The Oddventurers

The final day! 3778 miles over 97 days from La Paz , Mexico to Vancouver, Canada. The biggest day of the ride as Sam soaks in the final miles of his incredible trip as he rides to the finish line in Stanley Park.

More fantastic weather as Sam cycles along the coast on the penultimate day. A 65 mile day went well but leaves a big 75 miles for the final day and an international border crossing. Will he make it?

A morning cycling out of city proved not to be a simple task but once on the ferry and onto Whidbey island cycling got earlier. Some great coastal riding totted up the miles to 69. Although finding a camp spot is no easy task.

A rest day! Thanks to Tomos and Igna for hosting Sam took the day off and explored Seattle city centre. A dinner with a picnic in a park finished a great day off.

A great nights sleep and an early morning led to a relaxed day cycling to Seattle along some nice cycle paths. Once in Seattle Sam experienced a slight difference to the forests and small towns he had been riding in for 3 months.

Back on the big miles in order to get to Seattle in two days. A climb and then bug decent takes Sam out of the forest and towards the big city. He also has a first of the trip and camps in a cool spot.

A day in Mount Rainer National Park, or half a day anyway. After a night lying on the floor due to a failed roll mat Sam headed to the National Park. Not feeling a 1000m climb to the mountain he hiked around the lower hills.

Another short but fun day Sam dropped into Packwood and phone signal so organised some things and then climbed up a beautiful valley to a great camp next to a river which meant a cold swim!

Back into national forests riding towards Mt Rainier on some nice roads. After chatting to family in the morning Sam climbed some hills and ate lots of food under the shadow of Mt Adams.

Half a days riding took Sam out of Hood river toward trout lake. A nice morning of exploring Hood River and eating cherries before his hosts drove him over the Colombia river as you couldn’t cycle it.

A incredible mountain bike track, that almost cooked his brakes took Sam from a high ridge into lush farmland. Some nice riding and questionable keep out signs took him to his hosts David and Lindens house.

A slow but smooth morning on some nice quiet paced roads - can’t ask for much more than that. A closed road due to a wildfire meant a bit of a detour but some amazing views of Mt Hood made up for it.

Smooth riding into Detroit where he stoked up was followed with a big climb through burnt forest. A fun decent down some quiet roads meant another big climb to finish the day off.

Camping just outside of Detroit lake in a cool spot Sam reflects on his day. Some sandy trails took him past some 10000 foot mountains and through some beautiful old forest.

Another chilled morning Sam made the short cycle to sisters and then road into the back country for a few days with few amenities on the way to Hood River. Enjoying being back on the bike and with his knee feeling okay Sam made his way up into the hills.

After a slow morning chatting with Brian, Sam headed out of Bend on a great cycle path and rode towards sisters where he stayed with John and Cynthia. A lovely evening chatting and driving a 60’s van is exactly what makes these trips special.

4th July and Independence Day. A big decent took Sam into the city of Bend for a nice short day where he relaxed in a park and had a nice evening with hosts Brian and Kathleen.

Feeling tired and struggling with a painful knee made it a hard day but Sam still got some good miles done as he made he way pass the Cascade lakes. Back at elevation with snow on the ground meant for a cold night.

Made it to the 3000 mile mark! Dropped in to Crescent lake where Sam had a nice swim. Feeling good after some food and a chat he jumped back on the gravel and found a nice camp spot.

After a funny but annoying strat to the day Sam headed back in the hills as he started on a gravel version of the OTT. Some great climbing through some beautiful forest for most of the day.

Not the most exciting day scenic wise but a fun day nonetheless as Sam made some good progress on gravel. A lovely evening camping with another Bikepacker having a great chat in a town park.

A day on gravel on an old railway line. Through some nice rural towns and villages. Had a nice chat to some people at one store. Rode through some open farmland and went through 35 gates!

Sam had a great morning exploring the vast caves of the Lava beds. Nothing like it, especially when you’re on your own. A great decent to farmland to Sam into his next state and back into arid/desert lands.

Sam made it to Lava beds national monument and caves, and he stoked about it. Mornings riding in a nice woodland with some rough roads took Sam through lots of burnt trees and finally to the Lava beds. Met some great people in the car park as well.

Most miles yet! A Sam saw quite a variety of land. Started off in forest with a big downhill to farmland. Up a steep private lane to a large open wetland. Finding a camp spot wasn’t an easy task due to the vast about of private land. Apologies for the noise of the rain.