Roger Holmes is cycling across America in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. Click on the video above to see how the well-known Letterkenny man is getting on!
“I am now in Gunnison, Colorado, where I am planning my attempt at getting over Monarch Pass (11,300 feet). Should I make it, I will be over the Rockies and on my way down into the great prairies. I had a phenomenal experience on Independence Day, meeting some very special people and savoring the July 4th celebrations with a parade at the beginning of the ride in Montrose, and an impressive fireworks display after we arrived in Gunnison.
I hooked up with Randy Kerr, a 60 year old cycling fanatic from Alabama who tells me he thinks he could be related to the Donegal Kerr’s. His accent is a little different though! We rode the 70 mile stretch of scenic highway through the Rockies and it was as tough as it was memorable.. Randy was great company and I learned so much from him. He has now departed to ride The Great Divide Mountain Bike Trail, which is high altitude, remote bike way over the spine of The Rockies.
So far, my experience of the American people in the old wild west has been incredible. I have received kindness, generosity, encouragement and company from so many people that I wouldn’t even know where to begin to thank them. All of them have a bit of Irish in them of course!
This is the third very tough state that I have ridden through. Nevada was remote beyond comprehension, Utah was dangerously hot, and here in Colorado, the constant climbing leaves the thighs feeling like hot jelly. My garmin tells me that I burned 4,500 calories on the July 4th ride, yet I have still put on a little weight from when I set out. Diet is a tricky balancing act. Its not a case of just going to the fridge when you need something or crave something. You take whats available.
Last night, two generous donations tipped the amount of money that #TransAtlanticCycle has raised for The Irish Cancer Society to over 2000 euro. That gives me great motivation to keep going. Everyone at home has been so supportive, and it really does makes this challenge a little bit easier.
Sponsorship cards are available at Manorcunningham Post Office and at Cafe Blend on High Road Letterkenny. Donations can also be made online at www.gofundme.com/TransAtlanticCycle
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