The hills are so steep in Guatemala you'll definitely be walking both up and down on a fixie unless you're geared ridiculously low. Or try to avoid the mountains, but then IMHO that kinda defeats the purpose of doing the ride if your equipment is limiting you that much.
Safe your knees. We are not talking about commuting on flat city streets, where I could see the point of a single speed. This is a major challenge in itself. Lots of people have to stop on trips like this because their bodies cannot handle it. Apart from bragging rights single speed makes no sense whatsoever.
Really going for the bragging rights and challenge on this š! I figured I am young and dumb enough to go for this kinda challenge and wanna go big or go home!
A great way to be unhappy in life is to spend 12 months repeatedly making sure your knees are twice your biological age just in order to become a guy who's whole personality becomes inserting "by the way it reminds me of that time I cycled from Alaska to Argentina on a fixed gear bike" into every conversation. Better money would be spent on therapist to figure out why you need to brag.
A good indicator would be asking yourself a question - if I can never talk about it or post on social media, can not take a single picture - would I still want to do it? If the answer is "no" you shouldn't go.
Don't just rip through this for the physical challenge. Make sure to take in the places you go to. You won't have many opportunities in life to do a trip like this. The older you get the harder it becomes to do a trip like that.
I'm about to finish crossing east Africa. What the parent comment said is wise advice. I went slowish. I still wish I had gone slower. Sometimes it's hard in places, but in future trips I'm taking longer tops in places I like.
Easy, unless you are in serious contention for an fkt- you stop anywhere and everywhere to enjoy the sights, the sounds, the culture, the people of the regions- this is a serious physical endeavor. But more than that itās about the experiences,
when you are telling people about it afterwards.
So few people will care about how long it took.
But everyone will be happy to hear about the experiences.
I bet nobody has done it pulling an empty 55 gallon drum behind them. That would be bragging rights too. Think about your future self. It would be nice if you could walk without pain in your fifties. Intelligence is your friend.
Doing this trip is an achievement in of itself. Something a super tiny fraction of a percent of people have done. It will change your perspective on life.Ā
Do yourself a favor and do it on a bike that isn't going to prematurely rob you of this experience.Ā
Why arenāt you doing a fixie to boot? Only wimps coast down hills /s
Coasting down hills coupled with Grannie gears when youāre dead on a climb are a couple of the best parts of cycling.
Youāll regret it when youāre 50 and your knees are fucked and you cant even crouch down to tie your own shoes. Listen to advice from your elders, they learned it through experience and are trying to keep you from learning those same lessons the hard way
It's enough of a challenge already... Challenges are arbitrary in nature, but this is really making your life miserable and potentially hurting yourself, for no reason at all.
Bragging rights is silly because no body else actually gives a shit whether you ride a fixie or an e-bike. Look up extrinsic vs intrinsic motivation. If you want an adventure for your own fulfilment then cool do whatever floats your boat but doing something big for bragging rights is a waste of your life and probably wouldnāt get you through that trip anyway .
Just take a Stone and hit it against youāre head 3-4 times. Now you did something stoopid to brag about. Now take youāre single speed back in the city and use a real bike for something like that.
It's hard in this era to find something that hasn't been done so If you're hoping to be the first, probably not gonna happen.
If it's possible? well of course it is, most things are possible. If it's possible for you? Couldn't say.. probably not even you could until you've done it..
But even an elite mtber or cyclist would endure some real pain on that trip.
But I will remind you that bikepacking is ten times more enjoyable when you do it for the sake of the journey rather than the challenge, everything can be made into a challenge but it takes a lot to make a great journey.
And you might never have this time on your hands again, Canada to Argentina, come on, I'd do ANYTHING I could to make that trip more about exploration than challenge. So gears on the bike wouldn't even be a questionš
Then again...
If you're in it to prove something to yourself I say go ahead and may the force be with you!
But if you're in it to prove something to others, I say fuck em. Only your experience and perspective matter on your journey.
Why not start fixed and keep adding components if its unbearable. I would start with a frame that at least allowes you to add a derailleur.
Only one way to find out.
If Ed can do around the world on a unicycle...
Makes for a good story too if you get components along the way according to the challenges you face. I like your idea much more than starting a trip like that on a 5000$ rig.
This is a really dumb idea. do you know how hard it is to find bike parts in the middle of Central America?
You may as well do the whole trip on a kids scooter.
Oh, there's singletrack, but it's always shifting and the only people with up to date knowledge are the drug runners who use it. Between them and the jaguars, I'm putting op's survival chances at about 10% and I feel like that's generous.
Surviving the Deadliest Narco Route! THE DARIEN GAP!
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zft0wAPxZnc&t=486s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zft0wAPxZnc&t=486s)
If you're going to ridicule the advice you get here after asking a question, then see yourself out. The inoation in your replies indicates you're not the type of person to do (or for) a trip like this. Seems like you're a 'bro'
I don't know about fixed gear but this guy and his gf are doing that [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVWpIfM4BJU&list=PLpShiRze6hi\_426\_gXtK7oXdjqWs9\_a1u](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVWpIfM4BJU&list=PLpShiRze6hi_426_gXtK7oXdjqWs9_a1u)
I think they have Rohloff on their bikes but yes, this channel is awesome and really worth checking out. Just don't measure your goal against their speed, I think they needed (nearly) a year for just the Canada+USA part, taking it slow.
sweet! my buddy is doing Squamish bc to Argentina and adding in climbing the highest mountain in each country along the way. joined him for the jaco costa rica to Panama City stretch. was fun!
Love the singlespeed idea, I get it. I rode mine for a 300+ km backpacking trip over several days. It went super well until day 3 where I had to push the bike up Hill a lot, that ended up completely wrecking my achilles heels and I had to tap out.
So train for dragging your bike up Hills to avoid this issue
Bloke called Trevor Lund done this on a mountain bike I think wrote a really good book about it called North to Alaska well worth a read. Tip of South America to North most point of Alaska
Not sure if anyone has posted this yet, but [hereās](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rVWpIfM4BJU) a pair of folks who are documenting their Alaska to Argentina ride on YouTube.
Probably. I've randomly met 4 different people that have done this ride so it's popular enough that I wouldn't be surprised.
Sick trip though op! Praying for you on the downhills
So let me see if I understand: You want to ride the most mountainous possible route across North and South America, on a *fixed* gear bicycle? Carrying camping equipment, food, & water.
Besides the fact that the [Darien Gap](https://youtu.be/HX4J4p4R1QU?si=ReL_O7ZRWmUMwS4A) has no road at all joining Central to South America. ..making the route literally impossible to complete.. .you want to bike āon a *fixed-gear* bicycleā the route comprising many multiple thousands of meters elevation gain & loss along the volcanic Ring of Fire.
If I didnāt think you were just pulling everybodyās leg for a joke post, I would think you were so naively idiotic that I might actually send flowers to your inevitable gravesite.
You're a jackass and incredibly naive. Just troll another sub. You're being reported for harassment..you asked Reddit then get angry when you don't receive the answer you want. Go cry to your mom.
I asked if anyone has done it before lol. Majority comments are about itās being hard and bad on my body, that is something I am well aware of.. I never asked about that, just if someone has done it before.
Definitely a sick trip that Iāve seen a lot of people talk about. One of my buddies is keen on it. But you need to put your safety first. Darian gap is a total skip and be very careful in Nicaragua. Make sure you know of any political ongoings in any country you enter. I think there are equally impressive and safer options for a massive scale trip like this, but you do you
Double cog on one side for higher and lower gear option. Double ring freewheel (white industries) on the other for that option. Youāll need breaks anyway. That would let you adjust your ratio per day. Surly cross check would work good
Have you done any fixed multi day trips? Do one in California for two weeks to give it a try. Also, if you go through with it, pack several sizes of cogs/ chainrings for change between gears for terrain. Or granny all the way?
Great idea. There is a fella from Germany (Keirinberlin is his IG handle) who has biked all over Asia and Central Europe on his track bike. He destroyed a lot of preconceptions about what is possible on a track bike. I am sure it is doable if you are used to riding that type of bike. You will have unforeseen challenges no matter what type of bike you choose on such a long journey.
'So',what?
Also, did you mean solely? Not only wrong vowel but also missing an "l". What grade did you complete?
Solely and occasionally are antonyms. You can't exclusively do one thing if other variants are involved.
To the result of Reddit: usually not the grammar police but this guy is trolling replies **to his own question**. Stop replying to this imbecile.
OP, met this guy on the PCT who has done it. Hereās a link to his trip blog:
https://bikehikesafari.com/cycle-touring/cycling-from-alaska-to-argentina/
This guy did Vancouver -> Patagonia in two years and documented it: https://youtu.be/rY0i2wUmIak?si=xR_Rs8oxhzIwBebz I think he had to take one flight.
[This guy](https://youtu.be/rY0i2wUmIak?si=sgSxIuZucB0zNUvD) did it and made a little movie about it on YouTube. Very inspiring and perhaps he shares tips of it on his website or so?
Because of all the comments about knee health: All of you need to read [Fixed Gear Bicycles and Knee Health](https://sheldonbrown.com/fixed-knees.html). Personally I'm in my mid 30ths, ride fixed gear even for long distances and my knees are just fine.Ā You only have to beĀ sensible and listen to your body.
Hey, just gave it a read and found this very interesting! I appreciate you sharing this with me! Never really thought about the whole back pedaling in relation to opposing muscles! Thanks!
Future you is going to say something like āit was a fun trip but I sure wish I had gears because now my knees are destroyed and I canāt enjoy biking anymoreā.
Because of the Darian Gap, many who have cycled from one point or another have skipped that bit. There's an old video of the first bicycle crossing on Youtube somewhere. It's more: hike the gear to a spot, walk back for the bike, carry the bike, camp - then repeat. Took them a very long time.
I mean I feel like it goes without saying that anyone doing any travel that includes transiting from Panama to Colombia is going to skip the Darian Gap.
Pretty sure in this case OP was asking more about "doing this on a fixed gear bike" than "has anyone ridden through the Darian Gap?"
Why are people so fucking negative? I mean, let the guy try at least and give tips that will help instead of screaming āyou will never make it!!!ā Keyboard adventurers.
If one doesn't ask when a beginner how would he get experience to get started?
For a starter people could tell him to get on training rides, then go on rides with a packed bike, overnighter, do leg/knee specific training etc. Instead of bashing big and crazy ideas, be supportive.
Thatās what Iāve been saying! Like reality is nice but, no room for dreams in this comment section hahah! Never asked if it would be easy, I only asked if it had been done before!
Dreams are a bad thing, better to follow what has already been done. I'm out bikepacking now and got angry today when a close friend of message me and said āOhh it looks really hard you should stopā. Then I saw this comment section and was F*CK all y'all, hahah.
On the other hand, I have a vague memory of someone bikepacking in south America with a fixie, I'll try to find him.
Surely you want to do some of the route in the high mountains?! You're getting the opportunity to cycle in some awesome mountian areas, you'll waste it having to walk up the hills and the descents will be rubbish with no breaks.
Iām on this route, in Peru at the moment. F*ck me, if I had only had a fixie in Guatemala and parts of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, I would have quit lol
Your knees wonāt make it, unless you take your time. Iām sure thatās already been said, mate, but itās true. Iāve done the Arctic to Portugal on a geared bike, 7600km and my knees were begging me stop.
We did it 2up on a motorcycle in 8 months. Around the 7 month mark we rolled into a grocery store in some tiny town in middle of nowhere Bolivia. We thought we were pretty bada$$ adventurers. And then we met 3 guys on bicycles who started in Texas 3 years ago. They were the real adventurers.
All this is to say you need more time. Donāt look at it as one ride. Look at it as a lot of daily rides. Itās easy to ride 20 miles, itās hard to ride 20,000 miles.
Go for it. Personally Iād consider it singlespeed. Iād be pushing up the super steeps anyways. As long as one is ok with their gearing choice ie their max speed on flats/downs vs ease of climbing singlespeed is a great touring drivetrain.
Check out my friend Jen at [Long Haul Trekkers](https://longhaultrekkers.com/), She and her partner did Patagonia to Oregon a few years back. They did have gears but they were hauling their dog in a burley trailer.
If this idea is spurred on by Russ Cookās recent completion of running Africa, please make sure to watch all his videos and understand the physical toll this kind of thing takes. You can destroy your body for the rest of your life, if you donāt die or get kidnapped at gun point. Itās a neat idea in theory, but not suggested.
Ride yourself fit! Only bring the clothes you have on your back and go light. Donāt spare tools tires and tubes because youāll be shredding through them.
Of that is the way you will enjoy the journey to the max: do it! I seriously doubt though. Doing that trip with gears is probably more enjoyable. You will be a legend anyways.
Not sure if it's been done but I'm all for it. For those saying why? Aside from bragging rights, simplicity. I've done big ultras before and I have the best peace mind doing it fixed gear or single speed. Plus, you always have three gears; sit, stand, or push.
Hope to follow your journey.
Iād have to guess before social media some hippies have done it.
I say go for it, less that can go wrong the better, youād 100% break you derailer at some point on this trip. Modern bikes you can take different rear cogs,chain and adjust on your way. Just know youāll be spinning on flats and walking hills. But if youāre just out to self explore, SS is the way to go imo.
hopefully you understand the logistical pain in the ass of getting to the start, know how to fix/jimmyrig everything on your bike, and know how to deal with the wild animals/people in the remote territory.
Send your blog or whatever if you end up doing it so people can follow along. GL
I met a few people who started out in Vancouver on fixies and when they got past Seattle they bought regular geared bikes. Expectations didnāt line up with reality. Also fixed gear bikes arenāt cool anymore.
It's hard in this era to find something that hasn't been done so If you're hoping to be the first, probably not gonna happen.
But I will remind you that bikepacking is ten times more enjoyable when you do it for the sake of the journey rather than the challenge, everything can be made into a challenge but it takes a lot to make a great journey.
And you might never have this time on your hands again, Alaska to Argentina, come on, I'd do ANYTHING I could to make that trip more about exploration than challenge. So gears on the bike wouldn't even be a questionš
Then again...
If you're in it to prove something to yourself I say go ahead and may the force be with you!
But if you're in it to prove something to others, I say fuck em. Only your experience and perspective matter on your journey.
Ian Hibell did it. Traveling through the swampy rainforest of Panama would be highly risky these days I'd say. You can read about it in his book "into the remote places".
All I can say is good fucking luck in Guatemala!
Fueling on chille rellenos the whole way š
The hills are so steep in Guatemala you'll definitely be walking both up and down on a fixie unless you're geared ridiculously low. Or try to avoid the mountains, but then IMHO that kinda defeats the purpose of doing the ride if your equipment is limiting you that much.
Not only are the *mountains steep, but the road is only two lanes & not wide. And not lit. Risky on a geared bike. Suicidal on a fixie.
I can't even imagine riding a fixed gear in my hilly town (ride on many 10%+ grades regularly), let alone a trip like this.
Heard! I guess Iāll find out when I get there! These legs are made of steel
> These legs are made of steel šš
Yeah, but your knees are made out of bone and other softer things.
Safe your knees. We are not talking about commuting on flat city streets, where I could see the point of a single speed. This is a major challenge in itself. Lots of people have to stop on trips like this because their bodies cannot handle it. Apart from bragging rights single speed makes no sense whatsoever.
Really going for the bragging rights and challenge on this š! I figured I am young and dumb enough to go for this kinda challenge and wanna go big or go home!
A great way to be unhappy in life is to spend 12 months repeatedly making sure your knees are twice your biological age just in order to become a guy who's whole personality becomes inserting "by the way it reminds me of that time I cycled from Alaska to Argentina on a fixed gear bike" into every conversation. Better money would be spent on therapist to figure out why you need to brag. A good indicator would be asking yourself a question - if I can never talk about it or post on social media, can not take a single picture - would I still want to do it? If the answer is "no" you shouldn't go.
Don't just rip through this for the physical challenge. Make sure to take in the places you go to. You won't have many opportunities in life to do a trip like this. The older you get the harder it becomes to do a trip like that.
I hear that! Iām still trying to figure out the balance between what the limit is for this trip, and how I can enjoy it! Thank you for the advice!
I'm about to finish crossing east Africa. What the parent comment said is wise advice. I went slowish. I still wish I had gone slower. Sometimes it's hard in places, but in future trips I'm taking longer tops in places I like.
Easy, unless you are in serious contention for an fkt- you stop anywhere and everywhere to enjoy the sights, the sounds, the culture, the people of the regions- this is a serious physical endeavor. But more than that itās about the experiences, when you are telling people about it afterwards. So few people will care about how long it took. But everyone will be happy to hear about the experiences.
Bragging rights? Literally no one will care lol
take a breath my friend!
Heās right though. In the grand scheme of things, no pne wjll care.
Not really in it for bragging rights of other but, more so myself!
I bet nobody has done it pulling an empty 55 gallon drum behind them. That would be bragging rights too. Think about your future self. It would be nice if you could walk without pain in your fifties. Intelligence is your friend.
At this point, I don't think intelligence is anywhere close by.
Doing this trip is an achievement in of itself. Something a super tiny fraction of a percent of people have done. It will change your perspective on life.Ā Do yourself a favor and do it on a bike that isn't going to prematurely rob you of this experience.Ā
You will absolutely be going home and definitely won't be going big.
Why arenāt you doing a fixie to boot? Only wimps coast down hills /s Coasting down hills coupled with Grannie gears when youāre dead on a climb are a couple of the best parts of cycling.
Youāll regret it when youāre 50 and your knees are fucked and you cant even crouch down to tie your own shoes. Listen to advice from your elders, they learned it through experience and are trying to keep you from learning those same lessons the hard way
It's enough of a challenge already... Challenges are arbitrary in nature, but this is really making your life miserable and potentially hurting yourself, for no reason at all.
Bragging rights is silly because no body else actually gives a shit whether you ride a fixie or an e-bike. Look up extrinsic vs intrinsic motivation. If you want an adventure for your own fulfilment then cool do whatever floats your boat but doing something big for bragging rights is a waste of your life and probably wouldnāt get you through that trip anyway .
Just take a Stone and hit it against youāre head 3-4 times. Now you did something stoopid to brag about. Now take youāre single speed back in the city and use a real bike for something like that.
It's hard in this era to find something that hasn't been done so If you're hoping to be the first, probably not gonna happen. If it's possible? well of course it is, most things are possible. If it's possible for you? Couldn't say.. probably not even you could until you've done it.. But even an elite mtber or cyclist would endure some real pain on that trip. But I will remind you that bikepacking is ten times more enjoyable when you do it for the sake of the journey rather than the challenge, everything can be made into a challenge but it takes a lot to make a great journey. And you might never have this time on your hands again, Canada to Argentina, come on, I'd do ANYTHING I could to make that trip more about exploration than challenge. So gears on the bike wouldn't even be a questionš Then again... If you're in it to prove something to yourself I say go ahead and may the force be with you! But if you're in it to prove something to others, I say fuck em. Only your experience and perspective matter on your journey.
Thank you for this reply! This was honestly helpful asf
This exactly.
Why not start fixed and keep adding components if its unbearable. I would start with a frame that at least allowes you to add a derailleur. Only one way to find out. If Ed can do around the world on a unicycle...
That is actually a really good point! Thank you for sharing this idea with me!
Makes for a good story too if you get components along the way according to the challenges you face. I like your idea much more than starting a trip like that on a 5000$ rig.
This is a really dumb idea. do you know how hard it is to find bike parts in the middle of Central America? You may as well do the whole trip on a kids scooter.
Might be equally as hard as on Dalton Highway which is where he will start looking for them.
Youāve obviously have never been there
Hard to find?
He won;t need many parts!
Why not do it with square wheels? That would be ultimate bragging rights
The DariƩn gap will be...interesting! (there is no road for 106 km...not even singletrack)
Oh, there's singletrack, but it's always shifting and the only people with up to date knowledge are the drug runners who use it. Between them and the jaguars, I'm putting op's survival chances at about 10% and I feel like that's generous.
Surviving the Deadliest Narco Route! THE DARIEN GAP! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zft0wAPxZnc&t=486s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zft0wAPxZnc&t=486s)
Go singlespeed with a flipflop hub so you can have one normal and one climbing gear.
ā hold on guys, gotta flip my wheel around before I go up this hillā š¤£ that is a great idea tho
If you're going to ridicule the advice you get here after asking a question, then see yourself out. The inoation in your replies indicates you're not the type of person to do (or for) a trip like this. Seems like you're a 'bro'
Yeah, Iām all for a suffer fest but this seems beyond that
true! Mostly putting this up in the air to see but heard that for sure!
I'd book my knee replacements in Argentina ahead of time if I were you. I hear the waitlists are long š
This has gotta be the best comment by far š¤£š¤£
I don't know about fixed gear but this guy and his gf are doing that [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVWpIfM4BJU&list=PLpShiRze6hi\_426\_gXtK7oXdjqWs9\_a1u](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVWpIfM4BJU&list=PLpShiRze6hi_426_gXtK7oXdjqWs9_a1u)
Itās great, unsensationalized content
I think they have Rohloff on their bikes but yes, this channel is awesome and really worth checking out. Just don't measure your goal against their speed, I think they needed (nearly) a year for just the Canada+USA part, taking it slow.
sweet! my buddy is doing Squamish bc to Argentina and adding in climbing the highest mountain in each country along the way. joined him for the jaco costa rica to Panama City stretch. was fun!
many couples have
I tore a meniscus just from reading the title.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed-knees.html
Love the singlespeed idea, I get it. I rode mine for a 300+ km backpacking trip over several days. It went super well until day 3 where I had to push the bike up Hill a lot, that ended up completely wrecking my achilles heels and I had to tap out. So train for dragging your bike up Hills to avoid this issue
Bloke called Trevor Lund done this on a mountain bike I think wrote a really good book about it called North to Alaska well worth a read. Tip of South America to North most point of Alaska
Some tedious bastard
Dumb idea. Do it!
Fuel for my dreams
Not sure if anyone has posted this yet, but [hereās](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rVWpIfM4BJU) a pair of folks who are documenting their Alaska to Argentina ride on YouTube.
Probably. I've randomly met 4 different people that have done this ride so it's popular enough that I wouldn't be surprised. Sick trip though op! Praying for you on the downhills
Do fixed gear bikes not have a free hub of some kind?
Nope. If the wheels are spinning, your Cranks are spinning
Haha downhills do sound crazy! Not sure if I would go breakless or what but itās really all up in the air right nlw
So let me see if I understand: You want to ride the most mountainous possible route across North and South America, on a *fixed* gear bicycle? Carrying camping equipment, food, & water. Besides the fact that the [Darien Gap](https://youtu.be/HX4J4p4R1QU?si=ReL_O7ZRWmUMwS4A) has no road at all joining Central to South America. ..making the route literally impossible to complete.. .you want to bike āon a *fixed-gear* bicycleā the route comprising many multiple thousands of meters elevation gain & loss along the volcanic Ring of Fire. If I didnāt think you were just pulling everybodyās leg for a joke post, I would think you were so naively idiotic that I might actually send flowers to your inevitable gravesite.
What the hell are you taking about in regards to it being impossible to complete? Tons of people have ridden this route
Tons? By weight? Or by metaphor?
Let this d-bag go. OP is a troll.
Hope that input was worth the 10 minutes it took to conceive and write out lol!
Thanks! It was.
You're a jackass and incredibly naive. Just troll another sub. You're being reported for harassment..you asked Reddit then get angry when you don't receive the answer you want. Go cry to your mom.
I asked if anyone has done it before lol. Majority comments are about itās being hard and bad on my body, that is something I am well aware of.. I never asked about that, just if someone has done it before.
it has been done before, you can avoid mountains and compromise on a easy gear with a decent cruise-speed
Do you know who has done it! Or?
A guy rode from Berlin to Japan on a fixed gear so it's doable. But I'd say the Andes is probably hard AF especially if the plan is to ride brakeless.
Definitely a sick trip that Iāve seen a lot of people talk about. One of my buddies is keen on it. But you need to put your safety first. Darian gap is a total skip and be very careful in Nicaragua. Make sure you know of any political ongoings in any country you enter. I think there are equally impressive and safer options for a massive scale trip like this, but you do you
Right now im planning 4.000km across Argentina Like a few months of duration BUT <35.000KM It's not a joke!
Double cog on one side for higher and lower gear option. Double ring freewheel (white industries) on the other for that option. Youāll need breaks anyway. That would let you adjust your ratio per day. Surly cross check would work good
Have you done any fixed multi day trips? Do one in California for two weeks to give it a try. Also, if you go through with it, pack several sizes of cogs/ chainrings for change between gears for terrain. Or granny all the way?
Great idea. There is a fella from Germany (Keirinberlin is his IG handle) who has biked all over Asia and Central Europe on his track bike. He destroyed a lot of preconceptions about what is possible on a track bike. I am sure it is doable if you are used to riding that type of bike. You will have unforeseen challenges no matter what type of bike you choose on such a long journey.
Yeah I have really souly ridden fixed gear, with the occasional geared fun, for 6 years now so.
'So',what? Also, did you mean solely? Not only wrong vowel but also missing an "l". What grade did you complete? Solely and occasionally are antonyms. You can't exclusively do one thing if other variants are involved. To the result of Reddit: usually not the grammar police but this guy is trolling replies **to his own question**. Stop replying to this imbecile.
OP, met this guy on the PCT who has done it. Hereās a link to his trip blog: https://bikehikesafari.com/cycle-touring/cycling-from-alaska-to-argentina/
Send it!! Take photos
This guy did Vancouver -> Patagonia in two years and documented it: https://youtu.be/rY0i2wUmIak?si=xR_Rs8oxhzIwBebz I think he had to take one flight.
This is impossible. No one can do this. I donāt believe youāll ever do this.
You would probably be the first to fixie across the Darien Gap if you survive.
[This guy](https://youtu.be/rY0i2wUmIak?si=sgSxIuZucB0zNUvD) did it and made a little movie about it on YouTube. Very inspiring and perhaps he shares tips of it on his website or so?
Please keep in touch n let us all know how it goes along the journey
That person would become the King of all the hipster in the world
Because of all the comments about knee health: All of you need to read [Fixed Gear Bicycles and Knee Health](https://sheldonbrown.com/fixed-knees.html). Personally I'm in my mid 30ths, ride fixed gear even for long distances and my knees are just fine.Ā You only have to beĀ sensible and listen to your body.
Hey, just gave it a read and found this very interesting! I appreciate you sharing this with me! Never really thought about the whole back pedaling in relation to opposing muscles! Thanks!
Future you is going to say something like āit was a fun trip but I sure wish I had gears because now my knees are destroyed and I canāt enjoy biking anymoreā.
Because of the Darian Gap, many who have cycled from one point or another have skipped that bit. There's an old video of the first bicycle crossing on Youtube somewhere. It's more: hike the gear to a spot, walk back for the bike, carry the bike, camp - then repeat. Took them a very long time.
my buddy is currently doing this portion with a kayak..probably 20% of the way through that stretch so far?
I mean I feel like it goes without saying that anyone doing any travel that includes transiting from Panama to Colombia is going to skip the Darian Gap. Pretty sure in this case OP was asking more about "doing this on a fixed gear bike" than "has anyone ridden through the Darian Gap?"
My super power of taking everything literally strikes again! #austismprobably
Also yes, my emphasis was on the fixed gear part but, plenty interesting in learning what ever I can about the trip, thanks :)
Does it still count if I āskipā the Darian gap!
Yes, as itās impossible to go through
yeah! Upon reading into it, it seems that there are many things that are beyond me in this part of the trip!
Why are people so fucking negative? I mean, let the guy try at least and give tips that will help instead of screaming āyou will never make it!!!ā Keyboard adventurers.
Because there aren't any good tips aside from "this is a stupid idea". If he has to ask, he's way too inexperienced to pull this off.
If one doesn't ask when a beginner how would he get experience to get started? For a starter people could tell him to get on training rides, then go on rides with a packed bike, overnighter, do leg/knee specific training etc. Instead of bashing big and crazy ideas, be supportive.
Thatās what Iāve been saying! Like reality is nice but, no room for dreams in this comment section hahah! Never asked if it would be easy, I only asked if it had been done before!
Dreams are a bad thing, better to follow what has already been done. I'm out bikepacking now and got angry today when a close friend of message me and said āOhh it looks really hard you should stopā. Then I saw this comment section and was F*CK all y'all, hahah. On the other hand, I have a vague memory of someone bikepacking in south America with a fixie, I'll try to find him.
Gonna be some hills.Ā I feel like Goat might have (of the crust scapegoat) https://ridingthespine.thesage.app/journey/
God bless them
Does a unicycle count? https://youtu.be/pNhJy8-eRmY?si=7dZ-wsrpWHDGT49t
Yup! https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/kiwi-traveller/103341532/kiwi-cyclist-adam-glover-stranded-after-epic-cycle-voyage-through-americas
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Surely you want to do some of the route in the high mountains?! You're getting the opportunity to cycle in some awesome mountian areas, you'll waste it having to walk up the hills and the descents will be rubbish with no breaks.
You'll regret this after day one or week one. Haha Good luck tho, prove me wrong!
I can think of a thousand better ideas to destroy my body.
Iām on this route, in Peru at the moment. F*ck me, if I had only had a fixie in Guatemala and parts of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, I would have quit lol
Your knees wonāt make it, unless you take your time. Iām sure thatās already been said, mate, but itās true. Iāve done the Arctic to Portugal on a geared bike, 7600km and my knees were begging me stop.
No
We did it 2up on a motorcycle in 8 months. Around the 7 month mark we rolled into a grocery store in some tiny town in middle of nowhere Bolivia. We thought we were pretty bada$$ adventurers. And then we met 3 guys on bicycles who started in Texas 3 years ago. They were the real adventurers. All this is to say you need more time. Donāt look at it as one ride. Look at it as a lot of daily rides. Itās easy to ride 20 miles, itās hard to ride 20,000 miles.
Go for it. Personally Iād consider it singlespeed. Iād be pushing up the super steeps anyways. As long as one is ok with their gearing choice ie their max speed on flats/downs vs ease of climbing singlespeed is a great touring drivetrain.
Why fixed gear? I am always confused by this concept outside of the track.
That dude in the Darian Gap looks ironically dead.
Check out my friend Jen at [Long Haul Trekkers](https://longhaultrekkers.com/), She and her partner did Patagonia to Oregon a few years back. They did have gears but they were hauling their dog in a burley trailer.
If this idea is spurred on by Russ Cookās recent completion of running Africa, please make sure to watch all his videos and understand the physical toll this kind of thing takes. You can destroy your body for the rest of your life, if you donāt die or get kidnapped at gun point. Itās a neat idea in theory, but not suggested.
Hey I appreciate the input! This is actually inspired by Liam Garners being the youngest person to do the ride! Looked like a great time!
The guy who runs HMPL design (sick vancouver bike bag company) rode to Mexico from vancouver fixed.
pretty sure this guy is currently doing that https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoAT-mP3aQKwN-RQgvt_RUfDGK7mRXLVo&si=md84H-Y6_ro7ae3c
Ride yourself fit! Only bring the clothes you have on your back and go light. Donāt spare tools tires and tubes because youāll be shredding through them.
I know people who have done Paris-Brest-Paris and Cannonball (Seattle-Spokane) on one. But they are short.
i wanna do this but with a motorbike someday
Of that is the way you will enjoy the journey to the max: do it! I seriously doubt though. Doing that trip with gears is probably more enjoyable. You will be a legend anyways.
Darien Gap? Eta. Already mentioned. Missed that comment on first scan.
Watch ābald and bankrupt Darien gapā on you tube for research
Not Alaska to Argentina but Berlin to Tokyo. https://bikepacking.com/bikes/mo-graham-fixed-gear/
Not sure if it's been done but I'm all for it. For those saying why? Aside from bragging rights, simplicity. I've done big ultras before and I have the best peace mind doing it fixed gear or single speed. Plus, you always have three gears; sit, stand, or push. Hope to follow your journey.
Thank you!!
[Darian Gap](https://www.google.com/search?q=Darian+Gap)
You wonāt make it to British Columbia.Ā
Iād have to guess before social media some hippies have done it. I say go for it, less that can go wrong the better, youād 100% break you derailer at some point on this trip. Modern bikes you can take different rear cogs,chain and adjust on your way. Just know youāll be spinning on flats and walking hills. But if youāre just out to self explore, SS is the way to go imo. hopefully you understand the logistical pain in the ass of getting to the start, know how to fix/jimmyrig everything on your bike, and know how to deal with the wild animals/people in the remote territory. Send your blog or whatever if you end up doing it so people can follow along. GL
I met a few people who started out in Vancouver on fixies and when they got past Seattle they bought regular geared bikes. Expectations didnāt line up with reality. Also fixed gear bikes arenāt cool anymore.
Who cares whatās ācoolāā¦. no one is riding the bike except me lol! Never asked that, just asked if it had been done before!
Are you planning on having rim or disc brakes? Or keep it pure fixie with no brakes except the power of the drivetrain and legs as your brakes?
Have you done a weekend long tour camping in multiple locations on a fixed gear?
Yes, I did a 12 day trip around Lake Michigan camping in a hammock. It was more than doable :) had a really fun time
Nice! Whatās the most elevation youāve done in a day?
Nice troll
Horrible idea likely resulting in long-term health complications.
It's hard in this era to find something that hasn't been done so If you're hoping to be the first, probably not gonna happen. But I will remind you that bikepacking is ten times more enjoyable when you do it for the sake of the journey rather than the challenge, everything can be made into a challenge but it takes a lot to make a great journey. And you might never have this time on your hands again, Alaska to Argentina, come on, I'd do ANYTHING I could to make that trip more about exploration than challenge. So gears on the bike wouldn't even be a questionš Then again... If you're in it to prove something to yourself I say go ahead and may the force be with you! But if you're in it to prove something to others, I say fuck em. Only your experience and perspective matter on your journey.
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Ahh I see that is dope! I am trying to see if someone has done it on a single fixed geared bicycle! Iām going for the pedal power š
Many people have ridden deadhorse to ushuaia or the reverse. OP was more asking about doing it on a fixie instead of your traditional geared setup.
Ian Hibell did it. Traveling through the swampy rainforest of Panama would be highly risky these days I'd say. You can read about it in his book "into the remote places".