I have made it to Carson City where I met a fantastic couple called Jim and Cheri who provided hospitality. Jim even let me drive his 1965 Ford Mustang GT !
Crossing my first state line was a big moment. I am now in Nevada, where I have decisions to make. There is a heatwave moving through here. Some of the places I had planned to cycle to are experiencing 105-110 degrees.
I rested today (Thursday) in Fallon, and am going over contingency plans. Riding early in the morning is an option. Skipping dangerous sections and making up the mileage by cycling around Central Park is an option. Quitting is not an option!
I was not expecting so many people who have experienced cancer to contact me. It is moving, but provides great motivation.
I am trying to spread awareness to men of my age of cancers which are prevalent in men such as prostate cancer and testicular cancer. I also learned last week that men can get breast cancer. I think it is strange how women are so open and thorough about checking for early signs of cancer, and we men are not. Maybe we feel too macho or something? Im hoping this challenge can demonstrate that you can be strong but still able to talk about mens health. Im wearing factor 100 sun block. Prevention against melanoma is also so important. Even if you are not riding a bike through the desert, just being outside for long spells at this time of year can be harmful. So my messages are: If cycling, wear your helmet. If outside, wear sun block. And if you are a man in your 40’s or 50’s go and ask your doctor about a prostate cancer check.
I was shading under the only tree on the road yesterday when I heard the Ireland result from the Euros! The game was finished over an hour at that point. I am hoping to see the game somehow on Sunday. Its a 6am start. Im trying to find someone with a spare Sky Go account 🙂
This challenge is an emotional rollercoaster. Most of the turns have been upward. It is amazing how people react when you try to do something good.
I would like to thank everyone at home for all their kind words of encouragement, banter, and donations. Every little message from home means so much, and spurs me on when Im feeling tired or overwhelmed. I would like to say a big hello to some very special little folk: Leah, Sarah and Robert, who are following my trip across America on their atlas.
It is not easy keeping up with news from home, but I have been watching Nikki Bradley’s preparations for her Guinness World Record attempt and I am wishing her well.
Being out on a bike for so long on your own means you get a lot of thoughts running through your head. Yesterday I picked up a tail wind and was averaging 16mph. I actually found myself wondering how I could make a sail out of my rain jacket. It won’t be needed for rain anytime soon thats for sure!
Finally, if anyone would like to make a donation to The Irish Cancer Society, they can do so on this link:
www.gofundme.com/TransAtlanticCycle
