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DUBAI: In April 2023, Samer Abouhamad made it to Ushuaia, a small city in Argentina, nicknamed “the tip of the world” due to its place on the southernmost tip of South America.
His journey began within the US a yr earlier … on a motorbike.
Abouhamad’s religious path, of types, nonetheless, began three years in the past. He was working remotely within the US, and when COVID-19 hit, moved to his homeland, Lebanon, to be with household.
His father, who likes biking, motivated him “to get out of the home,” which was “superior,” Abouhamad informed Arab Information from Buenos Aires, days after he accomplished his year-long journey.
After arriving again in Lebanon amid the pandemic, Abouhamad found his nation by bike.
“I’ve at all times been Lebanese, however I by no means actually obtained to find the nation alone phrases,” he mentioned.
“That was an superior expertise — virtually religious. And I used to be hooked.”
The next yr he took half in his first biking journey: A ten-day tour of France with no skilled coaching.
He constructed his bodily power and endurance whereas volunteering at a nonprofit in Beirut, the place he spent 4 days every week doing guide development labor and biking throughout his free time.
Abouhamad contemplated what to do subsequent. He learn a ebook by English creator Alastair Humphreys, who chronicled his adventures biking the world for greater than 4 years.
“It simply made me understand if somebody may do this type of journey again then (2011); it’s a lot extra accessible now with all of the assets,” Abouhamad mentioned.
He began engaged on getting the correct tools and returned his house in Boston in early 2022. In April final yr, he cycled coast to coast to Los Angeles, then on to San Diego, and throughout the border to Mexico, protecting a complete of 14 nations and greater than 25,000 kilometers within the subsequent yr.
Abouhamad needed to resolve which cities to cycle to each week and when to cease to refuel, however for probably the most half, he “simply went with the movement.”
He mentioned: “I believe it’s exhausting to totally plan a visit like this too far prematurely as a result of issues are simply going to vary alongside the way in which, and so the way in which I considered it was I’d simply take it daily.”
On-line assets have been a large assist for Abouhamad, for the whole lot from route planning to discovering locations to sleep for the evening.
“I don’t get how individuals did it 20-30 years in the past. There are such a lot of assets in the present day, so I by no means needed to fear actually,” he added.
He would cease at eating places to eat however would additionally purchase meals that may very well be cooked simply. He additionally carried snacks to get him via the day. Easy objects like granola, oatmeal and even bread have been a staple — as a result of “if you’re biking, the whole lot tastes good,” he mentioned with fun.
Abouhamad traveled solo for many of his journey, however alongside the way in which met fellow cyclists with whom he would spend a number of days.
Though he likes touring with others, he mentioned that there are execs and cons to each solo and group journey. “It’s good to share moments collectively (with others) however there’s a sure freedom to touring solo, which is fairly liberating.”
That freedom additionally comes with many highs and lows. A visit like Abouhamad’s requires not solely bodily power, but additionally psychological power and resilience.
“Even every day, the highs are so excessive and the lows so low,” he mentioned.
There have been occasions when he would lack the power to cycle the following day, however each day moments reminded him of how a lot he cherished what he was doing.
Abouhamad has led a comparatively simple life, freed from any main adversity or wrestle, he mentioned. And so, biking grew to become his personal private wrestle indirectly. Going to mattress each evening — whether or not it was in a tent or a mattress and breakfast — exhausted from the wrestle of the day, introduced him a sure sort of happiness.
“You place your head down and also you simply sleep instantly,” he mentioned. It’s the sort of drained that comes from “utilizing your physique as a substitute of being drained from taking a look at your display or Excel.”
Furthermore, he mentioned, “bikepacking” is just half about biking; the opposite half is about adapting to issues you face on the street. Though his life was by no means in danger, he confronted every kind of challenges, from unhealthy climate to damaged gear.
In Peru, for instance, there have been nationwide protests happening as Abouhamad handed via the nation.
Particularly from the town of Cusco to the Bolivian border, there have been checkpoints each 10 to fifteen kilometers and automobiles have been forbidden from passing. Nonetheless, cyclists must cease and clarify themselves to authorities. Typically, they have been even requested to guide a chant earlier than they might cross via.
“It was tiring within the second, however it’s a very good reminiscence,” he mentioned.
As he displays on this final yr, it’s exhausting for Abouhamad to crystallize the most effective elements of his journey, but when he needed to, he would choose the mountains in Peru for his or her magnificence; Mexico for its meals; and Argentina and Colombia for its individuals.
For the previous yr, Abouhamad’s id has been his bike. “I obtained so used to the liberty of simply waking up day by day and hopping on my bike and being exterior,” he mentioned. However now, whereas he’s excited to get again and see his family and friends, he’s additionally questioning his id.
One factor he is aware of for positive is that this isn’t the tip. “The toughest a part of my journey was beginning it,” he mentioned. “Telling individuals, quitting your job, after which really doing it … that’s the toughest half.”
Abouhamad is already planning his subsequent biking journey. In August, he’ll journey to South Africa and experience to Lebanon. From there, he’ll both experience to Norway or to some a part of Asia.
His concept of biking from South Africa to Norway — or “cape to cape” as he calls it — sounds poetic, if slightly daunting. In actuality, it’s only 18,000 kilometers in comparison with the 25,000 kilometers he rode throughout his American journey, so “in concept, I may do it in a yr,” he mentioned.
Within the brief time period, Abouhamad is looking for methods to share extra about his journey. “I’d like to discover a technique to encourage different individuals to go on the market and go on a visit like this, too,” he mentioned.
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