The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Bringing Donal’s message to the southern states on a bike
ONE young west Kerry cyclist is to temporarily trade his beloved Slea Head drive for a passage that’s no less captivating, but markedly longer: America’s ‘Southern Tier Cycle’.
Tomás Mac an t-Saoir from Baile an Fheirtéaraigh fell for cycling four years ago, and there’s no hint from chatting with him that his adoration of the sport has dulled at all since then.
In truth, he seems eager rather than edgy ahead of October 24, when he’ll embark on a 3,000 mile slog from San Diego to Florida over six epic weeks:
“I’ve never been on an adventure quite like this,” Tomás admits.
“I’ve been on tours with the Dingle cycling club to Gran Canaria and Mallorca, but it’s been an ambition of mine to do something even tougher. And I guess that ambition brought the Southern Tier Cycle onto my radar!”
But this is not merely a personal test that Tomás has assigned himself. He’ll be bringing Dónal Walsh’s #LiveLife message across the Atlantic with him, with the intention of transmitting Dónal’s words to a brand new audience.
He’ll do that throughout an expedition that’ll be gruelling, but the Baile an Fheirtéaraigh native says he’s sufficiently set:
“I’ve cycled around 7,000 kilometres this year, much of it over the summer, so I’m in-tune. There’s a few nasty climbs early on, but there’s lots of flat thereafter, so I’ll get the worst of it out of the way fairly quickly”, he states.
“It might actually be tougher mentally than physically; I’m a home bird, I know I’ll be homesick, but I’ll keep close contact with family and friends. That’s essential.”
Tomás says he’s received terrific support ahead of the challenge, and one friend’s spirit will provide him with warm company throughout the six weeks:
“John Browne, a legend of West Kerry cycling, sadly passed away last month, and this cycle is a tribute to him. He will pedal the whole route with me, and he’ll be shouting me on. I was the apprentice, John was the master.”
“My family and my girlfriend have been very encouraging. Uncle Pádraig has given me some great gear, and my workplace, Murphy’s Pub in Dingle, have been at the forefront of promoting the trip.”
With his flight to Arizona now in the offing, Tomás can’t wait to indulge in what he loves most: cycling.
“I live for days gliding along the Slea Head road. I only stop to pull in at a viewing for a look out at the Blaskets”, he shares enthusiastically.
“There’ll be tough days over there, a few lonely afternoons pedalling over lifeless Texan dust paths, but I’ll keep thinking ahead to the Florida finish line and how it’ll feel to skim over it.”
There might even be room for some downtime:
“I’ll mix some good food with a few cold beers, it won’t be all hard work! I’ll be heading home from New York in December, so I’ve intentions of whiling away a few days in the Big Apple, and I might get to relax in Miami too.”
“All I know for definite is that I’ll have great stories when I get back before Christmas.”
The man from West Kerry is also collecting funds for #LiveLife, and a link to the iDonate page assembling the donations can be accessed through the ‘Tomás’ Cycle Across America’ Facebook page.