In May 2007, Sam Skrocke will fly deep into the Alaska range prepared for a long year of epic climbing and rigorous cycling. He will begin with an ascent of Mt. Denali, the highest peak in North America. Following this conquest, he will meet up with his bike team, Duncan Sisson, John Witherspoon, and Jake Spero, the foursome will complete a 16,000 mile tour beginning in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska and finishing in Ushuaia, Argentina. They will be on the road for nearly nine months, hauling the necessary gear in trailers as they travel through thirteen countries and span two continents by bicycle. Through their own charitable organization, Biking for a Better World, the group will continue its initial mission of raising money to fund the building of a school in Nicaragua. Sam’s journey will not end in Argentina, nor will it end with a bike. He will travel north in Argentina to Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America and in the western hemisphere. And he will summit the mighty mountain unassisted.
Sam will have book-ended a massive bicycle tour with two astounding ascents of unforgiving peaks. These are impressive feats to tackle one at a time, but for him the idea of linking them all into one illustrates his desire to achieve at a new level. For a young man devoted to adventure and travel and to making a difference, this project allows him the opportunity to challenge himself, the environment, and time itself, while seeing an enormous chunk of the earth from the seat of his bike.
It is very important to Sam to leave no impact on the environment while leaving a large impact on the people who’s path he crosses. He advocates his “get off the motor” philosophy, encouraging businesses to offer incentive to customers and employees who choose to pedal instead of drive. Sam is a member of the Snowlands Network and is involved with keeping wilderness areas safe from destruction, development, and pollution from gas-powered engines. Sam has support for his “green” approach from his teammates ensuring this trip will be completed in an environmentally-conscious way. Sam’s project gives new dimensions and inspiration to the group’s efforts to begin a charity based around an incredible adventure.