Northern Irish cyclist crosses America in memory of late wife
Declan Faulkner completed a 3,800-mile ride from Oregon to Maine, honouring his wife who died of breast cancer and raising funds for a local cancer charity.
Key points
- Declan Faulkner covered about 3,800 miles, running from Oregon to Maine across the US
- The trip took 43 days of riding with his friend Donncha O'Brien
- His late wife Patrina died of breast cancer in 2017
- He raised almost £20,000 for Charis Cancer Care, according to the BBC
A man from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland has completed a long-distance cycle across the United States in memory of his late wife. According to the BBC, Declan Faulkner began in Oregon’s Portland and pedalled eastward, finishing in the Maine city of the same name on the Atlantic seaboard.
Faulkner, 55, is a financial adviser. He took a short career break to make the trip. The journey covered about 3,800 miles, or 6,115km, and lasted seven weeks in total, with 43 days spent on the bikes.
Honouring a shared dream
Faulkner and his wife Patrina had talked for years about returning to the United States and making a cross-country trip. They had visited the country shortly after their wedding, almost 30 years ago. Life took them in other directions. They settled near Patrina’s home village of Ballygawley, raised three children, and built their careers.
Patrina was diagnosed with breast cancer and died in 2017. Faulkner said that when the ride became hard, he thought about her and about the people facing cancer. He described the trip as one of the most demanding and rewarding challenges of his life.
He was joined for much of the route by his friend Donncha O’Brien, a keen cyclist from Cork. Faulkner said that O’Brien kept pushing him on the days when his body felt close to giving out. Some days involved around 10 hours in the saddle without a break.
The route and the challenges
The riders averaged about 85 miles, or 137km, a day, and on some days covered up to 120 miles. They climbed a total of 45,000 metres, which the BBC compared to five and a half Everests.
Faulkner described several highlights. These included cycling into Devil’s Tower in Wyoming, the autumn colours in Vermont, and a lightning storm in upstate New York at night. He called the strong winds in South Dakota the toughest part of the journey. He also said that after leaving South Dakota Badlands National Park, the pair ran out of water and his blood sugar dropped, leaving him exhausted.
The ride ended on a beach on the Atlantic coast. Faulkner said that a photograph from a college party 30 years earlier, sent to him by a friend, brought him to tears that evening.
Raising money for cancer care
Faulkner raised almost £20,000 for Charis Cancer Care. The charity operates a specialist facility beside Lough Fea, a lake in County Tyrone. Patrina was a regular visitor there following her diagnosis.
The facility gives no-cost help covering emotional, physical and practical needs for people living with the disease and their relatives. Arlene McAvoy from the charity told the BBC that the centre sees about 1,400 people each year. She said the support is also for families and carers.
Now back home, Faulkner says he is still adjusting to life off the road. He said he is proud of the ride and believes his wife would be proud too.
Frequently asked questions
How far did Declan Faulkner cycle across America?
According to the BBC, Declan Faulkner cycled about 3,800 miles, or 6,115km, from Oregon to Maine. The journey took seven weeks in total.
Why did Declan Faulkner make the ride?
He made the ride in memory of his wife Patrina, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and died in 2017. He also wanted to raise awareness of cancer.
How much money did the ride raise?
Faulkner raised almost £20,000 for Charis Cancer Care, a charity with a specialist facility in County Tyrone.
Sources
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