The Trans Ecuador Mountain Bike Route // CyclingAbout The Americas [EP.10]

This video is adventure-packed with crazy mud, hike-a-bike, river crossings, insane hills, loose af descents, navigation woes, a cooking segment and the reason why I don't use a mountain bike on mountain bike trails.
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MY BIKE: Koga WorldTraveller bit.ly/2wyXM0T
MY GEAR LIST: bit.ly/2C1BCKF
MY ROUTE: ridewithgps.com/routes/29355602
MY CAMERAS: Panasonic G9 + GoPro Hero 6
MUSIC: Clem Beats Live DJ Set • Clem Beatz live at Hop...

[@azuanzin6823]

I have seen production crews with tonnes more video equipment than you have make really average videos even at stunning locations. You are talented. End of story.

[@rene78]

I can learn a lesson or two from you. You have an outstandingly positive attitude! The most sincere respect from me!

[@terpaksangaskus]

Please make us video story how you finally you get recovered, get your bike repaired and get beck to the road. Safe travel mate 🤙

[@KevinPeffley]

Lord have mercy! I love to cycle but I can only dream about what you’re doing here. Sometimes in my nightmares as well. I don’t know how you did all this. Absolutely stunning scenery. Thank you for that.

[@sumitrs3272]

I have watched couple of KZbin channels regarding bike touring but your's videos is most picturesque well shot and we'll edited and top of that inspiring .....

[@Cyclingabout]

Thanks for the kind words! Glad you like them. 😊

[@myfrequencies1912]

I've seen a lot of likeable folk riding interesting bikes through stunning scenery with very nice cinematography on youtube, but you've got the formula working for you in a strong way on this channel.

[@Cyclingabout]

Many thanks! I've just re-watched a bit of this video and I now miss Ecuador. 😭

[@myfrequencies1912]

@@Cyclingabout ​Where are you now? I know you're on an orange bike these days so I guessed this was an older one.

[@Cyclingabout]

I'm in Mexico! The journey north is on hold for a while...

[@jamesporter5630]

Some cooking shows are all about the calories. This one was all about the kilometers. Beautiful, wild, wet and muddy kilometers. Thanks for another excellent episode. Glad to see you are healed and handling the bike, again, like a champ.

[@Cyclingabout]

Thanks James! I'm in the next section now and it's still very much beautiful, wild, wet (36 hours rain and counting) and muddy. 😂

[@jakestevens3788]

it seems nothing can beat you ...no terrain too tough ....man you are a machine.....RESPECT!!

[@Cyclingabout]

Thanks 👍

[@MaShcode]

You will forever be known as the original bike inclinoclast. Amazing how high altitude valleys can switch between soggy and desert. Nice photography!

[@Cyclingabout]

The swampy section (12:42) and dry plains where my tent is pitched (14:55) are on either side of Chimborazo volcano!

[@vict0riaah]

I’m speechless - it’s such a wonder and inspiration to follow your journey! ❤️👍🏼

[@sharkmentality9717]

Another great job!! Thanks for a little closer look into your tour. Cooking, camping... etc.

[@mlupp]

It amazes me how often you must have had to return to retrieve your camera

[@carldyson5092]

Another amazing video. Fantastic journey. Look forward to seeing your next video

[@Cyclingabout]

Thanks Carl!

[@paulvanderplow100]

The cooking show 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

[@gepardtilly]

You gave a new definition to procrastination... fantastic achievement. Well done.

[@tommykennedy7622]

Wow !!! Again, WOW !!! An absolute pleasure to watch your video. You made my day. A comment : at the end of the video, we recognise in the music an old song, St-James Infirmary, that Louis Armstrong sang... certainly could have been heard in the episode no 8, the one with the fall and the visit to the infirmary...

[@dtbrooks7325]

So very glad you survived.

[@PumpkinVillage]

That was some real mud there. The plants and the volcano were amazing. Looked like a good meal too. Thanks for the video and take care, Al

[@Cyclingabout]

Almost lost my shoes a few times in the mud. It was thick!

[@migzhere]

Wonderful! Watching you from Benguet, Philippines!

[@sisaktamas]

It was about 10 years ago that me and some friends rode one of the highest roads in Romania. Right from the start a not very large dog started following us, it climbed the mountain up about 1000m, than it came along this magnificent ridge which still counts as one of my absolute best rides ever. It finally decided to settle when we got to a village and there were some other dogs about 45km from the start! We gave it water but it didn’t eat anything the whole time. I bet it was totally drenched of every bit of energy that got stuck into that little body.

[@pavaniparadise2751]

I hardly imagined a man traveling through such kind of terrains... Also the bike is commendable.

[@BluW13]

Great. I went through Ecuador in a different routes all then way down. I like your routes.

[@christospanagiotakis5027]

really loved this video! Chimborazo was one of my highlights during my s america tour!

[@Cyclingabout]

Thanks so much! Chimborazo was a treat. 💚

[@davidgutierrez3850]

I'm from Ecuador :) Nice to see you exploring my turf Mate...

[@cameronfrancey1718]

I'm enjoying your adventures. Great videos. In this one I really thought I was watching you ride through Scotland, the rolling hills and colours look so much like it. Not sure if you have ever been there, but with the ancient moss and lichen covered rocks, and of course the rain, it looked so much like the north west of Scotland. Thanks for posting here on youtube, its really good to see your biking adventures.

[@Cyclingabout]

Cheers! I've been to Scotland and the landscapes definitely remind me of it.

[@sbsb4995]

Excellent beautiful video. Loving every bit of it.

[@Cyclingabout]

Really glad you enjoyed it! It was soooo wet in Ecuador 😂

[@omare_biketonature]

You and Iohan are on the same level! No other bike tourer on KZbin does what I have seen on your videos. I admire your determination, persistence and perseverance! Courageously trough these remote trails, unassisted and overall without whining or complaining when having challenging and miserable days. Truly admirable and inspiring! I recently finished my first 2,000km tour and I can’t wait to do a longer one.

[@gonperes]

A pleasure to watch every second of your cycle touring videos. Glad to see you back on the bike again. Keep going and lot's of fun and happy moments on the road or dirt!

[@hike2fish]

some of those trails just make my bones ache.

[@mickilkr]

This video series is great, good job!

[@stephensheppard]

What a great vlog! Great mixture of views, local wildlife, people in the countryside, and lots of cycling.

[@Cyclingabout]

Thank you, Stephen!

[@martinvilu]

Good to see you back in action!!

[@timkorner1892]

Great Film! Thanks Tim

[@cycloneranger5354]

This guy is hilarious filming himself cooking lentils on a volcano hahahah. Cracking mate, good on ya

[@PathfinderGregg]

Beautiful scenery at the end.

[@rafaeldegiacomoaraujo8778]

Amazing as always. Keep safe and good to see you back on your bike.

[@alandjeffrey]

Amazing stuff - living life 100%. Some of the terrain reminded me of Scotland. Liked the addition of oats in your meal...

[@Cyclingabout]

Cheers! Yeah, trying to live a meaningful life on my terms. 💪🏼

[@user-ht6em6po5u]

amazing place, amazing edit, amazing music, amazing knowledge...

[@BornAdventures]

This looks like an incredible trip that you're on and I'm really happy that the algorithm finally suggested something that I'm actually interested in. We often have dogs following us on the bikes too and we try drop them as quickly as possible.

[@MehmetCanBAYRAM]

great job again. stuning footage, wonderfull adventure.

[@Cyclingabout]

Thanks Mehmet! 🙏🏼

[@joelmicah7014]

those are some tough sandles.

[@blueyonder1233]

Worn without socks!

[@stopa7284]

Man you are so underrated. Love your content these landscapes with amazing music such a chill video!

[@Cyclingabout]

Thanks so much!

[@holinografias]

You're the man!

[@grthilak]

Amazing!

[@johnnyguzman3429]

Love the camera work and effort that goes into your videos. Honestly, you need a mountain bike for the kind of riding you do. Most of the video consists of you walking your bike. Wishing you the best on your travels!

[@Cyclingabout]

Most of the video is walking, but in the last month, I pushed my bike only 20km out of 1500km! I prefer being optimised for smoother surfaces because that's what I ride 90%+ of the time. 👌🏼

[@derekmann857]

Such amazing camera work

[@Neilazbiker]

Glad your back healed. Good luck

[@Cyclingabout]

Cheers!

[@DararithTiv]

You're an awesome cyclist !!! I appreciate it bro!

[@MonkeyMitra]

Woohoo....green bed is amazing

[@2WheelsGood.01]

Legendary my guy.

[@CavidOnBike]

I always loved your videos. This one has special food section which is super informative, detailed and concise! Love to know how diverse your food options are. Looking forward to see new food making part in your next videos.

[@Cyclingabout]

The foods I eat aren't super diverse because the ingredients are often limited. As long as I pack enough nutrition into every meal, I'm happy!

[@jirijanecek8126]

compliments to the chef :) :) ;)

[@eduardherak8599]

To jsou nádherná bikerská videa nádherná příroda 👍👍👍🏔🚵‍♂️🏕❤️🌞

[@xabieraizpuruasalaberria9831]

Thanks for sharing. I was missing your lovely videos!

[@Cyclingabout]

I'm back in full swing. 💪🏼

[@wilsontorres1773]

Thanks for sharing your videos, I am sure there is a lot of us at there wishing one day travel the same way you did. OH! and your secret meal with the lentos and oats looked great!

[@Cyclingabout]

I hope everyone can get out and see the world on a bike! While multiyear journeys won't be possible for everyone, you can get so much out of a 2-3 day trip somewhere. 👌🏼

[@alidoringo4087]

wow! great! 👌

[@ArisaemaDracontium]

Your choices to take more scenic but highly questionable routes, had me suspecting we were kindred spirits. When you decided to go 'straight down' the volcano instead of the safe road, well, that got me to thinking we are twin brothers separate at birth. Glad to see I'm not the only one who gets out there and then wonders how I got myself into this, but loves it all the same.

[@Cyclingabout]

Cheers Frank. Gotta love the adventure life!

[@davidcarter9339]

best one yet, good stuff

[@Cyclingabout]

Thanks David. Stoked you think that!

[@petros8985]

love the content mate, you re inspiring me to new adventures.

[@Cyclingabout]

Awesome! That's the aim of the game. 💪🏼

[@parcos79]

LIVING THE DREAM.

[@danielsaddleton4246]

You’ve gone to a lot of effort in the filming and production on this and it looks fantastic. Well done mate. I rode across USA and am riding across Europe this year. I look forward to watching more of your videos. Cheers

[@Cyclingabout]

Cheers! Good luck with your European tour. 🙏🏼

[@diogofilipe4135]

Real torture! Poor guy. I feel sorry for him.

[@Cyclingabout]

I live for this. 🔥

[@viveviveka2651]

Thanks. Great video. Savory oats. Love them. Your video is a good reminder. Lentils complement the amino acid profile. Another good reminder. How is your healing going? Hope well. Looking forward to your next video. Cheers.

[@Cyclingabout]

Thanks! I'm 99.99% healed now (it's been three months since the accident) and I don't think there'll be any long-term damage. Just need a tiny bit more mobility out of my wrist to hit 100%, but it's super close to being normal.

[@alipaulstagram]

Cooking bit was really handy! Just did my first long bike tour trying to be vegan and it was a struggle at times. I did go down the red lentil route as they cook the fastest! Also a big fan of veggie tortillas with avocado.

[@Cyclingabout]

Cheers! I reckon if you can be as vegan as possible, that's a pretty damn good outcome when the food options are sometimes very limiting. 👌🏼

[@RealSpaceHobo]

That must have been the best meal ever..:-)

[@derekmann857]

God i love Ecuador!! 3 mores days and ill be back.

[@clark7662]

You do a lot of backtracking. Every time I see a shot of you from overhead, or in the distance…. I think “he’s doubling a lot of miles for us”. Thanks for doing that. The effect is worth the effort.

[@joelaut12]

What a ride! Thanks for pointing out the route NOT to take! Beautiful landscapes! Any links to bike trails in Ecuador?

[@Cyclingabout]

Check out this route, it's all dirt roads: www.bikepacking.com/routes/trans-ecuador-dirt-road/

[@mazditzo]

Dogs (wild dogs) and insects are the major obstacles for me lol

[@w0bblyd0inkb0ink]

Mate you are amazing, would be interesting to hear your life story, the things that make you do things like this, I always dreamt of adventurous life, but never quite pull off the way you did and yes, I love love love my bike 🙂

[@Cyclingabout]

Thanks! Check out the About Me page on my website for some of my life story: www.cyclingabout.com/who-is-alee-denham/

[@Radnally]

Interview some locals and you've got a good travel show.

[@batbawls]

18:08 dear sweet mother of all that is holy, you are a genius

[@Cyclingabout]

🤘🏼

[@christofs-a1834]

You're a cracking meal!! 😜

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Yet another great video Alee. Koga would be mad not to use some of your footage to promote their bikes given the tough terrain you are riding and how well the bike is standing up to it. Certainly got me thinking about selling some of my carbon fibre bikes to finance buying a Koga. Stay safe.

[@Cyclingabout]

Cheers Ted! Yep, the Koga has certainly proven its worth so far. It's cool that you can build bikes that are virtually indestructible and that can travel 20,000km+ without changing much more than the tyres and brake pads... I never worry about breaking things anymore. 💪🏼

[@HighCarbVeganAdventurer]

We had also some bad experience in Ecuador like theft on the bus and dangerous feeling in Guayaquil

[@Cyclingabout]

Ahh, that sucks. So far so good for me, but I spend way more time with animals than people. 😂

[@robertborowski9662]

👌👌👌

[@mirofisch940]

wonderful video, and really cool that you are vegan :)

[@bikeforlife2191]

Wowwwwww

[@OlTrailDog]

Stalwart!

[@pavaniparadise2751]

Some times I see Jim Carrey in "Mask" movie in your appearance and talking style :-)

[@OldMan_54]

Sensational video, respect! The difficult slopes with the 28" tires, very impressive. Don't you have any problems with the gates? What mileage did he run? Best regards from Germany, Thomas

[@Titanium308]

At 11:46 you are also a Botanist.........bahahahaaaa

[@Cyclingabout]

Apparently! 😂

[@MrJackDaniels28]

Glad to see you have recovered well! Found out about your channel and your Ushuaia to Alaska last week and I ended binge watching it. I'm planning my first ever bike tour, from São Paulo, Brazil to Montevideo, Uruguai. Do you have any tips on how to plan the route? I feel like that is my major problem. Thanks for the content and I hope there's no more accidents throughout your travels! =)

[@Cyclingabout]

I had lots of problems with narrow roads and trucks in Brazil. But I've heard the coastal route is totally fine, as you can find smaller roads closer to the ocean that the trucks don't follow. I recommend finding the quietest possible way, it's always the nicest, even if it takes you longer. Good luck with your journey - you'll love the bike touring life!

[@MrJackDaniels28]

@@Cyclingabout Yeah, the roads here in Brazil can be daunting and the drivers reckless. Thanks for the advice. I will try and come up with a route that goes through the coast most of the way. Again, thanks for the awesome scenarios, tips and inspiration! Cheers!

[@rene78]

@@MrJackDaniels28 Google Streeview can give you some good indication.

[@Hangso]

Great going man 👍👍 You should try the Himalayas next 🙂

[@Cyclingabout]

I've actually cycled through Nepal, India, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Missing Pakistan, Tibet, China, Bhutan though! 😊

[@Hangso]

CyclingAbout 🙌 would love to see that edition 👍👍

[@Cyclingabout]

@@Hangso I'm sure I'll be back soon enough!

[@Hangso]

CyclingAbout whatever you’re doing is very inspiring 👍

[@swnorcraft7971]

What panniers/travel bags do you use on the Koga World Traveler? Thanks for sharing. Looks like one hell of an adventure......meaning good!

[@Cyclingabout]

Ortlieb Backroller Plus, Sportroller Plus, Ultimate 6 Plus and Rackpack 31.

[@clark7662]

Where no man has bikes before.

[@iambarnabas_]

I like the colorgrading so much! Is it done by you or co-operating with someone?

[@Cyclingabout]

Viktor Tóth The colours are straight from the camera! I’ve used a colorist for the last two videos but the internet speed was too slow this time.

[@iambarnabas_]

Is it the new replaced one? (tech details maybe? :P) I hope this one will last until the end of your journey! Safe travels Al!

[@Cyclingabout]

@@iambarnabas_ Yeah, the Panasonic G9 has a much better contrast and saturation. 😊

[@Alhajhossain8872]

not bad........

[@samjenkins9346]

Woo! Sickkkk vid! The Quality is unreal! Like top level adventure doco stuff! Btdub, are ya wearing a chammy? Bib shorts?

[@Cyclingabout]

Thanks so much! I wear cycling "undershorts" under a set of swimming shorts.

[@TheJoePavlik]

When its too windy and rainy are you going to buy some ski goggles so its less frustrating?

[@Cyclingabout]

That would've been nice on a few occasions, but it's not as cold as it looks here in Ecuador. Do ski goggles bode well with moderate temperatures?

[@AndrewDBrown2020]

I live in Hamburg (Germany), so may have missed it - but has this series been picked up by a major network (it certainly should have)?

[@Cyclingabout]

My series was just produced for KZbin. 👍🏻

[@onelove8062]

eeEEeeEeEee! -OHH-

[@alexmorgan3435]

Great video but you need a fat bike like Iohan Georguiev rides with 4.8 inch tyres or at least a 29er with 3 inch tyres such as Surly ECR which his mate Sylvain St. Denis rides.

[@Cyclingabout]

In the last month, I rode 1500km. By my estimates, a fat bike would've been nice for approximately 27km of trails. That's around 2%... I prefer to have a bike better suited for the rest of my journey so I can average higher cycling speeds.

[@alexmorgan3435]

@@Cyclingabout But it must be very hard on your bike and you riding those rocky trails, tracks on your road touring bike. I was wondering when a wheel would give, spoke break or the frame develop a stress fracture. With larger volume tyres you have more suspension to absorb the impacts to cushion your wheels and bike frame plus obviously more traction more comfortable riding. I would be riding a bike with at least a 29 x 3 tyre maybe not fat bike unless the trail was very bad like you went through or disappeared altogether, even then you might still have to push or carry your bike. Also I would probably have turned back as well. But every one is different. It would be a dull life if we weren't.

[@Cyclingabout]

@@alexmorgan3435 Touring bikes are about as sturdy as it gets, almost every component is overbuilt to handle rough conditions with a load. I'm not too stressed about my bike after pushing the limits of touring gear over the years, I've never broken a frame and have had a handful of broken spokes in 100,000km+ of travel. I've never even torn a touring tyre sidewall! When comparing 3.0" and 2.0" tyres, the rolling resistance is literally halved by using my slicks over a 3.0” tyre, resulting in a pretty massive increase in average speed on the smooth stuff (40 watts lost to the tyres is 3-4km/h slower depending on the gradient). I know that doesn't sound like much, but over 7 hours of riding on smooth surfaces, that puts me 20-30km further down the road with the same pedalling effort. Not everyone is prepared to trade off the extra comfort/grip with speed, but given how few trails I see relative to how many smoother roads, I'm pretty happy to do that.

[@VideoNOLA]

I forgot, is he riding tubes or tubeless? Haven't ever witnessed him flat.

[@chriskneifl3290]

Hi Alee, what sort of cold-weather clothing would you recommend for the Trans Ecuador Mountain bike route? Will a standard fleece and rain jacket / pants do the job, or would you also bring a down jacket, down booties, and fleece tights for the colder nights? Starting this route next week and don't want to lug any more weight than necessary. Thanks for your inspiration!

[@Cyclingabout]

It's probably a bit colder in August than when I was there. I was fine without any winter gear even at 5000m. But the conditions up at 5000m can change really quickly, so you'll ideally want to be ready for riding in 0 degrees celcius, and overnights of -5 degrees c. I'd pack the down jacket and skip on the booties and tights if your sleeping bag has a bit of oomph. Enjoy!

[@friarrodneyburnap4336]

What do you think of a "Tripoding" touring set up... Tripoding is a bikepacking set -up but with two Panniers on the front wheel... I am riding a Surly Troll...with a Carridice Camper Longflap Saddlebag, and a Carridice Super C Saddlebag as my Handle bar roller pack . . .I also have a Rogue panda frame bag with a roll closure ...and two Lone Peak Mount Superior Panniers on the front wheel...My own weight is on the back wheel so using a Saddlebag... instead of two large panniers on my back wheel, takes some of the weight off my back wheel . . . This is a "Tripoding" set -up...and is becoming very popular... Carrying your gear with a Tripoding set-up... Let you also use a short Chain stay bike...P.S. I would eventually like to swap out my Lone Peak bags for a nice set of Carridice Super C Saddlebag large panniers...in the future...

[@SpeedDemonExpress]

I think choosing a bike with skinny tires and no suspension was a big mistake even though it's a lighter bike.

[@onelove8062]

How did you get green lentils to cook in 10 minutes?

[@federicotheironlyportrait]

Hola Alee, how much (%) of the singletrack version were you able to ride with a classic-touring setup? Thanks, Fede

[@Cyclingabout]

The only sections I wasn't able to ride are what's in the video. By my calculations, I pushed my bike about 20km out of 730km, but I reckon I'd be pushing on almost any bike setup, given the conditions!

[@federicotheironlyportrait]

Awesome @@Cyclingabout, I wanted to ride it with skinnier tires, but I didn't dare as it's recommended for plus tires or front suspension bikes with an ultralight bikepacking setup... although I would love to see the second part of the track which is where the single-track & dirt-road version differ the most!

[@Cyclingabout]

I'll have to keep on top of the weather. If I get a series of dry days I should be able to have a crack at more of the singletrack stuff in the north!

[@sempi8159]

Whats your rain gear? Have you made a video about that?

[@Cyclingabout]

No video. Just cheap plastic rain pants, and a 2.5-layer NorthFace jacket which I don't recommend because I wore it out in less than two months use.

[@sempi8159]

@@Cyclingabout sounds good! Thanks for the response!