Buenos Aires to Tierra del Fuego...to Alaska (April - August)
 

My biking buddy just dropped out in favour of delivering yachts around the world, so if anyone is keen, this should be a fabulous trip. I want to start in BA at the beginning of April, ride down to Ushuaia, then North through South America, Central America and along the rockies in the US, slowly curving West to end up in Anchorage, Alaska. If time permits, I'd love to hit the Northern coast at Deadhorse or similar - partly just so that we can say that we truly went point-to-point. Maybe a swim in the Antarctic and Arctic circles?!

I'm British, 25, soon to be desk bound as a solicitor for the rest of my life and I want a little more adventure! I'm mechanically adept and an experienced rider in the UK and Asia, but this will be something quite different I'm sure.

Let me know if you're interested or have any tips! Thanks, Pryd

Pryd,

Im up near Seattle so look me up when you get here. I have a yard to camp in.
As far as Deadhorse, you cant swim there or even get to the arctic ocean without taking the official tour. But you can fly up to Barrow from Deadhorse and swim at the northern most point! I did that a few years ago and it was great!
Safe Travels Mate

Helpful advice
 

Thanks Noah - good to know that swimming isn't really an option at Prudhoe Bay. Shame though. I also realised that swimming off Tierra del Fuego, whilst cool (pun fully intended), still isn't quite in the antarctic... but it will still have to be done. Thanks also for the offer of your garden - I may well take you up on that!
Cheers, Pryd

Trans-America
 

Hi,

I am planning to do nearly the same route, except Ushuaia (nothing really there...?).

I am not sure about central america (El Salvador, Mexico...) because is a bit unsafe.

How do you plan to cross the border from colombia to panama? I think there are not really any roads to use...? Most pepole take their bike with a cargo plane to panama etc.

I thought about skipping central america. Compromise would be to fly the bikes from Ecuador to Mexico. In Mexico I would take the ferry to Baja California and from there to
San Diego, LA, Hwy. 101, San Francisco, Seattle etc

Marius

Shipping and planning
 

Good to hear from you Marius - whereabouts in Germany are you from? My father grew up in Ruesselsheim (but my German is terrible).

I agree Ushuaia seems a little barren, but the scenery looks fantastic:
Goodbye Ushuaia, a photo from Tierra del Fuego, South | TrekEarth
Ushuaia n� 77 - BELEZA DO FIM DO MUNDO!, a photo from Tierra del Fuego, South | TrekEarth
(not my photos)
Plus, there is something exciting about going the whole way. I'd feel like I had cheated myself if I skipped it!

I've heard the only big problem in Central America is corrupt police and some difficult border crossings. The real danger is around Juarez in Mexico with lots of kidnappings, so I was planning on sticking to the West coast of Mexico, aiming to cross into America at Nogales.

The Darien gap is a problem, but lots of people say that you can ship the bikes very easily by air from Bogota - Panama City for around $500 (including yourself). I think the boat would be cheaper, and maybe very beautiful? But would take more time...

America I haven't really planned - Baja sounds interesting, crossing at Tijuana I assume. I admit I am tempted to go back inland though, to Las Vegas for the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and then up through the Rocky Mountains! So many options!