Uphill Into A Headwind
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intoaheadwind.bsky.social
Uphill Into A Headwind
@intoaheadwind.bsky.social
66 followers 1 following 340 posts
No matter which way I go,
Conditions change to make it so;
I’m going uphill or into a headwind.
🚵🏼‍♂️

#BicycleTravel focused account of @bioalex.bsky.social.

Support my journey:
https://ko-fi.com/bioalex
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intoaheadwind.bsky.social
Uphill Into A Headwind @intoaheadwind.bsky.social · 18d
In mid-2025, I quit my job & set out on yet another long haul bicycle journey, my 6th so far. This account is to document that journey as I explore western North America up to Alaska in 2026. And then…🤷🏻‍♂️😉

If you wish to support my journey, I have a Ko-Fi. All help is greatly appreciated.🥰🙏🏼
Support Alex Samaras
Support Alex Samaras
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intoaheadwind.bsky.social
Creosote blossoms (yellow) and Coulter's Globemallow blossoms (orange) on the BLM land I camped on between Tucson and Phoenix.

(IDs according to iNaturalist's Seek app)
#BikeSky #BicycleTravel #Flowers
Photograph of yellow flowers and white fuzzy buds amongst green leaves on a creosote bush against a blue sky Photograph of a couple of orange flowers of Coulter's Globemallow growing in an open area surrounded by creosote bushes under a clear blue sky Photograph of a couple of orange flowers of Coulter's Globemallow growing in patch of Globemallow next to a creosote bush under a clear blue sky Photograph of yellow flowers and white fuzzy buds amongst green leaves on a creosote bush against a blue sky
February 3, 2026 at 5:12 AM
Reposted by Uphill Into A Headwind
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
#SaguaroNationalPark East thread.🧵

As a preamble, let me just say how wonderful it was to see an area of Sonoran Desert ecosystem that hasn't been ravaged by cattle ranching. It was really stunning!

Settle in & enjoy the pictures of desert plants... 1/10

#BikeSky #BicycleTravel
Photograph of desert landscape full of creosote bushes, brittlebrush, and saguaro cactuses with a mountain in the background under a blue sky with wispy white clouds. Photograph of a desert landscape with prickly pear cactuses in a patch of bare rocky foreground with creosote, brittlebrush, and other desert scrub brush in the middle ground with a tall saguaro cactus. In the background are grey green mountains under a blue sky with wispy white clouds. Photograph of rocky ground with a few small boulders lined by desert plants including saguaro cactuses, creosote, prickly pears, and thurber's cholla, all under a blue sky with wispy white clouds Photograph of a Thurber's Cholla plant and a Ocotillo plant growing near some prickly pears and brittlebrush, with some saguaro cactuses and creosote bushes in the background under a blue sky with wispy white clouds
January 31, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Reposted by Uphill Into A Headwind
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
🎶Well I've been from Tucson to (almost but not quite) Tucumcari,
Tehachapi to Tonopah,
driven every kind of rig that has ever been made.
Driven the back roads so I wouldn't get weighed.
AND IF YOU GIVE ME...
WEED,
WHITES,
AND WINE
And you show me sign.
And I will be willin'
To be movin'🎶
#BikeSky
Selfie of me on a bicycle wearing a lime green helmet, a forest green buff, and a black long sleeve shirt on a bike path near the river on the way north out of Tucson. Behind me the sun shines brightly through the branches of a tree. There is text on the picture that reads, "I couldn't find a Welcome to Tucson sign on my way in or out, so bear with me that Tucson is behind me" Selfie of me on my bicycle holding my fingers as a peace sign in front of a Welcome to Roswell sign on the way into Roswell, New Mexico. There is text on the images that reads, "I couldn't get to Tucumcari, so I hope Roswell is good enough!" Selfie of me on my bicycle wearing a lime green windbreaker in front of a sign which reads Historic Downtown Techachapi with an arrow pointing back towards town. Selfie of me on my bicycle wearing a lime green windbreaker in front of a sign reading Welcome to Tonopah.
January 31, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Reposted by Uphill Into A Headwind
bioalex.bsky.social
Better late than never, but here's a thread of my visit to Saguaro National Park. 😎👍
intoaheadwind.bsky.social Uphill Into A Headwind @intoaheadwind.bsky.social · 3d
#SaguaroNationalPark East thread.🧵

As a preamble, let me just say how wonderful it was to see an area of Sonoran Desert ecosystem that hasn't been ravaged by cattle ranching. It was really stunning!

Settle in & enjoy the pictures of desert plants... 1/10

#BikeSky #BicycleTravel
Photograph of desert landscape full of creosote bushes, brittlebrush, and saguaro cactuses with a mountain in the background under a blue sky with wispy white clouds. Photograph of a desert landscape with prickly pear cactuses in a patch of bare rocky foreground with creosote, brittlebrush, and other desert scrub brush in the middle ground with a tall saguaro cactus. In the background are grey green mountains under a blue sky with wispy white clouds. Photograph of rocky ground with a few small boulders lined by desert plants including saguaro cactuses, creosote, prickly pears, and thurber's cholla, all under a blue sky with wispy white clouds Photograph of a Thurber's Cholla plant and a Ocotillo plant growing near some prickly pears and brittlebrush, with some saguaro cactuses and creosote bushes in the background under a blue sky with wispy white clouds
January 31, 2026 at 10:18 PM
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
🎶Well I've been from Tucson to (almost but not quite) Tucumcari,
Tehachapi to Tonopah,
driven every kind of rig that has ever been made.
Driven the back roads so I wouldn't get weighed.
AND IF YOU GIVE ME...
WEED,
WHITES,
AND WINE
And you show me sign.
And I will be willin'
To be movin'🎶
#BikeSky
Selfie of me on a bicycle wearing a lime green helmet, a forest green buff, and a black long sleeve shirt on a bike path near the river on the way north out of Tucson. Behind me the sun shines brightly through the branches of a tree. There is text on the picture that reads, "I couldn't find a Welcome to Tucson sign on my way in or out, so bear with me that Tucson is behind me" Selfie of me on my bicycle holding my fingers as a peace sign in front of a Welcome to Roswell sign on the way into Roswell, New Mexico. There is text on the images that reads, "I couldn't get to Tucumcari, so I hope Roswell is good enough!" Selfie of me on my bicycle wearing a lime green windbreaker in front of a sign which reads Historic Downtown Techachapi with an arrow pointing back towards town. Selfie of me on my bicycle wearing a lime green windbreaker in front of a sign reading Welcome to Tonopah.
January 31, 2026 at 10:41 PM
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
#SaguaroNationalPark East thread.🧵

As a preamble, let me just say how wonderful it was to see an area of Sonoran Desert ecosystem that hasn't been ravaged by cattle ranching. It was really stunning!

Settle in & enjoy the pictures of desert plants... 1/10

#BikeSky #BicycleTravel
Photograph of desert landscape full of creosote bushes, brittlebrush, and saguaro cactuses with a mountain in the background under a blue sky with wispy white clouds. Photograph of a desert landscape with prickly pear cactuses in a patch of bare rocky foreground with creosote, brittlebrush, and other desert scrub brush in the middle ground with a tall saguaro cactus. In the background are grey green mountains under a blue sky with wispy white clouds. Photograph of rocky ground with a few small boulders lined by desert plants including saguaro cactuses, creosote, prickly pears, and thurber's cholla, all under a blue sky with wispy white clouds Photograph of a Thurber's Cholla plant and a Ocotillo plant growing near some prickly pears and brittlebrush, with some saguaro cactuses and creosote bushes in the background under a blue sky with wispy white clouds
January 31, 2026 at 10:16 PM
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
I know I've fallen a little behind again. I've since visited Saguaro National Park, stayed in Tucson, and made my way up to the Phoenix area. I promise photodumps coming soon, as I steel myself to write all that alt-text.😅

Look forward to more desert pics coming very soon.
#BikeSky #BicycleTravel
January 29, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Reposted by Uphill Into A Headwind
bioalex.bsky.social
I am so sad that while I am in the right regions to ride my bicycle up to some of these, my timing is off. 😭 I'll be in Phoenix this weekend, no way I could get to Irvine by the 7th, San Jose is off my route, & April 4 is too early for me to be cycling to Seattle. The curse of being IRL Crusty Sean😭
splatoontourney.bsky.social SplatoonTourney @splatoontourney.bsky.social · 8d
Here is the coverage map for all qualifiers for the LAN Championship 2026!

Which LAN is closest to you?
January 26, 2026 at 10:11 PM
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
An #Arizona winter sunset, a bit south of Tucson.

Tomorrow is Saguaro National Park East & then a trek across Tucson to a campground near Saguaro NP West (unless a #Warmshowers host comes through, in which case I spend a night in Tucson). 😎👍🏼
#BikeSky #BicycleTravel
Photograph of the sun setting behind mountains on the horizon beyond a brush filled desert valley in Arizona Photograph of a bicycle with green panniers parked next to a tent amidst desert scrub brush as the sun sets behind distant mountains on the horizon
January 26, 2026 at 1:03 AM
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
Ah, it feels so nice to ride with a chain properly gripped by the sprockets again! As far as i can tell, the old chain didn't damage my chainrings or cassette, so I think all is good. Almost felt like riding a new #bicycle today! 😎👍🏼

#BikeSky #BicycleTravel
intoaheadwind.bsky.social Uphill Into A Headwind @intoaheadwind.bsky.social · 10d
These two lengths of bicycle chain have the same number of links. The one on the right is brand new. The one on the left has 8,538km on it. The chain stretch is REAL!🤯

I probably waited too long to replace it, but now I have a spare. Will replace next at 15,000km.
#BikeSky #BicycleTravel
Photograph of the ends of two bicycle chains hanging side by side. Both chains have the same number of links, but the chain on the left is longer due to stretching over 8538km of use.
January 25, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Reposted by Uphill Into A Headwind
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
These two lengths of bicycle chain have the same number of links. The one on the right is brand new. The one on the left has 8,538km on it. The chain stretch is REAL!🤯

I probably waited too long to replace it, but now I have a spare. Will replace next at 15,000km.
#BikeSky #BicycleTravel
Photograph of the ends of two bicycle chains hanging side by side. Both chains have the same number of links, but the chain on the left is longer due to stretching over 8538km of use.
January 24, 2026 at 5:11 PM
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
These two lengths of bicycle chain have the same number of links. The one on the right is brand new. The one on the left has 8,538km on it. The chain stretch is REAL!🤯

I probably waited too long to replace it, but now I have a spare. Will replace next at 15,000km.
#BikeSky #BicycleTravel
Photograph of the ends of two bicycle chains hanging side by side. Both chains have the same number of links, but the chain on the left is longer due to stretching over 8538km of use.
January 24, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Reposted by Uphill Into A Headwind
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
Wow am I glad I went no further east than Roswell NM & turned back southwest when I did!😰

Everyone across the country facing this weather, please take care!

For my part, camped out in Las Cienegas southeast of Tucson AZ, all I have to worry about is some chilly rain. 😮‍💨😅
#BikeSky #BicycleTravel
Photograph of a bicycle with green panniers parked next to an olive green tent by a mesquite tree on an open flat in Las Cienegas under an ominously cloudy sky Photograph of a plain of dry grasses and scattered mesquite trees with hills and mountains in the background under an ominously cloudy sky
January 23, 2026 at 11:24 PM
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
Wow am I glad I went no further east than Roswell NM & turned back southwest when I did!😰

Everyone across the country facing this weather, please take care!

For my part, camped out in Las Cienegas southeast of Tucson AZ, all I have to worry about is some chilly rain. 😮‍💨😅
#BikeSky #BicycleTravel
Photograph of a bicycle with green panniers parked next to an olive green tent by a mesquite tree on an open flat in Las Cienegas under an ominously cloudy sky Photograph of a plain of dry grasses and scattered mesquite trees with hills and mountains in the background under an ominously cloudy sky
January 23, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Reposted by Uphill Into A Headwind
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
YOU TELL 'EM I'M COMIN'. AND MY BICYCLE'S COMIN' WITH ME!

Ahem.

I made it to #Tombstone today. 🧵
😎👍🏼
#BikeSky #BicycleTravel #Arizona
Selfie of me on my bicycle in front of a sign saying "Entering Tombstone, elevation 4539, founded 1879"
January 22, 2026 at 12:46 AM
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
YOU TELL 'EM I'M COMIN'. AND MY BICYCLE'S COMIN' WITH ME!

Ahem.

I made it to #Tombstone today. 🧵
😎👍🏼
#BikeSky #BicycleTravel #Arizona
Selfie of me on my bicycle in front of a sign saying "Entering Tombstone, elevation 4539, founded 1879"
January 22, 2026 at 12:46 AM
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
A plague on the highway designers and engineers who put the rumble strip in the middle if the shoulder rather than on the white line. 😡
#BikeSky #BicycleTravel #Cycling
January 21, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Reposted by Uphill Into A Headwind
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
Made better distance than I thought yesterday and as a consequence camped out among the mesquite trees of this open range & took a rest day today. Gotta time things to pick up my new #bicycle chains in Sierra Vista on Thursday.

Tomorrow I’ll be your huckleberry in Tombstone.😎👍🏼
#BikeSky
Photograph of a bicycle with green panniers parked next to an olive green tent with a solar panel next to it among mesquite trees under a clear blue sky.
January 21, 2026 at 12:23 AM
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
Made better distance than I thought yesterday and as a consequence camped out among the mesquite trees of this open range & took a rest day today. Gotta time things to pick up my new #bicycle chains in Sierra Vista on Thursday.

Tomorrow I’ll be your huckleberry in Tombstone.😎👍🏼
#BikeSky
Photograph of a bicycle with green panniers parked next to an olive green tent with a solar panel next to it among mesquite trees under a clear blue sky.
January 21, 2026 at 12:23 AM
Reposted by Uphill Into A Headwind
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
Anyone out there have any experience with the Helinox Lite Cot (&/or also the cheaper knockoffs that are 2x the weight but 1/4 the price)? My thermarest has a pinhole leak somewhere & is delaminating due to over-inflating to compensate😅 so I’m considering a cot as a replacement.
#BikeSky #Camping
Lite Cot
Featherlight with outstanding packability, the Lite Cot is a true backpacker's choice. It’s our lightest cot option and offers extraordinary comfort, packability, and support–ideal for when the weight...
helinox.com
January 17, 2026 at 10:49 PM
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
Anyone out there have any experience with the Helinox Lite Cot (&/or also the cheaper knockoffs that are 2x the weight but 1/4 the price)? My thermarest has a pinhole leak somewhere & is delaminating due to over-inflating to compensate😅 so I’m considering a cot as a replacement.
#BikeSky #Camping
Lite Cot
Featherlight with outstanding packability, the Lite Cot is a true backpacker's choice. It’s our lightest cot option and offers extraordinary comfort, packability, and support–ideal for when the weight...
helinox.com
January 17, 2026 at 10:49 PM
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
And I’m back in #Arizona. 😎👍🏼

I’m on my way to Tombstone next, and then Sierra Vista. I’m taking my time b/c I ordered new bike chains (replacement + spare for the future) & they won’t arrive in Sierra Vista until Thursday. So I’m camped on this bit of BLM tonight & tomorrow.
#BikeSky #BicycleTravel
Selfie of me on my bicycle on the shoulder of Interstate 10 in front of a sign saying Welcome to Arizona, the Grand Canyon State Photograph of a bicycle with green panniers parked next to a tent with a dark green rainfly in the desert among creosote bushes and mesquite trees under a clear blue sky with red brown mountains on the horizon
January 17, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Reposted by Uphill Into A Headwind
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
By the way, I forgot to mention but both tents are roughly equal in price. So price isn’t a factor in choosing between them unless there’s a specific sale going on.
#BikeSky #Bikepacking #BicycleTravel #BigAgnes #CopperSpur #MSR #HubbaHubba
intoaheadwind.bsky.social Uphill Into A Headwind @intoaheadwind.bsky.social · 18d
#Bikepacking Tent Comparison & Review Thread🧵

#MSR #HubbaHubba Bikepack 2-person vs #BigAgnes #CopperSpur Bikepack 2-person.

TLDR: Hubba Hubba is better due to smarter rainfly design, but both tents have pluses & minuses that keep them comparable. 1/14

#BikeSky #BicycleTravel
Photograph of a Big Agnes Copper Spur Bikepack tent set up next to a bicycle on a dry grassy hillside in front of mountains under low clouds Photograph of an MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack tent set up next to a bicycle among creosote bushes in front of a rocky hill under a clear blue sky
January 16, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Reposted by Uphill Into A Headwind
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
#Bikepacking Tent Comparison & Review Thread🧵

#MSR #HubbaHubba Bikepack 2-person vs #BigAgnes #CopperSpur Bikepack 2-person.

TLDR: Hubba Hubba is better due to smarter rainfly design, but both tents have pluses & minuses that keep them comparable. 1/14

#BikeSky #BicycleTravel
Photograph of a Big Agnes Copper Spur Bikepack tent set up next to a bicycle on a dry grassy hillside in front of mountains under low clouds Photograph of an MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack tent set up next to a bicycle among creosote bushes in front of a rocky hill under a clear blue sky
January 16, 2026 at 6:35 PM
intoaheadwind.bsky.social
By the way, I forgot to mention but both tents are roughly equal in price. So price isn’t a factor in choosing between them unless there’s a specific sale going on.
#BikeSky #Bikepacking #BicycleTravel #BigAgnes #CopperSpur #MSR #HubbaHubba
intoaheadwind.bsky.social Uphill Into A Headwind @intoaheadwind.bsky.social · 18d
#Bikepacking Tent Comparison & Review Thread🧵

#MSR #HubbaHubba Bikepack 2-person vs #BigAgnes #CopperSpur Bikepack 2-person.

TLDR: Hubba Hubba is better due to smarter rainfly design, but both tents have pluses & minuses that keep them comparable. 1/14

#BikeSky #BicycleTravel
Photograph of a Big Agnes Copper Spur Bikepack tent set up next to a bicycle on a dry grassy hillside in front of mountains under low clouds Photograph of an MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack tent set up next to a bicycle among creosote bushes in front of a rocky hill under a clear blue sky
January 16, 2026 at 6:50 PM