Travelling as a couple - From myth to reality
Today, I'd like to immerse you in the life of a duo. Because traveling as a couple is as difficult as it is powerful, we wanted to honor some extraordinary adventurers. We invite you to meet Annie and Nunzio, a couple we were lucky enough to meet. Their power and ability to put themselves in other people's shoes left a deep impression on us, as did their moving stories.
From unlikely encounter to shared adventure
Who are Annie and Nunzio?
First, I'd like to introduce Annie, a Canadian working as an intensive care nurse. Like Annie, we've met a lot of nurses on the road. And for good reason: it's a profession that financially enables a large number of practitioners to travel, with the security of finding a job after a few months' break.
His partner is Nunzio from Puerto Rico. He's a thrill-seeker! Whether it's climbing great peaks or long independent bike trips, he'll stop at nothing to get his adrenalin fix!
What unites these lovers is their passion for travel. That's how they met 3 years ago in Mexico, in a karaoke bar at 5 a.m. (Unfortunately, we don't have any photos of that moment to share with you... sorry!) Since that famous evening, they've never left each other's side, and continue to travel the world as a couple!
First route for two
We were lucky enough to meet Annie and Nunzio in the United States on the Great Divide. If you know anything about our blog, you'll be familiar with this route! For the rest of you, it's a road that links Canada to Mexico, crossing the USA in the middle. As a rule, the people we meet on this route are either in solo mode or retired. We didn't come across many people our age, and even fewer couples. So, when we came across this duo, we couldn't help asking them what they were doing there!
For Annie, traveling by bike was something she'd dreamed of doing, but had never really gotten into... Then when she met Nunzio, she was deeply inspired by his previous cycling adventures, and wanted to share the pleasure!
Nunzio chose this itinerary for his first trip as a couple because, after traveling the Trans-Am from west to east, he realized that an adventure in the heart of the country would be more special. That is, off the beaten track and away from the cars. There's no better way to spend time with loved ones than out in nature, on a bike and under the stars, is there?
We shared the same sentiment with Annie: " Travelling as a couple was truly magical! Being able to support each other through the ups and downs of bikepacking was a real asset. " But how do you prepare for a trip as intense as this one?
Launching without a plan: the art of improvisation
The blind duo
These two epicureans are among those people who don't prepare for this kind of adventure. Honestly, this is also the method we used with Julien, and we recommend it 100%! And so they embarked on this new blind adventure. Nunzio - who has a little more experience in this field - was in charge of navigation, as he was well acquainted with the necessary equipment and logistics.
He also wanted everyone to carry what they needed. The only equipment they shared was their stove and tent.
Nunzio's bike:
- Soma Wolverine 650b steel;
- 48mm tire;
- 1×12 gear ratio (because he doesn't like front derailleurs - less risk of mechanical failure);
- Dynamo hub for recharging lights;
- Personalized pizza-themed frame bag to remind him he's always hungry.
Annie's bike
- Esker Hayduke in steel with front suspension.
- Maxxis Forecaster 2.6″ tires (No punctures or mechanical problems during the entire trip!)
- 1×12 transmission ratio (which he felt was sufficient to cope with steep climbs)
- Dynamo hub for lighting and recharging your iPhone during the day.
Annie confides: " I really appreciated the extra comfort for long days in the saddle, thanks to the suspension and the size of my tires.
Finding the right rhythm
Travelling as a couple at the same tempo?
We speak from experience: the Great Divide is quite physical. Far from being a quiet river, it puts bodies to the test. But how can you keep up the same pace when you're traveling together?
Nunzio shares his point of view: " We did have different rhythms... Annie always wanted to sleep in and I wanted to get up before sunrise.
After a few adjustments, the duo found a balance that allowed them to continue moving forward in complete serenity. They even set the rhythm of their day like music paper. Wake up around 6am for a smooth departure around 7.30am. Two essentials before hitting the road. First: eat oatmeal with peanut butter and coffee. Second: find a toilet. After relieving themselves, they hop on their bikes and hope to pass through a town at lunchtime for a beer and a pizza!
Annie and Nunzio both share a love of rivers and lakes, so they always tried to stop for a swim when the opportunity arose. Because traveling as a couple is also about allowing time for each other.
Annie: "We usually meet up with old and new friends throughout the day, and sometimes we even plan to camp together further down the trail. We allowed ourselves a lot of flexibility and often rode further than planned so that we could camp with our fellow travelers!"
Once the rhythm off the bikes was set, they also had to adjust their days in the saddles. Nunzio had a slightly faster pace, so he sometimes rode solo, but always made sure Annie stayed within sight.
Sand in the gears
Long hours in the saddle can lead to a whole host of aches and pains. The one every cyclist dreads: hemorrhoids! Unfortunately, Annie was not spared this curse... As a result, she couldn't ride her bike for a week. During this period, they seriously considered giving up... But in the end, after a few heated arguments and an impromptu trip to Moab, they decided that a little more rest would be enough to keep them going.
Annie: "I felt deeply supported by Nunzio during our trip. We had to make some tough decisions, but I was convinced that we were making them together."
Moments in life that bind a couple together! But that's not the only difficulty they had to face. Travelling by bike as a couple or solo means accepting the unexpected and weather conditions. Trusting your instincts to take one route rather than another. That's how, towards the end of the trip, the monsoon began to catch up with the young couple. They had to decide whether to tackle the peanut butter-thick mud or take the road around the Gila National Forest.
Annie: " We were both really looking forward to doing this section, but after trying to cross it and getting stuck, we finally decided to change our route. It was a sad moment for us and a difficult decision to make, but it was the right one. We hope to come back and cross the Gila forest another time."
Unusual tests with unforgettable moments
Crossing the Great Basin
Fortunately, moments of doubt are quickly forgotten or replaced by happy memories. In particular, I think back to the day we met this duo. They were coming out of a gas station with a few treats, ready to take on the Great Basin.
After an exhausting day's cycling, we all met up in Atlantic City. An almost ghost town, but a real gem! The little town features a steak house and a colorful campground.
For the record, Nunzio was a vegetarian for a long time. After an adventure on the Baja Divide, he found himself forced to eat meat (when he was lucky enough to find it) and fish from their famous fish tacos. On leaving the restaurant, he declared the fresh, local beef to be the best steak of his life!
The day didn't end there, as the humorous and slightly tipsy campsite owner sang karaoke in his garage until midnight. The next day, we met up again for a pizza party and a couple's anniversary! An unforgettable crossing of the Great Basin, so dreaded by cyclovoyageurs.
An unusual mountain pass
The most memorable moments are also the most unusual, such as the day Nunzio broke the rails on his bicycle saddle and had to ride standing up for 25 km. By the end of the day, they had covered 160 km and climbed 2,700 meters! It was a test of physical and mental endurance.
Annie: "We cheered each other on until we got to camp."
All in all, this trip definitely strengthened their bond and enabled them to understand each other better and be more patient with each other. Was being a couple an asset or sometimes an obstacle?
Nunzio ironizes: "It was a real obstacle when we had to hitchhike to get emergency medicines! Nobody wants to take two adults with two big bikes".
Travelling as a couple: revelations!
First grand voyage and revelations
This trip was special for Annie, as it was her first major bicycle trip. She confesses, with a sense of humor, to feeling very grateful for having taken the plunge into bikepacking alongside Nunzio.
This journey of over 4,300 km was an opportunity for the two lovers to strengthen their bond and get to know each other a little better. In good times and bad.
Nunzio learned that Annie was resilient and always up for a challenge, that she loved Coca-Cola and that she really needed her beauty sleep. Annie really understood how outgoing Nunzio was and how vast his knowledge of outdoor activities was.
Projects and future challenges
Curious to know a little more about their new shared passion, we asked them if cycling as a couple was one of their next travel projects!
Nunzio: " 100%. We're always trying to think of the next adventure! Our current list includes the European Divide Trail, the Eastern Divide, Japan and South Korea!"
If you were to take away just one thing from this article, it would be the freedom and lightness with which this couple travels by bike. Of all the advice we've been able to glean from this duo, this is probably the one we'll remember most : "Seek pleasure in the unknown, let the mystery guide you, don't let it hold you back! Talk to everyone. Relationships are essential. Get to know everyone's favorite little pleasures. And don't give up on your partner."
Many thanks to them for their kindness and their time in answering our questions! We hope you'll have the chance to meet a couple as inspiring as them on one of your travels one day! In the meantime, if you'd like to discover the story of another traveler we've met on the road, we suggest you read Joe 's Baja Divide finisher story and support the blog this way !
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