Two Irish youths embarked on a cycling journey through Mexico, encountering unexpected discoveries upon their arrival.
In the heart of Mexico, Jack Kenny and Oisin Dennehy, two intrepid Irish cyclists, took a much-needed rest in Ixlán del Río, Nayarit, before reaching their Warmshowers host in the Guadalajara area. The duo, known as The BikePack Boys on Instagram, are on a remarkable journey, pedaling from Vancouver, Canada, to Ushuaia, Argentina, a distance of 12,641 kilometers.
Their journey has not been without its challenges. The most formidable obstacles include difficult terrain, scarce water and food resupply options, harsh weather conditions, and long daily distances. Cyclists face rocky and sandy trails, cold and wet nights, strong winds, and limited camping spots, as reported on a segment of a similar challenging trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, in the Pacific Northwest region. The entire Pan-American route is about 48,000 km and is a demanding journey that can take three months or more, indicating the overall endurance challenge.
While the search results do not provide explicit details on how cyclists have been received in Mexico, it is generally known from broader cycling travel communities that cyclists on long-distance trips through Mexico often encounter a mix of hospitality and caution depending on local areas.
Jack Kenny and Oisin Dennehy's journey has been marked by numerous trials. In Ixtlán del Río, Jack sought medical help due to gastroenteritis. The cyclists had previously faced a challenging logging trail in Oregon with nonstop, intense rain, no road, and steep gradients. In Baja California, they endured a headwind of 15 miles an hour and faced difficulties due to the heat and headwind, including dehydration, heat stroke, and near hallucinations.
Despite these challenges, the cyclists have pushed on, covering as many as 165 kilometers in one day. After 51 days of hard pedaling, they arrived in Guadalajara, where they plan to take a few days off to immerse themselves in the culture, meet new people, and try new food.
The cyclists' adventure began when they were bitten by the travel bug at age 20 and started by "tripping around Europe." Their previous long-distance ride was from Cork to Istanbul, which led to two years of planning a trip through the Americas.
John Pint, the author of "A Guide to West Mexico's Guachimontones and Surrounding Area" and co-author of "Outdoors in Western Mexico," provided additional information about the cyclists' journey. The cyclists tried to create shade in the desert using their tent, but it was blown down by the wind. In the extreme heat of Baja California, temperatures reached 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit).
In Mexico City, Jack Kenny's gastrointestinal problems worsened, causing them to pause their trans-American tour. After their medical treatment, the cyclists returned to Ireland on June 11, unharmed, but suffered from Montezuma's Revenge. Despite these setbacks, their spirit of adventure remains undeterred, and they continue to inspire fellow cyclists and travel enthusiasts alike.
- Jack Kenny and Oisin Dennehy, the cyclists known as The BikePack Boys, are taking a few days off in Guadalajara to immerse themselves in Mexican culture, meet new people, and try new food.
- After 51 days of pedaling through difficult terrain, scarce water and food resupply options, and harsh weather conditions, the cyclists arrived in Guadalajara, seeking a break from their adventure-travel journey.
- The cyclists' trip, from Vancouver, Canada, to Ushuaia, Argentina, is not just a ordinary travel but a demanding business of covering approximately 12,641 kilometers on bicycles, where they also encounter sporty challenges like strong winds and harsh weather conditions.
- John Pint, the author of "A Guide to West Mexico's Guachimontones and Surrounding Area" and co-author of "Outdoors in Western Mexico," shared stories about the cyclists' journey, including their struggle to create shade in the desert using their tent, which was blown down by the wind.
- The cyclists' journey has been marked by numerous trials, such as dehydration, heat stroke, near hallucinations, and even medical issues like gastroenteritis, but their spirit of adventure remains undeterred and continues to inspire fellow cyclists and travel enthusiasts alike.
