In 2009, I flew to Bogota, Colombia to join Gwendal Castellan and Tania Lo during their epic continental bike journey from the tip of Patagonia to the Canadian Arctic.

I arrived in country with my touring bags and gear, but my bike never made it from Los Angeles. It simply disappeared, and the airline claimed the bike was never checked in. I had to hire a lawyer and go to court, but I finally received a check for the bicycle just last week.

Down in Bogota, however, I didn’t have enough cash for a new bike or return airfare — I had purchased a one way ticket and planned to bike back! This broke gringo was forced to take the bus and hitchhike.

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