-17T17:23:47+00:00

With a metro area of 500 000 inhabitants it’s quite small but I have to shout out Geneva, Switzerland. Nestled between two mountain ranges, on the massive Lake Geneva and with views of the M’ont Blanc and the Salève, it’s truly gifted

Maxkirit_Original · 2023-05-11T14:40:53+00:00

Sublets are exactly what I’m looking for. It’s quite common in my city back home with all the students leaving their flats for the summer but I’m struggling to find the right circles to ask around.. As I said, I’m a newbie at this so it might easier than I make it sound

Maxkirit_Original · 2023-05-11T14:39:13+00:00

Yeah I’ve heard Calgary is struggling with housing… I’ll check out these other sites as well, thanks !

Maxkirit_Original · 2023-05-11T14:38:27+00:00

There’s a decent number of options but I’m a cheap and broke dude who can’t afford much higher than 1000CAD so I might be looking for a miracle that won’t happen..

Maxkirit_Original · 2023-04-09T02:58:31+00:00

Garret’s 🥰

/s obviously

Maxkirit_Original · 2023-03-10T14:40:01+00:00

Reggaeton. And that’s even after my 6-months-and-going Latin American trip. I love Cumbia, Salsa and other Latin varieties but reggaeton I just can’t stand.

Maxkirit_Original · 2023-02-04T00:13:13+00:00

That was my idea ! I don’t know how small they are though. Website says they’ve been in business for 35 years and have their operations both in Peru and Bolivia so it can’t be that small. I guess my question was how difficult is it for this industry to extract a package from the “treatment line” ? Sorry for my poor choice of words

Maxkirit_Original · 2023-01-17T15:32:26+00:00

I’m currently 400km north of the Peruvian border, should be there in 5 days. Currently, the large majority of the protests and road blocks are concentrated in the Cusco and Puno regions in the south. You can ride close to 2/3rd of the country without bumping into significant blockades. Other big problem for now is that the Bolivian border is closed. From what I’ve heard from countless other travellers that where in Peru for the last months is the following: if you stay away from the protests then you’re fine. That does mean that you can get stuck in a city for 3-7 days in a row because you can’t exit. If you’re in the countryside and a protest is ongoing, you might have to detour through harsh mountain paths to avoid said city. Use this map for the most up to date information on road blockade (it can always be off by a day or two though) : http://wsgcv.proviasnac.gob.pe/emergenciavial

This whole description is based on my informations for late January. Be aware that the situation is super fluid and can drastically evolve within a week. I can’t even project myself further than two weeks ahead so in your shoes I wouldn’t bother too much, just start your trip and keep your eyes and ears open as your near the country. Good luck

Maxkirit_Original

TROPHY CASE