Crossing the Americas by Bike

La Cordée

September 18, 2025

A lifelong cycling enthusiast, Philippe Robin has taken on the challenge of crossing the Americas by bike. In 2018, he joined the La Cordée team to share his passion for cycling. Along the way, he refined his skills, preparing him for this new adventure. Through a series of articles, follow the highs and lows of his journey across the continent.

Imagine crossing countries powered only by your legs, covering endless miles surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, while meeting countless people rich in culture and history. What if the edge of the world was closer than we think?

My Story

I grew up in Chambly, on Montreal’s South Shore. Sports have always played a huge role in my life, and I’m grateful to have grown up in such a bike-friendly environment. My passion for cycling led me to work at La Cordée from 2018 to 2020, and again from 2022 to 2023. Over the years, I sharpened my mechanical skills and deepened my understanding of the cycling industry.

I discovered bikepacking at the age of 15. My first trip was simple: I pedaled from Montreal to Quebec City in just two days. That journey changed my life! When I came back home, a thought struck me: if I could ride to Quebec City, surely I could ride to Toronto. If I could make it to Toronto, why not Vancouver? And if I could cross Canada, why not the entire Americas?

Every summer after that was dedicated to pushing the limits of this incredible sport. Each year, I set out on longer and more challenging rides. Those adventures gave me the confidence to believe I could one day cross the Americas by bike.

What makes bikepacking so special?

I’ve always been curious to discover new places — that’s what I love about traveling by bike. Bikepacking lets us explore the world at a human pace. It’s fast enough to cover great distances, but slow enough to truly appreciate the environment around us.

I chose to travel by bike because I wanted to discover the world while being the master of my own journey. For me, cycling is freedom. I’m free to choose where I go, which path I take, and where I want to sleep. With just a bike and a tent, the possibilities are endless.```

Getting Ready for a Bikepacking Trip

Crossing the Americas by bike is tough on the body. That’s why I trained hard over the past three years to prepare myself for this journey. I rode about 5,000 kilometers each year and added a weekly run to my routine. Looking back, I think training was a smart decision, but nothing could have prepared me perfectly for the challenge that awaited me.

My Itinerary

I began my journey by cycling across Canada, from Montreal to Banff. From there, I followed the Great Divide all the way to the Mexican border. I then crossed Mexico and Central America. From Panama, I bypassed the impassable Darién Gap by boat to reach South America. I’ve ridden through Colombia and Ecuador before arriving in Peru. After the land of the Incas, I’ll continue on to Bolivia, then Argentina and Chile. My final destination lies in Tierra del Fuego — I hope to make it all the way to the small city of Ushuaia at the southern tip of the Americas.

My Daily Life

People often ask me how many kilometers I ride each day. I don’t have a set daily goal, since it all depends on the type of road, the weather, and the elevation. Since the start of this journey, my daily distances have ranged anywhere from 40 to 209 kilometers.

My days usually start around 5 a.m. After breakfast, I pack up my tent and get ready to hit the road. I like riding until lunchtime, then taking a long break to eat well before continuing toward the place where I plan to spend the night.

Want to know more about my daily life on the road? Check out my page on Instagram.