Many people dream of going on a great travel adventure.
Most of us keep dreaming; others make it happen . . . ���
Gregg Bleakney’s dream was to travel the Americas from top
to bottom. He got the idea after he finished a 1,600 kilometer
(1,000 mile) bike ride. Gregg’s friend, Brooks Allen, was also a
cyclist.1 The two friends talked and slowly formed a plan: they
would travel from Alaska to Argentina—by bike.
To pay for the trip, Gregg and Brooks worked and saved
their money for years. Once they were on the road, they
often camped outdoors or stayed in hostels.2 In many places,
local people opened their homes to the two friends and gave
them food.
During their trip, Gregg and Brooks cycled through deserts,
rainforests, and mountains. They visited modern cities and
ancient ruins3 such as Machu Picchu in Peru. And everywhere
they went, they met other cyclists from all over the world.
In May 2007—two years, twelve countries, and over
30,500 km (19,000 miles) later—Gregg eventually reached
Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. (Near
Guatemala, Brooks had to return to the U.S., and Gregg
continued without him.)
The trip taught both men a lot about traveling,
especially if you travel abroad. What did they learn?
Here is some of Gregg’s advice:
Travel light. The less baggage you have, the less
you’ll worry about.
Be flexible. Don’t plan everything. Then you’ll
be more relaxed and happy, especially if there
are problems.
Be polite. As one traveller told Gregg, “Always
remember that nobody wants to fight, cheat, or
rob4 a nice guy.”
Gregg and Brooks (right)
cycle past ruins in Tikal
National Park, Guatemala.
1 A cyclist is someone who rides a bicycle.
2 A hostel is a cheap place to stay and sleep when traveling.
3 The ruins of something are the parts of it that remain after it has been broken.
4 If someone is robbed, they have money or property stolen from them.
��� Reading Comprehension
A. Multiple Choice. Choose the best answer for each question.
1. Another title for this reading could be _________________.
a. Cycling the Americas from Top to Bottom
b. The Southernmost City in the World
c. Things to See and Do in Alaska and Argentina
d. Argentina: The Land of Adventure
2. Which sentence about Gregg and Brooks’ trip is NOT true?
a. To pay for the trip, they saved their money and traveled cheaply on the road.
b. Only Gregg made the complete trip from Alaska to Argentina.
c. During their trip, they met people from all over the world.
d. In Guatemala, Gregg got sick and went back to the U.S.A.
3. In line 12, them means _________________.
a. the local people c. other cyclists
b. Gregg and Brooks d. their friends
4. Which of these words or phrases is most similar in meaning to flexible in line 27?
a. able to change easily c. well-planned
b. careful d. difficult
5. Which statement would Gregg most likely agree with?
a. In other countries, only stay in hotels or with people you know.
b. Plan every part of your trip so you can relax.
c. When abroad, learn how to say “thank you” in the local language.
d. Bring a lot with you on your trip so you don't have to buy anything.
B. Sequencing. Put the events below in order from 1– 6.
Then retell this story to a partner.
_____ Gregg and Brooks start their trip in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.
_____ Gregg reaches Ushuaia, Argentina.
_____ Gregg goes on a 1,000-mile bike ride.
_____ Gregg and his friend Brooks talk about biking from Alaska to Argentina.
_____ Brooks returns to the U.S.A. Gregg continues without him.
_____ Gregg and Brooks work to save money.