Tomas Mac an t-Saoir, 22, from Dingle is having the experience of his life as he rides across America, solo. He is only cycling five years and nothing he has ever done compares to this challenge which he started on October 24th. In total, he will pedal over 4,000 kilometres by the time he (hopefully) reaches Florida before Christmas.
By Brian Canty
A 22-year old man from Ballyferriter on the Dingle Peninsula is currently cycling across the US solo to help raise funds and awareness for the Donal Walsh Live Life Foundation.
The charity was set up in the wake of Kerrry teenager Donal Walsh’s tragic death from cancer in 2013 when he was just 16-years-old.
For the last two weeks Tomás Mac an t-Saoir has battled brutal headwinds and some unkind terrain on his journey from San Diego, California to St Augustine, Florida.
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He’s still over 1,200 kilometres from his destination and being the shrewd Kerryman that he is, he’s even hoping Aer Lingus can pay for his flight back to Ireland.
He started the journey on October 24th and is currently in Lafayette, Louisiana, after making his way through California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas – the latter taking two weeks to accomplish.
“I've ridden around 2,700km in 28 cycling days with six days off,” he said.
“Some of those were unplanned - there was a storm so I couldn't cycle and then I got invited to Mexico so I couldn't turn that down!
“Then in Austin I took three days off and had a good, badly-needed, night on the beer on 6th Street.”
Hosting @SearsToms for Thanksgiving diner w this #rotary family! All the way from Dingle, Ireland - cycling San Diego to St Augustine, FL pic.twitter.com/Hh9ZbgMSOK
— Big Rich Churchman (@toothxprt) November 25, 2016
There have been many highlights along the way but none more so than the warmth and generosity of the American people. Here, Mac an t-Saoir has Thanksgiving dinner in one of the many homes he's been invited into.
Currently, he has 1,255km to go before he reaches St Augustine in Florida as he traverses a well-known Southern Tier route.
There have been plenty of highlights along the way but the warmth of the Americans has been one of the standout aspects for him.
“Being from the Dingle Peninsula, we get a lot of Americans in our family pub; Tigh an tSaorsaigh in Ballyferriter village," he said.
"And I know that they're great people, but they've been just incredible since I started my cycle.
“I've had strangers stop me on the road to talk to me, people have paid for me to stay hotels, bought me dinners, breakfasts.
"My aunt got in touch with the Rotary Club in Marfa and they put me up in a B & B overnight.
The next morning, it was really, really cold. By the time I rode five minutes to the local cafe for breakfast, my fingers had gone numb.
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"A local guy came over and asked if I needed gloves. He went out to his car and came back in with winter cycling gloves. Then he brought me money and energy bars."
With his bike and associated worldly belongings he's carrying with him. Among his items are two pairs of bib shorts, some light casual clothes and a tub of chamois cream.
“I was taken on a plane ride in Brawley, California. While in Deming, New Mexico, I was taken to Palomas in Mexico for lunch.
“People who have heard of me have invited me to stay at their homes, or invited me to dinner. The support I've been getting has been insane!
“And when I tell these stories to other touring cyclists I've met on the road they can't believe the luck I've had.
“Maybe it's because I'm on my own, that I'm only 22, Irish, raising money for a great cause, I'm not sure. But the American people have been absolutely incredible to me.”
A low point has been the headwinds he’s had to battle for long stretches, hampering his progress significantly.
“I was led to believe I’d have a westerly wind for most of the trip, that's why I'm biking west to east.
“But the weather Gods have done the opposite, so if anyone wants to bike across America go east to west, the wind will be more generous!
“I've biked for 28 days and I’ve had a headwind for most of it.”
The journey across the US from west to east will take up to two months, but the 22-year old is making good progress despite some ferocious headwinds. Nothing he hasn't seen down in the Dingle Peninsula we're sure!
His inventory is pretty limited and includes his trusty touring bike bought in San Diego, suncream, two panniers, two pairs of bib shorts and an Irish team gilet.
He also has two Donal Walsh cycling jerseys, three pairs of socks, a pair of runners and a light jacket.
Added to that he has knee and arm warmers, his cycling shoes, shoe covers, gloves, his Garmin, sunglasses, some limited casual wear and a tub of chamois cream.
He calls his experience “priceless” and feels he has learned a lot about the United States, its diverse cultures and landscapes.
“This is the trip of a lifetime," he said of the journey to date which has had a huge impact on him.
"Leaving Ireland, you are sceptical and scared about being in a different country, but I've met incredible people on the way," he said.
To track Tomas' journey, follow him on Facebook at Tomas' Cycle Across America.
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