Crazy stories after 3000 mile bike race through the US: "Had a terrifying night surrounded by bears. Pepper spray was my only protection"

Laurens ten Dam is known as the man with countless wonderful stories. While he once impressed in the Tour de France—finishing 13th and 9th overall—he hasn’t put his bike away since retiring from pro cycling. These days, the Dutchman travels to the far corners of the world in search of epic adventures, which cycling fans get to enjoy vicariously. In a conversation with Panorama, he shared another brilliant anecdote.

Ten Dam decided to retire from the pro peloton in 2019—but did he quit riding? Definitely not! “Apparently, I really love cycling and didn’t become a pro rider for the fame and attention. Although… I still get plenty of attention. Last year, I rode 26,000 kilometers.”

Out of those 26,000 kilometers, almost 4,500 were ridden in a single race—a journey through the Rocky Mountains, from Canada to Mexico. “I completely underestimated it. I barely got to enjoy the beauty of the Rockies. You’re constantly in a rush because your sleeping time counts toward your final time. Plus, you’re responsible for your own food and water.”

And sleeping? That was your own responsibility, too. “I slept outside several times on my sleeping mat—between cows, under a tree, at the edge of a field. My most dangerous night was in an area with grizzly bears. An American cycling friend had told me that the natural state-of-mind of a grizzly is angry. That’s why I carried a can of pepper spray.”

Still, there were some good days for Ten Dam on this adventure. “I had a slow leak in one of my tires, so I stood in front of some houses hoping someone would notice me and take me to a bike shop. That actually worked—a guy drove me 60 kilometers to the nearest bike shop in his pickup truck. That gave me a real energy boost.”

That wasn’t Ten Dam’s only crazy adventure—he once ended up spending a few hours in jail with his good friend Thomas Dekker. “After a long ride, we were washing ourselves in the parking lot of a restaurant where our car was parked. We poured water over each other, like a makeshift shower. I did it as quickly as possible, but Thomas took his time. Eventually, we drew attention and someone called the police. In no time, five patrol cars pulled up and we were arrested.”

“The police thought we were having sex,” Ten Dam continued. “And in conservative Oklahoma, that’s a punishable offense for two men. Though I have to admit, even in our own country, standing naked in a parking lot isn’t exactly appreciated. Around 2 p.m., we were handcuffed and taken in separate cars to the station, where we were thrown into cells.”

Could it get any crazier? Apparently yes, because the two Dutchmen once found themselves caught up in a murder case. “It’s a super tragic story. A love triangle. Thomas and I were right in the middle of it. We were in the U.S. for a gravel race, Gravel Locos, and shortly before the event, news broke that cyclist Moriah Wilson had been shot dead in Austin, Texas. At the time, we didn’t know much more.”

“Thomas and I did the race and then, as preparation for our next one—Unbound—we trained a few times with Colin Strickland, and he had offered us a place to stay,” Ten Dam continues. “But the morning we were supposed to arrive, he called to say we couldn’t sleep in his house after all, but we could stay in a caravan on his property.”

But they didn’t have a good feeling about it. “During our first ride, I already said to Thomas: ‘Book us a hotel for tomorrow—we’re not staying here.’ Not long after, Colin told us: ‘On Thursday, two police cars picked me up and I was interrogated about Moriah’s murder.’ He didn’t say much more.” It later turned out that Colin’s wife, out of jealousy over his affair with Moriah, had shot and killed her.