Grizzly and Black Bear Encounters: Cycling Alone in the Yukon

In this clip from the Adventure Diaries Podcast, Oli France opens up about the tension of cycling through bear country in Alaska and Canada during his epic expedition. Having never extensively traveled in bear country before, he admits that the thought of encountering bears was a constant worry. In the UK, Oli’s only experience with wildlife threats came from foxes and badgers, so the prospect of facing grizzly and black bears was entirely new.
Oli explains that the deeper he traveled into the wilderness-through British Columbia, the Yukon, and finally into Alaska-wildlife became more abundant. He spotted majestic animals like bison, moose, elk, and even a bald eagle. One night, he heard wolves howling from his tent, which added to the thrill and tension of his solo journey. However, it was the presence of bears that kept his nerves on edge.
Armed with only bear spray for protection, Oli knew that it would only be effective within three or four meters, leaving little room for error if a bear charged at him. As he cycled through dense forests in the far north, constantly scanning his surroundings, the fear of bears became more real with each mile.
Eventually, Oli did encounter two bears in one day while traveling through the Yukon. The first was a grizzly bear, spotted about 50 to 70 meters away near an icy lake. The bear was carrying a fish in its mouth, but it quickly became aware of Oli and watched him closely. Although it followed him for a few steps, Oli managed to get behind some trees and continued his journey, feeling both exhilarated and a little shaken.
Not long after, he encountered a huge black bear, just a few meters from the roadside where he was cycling. Despite the bear’s proximity, it seemed uninterested in Oli, allowing him to safely continue on his way after taking a few photos and videos. Yet, even after these encounters, the presence of bears weighed heavily on his mind, especially at night when he had to camp in a tent.
Oli reflects on the difficulty of putting his head down to sleep in such remote areas, knowing that he was always just a short distance from potentially dangerous wildlife. As he shares these intense moments, it’s clear that cycling alone through bear country adds a layer of risk and mental pressure, which, for Oli, heightened the entire experience.
To hear more about Oli's extraordinary encounters and how he navigated the wilds of Alaska and Canada, visit AdventureDiari... for the full episode.