Trans-global cyclist stops in Whitefish

London to New Zealand to Alaska to the tip of South America. That’s the convoluted route Adam Glover has chosen for his multi-year quest to bicycle around the world.

The New Zealand native stopped in Whitefish last week, stocking up on supplies before he made a push north into the wilds of Canada.

“I bought new pedals, a new seat, bike pump, and oh yeah, I just invested in some bear spray,” Glover said, sweat still dripping from his forehead after riding through 95 degree heat all day.

He’s averaged about 60 miles a day pedaling his blue Surly bike loaded down with more than 100 pounds of gear.

Glover has suffered from asthma his entire life and is using the ride as a mechanism to raise awareness of the disease — while also challenging himself, he said.

“People I’ve talked to all over the world all know someone with asthma,” he said.

Glover regulates his symptoms through medication and says that cycling is “actually very beneficial.”

“I haven’t let asthma stop me from doing anything,” he said.

The idea for a trans-global ride started in 2011 when he set out to bike from London, where he was living at the time, back home to Wellington, New Zealand.

“I was at a picnic celebrating Bastille Day and a friend asked if I wanted to bike to New Zealand,” he explained. “I said yes, but later on my friend backed out.”

But by that time Glover had told so many people about the ride, “I had to do it just to save face.”

It took two years to pedal the 11,000 miles across Europe and Asia, including a ride in a catamaran from Indonesia to New Zealand.

Following a two-year break to replenish his bank account, Glover decided this spring to get back on the saddle and continue his journey.

In March, he hitched a 25-day ride on a container ship to Philadelphia where he set out on the Northern Tier route across the U.S.

He’s ventured off the route a few times to see the sights.

The movie “Fargo” prompted him to cycle through the North Dakota town the movie was based upon.

“It was a little disappointing. It’s quite normal there, really,” he said.

His experience cycling across the U.S. stands in stark contrast to his time in Asia and Europe — namely that it’s more difficult to camp for free in the states.

But he’s still enjoying the tour.

“The people here have been very friendly,” he said. “I’ve been offered into homes, hot showers, meals.”

He spent two days in Glacier National Park and biked to Logan Pass the day before the road opened to vehicles.

“That was awesome,” he said.

After reaching Alaska, he’ll head south to the tip of South America.

He’s not sure what happens after that, “but Africa is always in the back of my mind,” he added.