Bikepacking the Americas

[where-is-karl]

Just like that! Back in the good ole' USA 🇺🇸 - The border guard told me the Canadian side called to say a bicycle was coming south. He didn't know why a bicycle was coming south if none had gone north. When I responded that I had come from Alaska he asked "Why cross here!" "Well my grandma doesn't live far across the other side," was my response. 😂 It seemed to make good sense to cross where your grandma lives so he just took a glance at my passport and sent me on my way. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #bicycletouring #bikepack  #cyclenorth #autumn #fall #fallcolors🍁🍂 #fallcolors  #bikepacker #upnorth #alaskahighway #biketour #cycletouring #panamerica #cycletourism #cycletour #mountainbike #backcountry #cyclingusa #bikecamping #cyclinglife #northerncanada #bikepack #bikepacking #minnesota #usa🇺🇸 (at Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVlDvEvlsQc/?utm_medium=tumblr

[where-is-karl]

How wonderful was it that last week IG and FB shut down for a day and the world didn't stop!? I like many of you have a complicated relationship with social media. I love sharing my adventures and especially hearing from others when they were inspired by my feed to get out and challenge themselves! But I absolutely despise the thought of billionaires treating younger generations as numbers who can be manipulated to increase their profit margins. Obviously big changes are needed! Do I have the solutions, no.. Will I continue to drink too much coffee some mornings and rant on here, yes... Will I post photos me eating roadkill to see how many followers I can lose with one post? Definitely!! 🤣🤟🚵‍♂️🍻 Stay healthy out there everyone, both mentally and physically! .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #bikepackinglife #bikewander #worldbybike #biketour #adventurecycling #travelbybike #bicyclelife #cyclingphotos #bicyclelife #pedalforever #slowtravel #fahrradtour #gravelbike #cicloturismo #gravelgrinder #bicycletrip #outdooradventure #livewild #singletrack #mountainbike #mountainbiker #cyclepatagonia #bikepacker #greatdivide #bikepack #bikepacking #daltonhighway #alaska #usa🇺🇸 (at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska) https://www.instagram.com/p/CU2sIvgp1co/?utm_medium=tumblr

[where-is-karl]

Why don't they just advertise it for what it is!? "Traffic free road open for cycling!" - I saw a sign that a historic bridge was out on a nice looking segment of the old Alaskan highway. I thought, "I wonder if it will "go" by bicycle?" The lack of traffic had me nervous about my decision but eventually a pickup truck approached. I waved the driver down and asked about the bridge. He replied that it was indeed closed and saw the disappointment on my face. "But you'll be able to carry you bike over the barrier." Success!! 🚲🤟🥳 . . . . . . . . . . #adventure #roamtheplanet #worldtraveltags #worldtravelphotography #gravelgrinding #weltreise #adventurecycling #cyclinglife #storiesfromtheroad #staywild #slowtravel #outsideisfree #bikepack #cycletour #bikeminnesota #bikemn #offroadcycling #biketouring #getoutside #salsacycles #travelstories #naturephotography #offroadtrip #worldbycycle #britishcolombia #canada🇨🇦 (at Old Alaska Highway) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUQHtrCJlT8/?utm_medium=tumblr

[where-is-karl]

"Caribou, Cariboooouuuuuuu Repent! Give me wide Ground to run And foregone Lets me knife Knife me lets I will get What i like Caribou" - "Caribou" by the Pixies (1987) - This song pops into my head every time I see a Caribou... not the most mellow song to have in your head while watching these beautiful animals but definitely one to get those legs pumping! 🤟 - (link in my story) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #caribou #upnorth #bikepacking #cycletouring #worldbybike #bikepackinglife #dronenerd #adventurecycling #cyclinglife #wildlife #storiesfromtheroad #bikepackingbags #instanature #outsideisfree #bikepack #cycletour #bikeminnesota #bikemn #offroadcycling #biketouring #getoutside (at Alaska) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUF1eD1JfMj/?utm_medium=tumblr

[where-is-karl]

That "feel" after you accidentally drank unfiltered creek water even though you have 3 liters in a filter sitting next to you. 🥰 I sat down to take this photo and my pot of water was sitting in front of me. Thought to myself, "The cool kids on Instagram use props right?" Picked up said pot of water and proceeded to greedily gulp it down because... thirsty. Realized shortly afterwards it was my cooking water I had set out the previous night. 🤦‍♂️ Last time I try to hang with the "cool kids." . Bougie creek, you were barely flowing and brown, let's hope you don't put too much boogie in my bowels... 🎉💃 #naturalselection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #bikepacking #cycletouring #worldbybike #bikepackinglife #dronenerd #adventurecycling #cyclinglife #storiesfromtheroad #bikepackingbags #instadrone #outsideisfree #bikepack #cycletour #bikeminnesota #bikemn #offroadcycling #biketouring #getoutside #upnorth #canada🇨🇦 (at Canada) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUDkUtih01K/?utm_medium=tumblr

[where-is-karl]

I first met @fuller.jace in Huarez, Peru. Our second time meeting was 6,373.28 miles (10,000 km) away in Coldfoot, Alaska, a census designated place with a booming population of 10. This chance meeting occurred as I pedal south to reach Central America. Jace made sure I had a warm/dry place to rest for the night and that I was well fed, gracias amigo! I sprung this interview on him after having a ton of a great conversation while I demolished the buffet at the Coldfoot Cafe. I realized we could give some some personal insight into what touring was like at the beginning of the pandemic. We also hear some fun stories from Jace to spread the touring stoke and he gets me excited for Mexico and Central America! Basically we just rant about cycle touring and spread stoke! 🤟🍻🚲 . Full video on YT (LINKED IN MY BIO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #bikepackerscycling #rideabout #cycletouring #biketouring #bicycletouring #bikepacking #bikepackinglife #bikewander #worldbybike #biketour #adventurecycling #travelbybike #bicyclelife #roundtheworldtrip #cyclingphotos #bicyclelife #pedalforever #slowtravel #fahrradtour #gravelbike #cicloturismo #alaska #usa🇺🇸 (at Coldfoot, Alaska) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUA8zfDB36_/?utm_medium=tumblr

[where-is-karl]

I will be totally honest, when I first found out that a huge chunk of my riding was to be spent on the Alaskan Highway, I wasn't incredibly thrilled. Routes with the word "highway" in them are things I have always tried to avoid, with the price often being the use of slow gravel routes. The Alcan Highway, as some call it, has slightly changed my perspective. Am I fully sold on pavement touring? No not quite, an 18 wheeler or giant RV cruising past is nothing less than jarring. But the long lapses between cars along the Alaskan Highway have been incredible. The Canadian people have been wonderful along the route, giving me nutrients like coffee, cake, and chocolate to fortify my supplies. And the animals; Bison, Moose, Bear, Lynx, Sheep, Caribou, deer, and porcupine, and I am probably missing someonehere. And the tiny outposts whose main occupation often seems to be selling baked goods (cinnamon rolls 🥰) and gasoline, yeah I could get used to routes like this. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #rideabout #cycletouring #biketouring #bicycletouring #bikepacking #bikepackinglife #bikewander #worldbybike #biketour #adventurecycling #travelbybike #bicyclelife #roundtheworldtrip #cyclingphotos #bicyclelife #pedalforever #slowtravel #fahrradtour #gravelbike #cicloturismo #bikepacker #bikepackers #britishcolumbiacanada #canada🇨🇦 (at Canada) https://www.instagram.com/p/CT-brh2BpXL/?utm_medium=tumblr

[where-is-karl]

I've woken up to less cute animals. 🐏 > 🐻 . Upon trecking back to the Alaskan highway this morning from my camp, I was pleasantly suprised to run into this moma and baby mountain goat. - Stone sheep are also in the area, and some (google) images of female stone sheep look a lot like these guys but I'm calling them goats unless proven otherwise.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #gotyourgoat #wildlife #mountains #mountaingoat #mountaingoats #outsideisfree #sheep #goatlife #natgeowild #adventurecycling #travelbybike #bicyclelife #roundtheworldtrip #cyclingphotos #bicyclelife #pedalforever #slowtravel #fahrradtour #gravelbike #cicloturismo #alaskahighway #canada🇨🇦 (at Muncho Lake) https://www.instagram.com/p/CT5SyhNB-HP/?utm_medium=tumblr

[where-is-karl]

A bicycle ain't the only way to do it! I had the pleasure of meeting @dirtsunrise (Tim and Kelsey) on my last day in Alaska. They drove past me at Deadman Lake and I thought to myself, "What a sweet rig! I bet they are Swiss or German." 🤣 (By far the coolest rig I have seen Americans driving! 🇺🇸) They saw me working on my bike at the campsite (photo 2) and came by to see if I needed anything. "We like bikes too!" They are super friendly and have driven their truck "dusty" all over South America and are now cruising around Alaska. 🤟 Go give them a follow! . Photo 3 - Free Canoe at the free campground (only in Alaska) Photo 4 - Duck nesting / habitat site on the lake. (at Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTvrDqUlsVC/?utm_medium=tumblr

[where-is-karl]

When I arrived at the Alaska/Canada border I was surprised, "Where is the Canadian station?" I thought to myself. No one to great me, no exit stamp, this is strange. I flipped a U-turn and cycled through the American entry. Two friendly workers informed me that the Canadian building was about 20 miles down the road! Surprised, I thought to myself, "This is going to be an interesting night, especially because I needed to enter the next morning with my valid PCR test results." After a 2 minute ride downhill I came to the actual border line and contemplated just biving for a few hours and leaving early the next morning. While getting ready to spend the night, I noticed some green in the sky. Realizing it was an opportunity to cycle through an Aurora (yesterday's post), I packed up my gear and ate a peanut butter burrito and hit the road! A large animal rustling in the woods nearby also motivated me to get moving (pic 3). ~20 miles later I arrived at the Beaver Creek border crossing after experiencing the best Northern Lights display of my life. . Fun fact: The Canadian station qt beaver creek is the furthest away from the actual border of any Canadian border stations at 28.6 kilometres (17.8 mi) away! Photo 2: Into the Yukon! Photo 3: I heard a loud noise coming out of the woods nearby and went for my bear spray. No idea what it was, but it definitely got the blood flowing! . . . . . . . . . . . . . #newcountry #canada🇨🇦 #travelisopen #yukonterritory #gravelbike #cicloturismo #gravelgrinder #bicycletrip #outdooradventure #livewild #singletrack #mountainbike #mountainbiker #cyclepatagonia #bikepacker #alaskanhighway #bikepack #bikepacking #alaska #usa🇺🇸 (at Alcan - Beaver Creek Border Crossing) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTpqt2PvZno/?utm_medium=tumblr

[where-is-karl]

Border Guard: "Why are you crossing into Canada so late?" Me: "Aurora Borealis!...... eh?" . Canada 🇨🇦 - Country number 27 by bicycle! (at Canada) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTnF9FfPD91/?utm_medium=tumblr

[where-is-karl]

I never really understood permafrost before this trip. Then upon entering Fairbanks a friendly cyclist pedaled up next to me. We talked about my trip and then I found out Lauren (friendly cyclist not on Instagram) worked at the Permafrost tunnel. A few days later @glennvilleneuve and I were headed into the tunnel to learn about Ice wedges (pic 1), ice lenses (pic 2), check out some 40,000 year old preserved wood (pic 3), extinct bison bones (pic 4), and 20,000 year old grass, no... not that kind 🤦‍♂️🚭. . The research facility is maintained at a 23°F (~-5°C) temperature. It is 110 meters long (~350 ft) and gives a glimpse into what lies below the surface in Fairbanks where the permafrost is on average 60-120 ft (~20-40 m) thick. If this one little tunnel holds all these mysteries, think how many amazing things are just sitting below the surface perfectly preserved in areas with arctic climates. . (Another story) Along the north slope I was told I was in a desert, yet everywhere off the highway looked like a marsh turns out the 1,000 -2,000 feet of permanently frozen ground doesn't let any water through so the little that does stays on the surface. How crazy! 🤓 . . . . . . . . . . . #instatravel #travelgram #worldtravel #worldwanderer #travel #belarus #vagabond #viaje #podróż #travelawesome #adventure #backpacking #roamtheplanet #mytravelgram #globetrotter #lonelyplanet #welltraveled #roamtheplanet #worldtraveltags #worldtravelphotography #여행 #weltreise #reiseblog #permafrost #science #nerdshit #alaska #fairbanks #usa🇺🇸 (at Permafrost Tunnel Research Facility) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTf205Ip88C/?utm_medium=tumblr

[where-is-karl]

Mud, wind, snow, rain, and even sometimes a bit of sun. I've been cycling into headwinds for 3 days in a row now but have to count my blessings that this is the first multi-day headwinds of the trip. A wise motorcyclist who I camped with yesterday, reminded me, we chose to be out here so we have to accept the conditions we receive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #Bikepacking #cycletouring #worldbybike #bikepackinglife #bikewander #adventurecycling #cyclinglife #storiesfromtheroad #biketour #slowtravel #outsideisfree #bikepack #cycletour #bikeminnesota #bicicleta #offroadcycling #biketouring #getoutside #salsacycles #gravelgrinder #gravelbike #offroadtrip #cicloviajeros #alaska #usa🇺🇸 (at Alaska) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTYEpepv4pu/?utm_medium=tumblr

[where-is-karl]

According to Native tradition the Aurora is caused by the spirits of departed friends dancing in the sky. Nice to think family and friends lost recently and long ago were having a little party last night! I stayed up and hung out with them until 2 am in the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge of Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #bikepacking #worldbybike #instatravel #travelgram #worldtravel #worldwanderer #travel #vagabond #viaje #podróż #travelawesome #adventure #backpacking #roamtheplanet #mytravelgram #globetrotter #lonelyplanet #welltraveled #roamtheplanet #minnesotaboundarywaters #minnesotaoutdoors #worldtraveltags #worldtravelphotography #weltreise #reiseblog #upnorth #alaska #usa🇺🇸 (at Alaska) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTS10TKB-aW/?utm_medium=tumblr

[where-is-karl]

52 mph (83 km/h) fully loaded and on gravel! 🤟 This was my top speed decending one of the giant hills of Northern Alaska. Once you leave the mountains it is tempting to think you are in the clear but massifs with names like "Gobbler's Knob" are not going to let you escape that easily! Slow on the way up and blazing fast on the way down, I realized the way to not burn through brake pads was to just not use them! 😂 I did have to replace one set after I hit the Elliott highway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #podróż #travelawesome #adventure #roamtheplanet #worldtraveltags #worldtravelphotography #여행 #weltreise #adventurecycling #cyclinglife #storiesfromtheroad #staywild #slowtravel #outsideisfree #bikepack #cycletour #bikeminnesota #bikemn #offroadcycling #biketouring #getoutside #salsacycles #travelstories #naturephotography #offroadtrip #worldbycycle #alaska #usa🇺🇸 (at Arctic Circle, Dalton Highway) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTN0G5MPwzP/?utm_medium=tumblr

[where-is-karl]

Feeling small next to the mighty Yukon. (Story continues below!) I am excited to anounce I am relaunching my Patreon to help fund my trip! If you sign up in the next few days I will send you or someone of your choice a postcard from the Yukon Territory of Canada! Just search Karl Kroll on Patreon! (Now back to the story!) . The size and importance of the Yukon really sunk in when I met a young man (Shay) with a boat along the opposite bank from this photo. In talking I found out he was waiting for building materials to build his house 120 miles (200 km) upstream. When I asked if there were any other villages he said there was one about 80 miles (130km) upstream. The vastness of this wilderness never ceases to amaze me. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #podróż #travelawesome #adventure #roamtheplanet #worldtraveltags #worldtravelphotography #여행 #weltreise #adventurecycling #cyclinglife #storiesfromtheroad #staywild #slowtravel #outsideisfree #bikepack #cycletour #bikeminnesota #bikemn #offroadcycling #biketouring #getoutside #salsacycles #travelstories #naturephotography #offroadtrip #worldbycycle #alaska #usa🇺🇸 (at Yukon River Bridge) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTK8hMxBAKp/?utm_medium=tumblr

[where-is-karl]

The Alaskan pipeline is impossible to ignore when riding the North Slope, and is in fact the reason the Dalton (Haul road) was built here in the first place. It gave me some shelter from headwinds more befitting to Tierra del Fuego than in the arctic at this spot. The pipeline was constructed between 1975 and 1977 after the oil crisis of 1973 prompted a change in drilling restrictions. Perhaps a very visible lesson that short term political solutions can have lasting impacts. 🤔 The pipeline was originally constructed and designed for a life of 30 years, the amount of oil believed to be in the ground along the north slope at that time, but current estimates say it will give another 30 - 50 years of service. Ironically one of the most common things I saw being hauled north was gasoline and diesel. There being no refineries in Prudhoe Bay or Alaska for that matter. Refined petroleum products are hauled North just as the largest supply in the United States is piped in the opposite direction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #podróż #travelawesome #adventure #roamtheplanet #worldtraveltags #worldtravelphotography #여행 #weltreise #adventurecycling #cyclinglife #storiesfromtheroad #staywild #slowtravel #outsideisfree #bikepack #cycletour #bikeminnesota #bikemn #offroadcycling #biketouring #getoutside #salsacycles #travelstories #naturephotography #offroadtrip #worldbycycle #alaska #usa🇺🇸 (at North Slope Alaskan Pipe Line) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTIZ0DCh0oX/?utm_medium=tumblr