In the summer of 2009, Cass Gilbert, 38, set out on one of the longest bike trips in the world.

From Prudhoe Bay in Alaska, down the backroads of British Columbia, the red rock of the American West, the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the lush green of the Central American highlands—with a detour through Cuba—on his way to the southern tip of South America.

Gilbert shared some images with Business Insider from his incredible trip.

The journey has paused for the moment in Ecuador, but check out While Out Riding for more updates in the coming months.