Vancouver to Peru - route planning help/resources
 

Hey,

I'm planning a trip from Vancouver, Canada (across the US border from Seattle, WA) to Peru. Just starting to think about my route now, and wondering if anyone konws of any good resources or has done a similar trip that could help me get started. I want to start mapping out the best route, identify possible trouble spots (I heard there are a few spots too dangerous to cycle through, but mostly in Columbia so hopefully not an issue?), and figure out how many travel days to plan out.

Cheers,
J

You might want to take a look at the new edition of the Adventure Cycle Touring Handbook, by Stephen Lord. I just got the 2nd ed. and it has a lot of info about different routes all over the world - including the Pan American Highway.

http://www.adventurecycle-touringhandbook.com/

Neil

One thing to be aware of is the Darien Gap in Panama. Between Panama and Columbia it can be unsafe. When I was there I didn't have any issues, but FARC does kidnap people. Anyway, be aware.

I work with a couple of guys who rode from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego about 10 years ago. They say you'll figure it out as you go. Skills to be learned: dumpster diving and standing around near grocery stores and campgrounds looking hungry and tired.

We left Prudhoe Bay, Alaska in June 2008 and are now in Bolivia - it's been a fantastic ride so far!

Through Canada you have the choice of two routes - the Alaska Highway or the Cassiar Highway. We took the Alaska Highway because all the cyclists we passed told us of more wildlife on that route. I don't know if that changes year to year or not, but we saw lots of bison, big horn sheep, caribou, and bear on the road.

Through the USA, the standard route is the Pacific Coast. If you have never cycled the coast, you really should do that. If you have, choose whichever route you want.

If you do the Pacific Coast, you will head down into Baja California. It's a fabulous ride - one of our favorites ever!

From there you will cross to Mazatlan and head south. Be aware that you'll have a few days of HORRID road - no shoulder and steep drop-off. We've never cycled that part, but have heard from enough people to beleive it...

Central America is pretty straight forward. There are a few options, but you'll talk with plenty of other cyclists by then and will know which route you want to take.

There is no road between Panama and Colombia - you will have to fly or take a boat. I wrote up a series of articles about our boat crossing - starts here: http://ww.examiner.com/x-6098-Boise-...olombia--Day-0

Don't believe the reports you hear about Colombia - it's a delightful place for cycling! cycling is a major pastime in the country, so you will be treated as a hero for biking through. It's beautiful with wonderful people and delicious food!

Ecuador is incredible - you'llchance upon so many bright, colorful celebrations it'll blow your mind.

You have two choices through Peru - the gorgeous barren coastal desert that is flat but you'll battle headwinds every day or the mountains where you'll have wonderful scenery, but tough, tough climb every day. We did the coast so I can't say much about the mountian route.

I hope that answers some of your questions. Basically - just get on your bike and start riding and you'll figure it all out once you get there.

That was interesting Nancy. Having done plenty of scuba diving in the Atlantic Ocean, I know that feeling of "thank goodness this awesome day is over" !

Check out my website, I went from Alaska to Panama
http://www.cyclingforacause.com

Any place where a US passport isn't enough?

Only thing I can think of is a US passport also requires a tourist card entering Panama. But they will sell you one right at the border, for $5 I think. They sometimes run out of those at the crossing at Guabito, but going through on the Pacific side I wouldn't think would be an issue, since it's so much busier and they likely have a lot of those cards on hand.

Another issue we had crossing at Guabito is they required proof that we had reservations out of the country. If you're taking a boat or plane over to Columbia or Ecuador, have documentation of that with you. They made us buy bus tickets that we'd never use because we had none of that.