World by Bike: Love, Kindness, and Building Community, Kristen Grund Jokinen and Ville Jokinen

New event venue! This event will be in Wille Hall in the Coats Campus Center at COCC. 

Join us for an evening of inspiration, storytelling, and global community as world travelers and authors Kristen and Ville Jokinen share the extraordinary journeys behind their book, Joy Ride: A Bike Odyssey from Alaska to Argentina. They will also be sharing scenes from their latest adventure to Africa!

What began as a simple idea—two people, two bikes, and the open road—transformed into a life-changing, 18,000-mile odyssey from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina. With no long-distance cycling experience, Kristen and Ville pushed through relentless storms, altitude sickness, dog encounters, crashes, and countless flat tires. But the heart of their story isn’t the hardship—it’s the humanity.

Along the way, they were welcomed into homes, celebrations, kitchens, classrooms, and communities. They held babies, joined quinceañeras, played soccer with kids in village streets, drank pulque with new friends, and experienced generosity that reminded them—and now reminds us—that kindness is universal.

Kristen and Ville are love on wheels. This event invites you into their world.

What to Expect

·        A powerful, engaging talk from Kristen and Ville about their journey

·        Readings and reflections from Joy Ride

·        Behind-the-scenes stories not found in the book

·        Audience Q&A

·        Book signing & meet-and-greet