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Inspiration:
1. Tranformative
Action – Scott Sherman, one of my most influencial UCLA
professors who inspired me to ‘be the change I wish to see in the
World.’ His powerful theory
of Transformative Action outlines a model of overcoming obstacles and
transforming challenges to create positive solutions for the most
pressing problems of our time.
2. Wade
Davis – Anthropologist and National Geographic Explorer in
Residence whose writings, research, and actions advocate for the
preservation of cultural diversity around the world.
3. Sherry Ortner
– my undergraduate thesis advisor who empowered me to pursue my
passions and become the best I could be.
4. Jared Diamond
– Distinguished scientist, writer, explorer, and one of my
undergraduate mentors. I aspire to
engage the world with writings as clear, provoking, and accessible as
Prof. Diamond´s.
5. Jann
Corax – one of the few mountaineers and cyclists alive who
combines both of these pursuits in expeditions to the most remote corners
of the world.
6. Timothy
Hult – The first person to circumnavigate the globe entirely
with human power. Tim was one of
the biggest inspirations in planning this trip and has motivated my
philosophy of self-powered travel to minimize my effects on global
climate change.
7. Llamas
and Empanadas – an incredible travelogue by a female Kiwi
cyclist, _____ who – for me – embodies the spirit of
independence, boldness, adventure, and challenging gender-norms. A powerful woman and an excellent
writer, if you´re a woman who has doubts about international travel, I
hope her book inspires you to overcome that.
Trip Advice and Planning: The following links helped me out tremendously
planning for my own trip and serve as excellent resources for anyone
looking to venture outside.
1. Summitpost.org
– the best website on climbing and mountaineering across the
world. Articles, route
information, advice, and a very helpful forum to help you ascend any peak
in the world.
2. Ken Kifer
– all you need to know about long-haul bicycle touring, from the
basics to repair and maintainance to personal anecdotes.
3. Todoparaviajar
– an excellent article in Spanish written by my good friend Damián
López on cycle touring.
4. South America
Touring Links – links to past and current trips across South America via bicycle.
5. Crazy
Guy on a Bike – another excellent cycling website with loads of
helpful articles and trip reports.
6. Transitions
Abroad – like the name implies, if you´re looking to move
abroad, this website has lots of helpful advice.
Travel Help: for those on the road, these resources will
help you find lodging, advice, and loads of other good info.
1. Couchsurfing
– an excellent online community that connects travelers and hosts
across the world. Participate as a
‘surfer’ and get free lodging on your travelers while
fostering intercultural exchanges, or participate as a ‘host’
and get ready to make tons of friends from around the world.
2. Warm Showers
– the same as Couchsurfing, but especially tailored for the needs
of touring cyclists.
3. Thorn
Tree – An excellent online forum run by Lonely Planet with lots
of good searchable info.
Other travelers and friends I´ve
met along the way:
1. Damián López
– a personal inspiration, road-brother, and fellow vagabond
scientist and explorer with whom I shared many miles along Central and South America.
2. Oscar Cañon
– a Colombian cyclist whom I met in Baja
California who is finishing his dream of cycling the length
of the Americas.
3. Pleasant Revolution – a traveling group of musician-cyclists
with who gave me company through the tail-end of Baja California and a bit of Inland
Mexico. Check out their bicycle
music tours and support their efforts!
4. Doris
and Klaus Hohles – 68 and 65 year old German couple who are on
their 3rd year on their world tour in bicycles. I met them in the Baja desert and they
are a living testament that age does NOT matter!
5. Eric Fiala
– a friend from college who is pedalling from Alaska
to Argentina.
6. Ana and Alberto – a Spanish couple whom I met in Nicaragua, cycling from Guatemala to Patagonia.
7. Kathryn and Philip – A Swiss couple I crossed paths with
several times in Central America, cycling the Americas.
8. Denise Ellensohn – my good friend and travel partner from Austria
whom I crossed paths with many many times throughout my travels, each
time making for memorable moments.
9. Teacherontwowheels – Andrew Morgan, a fellow cyclist
traveling from the US
to Buenos Aires, and then from Cape Horn
to Cairo.
10. Britta and
Simon – two wonderful German cyclists I crossed paths with in Quito who are making their way northwards from Argentina!
11. Igel and Paola
– a German couple on their world tour, who run an amazing
‘casa de ciclistas’ in San
Agustin, Colombia.
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