How trading his chain for a Carbon Drive Belt System keeps Ryan Van Duzer on the road.

Ryan Van Duzer, a 43-year-old adventurer and filmmaker based in Boulder, Colorado, doesn’t remember a time when he didn’t love cycling. What started with a BMX bike under the Christmas tree as a kid has grown into a 4,000-mile cycling adventure from Honduras to Colorado—yes, he biked the entire way and beyond.

It was his first big adventure, Van Duzer says, and it took place after his two-year stint volunteering in Honduras. After planning his route and logistics, the day came for the volunteers to fly home—but Van Duzer set out on two wheels instead.

“One of the reasons why I wanted to ride is because I wanted to process the work that I had done for the two years in Honduras,” Van Duzer says. “I didn’t want to just get on an airplane and be home in five hours. I really wanted to think, and when I sit on my bike, that’s my best thinking time.”

The three-month trek was one of the catalysts for his adventure-based film career. “I think about that trip all the time, and it’s special because I was completely on my own. I really had no idea what I was doing. Every day was scary and exciting and fun.”

Since then, Van Duzer has literally been around the world on two wheels. He’s done the Baja Divide, which connects the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, made tracks through Cuba, and is currently gearing up to ride the length of Sweden (1300 miles) from above the Arctic Circle all the way down to the bottom of Sweden.

“I love riding my bike,” Van Duzer says. “I love the physical aspect of it. I love seeing new things, but it’s all the wonderful people I meet on my bike adventures that really motivate me to keep on exploring.”

When you’re riding for thousands of miles like Van Duzer does, your gear is important. He credits the Gates Carbon Drive System as one of the factors keeping him on the road during his many adventures. The lightweight carbon-reinforced belt replaces the chain, negating the need for the typical maintenance and replacement.

The first bicycle-specific belt drive system, Gates Carbon Drive first became popular for commuters (for whom the cleanliness and quietness are a big plus), which is what Van Duzer used it for when he tried it out in 2017. And considering Van Duzer doesn’t own a car—he didn’t even have a driver’s license until he was 32—his commuter wheels get a lot of miles.

“I love the low-maintenance aspect of the belt drive,” he says. “I was just blown away by how easy it was; essentially you never have to touch it. With a regular bike, you have to lube your chain all the time. Something’s always getting caught up in the derailleur or the derailleur is getting bent, and there’s just a lot of maintenance with a traditional drivetrain.”

The Gates Carbon Drive system also effortlessly handles extreme environments—important to Van Duzer, given Boulder’s weather—and, according to the brand’s testing, lasts three times as long as a typical chain. It doesn’t need to be lubed and it doesn’t rust. When it gets dirty or muddy, you can just hose it off with the rest of your bike.

Van Duzer now has both a commuter bike and an adventure bike with the Carbon Drive system, which he says means fewer complications on the road and fewer items to cart along, too.“You don’t even have to bring chain lube or anything,” he says. “That’s one less thing to worry about because there’s so many other aspects of a ride that can go wrong,” says Van Duzer. “When you are out in the middle of nowhere, peace of mind means everything.”

Van Duzer isn’t the only member of his family to ride a bike with a Carbon Drive. Luckily, the system is offered on over 1000 different bike models for urban commuters, rugged mountain bikers, eBike riders, and cycling beginners alike. “My mom, for example, doesn’t want a complicated bike that she has to do maintenance on without knowing anything about it,” he says. “If you buy a Gates-equipped bike, you’re essentially good to go. You get to focus on the joy of riding.”

And that enjoyment factor is what cycling is all about, Van Duzer says. “It’s fun to be outside, and you feel more connected to your community if you’re more connected to yourself and to nature. Those three things have always been my favorite reasons for pedaling.”

Rozalynn S Frazier is an award-winning, multimedia journalist, and certified personal trainer living in New York City. She has created content for SELF, Health, Essence, Runner's World, Money, Reebok, Livestrong, and others.

Our Favorite Cycling Gifts Under $50

9 Great Gloves for Riding in Cold Weather

The 18 Best Long Sleeve Jerseys and Jackets

25 Awesome Tech Gifts for Cyclists

Brompton's Zippy New P Line Folding E-Bike

Wahoo’s Latest Kickr Is Here, Now with WiFi

Co-op's New Generation e1.1 Utility E-Bike

Deal Alert: Save Big During Garmin's Birthday Sale

Find Your Bike Size With These Charts and Tips

18 Best Electric Bikes for Every Rider

The Best Rain Gear for Cyclists

A Part of Hearst Digital Media

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link.

©Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.