Our Magical Ride Across North America Returns in 2023

 

Our epic cycling journey from the Arctic Ocean to the Panama Canal, the North American Epic, has turned out to be the most popular tour in our stable of adventures for 2022. And with good reason!

Starting in Tuktoyaktuk on the distant Arctic Ocean – one of the world’s most remote communities – the route will take you through 9 countries and countless variations in landscape, culture, language, cuisine and roads. You’ll experience Inuit culture in the far north, the hospitality of the indigenous people of Chiapas state in Mexico, the vast tundra of the Arctic and the endless beaches of El Salvador’s Pacific Coast. Riders will pedal the challenging Dempster and Alaska Highways and spin along the gorgeous Icefields Parkway and Road to the Sun in the Rocky Mountains. They will have the opportunity to explore some of America’s stunning National Parks – Yellowstone, Canyonlands & Arches – as well as the historic Mexican towns of Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende.

Riders on this year’s edition of the tour are preparing for their July start. Many signed up well over a year in advance and began planning and mentally preparing for the big ride well ahead of time. You can follow them on social media – #tdanorthamericanepic – in order to get excited about the next edition which will start in July, 2023 and is expected to follow the same route as this year’s tour.

To get you even more inspired and excited to be part of the 2023 ride, take a look at our fantastic 20 minute video covering the 2019 edition of the North American Epic. The participants give you a great overview of the route and what the experience of cycling for such a long time with a group of strangers (soon to be friends) is like. To jump to specific sections of the video in Canada, United States or Central America, follow the links below.

See What It’s Like With Our 6-Part Video Series

Parts 1 & 2 – Canada

“The north. I don’t know why I find it so attractive. A lot it has to do with the complete separation from, well, normal life.. whatever that is.”

The riders cycle from Tuktoyaktuk, Canada’s northern community perched on the shores of the Arctic Ocean, through the Northwest Territories along a road build on permafrost, then along the famed Alaska Highway through northern British Columbia and Alberta. The participants then spin along the Icefields Parkway with its dramatic Rocky Mountain views. This video ends as the riders cross into the United States in Montana.

Parts 3 & 4 – America

“It’s been quite different in the United States. Some days I just wanna cycle hard, and other days I quite enjoy stopping in at some of the towns and to chat to the locals in the local shop. It’s all the small things that make the trip unique.”

The route continues through Montana and along the famous Road to the Sun and passes by Glacier, Yellowstone and other incredible national parks. The southern US presents more challenging heat and intense dry desert conditions. A day riding through Monument Valley and stops in places like the mountain-biking mecca of Moab are truly unique experiences.

>>Rider Reviews from 2019 North American Epic

Parts 5 & 6 – Mexico & Central America

“We’ve been to a lot of areas that, they’re not used to seeing cyclists around. I get a lot of expressions from people as though I’ve just fallen out of a spaceship, but they’re still really nice.”

Entering Mexico, the biggest cultural shift of the tour happens as riders are greeted with new foods, a new language and plenty of new experiences, on and off the bike. The Arctic Ocean and the barren tundra that tested cyclists five and a half months ago are now a distant memory, replaced by humid temperatures, lush forests, and architectural wonders that keep them motivated and focused during these final weeks.

>>Registration is now open for the 2023 North American Epic

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North American Epic

Cycling from the Arctic Ocean to Panama City will take you through 9 countries and countless variations in landscape, culture, language, cuisine and...