Annie Dochnahl’s ambition for cycling has led her all over the world. Not many people have cycled from Eugene to Madison, Wis. — a distance of just over 3,000 miles. She has also biked in Hawaii, New Zealand and Mexico, to name a few exotic locations.
Dochnahl is a University professor deeply involved in aspects of health and the outdoors. Many students know her as an Exercise and Wellness 102 instructor, and she practices what she teaches.
“She’s someone who walks her talk,” Jen Strong, an adjunct instructor with the Outdoor Pursuits Program and friend of Dochnahl’s, said.
Dochnahl is an avid outdoorswoman. Born in Madison, Wis., she came to Eugene 22 years ago and has taken advantage of Oregon’s outdoor activities ever since.
“I feel lucky to be able to enjoy so many sports. I’m doing it because it feels so right, like a Border Collie that wants to be with sheep or an alligator that wants to be in the water,” she said. “There’s something extremely comforting about the outdoor environment where I feel at home.”
Dochnahl’s most recent adventure came by way of a 500-mile trek across Costa Rica with only her bike and partner Roger Bailey for support. The two left in December and biked for three weeks.
Preparing for the journey, many of the pair’s friends were concerned about the lack of cycling safety on the twisting main roads of Costa Rica. However, Dochnahl said safety was not a problem.
“We were (only) on the main road for 12 miles. For about four days we saw nothing but horseback riders, motorcycles and trucks (on the off-roads),” she said.
By avoiding the main roads and riding on the trails, Dochnahl and Bailey got to experience some of Costa Rica’s hidden treasures.
“On the little trails, it was so quiet that the monkeys, birds and wildlife really came out to us,” she said.
While enjoying the scenery, the two also faced their share of challenges on back trails. On the Pacific coast, 90-degree temperatures limited the ability to bike after 2 p.m. In the highlands, where the temperature was cooler, the roads became steeper and more challenging to ascend.
“I was just blown away by how steep the hills are,” Dochnahl said, noting that Costa Rica doesn’t have rules about road grades like the United States.
The lifestyle on a cycling vacation is a bit different from the typical tropical getaway, Dochnahl said. Swimming in the ocean replaces leisurely afternoons at the pool, and nights are spent in a tent on a beach, not at a resort.
The pair carried about 50 pounds of gear with them, including a tent, a tiny sleeping sack and a small stove that ran on denatured alcohol.
In the morning, they used the stove to make coffee. They feasted daily on big Costa Rican meals at different stores along the way — where the food was cheap and plentiful and the Costa Ricans were friendly and helpful.
“I feel in love with so many Costa Ricans,” Dochnahl said.
When preparing for the trip, the pair had two options plan their own trip or let a group like Backroads, where all gear and food is provided, do it for them.
Dochnahl has always planned her own trips but takes precautions before traveling. She suggests using the Travel Clinic at the University Health Center to get the proper first-aid supplies and immunizations before going abroad.
Dochnahl also recommends getting airline tickets early to save money and suggests staying at a hotel on the first night of a trip. Bikers can then arrange to store their bike box at the hotel while they cycle.
For those students who can’t afford the time or expense to travel abroad for an outdoor adventure, Dochnahl suggests trying local activities. She lets Oregon’s distinct seasons dictate her
activities, opting for skiing in the winter and boating in the summer.
“I admire the persistence, dedication and gumption that Annie puts toward all her endeavors,” Peter Lunger, who has been on many adventures with Dochnahl, said. “The list is impressive: running, bike-touring, kayaking, climbing, weightlifting, backpacking, hiking, telemark and cross-country skiing, dance and, most recently, yoga.”
When living in a place with this many diverse outdoor offerings, students can follow Dochnahl’s example and see what inspiration the great outdoors can bring.

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