Passion for Cycling grew into a Passion for People

My name is Catalina and I am from Quito, Ecuador. Growing up in Ecuador allowed for many adventures, opportunities, and passions – one of which is cycling which started 14 years ago. Cycling has been an instrument to find awe-inspiring sceneries in the middle of a work-family routine, however I knew in my heart that I had to fulfill this craving inside me and push my passion to a new level.

So on November 17th, 2021, I opened my front door, got on my bike with only the belongings I could carry, and I started my dream journey: pedaling by myself from my hometown of Quito, Ecuador to Vancouver, Canada – a 7.000 mile journey. I thought it was going to take me a year; however, it is taking quite longer than that.

After a little over a year, I am only halfway there. I assumed that conquering miles and places were going to be my daily routine but instead, the people and their welcoming hearts have been my compass. This journey is not built by me; it is woven by generous families along the way.

When I was preparing for my trip, I had many concerns about my safety. However, two months after I left my house in Quito, I met a Dutch sixty-year-old couple in Medellin, Colombia. They were biking south from Mexico to Patagonia and had already pedaled all of Central America, so I asked them: “Do you think it’s safe to pedal through Central America or should I skip a country?” And they answered: “We have pedaled Eastern Europe, Africa and Central America and we can assure you that 99.9% of the people are good, so don’t skip any country because of what you hear from others; stay your course as you will be safe no matter which route you take”. As my brother says: “There are more hugs and kisses than bombs in the world, but the media make the bombs echo louder.”

After 6 countries and 3,000 miles I have genuinely learned:

1) To be brave is to let go of everything and embrace vulnerability (pain and solitude have been my biggest teachers).

2) The mindset that one is either rich or poor is to understand life as a mere transaction. I have felt fortunate and at peace in beautiful mansions and in quaint towns with no running water. Every family has welcomed me with open arms, loving me like I was one of their own, and I have reciprocated by helping around the house and sharing my stories with them. Together, we have empowered each other and exchanged new ideas about the world.

3) In every corner of every small town, river shore, volcano trail, tiny hut or big home, magic undeniably happens. Rather than feeling scared being on our own, we have to look fear in the eye and hug it deeply until intuition emerges.

My story is not to demonstrate bravery, but to show that a 44-year-old woman traveling alone is connecting hearts with real human touch and without discord. I believe in loving your neighbor as a way to learn, grow and evolve.

I am asking for your help because I would like to continue and complete this journey, without rushing or taking shortcuts. As I have progressed along my path, there is an Ecuadorian phrase that I keep being reminded of: “el mote con amor crece”. This literally translates to “corn grows with love”, but what I mean by this is that with a little water and love, a stranger’s simple dish of corn (or beans as the case has been for me in Central America) can provide the sustenance your body needs, but more importantly, provide the joy and bliss your soul desires. Following this path via people rather than the path I initially planned has brought the most compassionate families into my life and filled my heart with love.

If you would like to be part of this human journey and pedal with me for a day, a week or longer, please message me. If you prefer to ride with me in spirit, please consider making a donation in GoFundMe. Whatever you can afford to donate – whether it’s $5, $20, $100 or more – will be sincerely appreciated.

Every giver will receive a postcard with an update of my journey. Additionally, if desired, every giver can be part of my WhatsApp chat, which includes the families from every town that have welcomed me on my life expedition. No matter what, you can always follow me on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, or email; I would be delighted to connect.

If you are unable to donate but are inspired by my story, you can still help by spreading the word about my journey, sharing this page on Facebook or other social media and, of course, good vibes and prayers are always welcome too.

You can view the route I have pedaled here:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1AeKD9m66JbQWeCO6aJOxaO5ZrOP2on9I&usp=sharing

Thank you for reading my story and helping me complete this journey.

With Love & Passion,

Catalina