On paper, it's over 27,500 km that he covered in 20 months. In reality, it's an infinity of experiences and anecdotes that, after moving him, also touched us. In his village, they call him "the happiest cyclist in the world". Here’s his story:
Yumping France - How do you reflect on the experience you had cycling the Pan-American route?
Juan Tuñon - There’s so much to say about this journey... what stands out most is the immense help from people, the affection, and how easy it was to travel across different cultures. It’s a beautiful journey.
Y.F. - How did you start cycling long-distance routes?
J.T. - I started with the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, from Roncesvalles. Then from Seville to Finistère, and later from Amsterdam to Finistère.
Y.F. - And, coming back to the Pan-American, you say it felt easy?
J.T. - Yes. Broadly speaking, yes. If I try to recall the tough moments, I can find some. For example, at the beginning, in Patagonia, I suffered. The winds were incredibly strong and hit me head-on! That’s why people usually do this route north to south. I did it south to north. I remember days of real struggle, unable to drown out the wind noise in my ears, even with music. Those days were hard!
Y.F. - Were you alone?
J.T. - Part of the trip, I was with a Swede, and another part alone. But you’re never completely alone. You always meet people. I have a big bike, so it’s hard to miss... people ask where you’re from, if you need anything. I never felt alone! If you feel lonely, you can always find someone.
Y.F. - Did you stay with locals?
J.T. - Of course! The experience changes you entirely. Letting yourself be helped is an art. When you wake up in the morning and the people who hosted you greet you with a big smile—even though they let you pitch your tent on their land—you want to remind them they’re the ones doing you a favour.
Y.F. - Were you ever scared?
J.T. - No.
Y.F. - You were caught in the Chile earthquake in the middle of the night. Even then, you weren’t scared?
J.T. - No, because I woke up. It was the 27th of February. I was in a small fishing village, at a campsite by the beach under a tree. The ground started shaking around 3 am. The first second, I thought it was part of my dream. The second second, I saw the tree shaking and wondered who was shaking it. The third second, I thought, "Put your trousers on and run." I grabbed the small bag with my laptop and left everything else behind: clothes, tent, bike... everything!
In Chile, they have a protocol—they go up the mountain to avoid the wave if the quake comes from the sea. At night, we didn’t see the wave, but we heard it, the screams... The next day when I went back down to find my bike, in vain. And we saw the disaster... cars on rooftops, thousands of dead fish...
I was taken to Santiago, got a new passport, and a mountain bike company gave me a bike after hearing my story, completely free... The Chileans were incredibly kind.
Y.F. - After what happened in Chile, did you consider quitting?
J.T. - No. I told myself I had to finish the journey. Even if I didn’t know how, I thought, I started it, I’ll finish it.
Y.F. - How do you fund the trip? Do you have sponsors?
J.T. - No, I used my personal savings. I’d budgeted about €10 a day. It’s not easy to find sponsors. I reached out to big tent and camera brands... sent my info and emailed requests, but they probably just trashed them. I stopped looking.
Y.F. - So now you’re planning the Silk Road, in three weeks?
J.T. - Yes, there are two possible routes. I’m thinking of going through Iran, Pakistan, India, Myanmar, and China. Depending on visa validity and seasons, you have to plan carefully...
I estimate a year. From Aviles (Spain) to Shanghai is roughly 18,000 km, but since I’m going south, it’ll be a bit longer.
Y.F. - Will you pass through France?
J.T. - Yes, along the Côte d’Azur! And the Greek coast... I love the sea!
Y.F. - Cycling really is addictive! But what you’ve done is huge!
J.T. - You need some courage, but far less than people imagine. Even if it rains, I know I’ll sleep dry in my tent, and the sun will rise. Plus, you’re doing something fulfilling! You pedal 4 to 9 hours a day, but if you love it, it’s not effort—it’s joy. I don’t consider myself an athlete.
Y.F. - Thank you, Juan! And safe travels!
An exceptional adventure, undertaken by an exceptional man, who’ll continue his journey around the world to discover others and himself.
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