After Israel conducted airstrikes on Iranian military leaders and nuclear sites in the region, a Minnesota man with aspirations of cycling across all seven continents had to rethink his plans.
According to reports, Ian Anderson, 32, from Minnetonka, found himself riding in nearby Azerbaijan as he faced the reality of being in a war zone.
“The bombs have started to fall,” he shared during a Wednesday Zoom call from a hotel in Baku. “It was very frightening.”
Previously in Iran as part of his ambitious cycling journey, Anderson had a local guide and began documenting his experiences on social media for thousands of followers since June.
Andersen had been traveling along the Caspian Sea towards Tehran when the airstrikes occurred, coinciding with his plans to apply for a visa to travel further into Central Asia and possibly Russia.
“It was honestly the worst timing,” he told reporters.
As rockets fell, Anderson and his guide stayed put, communicating in Spanish to avoid drawing attention from locals who might suspect his American origins.
He also recounted seeing a long vehicle fleeing Tehran and noted how family and friends back home were concerned for his safety.
The U.S. State Department advised him to leave for Azerbaijan or Turkey, and a friend in Los Angeles helped him secure a visa for Azerbaijan.
Andersen, who had previously faced challenges in his life, including struggles with addiction and ADHD, remains determined despite the setback to his cycling adventure. “It’s always risky, and you just have to accept that,” he reflected.
Now that he’s left Iran behind, Andersen’s plans involve crossing the Caspian Sea to Kazakhstan and then traveling east to Uzbekistan, though he admitted he’s uncertain about his next steps.
