WHAT WE CARRY IS WHO WE ARE

A PHOTOGRAPHER DOCUMENTS LONG-DISTANCE BIKE RIDERS-AND ALL THE MEANING THINGS THEY TRAVEL

- JAVIER RESENDIZ FERNANDEZ DE LARA

José Luis Osornio Ramírez, 29, San Luis Potosí, Mexico Rides a seven-speed urban bike

I got the idea to ride Mexico from end to end unsupported when I was on a ride in early 2019, and my rear cassette broke. It was Sunday afternoon, and there were no bike shops to save me. I had to go home pushing myself on a skateboard.

My holidays were approaching, and I had money saved and the support of my family. Four weeks later, I got off the plane in Tijuana. I couldn’t believe it! It seemed absurd and impossible. “What am I going to do now?”, I wondered. “I will pedal, until I become the sand that dries between the toes of Mexico.”

In all the forums I’d read, I saw the same advice: travel light. I decided to travel heavy, because I wanted to strengthen my legs. Everything was meticulously selected. I paid close attention to covering my skin; so as not to get sunburned, I wore two pairs of pants, clothes with UV50, gloves, glasses for hot days on the beach. I’d never used saddlebags, but they became a wonderful ally. My action camera was always at hand, even though I didn’t use it very often. What fascinated me the most to use was the drone – when you reach the end of a road, the drone takes you further.

I made it: 5 000km from Tijuana to Playa del Carmen, in four months.

Abril Georgina Morales Rodríguez (and Maku), 40, Oaxaca, Mexico

Rides a Giant Liv Tempt 29 V