How I got the idea in the first place to start in Tuktoyaktuk was visiting a warmshowers host in ontario, Bart. He had also ridden to Inuvik but about 30 years ago and instead of turning around, stayed there for 9 years. It was his photos of the ice and snow and fish hanging out of panniers that made me dream of seeing the north as it is most of the year - full of snow and cold. He writes on his website about cycling and other interesting subjects as well as finding the beauty of everyday life around the great lakes in Ontario. https://anoutsidechance.com/

Nicholas Gault - biking from Alaska to Argentina as slow as possible, Nick has managed to create a different style of bicycle touring/bikepacking. Thoroughly exploring the backroads, taking time to see towns and cities and climbing many volcanoes, Nick set a new standard for biking in Central and South America. No matter how remote and tough, I always find myself following in his footsteps, tire tracks and paddle strokes. More amazing stories, photos, videos, detailed route and a very useful crime location map on his website: www.nicholasgault.com

Forestyforest - on youtube he has amazing videos, the landscapes, roads, trails and pushing a touring bike where no touring bike has gone before. His approach to exploring every corner is amazing and makes me wish I had spent a lot more time doing just that.

Hitchhiking through paradise - Gabor has been hitchhiking since 2012 (i think), he made it from Austria to Gibraltar, across the ocean and to Alaska where I met him in 2014. His goal is to get to the South Pole by hitchhiking and if there is one person who can do it, it's him. (he also borrowed my packraft to paddle around the Darien gap... both ways!)

Kyle Dempster´s video of riding in Kurgystan is absolutely amazing and shows what bicycle travel, what travel and life is all about! I have watched it several times and dream of the day when my wheels will roll out of Karakol. 

Jim Baird - A Canadian doing all sorts of crazy trips around the country. From kayaking, trekking to a motorized attempt of the Canol Trail. Swimming across the Twitya with a rope and getting stuck on the wrong side overnight, pendulum swing a quad and a trailer on a raft... just priceless!

Jeff Kurys - while looking into routes to Bella Coola I stumbled upon his journal. Jeff does an amazing job at documenting remote and difficult rides as if it's a walk in the park. His detailed accounts of years worth of riding in Canada, USA and all over the world are absolutely amazing!

The man who cycled the Americas - Mark Beaumont's documentary was the first thing I saw about bicycle touring and it had me hooked, not only the cycling part but also the idea of telling a story while at it. He has done many amazing rides, mostly with the added challenge of breaking some guiness world record.

Scott Pauker - similar to Nicholas Gault, Scott is bikepacking south, taking the path less traveled and documenting it in an amazing and inspiring way.

Ahmed the camel man - having traveled extensively in Africa with two of these amazing animals, Ahmed is the real deal. I had the chance to spend some time with him while at the Dubai Travel festival and cannot wait, one day to embark on a camel trip across somewhere far and remote, who knows maybe out paths will cross.