Even in peaceful times, it’s not a great idea for an American citizen to visit Iran. Even if you have the best of intentions and notify state officials of your visit, you’re still running a serious risk of being arrested on suspicion of espionage. Even if you do manage to get in and out of Iran, you’re going to face some probing questions from U.S. border security on your return.
So spare a thought for cyclist Ian Andersen, who is on a mission to cycle the length of every continent. He’s already cycled from the Arctic to the tip of Argentina, across Africa and Australia, and is currently on a mission to “conquer Asia”.
Unfortunately for him, Israel and the United States share the same ambition, only they’re not using a bicycle to do it. On Jun. 2, he entered Iran, according to him the only way to get across Asia without a flight or a long train ride. Andersen reported that Iranian border security was surprisingly friendly, and he was even interviewed on national TV.
@ridewithian “I can no longer protect you. If you’re stopped by police, I should just wave goodbye because there’s nothing I can do.” That’s what my guide Reza told me this morning. The borders are shut except apparently Iraq. We gotta get out—like, yesterday. Fast facts: Total distance: ~10,000 miles (16,000 km) Key gear: stove, tent, patch kit, cigs Today’s distance ridden: 0 miles (0 km) Total distance ridden: 4,328 miles (6,980 km) Currently in: Harijan, Iran
♬ original sound – Ian Andersen – Ian Andersen
Then Israel attacked Iran, and things rapidly went south. Andersen had to rapidly detour away from Tehran and on Jun. 14 posted a video explaining that “the situation is quite dire”. Andersen explained that his guide had abandoned him, saying, “I can no longer protect you. If you’re stopped by police, I should just wave goodbye because there’s nothing I can do.”
Escape and Survival
In something of an understatement, he said “So, I’m in quite a bit of danger here”, that he’s given up on cycling, and was focused on “escape and survival”. His plan was to evade the Iranian cops and make a break for the border with Iraq, which he’d heard was open.
Andersen began his last video “hunkered down” somewhere north of Tehran, hearing bombs drop close by. His new plan was to exit via Azerbaijan and head to the U.S. Embassy in Baku. He and his driver looked visibly nervous as they set out on the long drive, knowing =that finding petrol may be difficult. But, mercifully, he made it through into Azerbaijan, saying he was “very grateful” to get through the border and needed to find a hotel.
Andersen signed off by saying:
“I’m out—but the conflict is just beginning. I’ll be keeping normal Iranians and Israelis in my thoughts. Especially the younger generation of Iran, who keep paying the price for decisions made by their fathers and grandfathers. There’s a phrase in Persian that roughly means: “the forgotten generation.” That feels true.”
Whether he can continue to cycle through Azerbaijan and up into Kazakhstan remains to be seen. Here’s hoping he makes it to Japan unscathed.
