Ballyferriter man’s epic cycle from California to Florida
AFFECTIONATELY LABELLED THE FOREST GUMP OF CYCLING, TOMÁS SEARS HAS COMPLETED HIS USA VENTURE FOR #LIVELIFE, WRITES TADHG EVANS
B EFORE embarking on the 41st and final leg of his southern tier cycle on Sunday, West Kerry cyclist Tomás Mac an t- Saoir sipped on a cup of coffee and indulged in a daydream.
As he watched the sun rise over Gainesville in Florida, he thought ahead to dipping his toes in the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in six weeks. He also mused about Christmas, and arriving home to Tigh an tSaoirsigh pub in Ballyferriter. But, more so than anything else, he spent those minutes fishing through the collection of memories he’s gathered over the last two months and 3,000 miles.
In October, the Ballyferriter native spoke to The Kerryman, and his confidence was striking for a man facing a coast-to-coast slog across a nation the size of a continent. The 22-year-old had cycled 7,000 kilometres in 2016 to ready himself for a tour of America’s southern states, and with previous expeditions across parts of Spain on his résumé, he wasn’t wary, even if he was doing this alone.
“I wasn’t scared when I started out; I knew 3,000 miles was a big ask but much of the Southern Tier route is flat, so I felt confident,” Tomás told The
Kerryman this week. “But I couldn’t have prepared for everything the journey has thrown at me… when I crossed into Florida, I met a vicious headwind, and I covered just 27 kilometres in two hours – it was demoralising. Then a storm arrived, and I had to take shelter under a McDonald’s canopy for seven hours.
“My predicament was worsened by the fact that no taxi driver would pick me up because I had a bike with me. Thankfully, a kind local got wind of my story and came down to give me a lift to a nearby hotel.”
Tomás reckons the ordeal in Florida even trumped being stuck in a Texan ghost town for six hours one Sunday.
“I’d cycled for hours, and ended up in an abandoned town. Nothing was open! Border patrol had to come get me and bring me to Del Rio – I was lucky to get out of that one!”
But Tomás has pedalled his way around all the obstacles, and on Sunday afternoon he rolled into the city of Saint Augustine – his 41st and final stop.
He delightedly unfurled an Irish flag, posed for a celebratory Snapchat photo in front of the Atlantic, before scampering off for a pint of Guinness and a chat with fascinated locals.
His thoughts immediately turned to those who pushed him along. Before embarking on America, Tomás asserted that the late John Browne, a legend of Corca Dhuibhne cycling, would ‘never leave my side’. Described by Tomás as ‘ The Master Cyclist,’ John dominated his apprentice’s thoughts throughout the sprawling route.
The people of Kerry have screamed him on via Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook and other platforms, and Tomás acknowledges that their encouraging words kept him moving during moments of loneliness, savage headwinds, and hounding heat.
The American people played their part too and were forthcoming throughout, with meals, advice, and accommodation for the gallant young Gaeltacht man.
In return, Tomás introduced them to Dónal Walsh’s ‘# Live
Life’ message, the driving force behind his extraordinary efforts, and he’s satisfied that the US has embraced Dónal’s timeless words.
“I’ll forever be grateful to the American people for following my journey and helping out at every pitstop,” he said. “I’ve been doubly delighted at their reactions to Dónal’s story,” he said cheerfully.
“I’ve scattered the Live Life message all along the southern tier, and the American people have shared with me their experiences of depression and suicide with remarkable honesty; it’s a big problem in the US too.”
“I think Live Life left its mark on them, and they’ve been generous in donating to the cause over these last 3,000 miles.”
Tomás’ focus snapped from reminiscence to the weeks ahead. He admits the cycle has drained him physically and emotionally – but while he’s just landed home to Ireland, he’s already scribbling down plans for the months ahead.
He’ll relax over Christmas as he catches up with his family, friends and girlfriend, and he’ll juggle downtime with work in the family pub and a few cycles over the local Slea Head drive, where his passion for the sport first simmered.
But Tomás’ hunger for touring won’t be satisfied by one American venture.
“When I was in Pensacola in Florida, I got talking to someone about a cycle tour in Scandinavia next summer,” he shared excitedly.
“We’ll have to discuss it in more depth, but I hope to do another cycle next year in aid of Live Life again.
“Until then, I’ll work and cycle. I’m back to my old routine!”
I WASN’T SCARED WHEN I STARTED OUT. I KNEW 3,000 MILES WAS ABIG ASK BUT I FELT CONFIDENT