Los Angeles Teen Bikes 20,000 Miles from Alaska to Argentina for 17 Months
Liam Garner embarked on a challenging endeavor with just a bicycle and around $5,000 in his pocket. His ambitious goal seemed impossible, but he was determined to achieve it.
For 17 months, the teenager cycled an incredible 20,000 miles through 14 countries, from the United States to Argentina.
In an interview with Insider, Garner expressed his desire for people to realize they are capable of extraordinary feats. His journey is a testament to the power of determination and inspires others who may be hesitant to pursue their dreams.
Planning the Journey
After completing high school in Los Angeles, the teen immediately began planning for an extraordinary adventure. Before this journey, he had only cycled from Los Angeles to San Francisco and back—his longest distance traveled on a bike.
He described this adventure as his most ridiculous goal, choosing to embark on this journey to test his ability. In his interview with Insider, Garner mentioned he had not ridden and had no bike in over six months until he set out on his adventure. “It is good to have blind confidence in yourself, sometimes,” he added.
Garner claims his parents are his most incredible supporters. However, his mother never approved of his quest, and his father had just learned when he had gotten to Alaska.
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The Journey Begins
On August 17, 2021, the teenager set out on his journey. He arrived in Alaska by air and then got on his bike from Prudhoe Bay, the northernmost point in North America accessible by road.
He faced several difficulties on his journey and had moments where he considered giving up. While cycling through southern Mexico on his way to Guatemala, someone robbed him and took his phone and wallet.
The Los Angeles teen persisted through harsh weather conditions despite losing these possessions and lacking internet or GPS. In June, an accident at Columbia caused him to fly off his bike. The incident caused him to stay in a hospital for over a month.
This adventure pushed his TikTok followers to over 350,000. Garner said this journey had shown him that it is possible to travel the world even if you are not wealthy. He received about $3,000 from Tiktok and Patreon to support his venture.
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On January 10, Garner finally arrived at his destination, Ushuaia, in southern Argentina. He is now backpacking home to Los Angeles and plans to write a book about his adventures.
He already has plans on another cycling adventure from Europe to Asia. “I feel like people just need to know that they are capable of incredible things,” he said.
The 527-day, 32,000-kilometer (19,884 miles) journey over 14 countries allowed him to reconnect with family in Mexico and Panama.
