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I’m The First Romanian To Cycle North And South America (6600 Km So Far) After My Girlfriend Dumped Me
In January of this year, a short while after moving with my Iranian girlfriend in Bucharest, Romania, I got dumped by her. Her situation was much more complicated than one of the average person. She was an unusual immigrant from Iran in Romania, and that made her more exotic in my eyes. As a matter of fact, this is part of the reason why I fell in love with her.
At the moment of break up, I felt my entire world collapsing before my eyes. We had made plans for marriage and then traveling the world together, and now everything was gone. She justified her decision out of a lack of love for me that she couldn’t tell in the beginning. But it was probably more than that, that has ended our long-term relationship. So, at the moment when that happened, I needed to embark on something else, something big. I needed to start on a significant project that would restore my self-esteem, the faith in myself, and mend my broken heart. All the things which have been partially harmed by this tough moment for me.
And what crazier project than that of deciding to take off to Alaska and start biking along the longest road in the world, the Panamerican Highway down to Argentina. So I convinced a few sponsors in Romania to back my road trip with the equipment needed and started an Indiegogo fundraising campaign, and I took off into the wilds of Alaska.
Since August 5th, when I started biking near the Arctic ocean I came a long way, and I am now approaching the Mexican border. 6600 km (4100 miles) cycled through the most remote areas of North America, through the wilds of Alaska and the Yukon territory and the vast prairies of Canada to Yellowstone National Park and Canyonlands in South Utah. This has been an amazing journey and life on the road experience so far, and as I am approaching Mexico, I am getting ready for the real cultural experience. I can’t wait for the hot-blooded people and the warm weather as I have been battling with the winter for the past month or so since crossing the border in Montana, in the United States.
This journey is more than I could have expected when my girlfriend dumped me. I wake up every day in my tent with a new landscape, in a new part of the world. I get the meet amazing people that show me how humane this world can still be. Some people stop me and offer to host me for the night, some stop and hand me money in appreciation of what I do. One thing I will never forget is the day I got caught up in a terrible snowstorm in Utah. The very first family on whose door I knocked invited me in to take refuge and have dinner with them — what a beautiful moment.
I have a long way to go still – check the cool photos I took along the road. If you want to support my journey through the Americas, you can donate on my Facebook page through the donate button.
More info: Facebook
Sleeping in my tent at -10°C in Utah, USA
Cycling through the mountains
Cycling in winter conditions in Idaho, USA
Reaching the Arctic circle in Alaska
Above the clouds in the North Slope of Alaska
Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, one of the most beautiful places I have ever been through
Crossing the border to New Mexico
Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA
Arches National Park, Utah, USA
My faithful friend
At 5574 Feet (1698 m) I crossed the border into the fifth state
The Canadian Prairies at sunset. Alberta, Canada
Cycling in the Winter time, Montana, USA
Deadhorse, Alaska at dusk
At Lake Louise in Banff National Park
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What do you think ?
TracyMcMillian 8 years ago
You remind me of Edward Abbey, author of "Desert Solitaire", who was in LOVE with Arches & Canyonlands Nat'l Park. He was strongly opposed to the idea of visiting the national parks by car - any motorized thing in fact- in fear of polluting and destroying them. Traveling on a bike, you must have been praised by Abbey. The book was published in 1968 and is still considered one of the most beautiful nature writings ever written. I am about to enter my 60's. Dumping and being dumped many times, I now know all the experiences with men has only enriched my life on earth. I hope you don't feel sad or disappointed, for you never know what's waiting for you during your life's journey. I truly admire your adventurous mind and your way of dealing with one of those heartbreaking moments nobody can avoid.
ElizabethDaigle 8 years ago
I liked reading it and seeing the pictures. So boom. The Internet would be empty if people didn't share. Why are you even on bored panda?
BreezySally 8 years ago
I think saying someone dumped you makes them look and sound bad. She had her reasons for moving on and they might have been in your interest
AdrianTiutiu 8 years ago
Meserie, what you are doing is awesome, but believe me it doesnt compare with what romanians are doing in the construction field evry day in the us. If sll of them woul have a blog online abt their life your story would be a breeze comparing. So stop advertising, unless you walked the walk.
ClintRichardson 8 years ago
Bike, Forrest, bike! Seriously though, please keep posting your progress. I think we all want to know that you are safe along the way. Please consider stopping before the Darien Gap in Panama so you can live to tell the tale again. It is nice here. Quite an accomplishment no matter how much further you get.
VaesDothrak 8 years ago
You should be very proud of yourself to gain the strength to achieve such a great life experience ...Everything happens for a reason ..;I know the feeling ...Take care
IrinaMacoviciuc 8 years ago
As a fellow Romanian, I am really glad I stumbled upon your article and read your story. I'm proud of you. Keep up the great work! I'm looking forward to following your travels on Facebook :)
DeannaSt 8 years ago
Radu Paltineanu, don't be upset because of that girl, even if you loved her a lot, plenty more fish in the sea. You'll love another one again soon, the first 9-10 months are very painful and then you'll be healed. And a bit bitter and a bit more suspicious and more cautious next time, but in the end, when a door closes, a window opens. And your window is worth every penny. Tale care. I will follow you along the road, from now on. I am Australian since 1987 but I was born in Romania. Mult noroc și cat mai multe vai și cat mai puține dealuri/munți/pante LOL. Bafta! Take care in Mexico, it's full of crooks always ready to steal a bicycle. :) You'll feel like home there ;)
DeannaSt 8 years ago
Radu Paltineanu, don't be upset because of that girl, even if you loved her a lot, plenty more fish in the sea. You'll love another one again soon, the first 9-10 months are very painful and then you'll be healed. And a bit bitter and a bit more suspicious and more cautious next time, but in the end, when a door closes, a window opens. And your window is worth every penny. Tale care. I will follow you along the road, from now on. I am Australian since 1987 but I was born in Romania. Mult noroc și cat mai multe vai și cat mai puține dealuri/munți/pante inclinate LOL. Bafta! Take care in Mexico, it's full of crooks always ready to steal a bicycle. :) You'll feel like home there ;)
IuliaPoenariu 8 years ago
Cred că intimitatea proprie, a mea ca individ, are de-a face și cu motivele unor decizii, respectiv cu tăria cu care îmi înfrunt propriile dezamăgiri. Și cred că unele lucruri ar trebui să rămână ascunse, nu pentru că sunt urâte, ci pentru că putem trăi la fel de împliniți dacă suferința nu ne e complet mediatizată. So .. instead of the title, for the sake of the beautiful photos you shared.. "I was unhappy after a break-up, so I needed to see other beautiful sides of this planet, to see the world". No nationality needed. No unnecessary details. Otherwise, I would think that the whole reason of the trip was to win her back. Îți doresc multă liniște în suflet și înțelepciune.
TimoteiRad 8 years ago
E puțin mai complex de atât. Au făcut ședință foto și a "inginerit" întreaga poveste: www.autostopmagellan.ro/radu-paltineanu-aka-pacala-explorator-in-americi-de-timotei-rad/ Pe finalul articolului e discutat și acest post de pe BoredPanda
Load More Replies...
AmilaDilanka 8 years ago
Nicely done man, Now this is a better way to get away from old memories. damn i wanna do this too.
RebeccaTaylor 8 years ago
You have a beautiful soul and a drive to accomplish your visions. That is pretty amazing. I too was recently 'dumped'. I can only hope to do something as productive with my pain as you have!
GalihRahmawati 8 years ago
You really do something cool at the cool place. I know that feeling, keep fighting, don't lose your hope. I wish I can do something like you do, I'm stuck in my bored world and makes my energy turn in to fat.
boglarkabalogh 8 years ago
Amazing! Congratulations for your courage and self belief. Enjoy the beautiful journey inside and outside yourself..:)
AriannaMocanu 8 years ago
Cum adica hai coae? O spui de parca ar face ceva neplacut...iti doresc sa traiesti si tu o astfel de aventura, sa te luminezi putin la minte si sa iti maresti orizontul pentru ca se pare ca acum traiesti in lumea ta limitata si demna de mila.
Load More Replies...
TracyMcMillian 8 years ago
You remind me of Edward Abbey, author of "Desert Solitaire", who was in LOVE with Arches & Canyonlands Nat'l Park. He was strongly opposed to the idea of visiting the national parks by car - any motorized thing in fact- in fear of polluting and destroying them. Traveling on a bike, you must have been praised by Abbey. The book was published in 1968 and is still considered one of the most beautiful nature writings ever written. I am about to enter my 60's. Dumping and being dumped many times, I now know all the experiences with men has only enriched my life on earth. I hope you don't feel sad or disappointed, for you never know what's waiting for you during your life's journey. I truly admire your adventurous mind and your way of dealing with one of those heartbreaking moments nobody can avoid.
ElizabethDaigle 8 years ago
I liked reading it and seeing the pictures. So boom. The Internet would be empty if people didn't share. Why are you even on bored panda?
BreezySally 8 years ago
I think saying someone dumped you makes them look and sound bad. She had her reasons for moving on and they might have been in your interest
AdrianTiutiu 8 years ago
Meserie, what you are doing is awesome, but believe me it doesnt compare with what romanians are doing in the construction field evry day in the us. If sll of them woul have a blog online abt their life your story would be a breeze comparing. So stop advertising, unless you walked the walk.
ClintRichardson 8 years ago
Bike, Forrest, bike! Seriously though, please keep posting your progress. I think we all want to know that you are safe along the way. Please consider stopping before the Darien Gap in Panama so you can live to tell the tale again. It is nice here. Quite an accomplishment no matter how much further you get.
VaesDothrak 8 years ago
You should be very proud of yourself to gain the strength to achieve such a great life experience ...Everything happens for a reason ..;I know the feeling ...Take care
IrinaMacoviciuc 8 years ago
As a fellow Romanian, I am really glad I stumbled upon your article and read your story. I'm proud of you. Keep up the great work! I'm looking forward to following your travels on Facebook :)
DeannaSt 8 years ago
Radu Paltineanu, don't be upset because of that girl, even if you loved her a lot, plenty more fish in the sea. You'll love another one again soon, the first 9-10 months are very painful and then you'll be healed. And a bit bitter and a bit more suspicious and more cautious next time, but in the end, when a door closes, a window opens. And your window is worth every penny. Tale care. I will follow you along the road, from now on. I am Australian since 1987 but I was born in Romania. Mult noroc și cat mai multe vai și cat mai puține dealuri/munți/pante LOL. Bafta! Take care in Mexico, it's full of crooks always ready to steal a bicycle. :) You'll feel like home there ;)
DeannaSt 8 years ago
Radu Paltineanu, don't be upset because of that girl, even if you loved her a lot, plenty more fish in the sea. You'll love another one again soon, the first 9-10 months are very painful and then you'll be healed. And a bit bitter and a bit more suspicious and more cautious next time, but in the end, when a door closes, a window opens. And your window is worth every penny. Tale care. I will follow you along the road, from now on. I am Australian since 1987 but I was born in Romania. Mult noroc și cat mai multe vai și cat mai puține dealuri/munți/pante inclinate LOL. Bafta! Take care in Mexico, it's full of crooks always ready to steal a bicycle. :) You'll feel like home there ;)
IuliaPoenariu 8 years ago
Cred că intimitatea proprie, a mea ca individ, are de-a face și cu motivele unor decizii, respectiv cu tăria cu care îmi înfrunt propriile dezamăgiri. Și cred că unele lucruri ar trebui să rămână ascunse, nu pentru că sunt urâte, ci pentru că putem trăi la fel de împliniți dacă suferința nu ne e complet mediatizată. So .. instead of the title, for the sake of the beautiful photos you shared.. "I was unhappy after a break-up, so I needed to see other beautiful sides of this planet, to see the world". No nationality needed. No unnecessary details. Otherwise, I would think that the whole reason of the trip was to win her back. Îți doresc multă liniște în suflet și înțelepciune.
TimoteiRad 8 years ago
E puțin mai complex de atât. Au făcut ședință foto și a "inginerit" întreaga poveste: www.autostopmagellan.ro/radu-paltineanu-aka-pacala-explorator-in-americi-de-timotei-rad/ Pe finalul articolului e discutat și acest post de pe BoredPanda
Load More Replies... AmilaDilanka 8 years ago
Nicely done man, Now this is a better way to get away from old memories. damn i wanna do this too.
RebeccaTaylor 8 years ago
You have a beautiful soul and a drive to accomplish your visions. That is pretty amazing. I too was recently 'dumped'. I can only hope to do something as productive with my pain as you have!
GalihRahmawati 8 years ago
You really do something cool at the cool place. I know that feeling, keep fighting, don't lose your hope. I wish I can do something like you do, I'm stuck in my bored world and makes my energy turn in to fat.
boglarkabalogh 8 years ago
Amazing! Congratulations for your courage and self belief. Enjoy the beautiful journey inside and outside yourself..:)
AriannaMocanu 8 years ago
Cum adica hai coae? O spui de parca ar face ceva neplacut...iti doresc sa traiesti si tu o astfel de aventura, sa te luminezi putin la minte si sa iti maresti orizontul pentru ca se pare ca acum traiesti in lumea ta limitata si demna de mila.
Load More Replies... 
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