OSU-Cascades Hosts Global Bike Travelers for Presentation

Kristen and Ville Jokinen to share their 30,000-mile bicycle journey around the world

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Oregon State University–Cascades alumna Kristen Jokinen and her husband Ville Jokinen will speak about their 30,000-mile bicycle journey around the world during a presentation titled 'Joy Ride: A Bike Odyssey Toward Openness, Curiosity & Kindness' on February 20th. The free event will take place at OSU-Cascades and will explore the humanity they encountered during their travels.

Why it matters

Kristen Jokinen's study-abroad experience in Thailand sparked her passion for international travel and cultural exploration, which led to her and her husband's epic bicycle journey around the world. Their presentation aims to inspire others to embrace openness, curiosity, and kindness through the lens of their transformative travel experiences.

The details

During the presentation, the Jokinens will use film and discussion to share the landscapes they traveled through, the people they met, and the ways the journey transformed their understanding of themselves and the world. Kristen Jokinen's travel memoir, 'Joy Ride: A Bike Odyssey from Alaska to Argentina,' features an introduction by author Cheryl Strayed and chronicles their experiences.

  • The free event will take place on February 20, 2026 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
  • Kristen Jokinen earned her liberal studies degree from OSU-Cascades in 2009.

The players

Kristen Jokinen

An OSU-Cascades alumna who grew up in Bend, Oregon and embarked on a 30,000-mile bicycle journey around the world with her husband Ville Jokinen.

Ville Jokinen

Kristen Jokinen's husband, who joined her on the 30,000-mile bicycle journey around the world.

Cheryl Strayed

The author who wrote the introduction to Kristen Jokinen's travel memoir 'Joy Ride: A Bike Odyssey from Alaska to Argentina'.

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What they’re saying

“Joy Ride: A Bike Odyssey from Alaska to Argentina”

— Kristen Jokinen (Book)

What’s next

The presentation at OSU-Cascades on February 20th will be the first public event where the Jokinens share their experiences from their 30,000-mile bicycle journey around the world.

The takeaway

Kristen Jokinen's transformative study-abroad experience and subsequent global bicycle journey demonstrate the power of openness, curiosity, and kindness to shape one's worldview and inspire others to embrace adventurous travel and cultural exploration.