The Frozen Road - Video

 After spending a month working on another film project with Ben, I can testify that he is through and through one of most mentally strong and ambitions human beings I've ever met. A truly great dude. Can't wait to see the longer film of his entire 3+ year round the world journey some day! Keep charging, Ben!

 I happened to be downtown running errands when first spotted Ben. Not often you see a fully loaded Fatback ready to hit the trail. I found him in the bookstore and asked if he needed any help. He did. For an hour or so we poured over maps of the Quest trail and talked bikes and cameras. Usually when I have these types of discussions I leave with two thoughts. 1. did they really listen to me and 2. are they going to be safe and smart in what is really the middle of nowhere. This talk was different, Ben listened intently and as I see in the film found and used at least one of the cabins I told him about. Weeks after this meeting I would see Ben just above the Arctic circle, his growing tent the only light n the blue darkness of arctic twilight. Great film and great journey Ben! Looking forward to seeing some of your other adventures in the future.

 Good to see different stuff on PB! Epic adventure!

 Quotes to make you ponder:

Sometimes it's good to feel small.

Trapped in my own head. Romantic solitude turned into a nightmare of isolation.

Perhaps finsh lines are better shared.

Thanks again Ben.

 One time I rode a fatbike 5 miles uphill on a snowy fire road wearing a 35 pound backpack. It was the hardest most miserable bike ride of my life.

 During the first half I was thinking that I envy the guy and it seems like a great adventure, but by the end I was solidly in the "Nope, I'm good." territory.
It really is an amazing film though. I would never find the will to spend energy on shooting video in those conditions.

 Madness combined with determination. But how do you end up pushing a fatbike to the Arctic Ocean?
Shows that rolling the dice can work sometimes, even when the wolves are literal ones. Great Jack London quotes too, especially the one about youth.
Nicely done.

 Id rather beat my dick with a hammer. Respect for you sir but not my cup of hot tea.

 Looked like a lot of hard work to self film it that way, lot of walking backwards and forwards. Also I don't understand how the Go pro batteries would last that long and how you would recharge them in the snow and cold.... they barely last in normal temperatures, let alone -36. Lots of things to overcome.

 Absolutely EPIC!

 So, it's Super Bowl Sunday, -18C & dumping snow & contemplating bike/no bike...Then I watch this. Huge respect, travelling alone in a mega harsh environment where simple mistakes get bad really fast. Kind of makes my mini dilemma seem trivial. Great film, honest thoughts & emotions, good job Ben.

 I was cross country skiing today in lovely sunny -18 degrees weather. Started with a track I never did before thinking after just 8 km perhaps it's better to go back than continuing to a place I've never been in these winterly conditions. I might get underchilled, exhausted, bears are here too..blabla. What a difference seeing this movie. Huge respect! It can get -36 where I live but don't even think about getting out on a bike ride with these conditions. Would love to see more of this!

 The modern cycling Shackleton. Except nobody but his own conscious to comfort himself; not to mention self-documentation and narration.

Absolutely brilliant work. Thank you for sharing your story and adventure.

 Best thing I've watched in some time. I completely understand the need to go alone but then finding a bitter irony in not being able to share the joy of solitude itself. Not only is it an incredible trip, to capture it so well and with such honesty is admirable. Here's someone I would like to sit down and have a beer with.

 What an epic journey. The Inuit that came looking for him must have been astonished as to where and how far he came from. Perhaps astonished is the wrong word! I've been to the artic both summer and winter and it can truly be a beautiful place. I've also been outdoors at -50C, not counting wind chill, but there wouldn't be a chance in hell that I would venture that far away from a heated building in those temperatures, let alone having to fend for myself for days on end. -36C with howling winds isn't weather that many can endure, yet he did this day in and day out in one of the most desolate place on earth. He had frost bite on his face, which would have been very painful once heat returned to those spots and they will be forever sensitive to cold. The depths to which certain men can push themselves has no bounds. The videography is superb let alone the fact he had to set up the scenes by himself. He must be related to Shackleton! I tilt my hat to you young man and look forward to seeing more video of the rest of your journey.

 I was working/camping on the ice road between inuvik and tuktoyuktuk at the same time, never saw Ben, but had some very amazing but hard unpleasant and scary camping during that same period, we lasted 4 days before we decided to go back to town and some relative comfort, this would be incredibly incredibly hard work mentally and physically, not to mention documenting the whole thing when you'd rather likely do anything but....full Respect Ben!

congrats on getting to be the last and likely only person ever to fat bike the ice road to the arctic! (it's no longer maintained now that the dempster extension to Tuk is complete)

 maximum respect

 best film in a long time.

 Amazing spirit and drive to do something like this. My first thought though was the potential wild life he may encounter. I assume that he did not have any type of weapon for the "what if" moment? I personally like the cold but not at that duration and volume. I can see good things to come from this guy. Keep it up and maybe next time, bring a friend to share in those awesome moments. Also, make sure you can pedal faster than him when needed. LOL!

 Awesome. I know what it feels like to spend big chunks of time in the wilderness without seeing another soul. The emotions are hard to articulate but a profound sense of longing comes to mind. You can watch other pieces of Bens journey from the vimeo page.

 Last Sunday I rode for 4 hours in -15C, half of the trip was into a stout headwind, the last hour was a struggle to keep going...then you watch something like this & your own 'piddly' effort is but a snowflake compared to this bloke's journey. That is adventure

 Legend. Ben, that was an amazing movie. Your level of self awareness and your ability to share it with us is even better. If you are ever in Montreal, I would love to buy you as many beers as you can drink and listen to you talk about your adventures.

 Beautiful piece of work Ben. These kinds of great adventures when we're young stay with us for the rest of our lives. I am glad you made it through safely and ended it on a high note.

 Whenever it gets crazy windy (like yesterday) or really cold in CO I'll think of this man and get the hell over it. Upmost respect to you, Ben.

 Hopefully he made a donation to Search and Rescue. It's a volunteer organization and a lot of fundraised dollars go towards running and maintaining that service.

 What an amazing story. It captures adventure, perseverance, strength and the dichotomy of the joy of being alone and sharing live's moments with other people. I'm blown away.

 What a great mental strength that you have, what you did is astonishing! I really wish you the best. BIG RESPECT FROM PORTUGAL!

 There was me was moaning to myself on the moors today that my fingers tips were a bit chilly... at 3°C...

 You're like Di Caprio in 'The Revenant' ! Epic adventure!

at -36°C isnt the brake oil freezing ? its freaking cold !!

 Inspiring story hope you provide more great videos for the rest of your trip

 The human condition!!!

Most excellent work Ben! You just got your "old man strength" a few decades early.

 This is one of the best things I've ever seen, and with a career at 32, it makes me wonder what I should have done, or will do yet. Thanks Ben, I needed this.

 Respect! (a lot)

 RESPECT!

 Respect.

 Wow this is one of the nicest videos I have ever seen.

 I always watch / read such stories with a mix of envy and denial. I'd love to do something like this, but it's not for me.

 Bravo! I had spent a lot of time up there working and it can be miserable. This guy is a tough as they come.

 Awesome! Thank you for sharing.

 That was deep. Amazing video

 well thats the best self shot film iv seen. Well done!!

 Epic journey and truly inspiring! Big respect....thanks for posting!

 this is mind blowing..what a mental trip..big respect for you.

 incredible mental strength, proper warrior, respect Ben.

 They make 'em tough in Yorkshire! Well done lad

 Amazing.

 Gosh, this just make me want to go camping with my bike! So awsome!

 beautifully done adventure and film.

 Very inspirational. Thanks Ben.

 Amazing humbling experience. Props my friend

 i was wondering how he charge his camera on the trip

 Well Done Level = Infinity

 Looks like me riding to work.

 慢慢看

 Nice work Ben!

 Wow!

 WOW GOOD WORK BEN

 Very inspiring and downright scary. I would trade my corporate 9 to 5 job in a heart beat. Maybe I will! :-)

 Thats an epic trip!

 Awesome stuff Ben!

 fantastic!

 Amazing!

 Awesome.