Andorran Athlete Cycles 8,100km Across South America in 11-Month Adventure

Andrea Sinfreu, an Andorran mountain guide and athlete, has returned home after nearly 11 months cycling more than 8,100 kilometres across South America, from southern Patagonia to Colombia, while accumulating 112,000 metres of elevation gain.

She set off without a fixed itinerary or return date, buying a one-way ticket to Chile and planning to pedal north, deciding her route as she went. "I didn't really plan to cover the whole continent," she said. What began as an open-ended trip evolved into a major journey through Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, blending cycling with hiking, climbing and other mountain activities that suit her background in ski mountaineering, trail running and guiding.

Sinfreu, who has long favoured bike travel for its slower pace and deeper connections to places and people, had previously cycled from Nice to Norway's North Cape. This adventure marked her first deep exploration of South America. She spent the most time in Chile, due to its length, and Peru, where rugged terrain and mountain detours—like week-long treks or climbs—slowed her progress.

Distance and stats took a backseat to immersion. "Kilometres weren't the most important thing," she explained. "It was more about knowing the places, the people, the cultures and the differences between countries." Travelling solo but never isolated, she stayed in hostels, received local hospitality and joined other cyclists for stretches, including nearly a month with a German couple. Cycling sparked curiosity and eased interactions everywhere, especially in Argentina and Colombia, where she felt particularly welcome. "There's more people who want to help or good people than bad," she reflected, emphasising caution over fear.

The route showcased the continent's vast diversity: glaciers, 6,000-metre peaks, Pacific and Atlantic coasts, and Amazon fringes. Back in Andorra just over a month ago, Sinfreu is still processing the experience. It challenged assumptions about conventional lifestyles and material needs. "With just the basics, you can live," she said, noting how months with three pairs of trousers, four T-shirts and a jacket made her question consumer habits. "Lots of things that seem really important here maybe aren't so much." For her, the bike was less a physical challenge than a way to slow down and engage with the world.