Meet Eesh (short for Aleshia). Eesh was backpacking in Central America. When we met, I convinced her to get around by bike. First things first: make sure you have the right gear. Eesh posted on Facebook asking if anyone had any tips on cycling gear. The first tip was already promising; are you planning to travel around Mexico by bike? Do not do it! Fortunately, there were plenty of good reactions, so we decide to go for it together!

Eesh's longest ride is something she needs to think about for a while. “I once cycled a whole day in San Francisco, which was fun”. Fortunately, she is positive about it. I can give her some tips when buying her bike. For example, I thought it would be a good idea to go for a mountain bike so that she has the necessary comfort due to the front fork suspension and the fat tires. Other equipment will consist of a sleeping bag and a dry bag to keep her things dry. To ensure that Eesh can maintain a good speed, we make sure that she needs to carry as little equipment as possible during the ride, we aim for a maximum of 17 kilos. I am already proud of her, because cycling 2000 kilometers is of course not nothing.

The two of us are having fun right away. We see the fantastic landscapes of Mexico and it is a completely different experience for Eesh than she is used to. We start slowly with shorter distances and lots of rest moments so that she can get used to the longer bike rides. Furthermore, I will give Eesh some important tips:

Take a turn correctly. Start wide and make sure you have a good line to ride as comfortably as possible.
Follow the tire tracks on the muddy roads. This gives you the most grip.
Learn to use all gears. This comes in handy when you have to drive uphill.
Get the right cadence. Personally, I think a cadence of 90 is perfect because my legs get tired less quickly, allowing me to cover longer distances.

Eesh is immediately impressed by the places we visit. I have of course been to very small villages during my adventures, but for Eesh this is the first time that she explores unknown territory. She says it's something completely different, you get to places that you wouldn't think of in the normal backpack route.

Eesh cycles all the time, just like me, with a smile from ear to ear. Traveling around by bike gives you a certain kind of peace and tranquility. The 'simplicity' of cycling suits both of us. There is no stress, you pick up your bike in the morning and have a great journey. You go to places where you normally don't and meet super nice people. You have nothing to worry about and you can fully enjoy everything and everyone around you.

I personally think that cycling through Mexico is much nicer than in other countries in Central America. The landscapes are much bigger and therefore more beautiful, there are fewer cars and it feels very free. Eesh totally agrees with me. Especially because at that moment she has found the perfect camping spot where we sit on top of a small mountain and experience a great sunrise and sunset.

A few days later we enter more difficult terrain with a lot of mud. Getting used to Eesh (and her bike). Due to the mud, shifting is no longer possible and there is also the case that one of her straps that keeps her bag on the bike, gets stuck in the rear wheel. This is just part of it. A quick fix and we're good to go again. I myself find out that I am really very happy with my own KOGA bicycle. The combination of the belt drive and the Rohloff hub ensures that all the dirt stays out and I can happily continue cycling without any problems.

After the muddy roads have ended, we can cover long stretches on perfect trails. Unfortunately with a short stop because Eesh's bag is already in her rear wheel, but that has been fixed in no time. Once I have arrived at a hotel, I can give Eesh a handy cycling tip when it comes to wet clothing. To do this, lay a towel on the floor and fold it once in width, put your wet clothes at the end, roll up the towel super tight until the wet clothes are no longer visible and stand on the towel for a minute. Your clothes will be dry in no time!

The nice thing about being on the road with two people is that you no longer have to eat alone. This makes it even more fun to go out in the evening in the local markets and eat delicious food. Of course it is also very nice to talk to each other and discuss adventures during our trips.

During a trip, in what we think is no man's land, we come across a large truck that appeals to us. The tip that Eesh received prior to her trip is now getting closer. It seems that there are two groups of people fighting over this part of the country and one has recently died. Not wanting to be in danger, which is likely to happen, we decide to turn around anyway and ensure our own safety. Later, during a conversation with the man in the truck, it appears that people are hiding in the bushes and shooting people with bows and arrows. A good choice to turn around anyway. The detour was not fun… it was a 14km high hill with a road that was impassable. Fortunately, after this road, there was an asphalt road. Of course it took some getting used to, but it felt really good again!

The weeks I have had the opportunity to spend with Eesh have been fantastic. It is so nice to be able to share all the experiences on the bike with someone else. Plus, it's great to see someone blossom like this during a completely unexpected turn in her journey. Eesh and I are ready for the sequel!