'I'm known as the only solo girl cycling the Americas'

A cyclist believes she is the only woman currently riding solo from the top of North America to the southern tip of South America, as she takes on a 20,000-mile (32,000km) challenge spanning almost two years.

Naomi Hancocks from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, set off from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, in June, and plans to cycle all the way to Ushuaia, Argentina.

Eight weeks into the challenge, she has already covered nearly 3,000 miles and encountered grizzly bears, moose and long stretches of wilderness while carrying everything she needs.

"At the moment, I'm the only girl on the road cycling solo," she said.

"There are other women cycling, but they're with partners or groups. I'm sort of famous on the road for being the only girl on my pink bike cycling all the way from the top to the bottom of the world."

The route follows the Pan-American Highway, stretching from the northernmost road in North America to the southern tip of the continent.

Hancocks said she first heard about the challenge more than a decade ago and never forgot it.

After travelling around Asia last year, she decided she wanted a more demanding adventure.

She saved money before quitting her job as a graphic designer and set off alone.

The cyclist said she had already encountered more than 20 bears, including grizzlies with cubs.

During one encounter she was escorted past a bear and her two cubs by a wildlife officer in a truck.

"The bear saw me and went for me," she said.

"I had to pedal and get past the truck again. That was pretty scary."

A meeting with a mother moose and her calf was also memorable.

The animals were frightened by a lorry and "they just started running towards me," she explained.

"Luckily, the guy beeps his horn, and the moose scatter, and they run up the hill.

"So I just avoided that one."

She said she and her distinctive bike had become well-known among fellow cyclists tackling parts of the route.

Through online groups and word of mouth, riders recognised her before they met, she said.

"I've had people saying: 'Oh, you're Naomi, I've heard so much about you.'

"People message me asking to meet for coffee because they've heard about my story."

She said she felt overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers so far on the trip.

Campers stopped to offer supplies, with some also offering her places to stay.

"I've slept in the back of people's trucks when it's been raining," she said.

"People stop and ask if I need anything.

"They'll bring cold drinks, food, fruit, it's been amazing."

The challenge is expected to take until early 2028, with the cyclist saying she was looking forward to the Andes, Bolivia's salt flats and Peru's Inca trail.

She is teaching herself Spanish while she cycles by listening to audiobooks on the road.

Despite challenges of freezing temperatures and wild camping she said she hoped to inspire others.

"Every morning I'm excited to start," she said.

"I wanted to be tested. I wanted to have days where I didn't want to do it anymore and see if I could get through them.

"I'd just like to inspire other people, especially women, to take on an adventure and show that these sorts of things are possible."

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