USHUAIA!

March 12, 2024

Nearly 8 months after our start in Huaraz Peru, and cycling more than 10000 km across the Andes ridge, we reached our final destination. A point on the map that has been distant for so long, now features our wheel prints too. It marks the end of a memorable southward journey full of amazing adventures, wonderful people, and the most beautiful and hard days we've ever had.

Our arrival at the famous "fin del mundo" sign in Ushuaia got to us. Eyes wet, we suddenly realized. We made it. Mission accomplished. What an odd sensation. The line south, our compass through life, now has nowhere left to go.

We've felt joy and madness. Confident and anxious. Desperate and invincible. Exhausted and alive. Our feelings have been guiding our every step of the way. We've felt everything and sometimes nothing. But now, here at the end, we solely feel happy and proud. 

Happy that our efforts paid off. That our journey worked out so well and that our bikes and bodies held up beyond expectation. While our tent remained big enough for the two of us. And proud that we made it safely down south. Often taking the road of most resistance. But not always. Giving us just about enough challenges to keep us going. Together, we are strong.

And yet, we wouldn't be Jaap and Aimée if we weren't hungry for more. Bicycle travel has stolen our hearts. We've grown into it. Entangled with its rhythm. It has become our day-to-day life. And we are not ready to part ways with it just yet. But first things first. A mini-holiday with family in the Patagonian mountains. And some time off the bike to plan the next chapter of our journey!

Route: Cerro Sombrero (CHIL) - Rio Grande (ARG) - Ushuaia