The Letterkenny man who cycled across America in aid of the Irish Cancer Society says he would cycle from New York to Donegal – if there was a bridge across the Atlantic Ocean.
Roger Holmes arrived in New York City in the early hours of yesterday morning (Irish-time) to a huge reception from family and friends.
After two months, 3,575 miles and just three punctures later, Roger had completed his journey.
In the process he raised more than €6,000 for the battle against cancer as well as compiling numerous stories to tell his family and friends when he finally gets home.
And Roger said he never had any doubt that he would complete his amazing journey on board his trusted bike Peggy.
“It isn’t about where you are or who you meet, it is about what you carry inside with you, and I knew that I was armed with the right attitude and a genuine determination to fundraise for The Irish Cancer Society.
“There are thousands of people fighting cancer in Ireland, and others grieving loved ones. These people would go anywhere if only it could make things right, so my challenge was tiny by comparison,” said modest Roger.
Roger will be home in Donegal on August 26th and plans to cycle from Letterkenny to the ICS offices in Dublin to finish the journey.
This is the latest dispatch on his cycle across America.
Trans Atlantic Cycle has reached New York City!
Exactly two months after Peggy and I posed for a photo under the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, last night we went under New York’s Brooklyn Bridge, and from Wall Street made the final 8 mile journey up Manhattan’s West Side and over into Central Park, where a welcome party awaited us. After countless hugs from friends and family, we made our way to 72nd on Broadway for a New York tradition: Hot dogs on the corner. I cycled that mile of so through the upper West Side with the Irish tricolor, the stars and stripes and a dozen yellow balloons on the back of the bicycle – yellow to signify that this was all in aid of The Irish Cancer Society.
After saying goodbye to those who had made the journey in to Manhattan to welcome me, I had to get Peggy and myself out to Queens. Some suggested putting down the back seats of their car and giving us a ride. Others recommended the subway. But there was only one way that I wanted to do that extra nine mile journey! So I lit Peggy up and set off riding to 59th street, crossed the East River at Queensboro Bridge, and rode out to Jackson Heights on Northern Boulevard and 34th Avenue. That brought the total mileage so far to an approximate 3,575.
The final day had not been easy. Early in the morning I had to re-route when I discovered that bicycles were not permitted on any of the bridges onto Staten Island. So I had to aim for the ferry from Sandy Hook, New Jersey instead. It was crazily hot. On a water break at East Windsor, I asked the lady in the grocery store what the temperature was. She puffed her cheeks and said, its already 105. She just couldn’t believe I was out riding a bike in that. I got lost near Manalapan Township and stopped to ask for directions at a Baptist Church. I was taken in to meet the congregation, given a blessing, and presented with a business card that said ‘Jesus’ on it. To be honest, the only thing I felt at that moment was the air conditioner. It had climbed to 110 degrees and I still had around 35 miles to ride. I was seriously overheating and the biggest trouble I had was keeping my eyes open because they were stinging so much from the saltiness of the sweat.
On the final ride north-eastwards through New Jersey I constantly repeated the mantra’s which had taken me all the way across the United States:
‘Every negative experience can have a positive outcome’, ‘See the good in everyone – especially yourself’ and ‘one day at a time’. I had a bad fall from a bicycle two years ago, and struggled to deal with the slow pace and hardships of the recovery. Since then I have been practicing a form of meditation called The Paris Method. I know that people may not understand this, but I never had any doubt that I would make it across America. In fact, if there was a bridge across the Atlantic, I would set off and cycle home on it. When you develop the right mental attitude, there is so much you can achieve.
People have been generally very supportive of Trans Atlantic Cycle. As always, as in any walk of life, there were cynics and doubters, but I was so confident of my own personal commitment that nothing could have swayed me from the zone that I was in. People have told me that I was crazy to cycle across America alone. Well, I think its crazy to think like that. You could find trouble in the safest country in the world, and breeze through dangerous places. Its not about the place, its about yourself. All along the way, I treated people as I would like to be treated myself; with respect and courtesy. I got the same back and more. If you go out in your local safe town with the wrong attitude, you won’t be long finding trouble. It isn’t about where you are or who you meet, it is about what you carry inside with you, and I knew that I was armed with the right attitude and a genuine determination to fundraise for The Irish Cancer Society. There are thousands of people fighting cancer in Ireland, and others grieving loved ones. These people would go anywhere if only it could make things right, so my challenge was tiny by comparison.
Near Union Beach, I rounded a corner and saw a sight that will stay with me forever – Verrazano Bridge, with Freedom Tower in the background. I could see New York! After boarding the ferry at Atlantic Highlands, the first stop was Sandy Hook, then we went up the East River to 35th street. I went out on deck and looked at my two favorite New York City landmarks; Freedom Tower and Brooklyn Bridge. Both were extremely difficult projects, which took a long time to complete. But once completed, they now signify strength, hope, movement and a bright future. I saw that as very symbolic.
I was feeling very emotional as I rode up the West Side of Manhattan. Thankfully the weather finally cooled to under 100 with an evening thunderstorm and a rain shower. It cooled me, and the raindrops concealed my tears. People have made donations, which the Irish Cancer Society will be very grateful for, but Im asking for something else too. If you are a man in your 40’s or older, please go to your doctor and ask about a PSA blood test to check on your prostate. If you are a woman, please ask the men in your life to be as proactive as you are about getting checked out, and being willing to talk about the signs. Prevention and/or early detection make your battles so much easier to fight.
I will be home in Letterkenny on August 26th and will be announcing plans for the final section of Trans Atlantic Cycle soon. But it will be from Letterkenny to the offices of the Irish Cancer Society in Dublin. I will be going via Sligo. If you would like to help out in any way, or join me on the ride, then just get in touch. If anyone can help me with getting a permit for a bucket collection along the way, then I’d love to hear from you.
I would like to say thanks to everyone who has supported this fundraiser so far. Your messages have helped me cover a lot of miles, and overcome a lot of hurdles.
www.gofundme.com/TransAtlanticCycle
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