A Tribute To Iohan Gueorguiev (1988-2021) 

I was lucky to meet him at a time I had no idea who he was. He stopped into our pizza restaurant in Colorado shortly after coming down from Argentine Pass. He was so happy to show me his bike. He was happy he had such a long way to go. He lived many lives in his short time.

My wife and I had the pleasure of offering Iohan his first long distance location for a sleep over. Even then we knew he was special. We will miss him.

People like Iohan are almost too good for this world; they're like saints and Buddhas passing through it on the way to something better. RIP.

I'm 65 years old and have had a fatbike for 4 years now and have done up to 1,000 mile (1600km) trips because of Iohan. That interest and love of travel also brought me here to Alee. Wow! On rare occasions you could see he was a bit down but he never showed the extent of his suffering. He will be missed by so many 😢

I cried and cried. He was a beautiful person. Living and loving every living thing along his path. A humble man who will be missed. 🙁😟😢😭

That man was a legend. He literally inspired me to take half a year off, buy bikepacking gear, a fatbike and a flight to Argentina. I am glad that he lived his life to the fullest and I wish him all the best wherever he is now 💔

been sat here for 20 minutes and i still don't know what to feel. What i do know, is that was one beautiful Human

A number of Iohan's SEE THE WORLD series have been missing from RU-vid for some time, I understand for music copyright reasons. It would be great if the copyright issues could be resolved and these restored in recognition of the fact that they are works of art. Just as we go to an art gallery to look at the works of great painters like Van Gogh, so the world should not lose the works of Iohan Gueorguiev. In particular, SEE THE WORLD 27 and 28 covered his travels in Bolivia. I would love to see these back on RU-vid.

Oh man, I can't believe it. I loved that guy. Seemed like the nicest guy you would ever meet and filled with a lust for adventure. The world is a sadder place without him. I will definitelt miss his films as they were spectacular. R.I.P. Iohan.

I cried. He was truly the first bike packer I ever followed. I just came back from a 3 week bikepacking trip. He inspired me to get out of my comfort zone and explore my limits. It has changed me , the experience beyond words, the journey that will be in my heart forever. Iohan you were certainly there. Rest In Peace and explore the heavens.

The man was unstoppable. His trip from Alaska to Argentina was easily the greatest bikepacking trip ever imagined. He just went for it and crushed everything. Was really hoping to watch his journey continue. A huge loss. I talked to him about Canol Trail logistics. He said, do it in winter. And he wasn't joking around. The most remote trail in Canada, with -40c temperatures.... hah.

The news of his passing has hit me hard, though I’d never met him. I was so inspired by his 19th century spirit, his intrepidness, his kindness to people and animals, and his quiet outlook on living, that I decided to sponsor him on Patron. He reminded me of my younger self, when I, too, dreamed of bicycle touring the world, and I wanted to help make such a dream possible for another young person. The way he traveled was about as free as a person could get, in a way undaunted by obstacles. Almost fearless. He will be dearly missed.

I am extremely saddened by this great loss. Iohan was a spirited, soulful traveller who always connected with the people, wildlife and landscapes he encountered. I just hope he knew how much of an inspiration the vision and poetry of his journey through the Americas was for so many people.

Lovely tribute. He was far too young and his passing is heart-breaking. He persevered through ridiculous adversity in his years of travel that defied most people's pain threshold but he couldn't escape his inner demons. I wish he was more vocal about his struggles. I can't begin to imagine the pain he must have been in. He was truly a rich soul that gave so much of himself. I only knew him through his videos and expected he would always be there. I am in shock at his passing.

Never imagined he'd suffered so much inside, whilst making such great films for us to see. Hope that he see the entire world in the next.....

It just shows how unfair life can be... I’m deeply saddened when I hear of anyone going in this way. Remember this every time you’re talking to anyone since they may be in the same situation. Kindness and understanding can change everything.

Truly devastating news to hear💔 The Bulgarian adventurer that truly experienced the beauty of the world. Rest in peace Iohan!

He was one of those last free man if not one of those last real man. His modesty and courage are matched by the stunning quality of his videos. Even people not into bikepacking should watch those, they are so inspirational at many levels indeed. What else can we say if this sad news make so many people that never met him, cries (like me right now)? It feels like a big part of the best of humankind is ripped away from us. Despite your short life you are definitely eternal, Iohan. Thank you for what you have done to us.

Absolutely gutted to find this news.... Poor Iohan, such a sweet man. I started following him when I stumbled across his journey in the artic... As a keen cyclist I was blown away by this man and his mad courage. This loss doesn't make any sense to me, couldn't he treat the sleep apnea and insomnia... But I am glad he is no longer suffering. Peace be your journey my friend I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your massive contribution to this world Iohan, you've left it a better place for having been in it.

He was an outdoor legend AND a genius filmmaker. Rest in peace!

Iohan was very special and a credit to Bulgaria. He packed more into his short life than most of could in many lifetimes. Thank you Iohan for sharing with us your short journey.

How can this be! He was such a humbled, gentle, old soul. I absolutely loved his videos. There will be no others like him. Completely egoless.

Farewell Iohan, plenty of friends you didn't know will miss you. I wish I could tell to his family and friends how much Iohan had a lasting positive impact on so many people worldwide. We need more Iohans in the world, let's keep being inspired by his message

This man was living the dream but it's also incredibly sad because I feel so reminded of myself :( he was thrown into a world that couldn't satisfy his needs. We humans are meant to be nomads, meant to live in tribes not in this mess that we call modern society. Our culture disconnects people and it creates depression and anxiety. I'm sure Covid lockdown broke him. No possibility to travel combined with loneliness and depression and insomnia. This is really sad and it just broke my heart. Condolences to the family.

A sad loss of someone I greatly admired. He got me into biking in my 60's. I will really miss his great work.

I am crying! Iohan showed me how beautiful a place the world is, and that you can find beauty in every place, even outside your own doorsteps, even in the most harsh conditions, even if the struggle seems to hard. That even on a minimal budget travel can mean greatness. And that humbleness and kindness towards other people (and animals) will reward you by being met also with kindness. Iohan, you will be truly missed but your legacy lives on!

He was the first bicycle touring RU-vidr I ever watched and introduced me to this kind of travel which is now my greatest hobby. Thank you, Iohan. RIP

The world feels a little lonelier without him. Thank you for making this tribute.

Sad news indeed....his videos are amazing and he came across as a wonderful human being. A loss to the world!

What a loss! I loved the gorgeous landscapes in his videos, his calm voice, the way how he made friendship with every dog, cow, horse or human on his way. He was probably the most friedndly person ever. His live was short, but filled with love for everyone and adventures to emulate. I will always remember.

I wish I hadn't stumbled upon this tribute. I am so sad to hear and see this. Iohan was an inspiration and such a sweet man who knew how to live!

My wife's three and a half years of pancreatic cancer and 8 different chemotherapy protocols were made a little more tolerable once we found you and Lohan. Even she, as a non-cyclist, felt uplifted by your videos; part travelogue, part adventure, part dogged determination and physical effort, all leavened with your grace and calm equanimity in the face of so many challenges. Like yours, we devoured Lohan's videos, always delighted by his wonderful outlook and positive attitude, and the fantastic soundtrack he chose to accompany them. I hope he finds at least some of the peace he gave us, over the last several years. #sosad

This is a tragedy of immeasurable proportion. For the moment at least, words fail me.

So sad. GOD bless him and all them who struggle with heart in life.

I’m really shocked to hear this news. I’ve followed Iohan’s journeys since the start. The world has lost a deeply kind, intuitive and yet intrepid soul whose ventures on the roads less travelled have been an inspiration. I so wish he had been able to get the help needed for his sleep condition. Am so grateful for his generosity in sharing his adventures. RIP Iohan. Thank you for this tribute.

Heartbreaking and bittersweet to know that he lived so much of his life on his terms despite his physical adversity ❤️

I wasn’t aware of his death, felt I knew him so well from his videos without knowing him at all. Thanks so much for posting this well deserved tribute

What an inspiring human! What I love about his videos is that he was really good at focusing on his surroundings, wild horses, cute kids in a village, remote scenery, even the weather that was making his riding so difficult at times he seemed to hold in high esteem. He seemed to be out there to see and feel it all. So many cycling films go way to far into gear talk and feature riders who can take themselves way too seriously. He offered a breath of fresh air by observing the world with such humble curiosity despite his monumental undertakings. He just seemed so comfortable out there! Sad news, rad dude.

Rarely my heart breaks on a personal level for someone I've never met, but when I found out he passed away, I was on a multi-day bike tour myself ( not as daring as his ) and I was in tears while pedaling.

Nooo. How is this possible? It can't be. Such an incredible adventurer, cinematographer, artist, creative.He had (still has) an amazing of bring beauty to the screen and people's spirit...certainly. I began watching his vids about this time two years ago and he inspired me so much that I began buying gear for my mtb...inspired me to return to the world. Thank you, Iohan for reminding me how beautiful life is, no matter what. May you rest in peace and your soul continue to soar where ever you are. Lots of love.

This one hits very hard. I feel crushed. Every person whose road you cross is fighting an internal battle you know nothing about, be kind.

Rest In Peace Iohan. I am shocked to hear this...He was fearless on his journeys...very inspiring... friendly...even his taste in music was great too .i dreamed of pedaling my bike on some of those beautiful roads he traveled i watched him on RU-vid since almost the begining of his travels. His passing makes me pause and reflect on how short my life is and begin to plan for the few places i want to see before my time is up.

oh no... I struggle with knowing someone who had saw the utmost beauty the world had to offer could not go on . Rest in peace and thank you for the inspiration.

I miss you Iohan. I still love you. I've never been so affected by the death of someone I never met. We all miss you.

This is so sad. Iohan was the reason ever started to film footage on my tours, which ultimately led to sharing many bicycle touring stories on RU-vid. This guy really knew how to tell the stories. He probably inspired thousands to go on tour. Thank you for this video and thanks to Iohan. May he rest in peace.

I followed him and his journey! I am heartbroken!!

A complete adventurer! Inspirational to countless people, opened the world up for us all to view through his camera, narrated by his softly spoken words. We lost a kind and curious soul in him. Let that not be the end of his story. He will be a part of every pedal stroke of everyone he helped to inspire to take on their own challenge to see the world by their own eyes. Iohan you will be missed by everyone of us!

Merci de nous avoir fait rêver. Humilité, gentillesse et détermination. Un amoureux de la nature. Merci Iohan

Iohan is the one who made me realize hitchhiking is okay, that you dont have to be afraid of bears, and it's okay to adventure into the unknown. Thanks to Iohan I had a life changing backpacking journey across Canada, 6 years ago when I was 18, that I'll never forget.

A legend. All we can do is try to remember him. Be kind to even the smallest of dogs we meet on our journey. Rest in peace.

Thanks for posting this. I was shocked upon hearing the bad news. A true loss in the bikepacking community ! Hope him & Shadow are together ! R.I.P. Iohan Gueorguiev !!

What a loss to the world. His videos brought me such joy when I was feeling down. I hope all his videos can be unblocked so more people can share his journey and develop a better view of what the world has to offer.

No puede ser, alguien como el, con su sensibilidad, humildad, humanidad, su derroche de amor por la belleza de este mundo, no deberia irse jamas. Era una persona insustituible. Estarás siempre en mi memoria. Descansa en paz Iohan, te echaremos de menos.

Oh no..... This just break my heart. He was so inspiring and talented. His life gave me peace inside.

Fuck. What a way to find out. Iohan inspired me to ride across countries, finding my wife along the way, and ultimately changing the direction of my life.

I am so sad to hear this news. He was a real inspiration and your channel and his are a big part of why I chose cycling and cycle touring as my cardiac rehab treatment of choice. I felt happy to support his Patreon channel and happy that he chose to send me two of his Alaska "See the World" license plates. He was a free and generous man and an inspiration to all who shared his journey vicariously through his videos.

His adventures are so inspiring. Sometimes just the sheer remoteness of it. But also beautifully filmed. And he seemed so gentle and wise in a way. What a great loss.. :(

I find this heartbreaking. His videos were inspirational both because of the splendor of the places he traveled to and his calm demeanor in the face of adversity.

Uff. Thank you for your eulogy to him. He was one of the loveliest people that I unfortunately never met. I particularly enjoyed seeing his Spanish develop from nothing to excellent in his journey south through the Americas.

That's so, so sad - Iohan was such an inspiration to me and so many others and will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. May there be wind at your back and well-loved stray dogs at your side

I'm just heartbroken y'all. Iohan made feel less alone in this world and taught me to be more confident in my passions. This one hits hard!

We will miss him. Always looked forward to his next video right from his start years ago. Thank you for posting. We will miss him along with all the dogs that loved to follow along the trails with him

I have been following him for years. I am shocked to hear that he is no longer with us. R. I. P Iohan. Thanks for showing us the World.

Desperately sad, what a loss. For me Iohan captured some of the indescribable beauty of travelling by a bicycle. His personal qualities of decency and resilience radiated through his films, and what films...if anyone hasn’t watched them then please watch them now...then you’ll feel the loss of this Great traveller and film maker. Lets give thanks for a Life well led.

Thank you for this heart felt tribute .Iohan will be missed .

Alee, thank you for this tribute to a remarkable human being!

Thank you, Alee for the tribute to Iohan. I watched and loved his videos much like I do yours!

Sure this one of the most sad news I heard , I was chatting with him when he start his bicycle tour and inspired me to cycle the river Nile twice.R.I.P Ihoan :-(

Thank you so much for this amazing tribute. It was very much needed as I just learned two days ago of this tragic news and I am gutted. This man was and will always be an inspiration to me. He carried so much hope and positive outlook and was insightful and could bring comedy to a really difficult situation and animals loved him, I specially remember the dog in Chile. Again, thank you for doing this amazing honor to Iohan. Gracias Australiano querido.

Still can’t believe he’s gone, 18 months after his passing I’m still reduced to tears watching his videos . Does Canada understand they have lost a great modern day explorer/cyclist/film maker/dog lover and all round real nice guy?

I am stunned by this new. Like many here, I never met Johan but have been touched by his courage and humility. Thank you for this beautiful tribute, Alee.

This was a very well delivered tribute to Iohan . I could say no more. RIP brother.

Thank you for this! RIP Johan, you are missed

Iohan Gueorguiev A Rare Soul indeed. Thanks

Johan inspired me to cycle around south America. His videos were the best travel films I ever saw and i saw them all. I still haven't recovered from his passing. Such a charming man.

OMG Finding this for the first time. He is gone for a month now! I’m really moved to tears by his passing. He has inspired me to continue toward my life purpose. To be kind. To live life “alive “(not a comatose life), to show love and compassion to all sentiments. Just got back from a road(car) trip to investigate breaking free from this urban life that is taking the life out of me. RIP lohan.! So sad. Time to put myself in the saddle.

I am beyond shocked and speechless. What an incredible human being and legend.

Thank you for this tribute. Like many here, I new him without meeting him. So, so, sad to hear of his passing, he was and still is an inspiration to me, he will live on in his films.

Iohan has shown us how to seek and find the simple joys in life. God bless this inspirational man.

He handled adversity so well from the outside. I'm not sure if it's anything he could have gotten through with help, but it's sad his journey has come to an end. You never know what people are dealing with. RIP Iohan.

RIP Iohan, the world won’t be the same without you. Thanks for that tribute, Alee. Hearing this sad news from a fellow explorer is fitting.

the seedling By Bill Poindexter A story inspired by Iohan, the bike wanderer and a man with kind dark eyes. Far away, long ago, there was a man who traveled the Earth on his bicycle and his name was, Iohan. He was of average height, had dark hair and dark eyes that looked very kind. All he wanted to do was explore the Earth and see what it was like from atop a bike. To earn a living he took odd jobs, one of the jobs was planting trees in an area where old trees had been cut down. He said he enjoyed planting trees in the summer. He would walk all over Canada planting seedlings to fund his bicycling adventures. One of the seedlings grew into a fine very tall tree. The young tree grew and grew. Enjoying the fresh mountain air in which it lived, loving the mild summers, colorful autumns, fresh new springs and even its harsh cold winters when it mostly slept. Even relished playing with the wind, feeling the sun, and drinking the life giving rains, and it never felt alone as there were many birds and insects, and squirrels which made their home on the tree. The tree was very happy. One day the tree was cut down and was sad and scared. But the tree had a soul that was spread throughout its trunk, limbs, branches, roots and the tree, no matter where it was, always had a connection to the Earth for the tree had roots underground into the soul of the Earth and the tree would always be a part of the Earth, forever. The tree was turned into many things: paper and pencils for school children, comfortable chairs, a table or two, a park bench, and finally some paper that was placed into blank journals. It liked the park bench best because it felt loved as people would sit and talk on it and eat their lunches, children would climb all over it, pets slept next to it, and sometimes at night someone might even sleep on it. All was wonderful. But the tree had no water since it was not in the ground and it became old and brittle and there was a crack in one of its legs. One day it was removed from the park and placed in a small shed. The tree became very lonely for there was no one around besides the spiders and their webs, and the sparrows that lived in the rafters and the mice that lived underneath the floor. One day the door to the shed opened and an old man, with gray hair and a beard came in and sat on the bench that was the tree. The tree was happy. The man slowly ran his hand all over the tree to see if there were any breaks in the legs as the tree had been without water, except from rain for many years. The tree felt the touch of the man and remembered the side of the mountain from which it came, and the man, Iohan, who planted the seedling, who was now the tree. “Hello my old friend!” The old man with kind eyes said with a soft gentle voice. “I am glad you are here. I will fix your leg and replenish your wood with some natural oils from the Earth so as to give you strength.” The old man and the tree worked together over the next week. Every day the man would come by in the evening and sand off the old stain, fix the break, and apply the new coats of refreshing oils for the tree. The tree was very happy and felt loved. The tree, one day, was taken to the mans cabin, on the side of a mountain, and placed on the front porch. It was a good place to go as now the tree was in the woods again; with clean air, other trees, and all sorts of critters to watch as it sat on the porch. Over the years the tree grew to love the cabin and the old man, with kind eyes, who gave it a life again. It had been so lonely in the shed, unwanted, rotting away. But now the tree was happy again. Everyday the man would ride his bicycle to town and every night he would ride his bicycle home. But one day he did not come home. He was an old man, and old men die. The man had been very kind to the tree, the tree was sad. Then the tree had a new friend who bought the cabin. The new owner, a young woman, a writer, whom, everyday sat on the tree, on the front porch and wrote stories about what she could see from the porch and then would read the stories aloud, to see how they sounded and would rewrite them over and over, then read aloud until she was satisfied. The tree liked the stories and was very happy again. One day the woman brought out a dusty old box which had been the old mans, and on top of the box there was a note: “These are blank journals which came from a tree I planted many years ago when I was a young man. I followed the life of the tree and was there when the tree was cut down and the wood harvested. Some of it was made into paper- these journals here and a bench, the same bench on my front porch of my cabin on the side of a mountain, the same mountain I planted the seedling on that became the tree. If you find these please write about what you see for the tree energy is the bench and on the pages and the tree will take you back to the Earth if you are lost, its energy, and mine will always be alive.” Time moved on and the tree and woman enjoyed their time together. But as with all things, change came about and the woman grew old. But the tree is still there on the porch. I write this, from paper, on one of the journals Iohan had saved. It was in a box I found that was my mothers, who had lived on the side of a mountain, and who was a writer, who sat on a bench, that was once a seedling, planted by a young man with dark hair and kind dark eyes named Iohan whom traveled the world by bicycle until he satisfied his wanderlust and just wanted to sit on the porch and feel the good Earth and be with the tree, his friend, the seedling. ( I wrote this story on April 13, 2021 at 3am as I have trouble sleeping. I wrote it by hand in my journal but never transferred to my laptop, I wanted to send to Iohan as he liked my “I Am Bikepacker” poems and we had a epistolary friendship, I regret waiting. I can at least share it with you. RIP Iohan.) BP 9/23/21

I am so sorry to hear this -- Iohan was such an inspiration. May he finally get some much needed rest as he continues his journey back to the stars.

Thankyou Alee for the tribute to Iohan. It is only yesterday that I went onto his website eagerly hoping for an update on his amazing adventures. His loss will be felt deeply by many people whose lives his travels touched.

Thank you for the tribute! And thank you Iohan for the positive impact you made on my life! You will always be remembered as an inspiration!

today I was hit with this news and it was with tears in my eyes I watched the last episode from his channel again he has been a big inspiration for so many and me to to go out ride my bike and this just lights that fire more because our time is limited on this planet and he will always be in my mind when I ride my bike. Rest in peace Iohan on the endless roads

The way he connected with people and animals is unique and so inspiring. RIP Iohan, and THANK you for awakening my wanderlust.

Very sad news. I’m so sorry to hear this. He did live life to the fullest What A Legend 🙌 🌎🌏🌍☮️❤️

I never thought The Legend of Iohan would end his journey so suddenly. It is incredibly crushing to hear this. I’ve never been so influenced in mentality by someone I’ve never met. I cycled the Dempster and throughout most of North America due to him. His videos made me feel that it is ok to be so very different in lifestyle compared to the conventional life, and what amazing places still exist on this planet. Nobody portrayed this more than him. It’s hard to hear when one of your main idols pass away, but I hope he knew how much he meant to those who chose this lifestyle.

RIP Iohan. Never missed a single vlog and was always with u in my thoughts. U were and still are the best. Wishing u lot's of love and butterflies.

Sorry for the loss of a good friend and thank you for sharing this tribute with us. Iohan single handily changed my life for the better. His sense of wonder and spirit is contagious and motivating. I will miss him deeply.

Que triste noticia..,, pudimos ver sus increíbles videos, su viaje en la bicicleta…. Una gran persona

Oh my gosh, that is utterly heartbreaking. His videos have been awe-inspiring to me. A truly amazing human being. Thank you Iohan for being so truly inspiring to so many of us.

This so sad to here this. But thank you Alee for this beautiful tribute.

I didn't know Iohan, but his apparently inexhaustible enthusiasm for travel in the pursuit of the world's beauty was both unique and inspirational. He shared his travels with us in his own gentle, humble way, allowing the indescribable beauty he saw in everything around him to speak for itself because he probably knew he could add nothing. In doing so, I feel we were honoured to be able to see the beauty he saw through his encouraging our joining him vicariously as his travel companions. I would dearly have liked to have known Iohan, to thank him for letting us share the beauty he knew should be shared - and to let him know I saw it too.

This news is soul crushing. I hosted him at my house for several days w my parents while I was touring Japan in 2017 (Curious that he preferred sleeping outside in his tent but I insisted he sleep in my unused room - he never told me about his sleep apnea.) later helped him forwarding a new tent and other logistics. I had hoped I would eventually meet him in the future after reaching Argentina, but now it will never come to past. .. literally soul crushing.

I am so very very sorry to hear this, I’m truly saddened. Iohan inspired me to get into bikepacking and I both admired and adored his achievements. RIP (ride in peace) Iohan

No! 😢😢 Wherever you are, Iohan, just keep pedaling. Thanks for everything.

Oh no! I watched all his "I want to see the world" videos. Some of his work inspired my art and journey to the Yucatan to learn scuba diving ,pick up Spanish, and get out and see the world. I'm also a long distance cyclist,so his work was very relatable. RIP Iohan,another good one gone.

Iohan was a legend cut down too soon. It's wild how we can be in the presence of greatness and not appreciate it in the moment, only afterwards. I wish I had appreciated Iohan more when he was alive and making film. What a man. What an inspiration.