Roger Holmes has finally made it home to Letterkenny!
The Trans-Atlantic cyclist who crossed America for the Irish Cancer Society had many tales to tell from his epic adventure.
This is his latest instalment form his Trans-Atlnatic diary.
“Peggy and I are finally back in Donegal, after spending the summer crossing America! As soon as the jet-lag wears off, and Ive had a chance to make some more arrangements, we will be holding a media briefing and fundraising tea evening in Lettterkenny. The exact time is yet to be arranged, but it will be held in a function room at Safetech Limited, on Neil T. Blaney Road in Letterkenny in the afternoon of Friday, September 9th. I will then be setting out on the ride to Dublin from my home in Drumardagh (the red house!) on Saturday morning, September 10th at 10am. Anyone who wants to ride with me is more than welcome to do so.
“After several delays and cancelled flights, myself and Peggy finally arrived on Irish soil on Sunday morning last, August 28th.
We just about made the 9.05 number 32 Bus Eireann coach to Letterkenny. Peggy, who had been dismantled and boxed for the flight, just about got squeezed into the hold.
We arrived at the bus station in Letterkenny at 12.45 and were met by family members. After driving out to Drumardagh, we were led down the lane by two out-riders; one with a Donegal flag and one with an Irish tricolor. We had a nice little homecoming party with family and neighbours. I was greeted by some welcome signs made by my nieces Leah and Sarah. It was great to be home, and I finally got the tea and home-made scones I was dreaming about since around Nevada!
“Now that I am home and will have a little more time on my hands, I will be documenting my experiences, and hope to write a book about Trans Atlantic Cycle. There are a lot of tales to tell – tales that I didn’t want to put on social media while I was still so far from home. Stories like the day in Utah when it got so hot, that I had to dig myself a shallow grave and get into it to get some respite from the sun. Or the day in Missouri when I was riding on a remote bike trail and fell of my bike as I turned quickly upon hearing two rifle shots, which cut through the tree tops above me. Someone was obviously out hunting and didn’t realize there was a bike trail there. I also met a Mexican who is voting for Donald Trump, a man who warned me that the world would end before I got to New York, and a congregation who took into a baptist church in Pennsylvania and gave me an unusual blessing. I also got faced off by a mountain lion in Colorado – it was great to see this rare animal in the wild, but it was a bit too close for comfort. There were just so many interesting and unusual encounters while riding across America.
“At some point in the coming days, I am going to the doctor to have my PSA blood test, and am calling on all other men in Donegal to consider doing the same. Prevention and early detection of prostate cancer is the best way to fight this highly prevalent cancer in men. I hope that my efforts this summer have helped to raise awareness of this simple blood test which could make such a difference to your later years. So far, Trans Atlantic Cycle has raised over €7,500, and I am hoping to bring that figure to over 10,000. If you would like to make a donation, the online page is www.gofundme.com/TransAtlanticCycle. If you would like to make the donation in person, then the event at Safetech on September 9th is your chance to do so.
“I would like to thank everyone for their support. It is great to be home safe and sound.”
