Julien and Marie-Liesse are on bikepacking adventure across the American continent, heading south from Calgary to Patagonia. The French couple felt alienated by the social disconnection of life in Paris; then a chance encounter with a fully loaded bike tourist in Medellin, Colombia, showed them the way forward, and they embarked on their own epic trip.

Choosing to combine their skills as art director/designer and writer photographer, they founded Fast Won’t Last, to document their adventure on their own website, on social media and in a podcast.

Fast Won’t Last is named for the idea that, by taking things slowly, the pair can have more meaningful experiences. Says the duo: “We wanted a name that felt like us, a red thread to guide us through our adventure. So we combined the things we value most: living in the moment and, most importantly… not rushing! No racing here. What we want is to take our time: to meet people, share stories, and soak in cultures and landscapes. Fast Won’t Last is our manifesto for slow travel.

They began their journey without much knowledge of the challenge that lay ahead. Now, with about 10,000 kilometres behind them, they’ve seen and experienced so much more.

"We chose demanding routes, not because we wanted to suffer (well, maybe a little), but to discover places where nature rules,” explain Julien and Marie-Liesse. “Our toughest memory is crossing the Moab canyons in Utah. We each had only 5 litres of water for two days — a huge mistake in 53°C heat! Dehydrated, we narrowly avoided disaster. A tough but unforgettable experience that taught us to be more cautious — and to carry more water!"

Each day on the road is different, but each day on the road is the same: “When you leave everything behind to travel by bike, you think you're saying goodbye to routine. But in reality, bikepackers are creatures of habit! Lunch breaks, setting up camp, daily mileage... everything runs like clockwork,” the couple says. “What changes every day are the encounters and the unexpected. Luckily, speaking English and Spanish allows us to have deep and meaningful conversations. A quick resupply stop can easily turn into a multi-hour break… or even a few days! This trip is also about learning to let yourself be surprised.”

On the road, they find kindness in strangers’ eyes, spontaneous smiles and helping hands that expect nothing in return. And Marie-Liesse says the journey has taught her patience: “You can’t plan everything — you constantly have to adapt!” she says. “As a duo, it’s a real test of connection, listening, and solidarity. And a bond that deepens with every kilometre.”

Although they are travelling mostly alone, they’ve also shared the road with other long-distance cyclists – two French brothers in the US, an Australian across the Baja Divide in Mexico. “The cycling community is incredibly tight-knit,” the pair say. “The moment you spot saddlebags on the roadside, you stop to exchange a few words… or ride a few kilometres together… These are deep bonds, formed by the randomness of the road.”

Marie-Liesse and Julien hope that Fast Won’t Last will inspire others to live outside their comfort zone. We’ll be following along and publishing updates for you here. As the pair say: “Adventure is accessible to everyone, no matter your background. The hardest part is taking that first step. After that, anything is possible.”