Summary
“Oaxaca to L.A.” is a heartfelt finale, showcasing the end of an incredible journey from both Ewan, Charley and the team that supported them.
This recap of Apple TV+ series Long Way Up season 1, episode 11, “Oaxaca to L.A.” — the finale explained — contains significant spoilers.
We will be recapping every episode — check out the archive.
The opening
Ewan and Charley are now 2,300 miles away from L.A. — they are very close to finishing their journey. They check out the bus that is getting worked on, and it’s nearly done. There’s a lot of pressure to get the bus finished with the producer eager to get it done by the deadline. Discussions on security are still on the agenda; they cannot travel at night due to dangerous cartels. They are advised to move through El Paso.
Bus = done
After intense long hours, the bus is ready, and the engine starts up. The only issue is paperwork for the border. Ewan and Charley get back on their bikes as they will be meeting the rest of the team on the bus later in the journey. As part of their journey, they try out hot air balloons.
The road trip begins
It’s time for the bus, and they manage to get the bikes on after concerns they wouldn’t fit. They are on the road, and they need to do many miles on a bus that was barely useable a few days previously. The bus is an incredible achievement considering they did it in a few days.
Anxiety and heading to one last border cross
There’s still fear over cartel hotspots; there’s anxiety in the air in certain locations. They take as many precautions as possible. Ewan and Charley get back on their bikes, and they head to their last border cross to enter the United States.
The border
Due to bad weather, it’s hit and miss in crossing the border. They are in the last place they want to be stuck. It’s a high-risk area. Near the border, there’s a refugee camp, and it’s a harsh reality — people are living in tents, waiting for their chance to cross the border. They are at risk from organized crime.
It’s nearly over
After 12 hours, the crew, Ewan and Charley make it to America. It’s an easy stretch to L.A. on their bikes. Ewan and Charley talk about electric bikes and how this is the first step to going green. They are positive about electric. Ironically, they find a powerful charging station that charges their bikes very quickly in America — in episode 1 and 2 they spent most of the time finding ways to charge their bikes in obscure locations. As the pair reach near the end, they start getting emotional, and both men recap their experiences.
The ending
Ewan and Charley meet up with family in Palm Springs before their last day. Ewan, the crew and family, finish the last leg. It’s such an achievement. Ewan talks about doing this forever. Finally, they make it to L.A., California. It’s done, they’ve managed to finish Long Way Up — what a finale to finish the journey.
Long Way Up episode 11 is a heartfelt finale, showcasing the end of an incredible journey from both Ewan, Charley, and the team that supported them.
