[A] Many people dream of going on a great travel adventure. Most of us keep dreaming; others make it happen.

[B] Gregg Bleakney’s dream was to travel the Americas from top to bottom. He got the idea after he finished a 1,600-kilometer bike ride. Gregg’s friend Brooks Allen was also a cyclist. The two friends talked and decided on their goal: They would travel from Alaska to Argentina—by bike.

[C] To pay for the journey, Gregg and Brooks worked and saved money for years. In 2005, after four years of planning, they set off. Once they were on the road, they often camped outdoors or stayed in hostels. In many places along their route, local people opened their homes to the two friends and gave them food.

Lessons from the Road

[D] During their trip, Gregg and Brooks cycled through deserts, rain forests, and mountains. They visited modern cities and explored ancient ruins, such as Tikal in Guatemala. In many places, they met other cyclists from all over the world.

[E] In May 2007—two years, 12 countries, and over 30,500 km later—Gregg eventually reached Ushuaia, Argentina, at the southern tip of South America. (Halfway through the trip, Brooks had to stop. He returned to the United States and Gregg continued without him.)

[F] Gregg and Brooks kept a record of their adventures in an online blog. The trip taught both men a lot about traveling. Here is some of Gregg’s advice.

Travel light. The less baggage you have, the less you’ll worry about.

Be flexible. Don’t plan everything. You’ll be more relaxed and happy, even when there are challenges along the way.

Be polite. As one traveler told Gregg, “Always remember that nobody wants to fight, cheat, or rob a nice guy.”