Alaska to Argentina | Episode 1 | Arctic Cycling

On June 21st I started my Alaska to Argentina bicycle tour with my dad. We started in the town of Deadhorse on the northern coast of Alaska and began cycling the notorious Dalton Highway. This video covers the ride from Deadhorse to Fairbanks, AK, about 11 days and 500 miles.
We faced rain, headwinds, swarms of mosquitos, hot sun, and mud, but it was all worth it for those sweet, sweet downhills.
Social Media:
Instagram: crankingit
Facebook: Alexvangelder
Support Me:
Patrion: patreon.com/CrankingIt
Paypal: paypal.me/AlexvanGelder
About the Ride:
My name is Alex van Gelder. I'm from Seattle and I'm just starting my first intercontinental bicycle tour. The goal is to ride from Deadhorse, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina in one go.
I also want to ride some bikepacking routes as part of my route including the Great Divide Route through the Rocky Mountains and the Peru and Ecuador Divides through the Andes.
For this trip I built my own bike using a custom frame in order to be able to withstand rough mountain roads as well as power through long distances on pavement. (I had never built a bike before so we'll see if it holds up.)
If you have any other questions you can check out my FAQs video: • Alaska to Argentina | ...
or leave a comment and I'll get to it as soon as I can.
I'm editing these videos on the road, so releases my be infrequent as I try to find a quiet place to edit.

[@cyrus6250]

As a fellow cycle tourist I would like to give one recommendation: buy a pair of sunglasses specifically designed for road cycling. Various brands offer prescription inserts and some come with exchangeable lenses for various light conditions. These glasses will prevent you from squinting and frowning so much. Furthermore, the close fitting from will protect your eyes from dust and inserts. I started out using my normal glasses, or none at all, and with proper sunglasses the experience is so much better.

[@Crankingit]

Okay, thank you. I have some clip on sunglasses, but they're a bit awkward to take on and off. I'll keep an eye out for some.

[@nightnight2828]

Here from the start! Hope you complete your journey

[@Crankingit]

Thank you! I do too!

[@samjett3157]

Great stuff!

[@ebuqble33]

Yup 👍

[@LappDog]

Impressive! I imagine that mud and rain would be less of a problem if you had something like a Rohloff speedhub (+ belt) instead of the classical chain derailleur.

[@kellybeale2838]

This is Kelly from the Bikery, I am amazed at your journey, totally awesome🙌 Keep cranking it 😃

[@Crankingit]

Hey! Great to hear from you! Thank you so much for your help in assembling the bike!

[@kellybeale2838]

@@Crankingit Glad to have helped you with your build. Keep cranking it😃

[@trailwalker76]

Great video. Thanks for sharing

[@hlvrn]

What a wonderful thing to do together with your dad!

[@jeffspencersguidetogreatbi1802]

I enjoyed the first episode. I appreciate your creative approach to filming!

[@GamerKidEdits]

Looks fascinating, TY for letting us tag along.

[@barbaramulligan5131]

Pleased to have come across you, and look forward to keeping track of your adventures.

[@scottperine8027]

I’m grateful for your generosity and the ride to Argentina ,sorry I won’t be peddling!

[@SteveStolee]

Great stuff, Alex - I'm a FAN! Fascinating trip and excellent footage and narration. I look forward to further episodes. Good Luck! - Steve

[@reeceholmes8546]

hello from England, that's one epic you're on for sure, I'm subbed and ready for this one, great stuff

[@Crankingit]

Welcome aboard! We're going all the way!

[@alirezafazeli8222]

Perfect. I hope to see some wild camping on your trip.

[@Crankingit]

I try to wild camp as much as possible! I'm not sure how to film it, though. I usually have my hands full, and then it gets dark.

[@Max-bg7zp]

I wish you good luck and a lot of fun

[@Crankingit]

Thank you!

[@dkbestbuds]

Dude! I loved this first episode - the music, narration, and different shots. Keep it up. Celi and I are sending our love and encouragement

[@Crankingit]

Thank you! Shout out to True for the awesome soundtrack! I'm glad to have you two following along, and thanks for all your help getting me organized and prepared before the trip.

[@EDAHSC]

Enjoyed! Look forward to more episodes. Keep on cranking it.

[@lloydharrelson4805]

looking good sir.

[@caelstyx3206]

good job buddy

[@tonypaddler]

Great video of a route that I find very exciting. Looking forward to following you on this 🚴‍♂️ journey 👍

[@lancecrawley9542]

Crazy brave!!!

[@greentributes]

Awesome Alex and Roger. What a life! A cycling adventure with lots of time to ruminate on making a great film. Wow!

[@hendersonferreira3493]

Hi from Brazil...Now, I'm on board

[@CalebNetterfield]

Referred by Michael Barker. What you're doing is mind blowing. Way to do something really hard :)

[@Crankingit]

Nice! Keep watching, Michael might end up in a future video if he makes good on his promise to join me for a section.

[@AndrewBroadbent-dr8wb]

Awesome journey and nice content, thank you.

[@violonista20]

Hi Alex, a cyclist from Brazil here. Wish you all the best during this trip. Please be extra careful in Central America, the Andes will be mind-blowing. Cheers,

[@Crankingit]

Thank you! I'm looking forward to both, though most people say Central America is the most difficult part. I'll be careful.

[@rogerbooth8127]

Brilliant idea to record this awesome trip on KZbin, looking forward to the following episodes

[@joepark9059]

Great adventure👏👏👏. I look forward to following you in a few months… Be safe and healthy^^

[@tylernblaney]

I look forward to following along!

[@massorongsepeda]

Wow great journey

[@michaelhammill8000]

I can tell this is going to be good. Keep it up and looking forward to next video.

[@Crankingit]

Thank you! Next video should go public next week.

[@SweetLuAdventures]

Hell yeah, excellent first video Alex! It didn't fully capture the sufferfest of the road but there's only so much you can convey through video 😂

[@Crankingit]

Can't frontload all the suffering! Plenty more suffering to come, I'm sure.

[@trickystravels]

Hi. Great first episode. I’m looking forward to seeing some more as I’m planning my own trip with almost this exact route

[@Crankingit]

I'm glad you liked it! Next episode will cover the ride to Prince George area. It's been an amazing ride so far that exceeded my own high expectations.

[@grahamambridge2856]

Can't understand any thumbs down-ers.... Obviously jealous loosers. Awesome journey mate. 🇬🇧

[@Crankingit]

Well, I would be jealous of me too if I wasn't on this trip!

[@AwesomeAngryBiker]

Probably because of all the ads

[@sonalmalhotra07]

Nice video. If I get a job I will support you.

[@Chris_at_Home]

In the early 1990s I met a German man that rode from Argentina to Prudhoe Bay. The guards wouldn’t let him ride all the way to the ocean so I did some calling around and arranged for him to ride all the way to the ocean. He had to have a hard hat, safety vest and safety glasses. Security gave him an escort all the way to the ocean. Less that 10 years later I worked just south of Coldfoot and I used to see cyclists all the time. I’d give them snacks if I saw them out riding as I was out on the road more days than not for my job.

[@Crankingit]

That's awesome, people have been doing this ride for a while, then, and it seems to be getting more popular. I love seeing other cyclists out there and we always appreciate the "trail magic" that you and other generous people offer.

[@MotoNomad350]

Just found your channel and looking forward to following your journey. Back in 1999, I bikepacked from Anchorage north to Delta Junction then south ultimately to Calgary. One of the best things I’ve ever done. Will be interested to see if your route overlaps mine and what’s changed since then.

[@Crankingit]

Did you ride the Cassiar Highway? That was one of my favorite parts. It would have been cool to see it in the 90s, but I'll bet not too much had changed, it's still pretty undeveloped.

[@MotoNomad350]

@@Crankingit No, I finished out the Alaska Highway to Dawson’s Creek then made my way over to Jasper via Grande Prairie and Grande Cache.

[@VernonHeil-tx1fo]

How you survive winter months stay warm

[@Crankingit]

By going south, lol. I'm in Arizona and it's still t-shirt weather. I don't expect to run into much cold weather for a while, but if I do, my sleeping bag should be enough.

[@post_historic]

Comment.

[@mazkman]

Awesome views man, told you I would follow you on KZbin, haha I’m the guy you met at the little casino in Why. Forgot to get your name….

[@Crankingit]

What's up! I just got to Ajo, it's a really beautiful little town! I didn't expect so much artwork everywhere, and a nice plaza too! My name is Alex, btw.

[@doughouck178]

Nicely done! I rode the Dalton hwy in 2019. Good shots of the road salt mess.

[@Crankingit]

Sounds like everyone ran into it if they rode that highway. Makes me wonder if we actually got lucky that we only had to deal with it for one day.

[@BrandonRosenborg]

Awesome!! Love the music! I really like those shots of you cycling off into the distance, knowing that you're going to have to turn around to fetch the camera again 😆

[@Crankingit]

The music in was all created by my friend and former roommate, True. He even offered to compose the theme! I'm glad you enjoyed the tripod shots. It always feels like I've left a part of myself behind every time I intentionally ride off without my camera.

[@jfriesem]

Just fantastic. What a journey! Full of courage, stalwartness, humor; you re undauntable. I will absolutely follow along and add my support. Yay You! (Roger too!!)

[@Crankingit]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the support!

[@JamesBrown-mt7vo]

Fantastic! I look forward to more episodes. Turned on to your trip by my sis-in-law, Audrey W.

[@Crankingit]

Thank you! Next episode will be in a couple weeks, probably...

[@Gordie_Howe_Hat_Trick]

Very cool vid, and glad to see your dad is game for some adventure! Those memories of riding with him will last forever.