Montreal to Patagonia - Trip Details

The goal: Cycle from Montreal, Canada, to Patagonia, in Argentina.

The Cause: See below.

Using: Old-school pedal bike; no electric power or assistance.

ETA: 18 months

Start Date*: 8-Aug-2024

Official Start Date: 23-Aug-2024

My dictum: Stress-free and safety; always moving forward.

The Daily Aim: Per my dictum, I no longer view distance as a determiner re what ought to be my daily goal. Now, what plays a key role in setting my daily goals most of all is: What feels right!

Notice that “good” isn’t the qualifier; it’s “right”. This adds a moral component to “good”, which may, occasionally, feel not so good, but, at least, it’s the right thing to do! All good on this?

The reasons are: Too many factors influence my performance, and too many others affect what’s realistically possible, should one want to take full advantage of all that such a journey can offer rather than to set undue stress on the whole, creating a synthetic, circular obsession that forces out all that should truly matter when setting on any Siddartha-esque voyage.  

The Cause… My Focus

Despite what the project’s title may suggest, this is NOT an anti-U.S. effort, nor is it a pro-AnyNationality one. Forced to assign a single descriptor to this cause, that word would have to be “solidarity”.

(more to come)

Additionally, On the Why (On a More Personal Note):

The “why” I’m doing this moot; “because” is the only valid reason.

One of my exes, with whom I was with for roughly ten years, had messaged me in late July, wanting some news. Once on the road, I had finally replied with: “My plans got changed. I’m now attempting to bike from Montreal to Patagonia. 

Her reply: “I’m real proud of you. You’ve been wanting to take on such a challenge for too long.”

Those seeking to apply a “loss and pain” narrative to my journey are doing so to satisfy notions that pertain to them, tailored to their perspectives. I can provide all the fodder they need, but loss-and-pain, though present, is there in the same way it is for most people; albeit a part of it, it’s irrelevant to this journey.

I’m not doing this because I’m unhappy, but because I’ll never be truly happy unless I do this.

Some of the gear I’m using was purchased 32 years ago, precisely for this, albeit a much different version of it. The North Face sleeping bag I’m using, I’d invested quite a bit of money into in 1992, doing so based on what was needed if walking/hiking from Buenos Aires to Tiera Del Fuego.

Is it about a dream? Perhaps, but, wide awake, it’s about living my life. Finally doing what will take me where I want to be.

The concrete is abstract; Patagonia is symbolic. “Literally” is the figurative; literary is the fiction this journey is to make real, by forging a place for myself within a world wherein I’ve otherwise always lacked the real courage to do so.

Recent circumstances provided the needed nudge—I may have nudged circumstances; I’m finally taking the leap.

I know I’ve a difficult road ahead of me—plus, I’m now 52, not 22—but my spirit is in the right place; the tough days are to be so due to external reasons, and not come from within. 

Determination will get me to my goal, but your encouragement and support will help fuel me forward and to smoothen the road, for they solidify the belief in oneself that’s needed. 

How your donations help

 As cliched as it may be, the success of this project relies greatly on the “kindness of strangers” (and friends).

Food: This is my fuel. Literally. The daily effort I’ve to put in to significantly move forward, continuously, which includes the weight of my required gear combined with pulling a trailer, means that the daily recommended 2,000 calories don't come close to cutting it. I need at least twice that.

While I have all that’s needed to prepare and cook my own meals—I don’t rely on costly restaurant meals—both the cost and the weight of food present some interesting challenges. More on this in a dedicated post.

Coffee: This is my drug. If I’m addicted to anything, suffering the harsh effects of withdrawal if forced to go cold turkey, this is it. Coffee. I don’t put this necessity in the same category as “food” 

Butane: This is a requirement for my stove. Several variables affect usage, such as what it is I’m cooking, as well as the ambient temperature, humidity levels, and winds, making it near impossible to provide an accurate average in regard to how many meals, or days, I’m able to get out of each can of butane. Nonetheless, in the 36 days I’ve been on the road (since 23-Aug), I’ve now used a total of 8 cans.

Repairs and replacement parts:  No matter how well maintained the bike and trailer are, wear still takes place, making certain replacements unavoidable given the length of my journey—I’ve now asked more out of this bike in one month than what most people would in five years or more.

I’ve already had to rotate the tires, the rear one wearing down at a much faster rate than the front one. At some point, I will have to replace the tires altogether.

Degreaser and grease are also a part of that

Ferries, tolls, and access fees:  Although few, and usually on the ‘cheap’ side, an efficient route that doesn’t add tens of needlessly pedaled kilometres occasionally means having to pay certain fees.

 Some "I'd Be Real Nice" Items and Services: 

Data plan

Solar charger

Laundromat