Panamericana - here I come!

In 2026 (and 2027) the time has finally come. After years of dreaming, we're off to Alaska at the end of May/beginning of June 😄.

The first major goal will be to get from Deadhorse, in the far north of Alaska, through the Yukon and British Columbia, across Canada to San Francisco.

The route is already planned up to the Canada-Mainland US border. After that, I'll see what I feel like doing and what people recommend.

Even though some people are hesitant to travel to the USA because of the current political situation, I tell myself: There won't be a better time for me. The people aren't getting any less friendly, and the weather doesn't discriminate based on politics. So why should I?

Why start in Alaska?

I'd honestly say it comes from other cyclists' travelogues on YouTube. I'm simply looking forward to the nature and peace and quiet at the beginning.

And why Deadhorse?

Approximately 800 km north of Fairbanks lie the Prudhoe Bay oil fields near Deadhorse. This route, known as the Dalton Highway, runs alongside the pipeline to the north as a purely supply road. The TV series Ice Road Truckers was also filmed there.

With only two truck stops offering showers and food, and mostly unpaved, it's a challenge. You can fly from Anchorage to Deadhorse, which is my plan. If the weather on the road is too bad, I can start in Anchorage instead. The Dalton Highway is treated with lime to reduce dust, but when it rains, it becomes sticky.

But if I'm going to start in Alaska, then I'll really start at the northernmost end of the longest road, the Pan-American Highway.

Preparation

There will be one or two more test rides, each with potential fellow cyclists for a section of the route. Otherwise, I'm currently in a WhatsApp group for Pan-American cyclists, which keeps me up-to-date on the current situation.

Furthermore, I am already diligently learning Spanish so that I can communicate as a solo traveler.

Stay up to date

I will try to share the journey across four channels. The most elaborate is this blog, but it's the most important to me personally.

I'll try to share some impressions on Instagram. The route will still be available as linked on this website, but this time also on Polarsteps, an app that records the route and allows users to add photos and comments.

For my family and friends, I'm taking inspiration from Tim, with whom I traveled through Denmark. A WhatsApp community where, similar to a group, I can easily keep the older generation up to date.

Even though I've found it difficult to manage a channel, I believe it's doable, as I want to be more relaxed while traveling.

schedule

The trip is scheduled to start at the end of May/beginning of June, when it no longer snows and there are no sub-zero temperatures on the Dalton Highway, but before the major snowmelt begins.

If I calculate based on the pace of my North Cape cycling trip, that's 3000 km in 40 days, including 4 rest days. That translates to 330 days for the route to Ushuaia in southern Argentina. Theoretically, a year sounds good, but you have to consider the changing seasons. Therefore, I'm planning on 50 days per 3000 km. That would be approximately 420 days. This still gives me a 90-day buffer to arrive there in the summer, i.e., in December 2027.

Here is a map that roughly corresponds to my route:

Will I be driving alone?

Basically yes, but I will stick to familiar routes again and therefore most likely meet other cyclists.

I also posted an ad on the ADFC's (German Cyclists' Association) bike-sharing platform, and someone has agreed to join me, probably in Canada. A friend is considering joining me in Alaska and maybe again in South America. This will ensure more support from my family when I'm not cycling alone among the bears. If you'd like to join me for part of the trip, let me know.

outlook

There are still a few months until June, which I will use to make the final preparations. In the coming days, I will book my flight to Alaska and in the remaining weeks test and optimize my equipment one last time.

Before we begin, I'll try to answer the most frequently asked questions here. So please feel free to send me your questions.

Here's to a great start to the new year 🎉

PS: The website now has English and Spanish translations 😉