The Present (Film)

By Lucas

PUBLISHED Jun 11, 2025

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Photos by Dimitri Poffé

French adventurer Dimitri Poffé is the founder of ExploreForHuntington, a project to ride 18,000 kilometers solo from Mexico to Patagonia. After testing positive for Huntington’s disease, a rare and incurable genetic disorder, Dimitri turned his diagnosis into a catalyst for purpose. He left everything behind in France to cycle across Latin America, meet families affected by the disease, and raise global awareness through human connection and storytelling.

ExploreForHuntington led Dimitri across 13 countries, where he visited remote communities, often living in poverty and isolation, to document their stories and bring them into the light. Along the way, he built a strong network of families, doctors, researchers, and local associations fighting Huntington’s disease, creating a bridge between Latin America and the international community. His mission wasn’t only physical; it became emotional and deeply spiritual, guided by the values of empathy, resilience, and solidarity.

Dimitri’s journey, which was supported by Choike, Chile’s leading bikepacking brand, is captured in The Present, a short documentary directed by Timothy Dhalleine and Cascada Expediciones. With nearly two million views on YouTube and multiple international awards, the film reflects the power of adventure to drive social impact. It’s a raw, poetic portrait of what it means to live fully, even with a ticking clock. Dimitri continues to speak at global conferences and is now preparing a second expedition across Africa. ExploreForHuntington is not just a bikepacking story—it’s a call to live with intention and compassion.

You can learn more about the project at ExploreForHuntington.com.