Declan Faulkner has completed a grueling 3,800-mile journey cycling across the United States to honor the memory of his late wife, Patrina. The 55-year-old financial adviser from County Tyrone spent seven weeks riding from Portland, Oregon, on the Pacific coast to Portland, Maine, on the Atlantic coast.
Faulkner and his wife had always planned to return to the United States, a place they visited shortly after their marriage nearly 30 years ago. They had intended to take a cross-country trip together, but their plans changed when Patrina was diagnosed with breast cancer. She passed away in 2017, four years after her diagnosis.
A Journey Through Memory and Pain
The decision to undertake the cycling across America expedition came a decade after Patrina’s death. With their three children now grown, Faulkner took a short career break to fulfill the dream they had shared. He was joined by his friend Donncha O’Brien from Cork, Ireland, who helped keep him motivated during the physically demanding trip.
Faulkner found an outlet in endurance sports during his wife’s illness. He would often run and cycle in the Mourne mountains to maintain his mental health. This habit eventually evolved into the idea of returning to the US on two wheels.
“When things got tough throughout the journey, I just had Patrina’s voice in my head and I dug deep thinking about what she and other cancer patients go through,” Faulkner said.
The route covered 43 days on the bike, with the pair averaging 85 miles a day. On some days, they covered up to 120 miles. The total elevation gain was 45,000 meters, which is equivalent to climbing Mount Everest five and a half times. They traveled through significant landmarks, including Yellowstone National Park, the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming, and the Great Lakes region.
Challenges and Charitable Impact
The journey was not without severe physical challenges. Faulkner described cycling through intense storms and strong winds in South Dakota as the toughest part of the trip. At one point, he ran out of water and his blood sugar dropped, leaving him exhausted and nearly falling off his bike.
Despite the hardships, Faulkner experienced moments of awe. He recalled cycling into Devil’s Tower in Wyoming and witnessing stunning autumn colors in Vermont. A lightning storm in upstate New York also left a lasting impression as it lit up the dark sky around them.
Reaching the Atlantic Ocean marked the end of the physical challenge, but the emotional weight hit Faulkner later. He described taking his bike down to the water as surreal. That evening, a friend sent him a photo of him and Patrina from 30 years ago, which brought him to tears. He felt a sense of closure knowing she would be proud of his achievement.
As part of the expedition, Faulkner raised nearly £20,000 for Charis Cancer Care. The charity operates a specialist center in County Tyrone where Patrina received much of her treatment. The center provides free emotional, physical, and practical support to cancer patients and their families.
Arlene McAvoy from Charis Cancer Care praised Faulkner’s efforts. She noted that the center supports about 1,400 people annually and emphasized how special this place was to Faulkner. She highlighted the importance of his work in raising awareness for the cause.
Now back home, Faulkner is adjusting to life without the constant routine of the road. He admitted that waking up and wondering if he had pumped his tires or charged his lights was a strange new sensation. However, he remains proud of the journey and the impact it had on his community and the charity.
Source: BBC
