While Bond Almand can’t pinpoint exactly when he found out about the Pan Am cycling challenge and the record time it’s been completed in, it was something he’s dreamed about for the past decade.

“It’s always been the pinnacle of sport for me,” he said. “A lot of people think the Tour de France is the pinnacle of cycling, but I’ve always been attracted to the longer riding and this was one of the longest routes in the world you could do, so that’s what really attracted me to it.”

The Dartmouth College junior, who grew up near Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, set out on Aug. 31, 2024, and completed the challenge Nov. 15. Almand set a record time with more than nine days to spare. The Pan Am route goes from the most northern point in North America to the most southern point in South America and can be traversed either way.

His desire to attempt to make history brought him all the way to the shores of Prudhoe Bay in Alaska to embark on his long-awaited journey.

“It starts in Alaska, which is somewhere I’ve always wanted to go,” Almand said. “I’d never been to Alaska before and Latin America was an allure to me too because I know a little bit of Spanish, but not that much, so that exploration aspect was an allure as well.”

His stay in the 49th state wound up being longer than he had originally planned, by an additional three days.

“When TSA searched my bike box when I was flying up, they took everything out and failed to put everything back in, so I was missing a piece to my bike when I got to Prudhoe Bay and was stuck there for a couple of days waiting for the new part to come in,” Almand said.

With plenty of time on his hands, Almand walked around town, which mostly consisted of a gravel road, and hitchhiked back and forth to meet people.

“There’s only like, one place to eat in town, at the Aurora Hotel, so I spent a lot of time there eating at the buffet but I spent a lot of time staring at the tundra,” Almand said.

When his bike part finally arrived and he set out on his adventure, the first leg was his most memorable.

“Alaska was incredible, probably one of my favorite sections for sure,” Almand said. “It was pretty good weather. I went through Brooks Range first, which was just so beautiful. It was fall, so it was turning colors and the aspen were all bright yellow.”

He rode through a little bit of snow in the Brooks Range, enjoyed seeing wildlife and was stunned riding through the Alaska Range and gazing upon Denali.

It only took him around 4 1/2 days to bike through the state, and even though he’s seen mountains of similar and even greater magnitude, having been to the Himalayas in his previous travels, he particularly appreciated his experience in Alaska.

“Being able to bike through the mountains instead of just flying to Nepal and seeing mountains made it really special,” Almand said. “The further south I got in Alaska got super remote, especially closer to Tok, and that was pretty incredible.”

He said that the most fun part of his journey was Alaska because that was when he was his freshest and he got to take in beautiful scenery and was fortunate enough to get good weather.

“But also Colombia was super exciting,” Almand said. “Like Alaska, there’s some really incredible mountains in Colombia and also beautiful culture and incredible food.”

The best meal he had during his travels was the tamales he ate while biking through pineapple fields in Mexico.

“It was in the middle of nowhere and there was a lady selling pineapple chicken tamales,” Almand said. “She was picking them right out of the field and cooking it right in front of me. Those tamales were so good.”

Almand’s 75-day ride was significantly faster than the previous record of 84 days, which was held by Michael Strasser. While Almand’s mark appears to be accepted in the bikepacking world, he didn’t have it certified with Guinness. He said that was partly due to cost and partly due to their standard for certification.

“They have a lot of stipulations around the record,” he said. “They have their own measurement, one of which is you have to have witnessing signatures every single day and you have to have live tracking and all these other rules.”

As far as the most challenging portion of his journey, it came while he was traveling through Canada. He had to brave cold rain and strong headwinds, which continued when he got to the Lower 48 and through South America.

“When you’re cycling, headwind is one of the worst things you can have because it slows you down a lot,” Almand said. “From Peru until the finish, I had headwinds pretty much every single day.”

Setting smaller goals for himself along the way helped him push through, including testing both his mind and body. But the biggest motivator was the ultimate goal of achieving his dream, which was more within reach the more he persevered.

“I’ve been dreaming the entire trip for so long that quitting was never an option,” Almand said. “Quitting would’ve been the hardest thing for me to do because I wouldn’t have been able to go home and live with myself having just walked away from it.”

Now on Sale

2026 season also features eight Panama Canal voyages, ranging in length from 20 to 42 days

VALENCIA, Calif., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Luxury cruise line Cunard has unveiled its highly anticipated Alaska 2026 program, offering travelers the chance to embark on an unforgettable adventure through one of the world’s most awe-inspiring destinations.

Between May and September 2026, Queen Elizabeth will sail 15 roundtrip voyages from Seattle, ranging from seven to 12 nights. Guests looking for a longer vacation that combines contrasting destinations can enjoy extended voyages of up to 42 nights, taking in the majestic landscapes of Alaska, the tropical beauty of the Caribbean, and the iconic Panama Canal.

An additional highlight to Cunard’s 2026 season is eight voyages through the famed Panama Canal, unlocking enticing destinations and experiences. A coveted voyage experience, these sailings bring guests close tropical jungles as the ship glides through 50 miles of locks and waterways between the mighty Atlantic and Pacific oceans. With so much to enjoy onboard and ashore, guests can admire the famed engineering marvel, unwind in the spa, or experience a variety of onshore adventures.

Cunard’s 2026 program on Queen Elizabeth features visits to 31 unique destinations across 16 countries, including highlights such as Colón, Panama, and Bridgetown, Barbados. Voyages are available to book from 5 a.m. PT on January 8, 2025, and guests can claim up to $800 onboard credit per stateroom* for bookings made between January 8 and March 26, 2025.

This Onboard Credit allows guests to indulge in Cunard’s signature luxury, whether that means unwinding with a spa treatment, savoring fine dining, or enjoying exceptional shore experiences. Highlights include the opportunity to witness humpback whales in their natural habitat as Queen Elizabeth sails through Alaska’s glacier-filled fjords.

Alaska highlights

Queen Elizabeth’s voyages invite travelers to immerse themselves in a world of tidewater glaciers and mirror-like waters, where each day in port offers guests the freedom to step ashore and explore somewhere new.

Whether it be Ketchikan, with its vibrant totem poles, Juneau, where famous gold mines put this historic city on the map, or Haines, a prime destination for kayaking, Alaska is an adventurer’s paradise.

And not forgetting the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site of Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier, two gems in the Alaskan crown.

Prices for a 10-night Seattle roundtrip to Alaska (Q620) in July 2026 currently start from $2069 per person based on two sharing a Britannia Balcony stateroom.

Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said: “Alaska is a truly unique destination, and we’re delighted to return with our 2026 program. Sailing through its spectacular fjords and seeing the immense glaciers is an experience like no other. On board, guests can sip regionally inspired cocktails, enjoy cuisine influenced by local flavors, and hear fascinating stories from renowned explorers. These voyages promise to create unforgettable memories, and we can’t wait to welcome our guests on board Queen Elizabeth.”

For more information about Cunard or to book a voyage, contact your Travel Advisor, call Cunard at 1-800-728-6273, or visit www.cunard.com.

For Travel Advisors interested in further information, please contact your Business Development Manager, visit OneSourceCruises.com, or call Cunard at 1-800-528-6273.

Notes to Editors
*Up to $800 Onboard Credit per stateroom ($400 per person) is based on reserving a Queens Grill Suite on voyages for 10 to 20 nights. Guests reserving a Britannia stateroom receive up to $400 per stateroom Onboard Credit. Onboard credit amounts vary by voyage length and category booked. Visit Cunard.com for full terms and conditions.

About Cunard
Cunard is a luxury British cruise line, renowned for creating unforgettable experiences around the world. Cunard has been a leading operator of passenger ships since 1840, and this year celebrates an incredible 185 years of operation. 2025 is a momentous year in Cunard’s history, which will be marked with several iconic land-based events and special Event Voyages. The Cunard experience is built on fine dining, hand-selected entertainment, and outstanding White Star service. From a partnership with a two-Michelin starred chef, to inspiring guest speakers, to world class theatre productions, every detail has been meticulously crafted to make the experience unforgettable. A pioneer in transatlantic journeys and round world voyages, destinations sailed to also include Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, the Far East and Australia.

There are currently four Cunard ships, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and new ship, Queen Anne, which entered service in May 2024. This investment is part of the company’s ambitious plans for the future of Cunard globally, with the brand now boasting four ships in simultaneous service for the first time since 1999. Cunard is based at Carnival House in Southampton and has been owned since 1998 by Carnival Corporation & plc. www.cunard.com (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).

Social Media
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cunard
Twitter: www.twitter.com/cunardline
YouTube: www.youtube.com/wearecunard
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cunardline

For additional information about Cunard, contact:
Jackie Chase, Cunard, [email protected]
Cindy Adams, [email protected]

SOURCE Cunard