A NEW ADVENTURE

Belén made a promise to herself at the beginning of the year: One “Solo Overnighter” per season. So “here we are” for a “Summer Solo Overnighter”.

With her bike – a Tout Terrain Outback Explore 29, equipped with a Pinion C1.12 gearbox – she was once again out and about in her native Spain. Steep, rocky terrain and the heat made this trip a real challenge. But once she reached the top of the mountain, all her efforts were forgotten and Belén enjoyed the fantastic view.

Our Pinion brand ambassador Belén is planning another bikepacking tour – again alone, without Tristan. With her bike – a Tout Terrain Outback Explore 29, equipped with a Pinion C1.12 gearbox – she is traveling in her home country Spain this time. Pack her things, put on her shoes and off she goes on a new “solo adventure”.

Great weather, familiar terrain and a successfully completed solo tour  (https://pinion.eu/en/belens-first-solo-overnighter/ ) are the perfect conditions for this new adventure. Watch the video to find out what she experienced there and what challenges she had to face this time. It’s worth watching!

Their journey so far

Pinion riders Ben and Linda from XPLORid will be back on the road in Europe in mid-2024. Their 38,000 km journey around the world through Europe, North and Central America has recently been documented. “Our journey so far” is the title of the 20-minute film. Definitely a movie recommendation on our part.

The extremely high humidity and burning sun from Oaxaca in Mexico to Panama City took its toll on the two of them. Now they want to swap the heat and the Pan American Highway in South America for a nomadic cycling lifestyle in Europe. In order to lose some weight, they have swapped their equipment. However, they are sticking with their Idworx oPinion Ti BLTs, because: Never change a winning team!

Future plans

They can look back on wonderful experiences during several stays in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama and Curaçao. Experiences they would never want to miss. Their dream now is to set up a few (permanent) jobs throughout Europe and cycle in between.

The future will show whether they will also travel to the Far East and Oceania. But one thing is certain: they will continue to collect €1 for every kilometer they cycle to directly help people, animals and nature in need.

We can definitely look forward to more stories and reports from them.

Belén and Tristan are professional adventurers, bikepacking photographers and Pinion Ambassadors. The couple usually travel together and explore numerous countries by bike. Here they are on tour with a Tout Terrain Outback Explore 29 with a Pinion C 1.12 gearbox.

While Tristan is in the middle of preparing for the Silk Road Mountain Race, a cycling marathon in Kyrgyzstan, Belén makes a decision. She wants to go on her very first “solo tour” in Kyrgyzstan: From route planning and cooking to the entire documentation. For the first time, Belén is doing everything on her own.

In the days leading up to the start of her tour, Belén is relaxed and looking forward to the adventure ahead. However, this anticipation is occasionally mixed with a little uncertainty. Uncertainty about what to expect on this tour and what challenges await her.

Americas by bike

The cold wind whispers at the Bolivian border in Hito Cajon. We are six months into a two-year-long bicycle journey from southern Patagonia in Argentina to Vancouver in Canada and now stand at an altitude of 4,800 meters. Chile’s Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth, lies more than two vertical kilometers below and behind us – ahead awaits the biggest challenge of the journey: southwestern Bolivia with its desolate, barren landscape, brown mountains, sandy plains, active volcanoes, spouting geysers, hot springs, and icy cold nights.

We are looking into twelve days in the embrace of nature, where the villages are few and far between. The route winds through altitudes between 4,200 and 4,900 meters and is known for impassable sandy and gravel roads, harsh weather with wind, cold, and scorching sun, as well as an otherworldly beautiful landscape that justifies all the hardships. Now we stand at the border with food for six days in our panniers. Ready for adventure.

Beautiful Patagonia

It all began in Patagonia’s desolate landscape with extreme headwinds and dry climate. Primarily, we cycled in the Argentinian Patagonia, which is known for its steppe like plains covered in almost bare vegetation. For hours, days, weeks we cycled in this isolated part of the world, where almost nobody lives, except from a few people and a wide range of exotic animals.

We see plenty of fascinating animals, such as armadillos, skunks, foxes, eagles, and the guanaco, belonging to the camel family. We quickly became fond of the guanaco with its big brown eyes. The guanacos elegantly leap over the kilometer-long barbed wire fences that line the road in Southern Patagonia. Unfortunately, there are times when its legs don’t make it all the way over the fence. We have seen countless of skeletons stuck in the fence.

One day, we had the chance to make a difference for one of the unfortunate guanacos. It was stuck in the fence and tried several times to break free. Martin got off his bike and walked purposefully to the fence with his multitool. He cut the top of the fence, and the guanaco wriggled free, hurrying towards its herd.

A huge milestone

Forward 13 months, we stand in Colombia, gazing out over the Caribbean Sea. A gentle breeze dances in over the beach. We sweat, and our damp clothes cling to our bodies, but we smile broadly. 13 months after we started our journey, we have cycled all the way up through South America. A huge milestone! We look at our next challenge, how to cross the Darien Gap.

Crossing the Darien Gap

The options for crossing from Colombia to Panama are limited, as the countries are connected only by a lawless jungle – the Darien Gap.

Despite being aware of the problem with people migrating to the US, it is a surprise for us when we arrive in the port city of Necocli on Colombia’s Caribbean coast and witness with our own eyes how the town lives from hosting migrants preparing for the trek through the Darien Gap.

We, and the few other tourists, stand out in the chaotic port city. “Do you have passports?” the lady at the hotel reception asks. It’s not a given that guests will be registered. We are fortunate to have Danish passports and to be on an entirely different journey. Our crossing of the Darien Gap will happen by boat and will be an adventure, unlike the migrants’ jungle hike, which can be described as a nightmare.

Our goal is to arrange a series of five local boats that can help us reach mainland Panama, from where we can continue our journey by bike.

After two weeks in small villages with mud houses topped with palm fronds and coconut trees, it’s a great contrast to arrive to Panama City. Giant skyscrapers loom around us, and we have entered the city of cars. It marks the second part of the journey: cycling through Central America.

A reverse culture shock

“I admire you,” an older gentleman tells us while discreetly placing a $10 bill on our table and quickly walking away. Welcome to the USA, where on the first day, we have lunch at McDonald’s. It’s almost overwhelming to arrive in the USA. Suddenly, we are cycling on massive new highways, and drivers are not accustomed to anything other than cars on the roads. Everything is clean, neat, and grand.

Tell us your dream route

Udo and his buddy Lothar didn’t wait any longer, they turned their dream into reality in the summer of 2023. They grabbed their Pinion bikes and circled the entire Baltic Sea. What an adventure!

Before we delve into Udo’s and Lothar’s journey, we want to hear from you: What does your dream route look like? Is there a tour you’ve always wanted to take on your bike? A dream tour? YOUR dream tour? Maybe it’s a place you want to explore with your bike, a region, or a country… Whatever it is, share it with us on komoot (comment in the collection)!

As a token of gratitude, you’ll be entered into a draw for Pinion Goodie Bags containing a T-shirt, water bottle, hoodie, and much more, along with a €100 voucher for the bike workshop around the corner – ensuring your bike runs smoothly for your next adventure.

The dream route – once around the lake

Once around the lake. Sounds kind of cute, but might be quite intense, thought the two adventure seekers at the beginning. The rough plan stated: 4,000 kilometers, perhaps (with some luck) a few less, or maybe even 100 kilometers more.

“Ready to go! Let’s go Baltic Sea! Wow. What a joy!”

One thought Udo and Lothar quickly dismissed: No, they didn’t want to start at their doorstep. That lies deep in Bavaria, which, considering the time constraint of seven weeks, would be a bit too tough. There were other ideas as well. Ultimately, reason prevailed: They started in the marzipan city of Lübeck. And then the bells rang: Ready to go!

As a passionate biker, Alpencrosser, and bikepacker, the famous “n+1 formula” has always applied to Lothar – you know, regarding the optimal number of bikes one should own. So, it was only a matter of time before he had to get in touch with Pinion. “Even if it sounds cheesy: It was love at first pedal. After three other bikes, my Pinion personally marked another (small) evolutionary step for me. The gear range of a Pinion gearbox is unmatched in the market, and the carefreeness with the Gates belt drive is simply invaluable, especially on this long journey around the Baltic Sea.”

If you want to check out Udo and Lothar’s complete route, follow us on komoot and click on the collection.