By Victor Tine
SOMEWHERE IN UTAH — Uphill is definitely harder.
Byfield native Brendan McGonigle is more than halfway through a 5,000-mile bicycle trek, and he said he's learned a valuable lesson: Pedaling up a mountain in Colorado while towing 50 or 60 pounds of gear is a challenge, to say the least.
"I've ridden up mountains before, but carrying substantial weight creates a different animal," he said.
The rewards, however, are worth it.
"Colorado is amazing," he said. "After hours of struggling to reach the summit, it's an indescribable feeling to look around at all that I had conquered on two wheels."
McGonigle, 25, an aide to state Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, has taken a leave of absence from his job to bike across the country to raise money for the National Center on Family Homelessness.
He started May 18 on a route that first took him south to Richmond, Va., and now west to San Francisco. When he hits the Pacific Ocean, he'll turn south again, finishing in Los Angeles. Then it's back to work on Beacon Hill.
He said he has raised about $7,000 for the Newton-based National Center on Family Homelessness and he'd like to raise $20,000 by the end of the ride.
While he's on the road, McGonigle has been keeping in touch via cell phone and e-mail. He's also been blogging on his Web site bike4ncfh.org, where he is also accepting donations for the center.
He's been riding about 75 miles per day, he said, "but the terrain and weather really dictate productivity."
His jaunt has taken him through 14 states so far (not counting the District of Columbia), staying overnight mostly in public parks and churches.
"Sometimes people will see me and invite me to their home for dinner, shower and shelter," he said.
In fact, he said, he has been impressed generally by the kindness people have shown him.
"The trip has exceeded all expectations," he said. "The overwhelming generosity of complete strangers has been incredibly flattering, and has helped me maintain a high level of optimism for each day."
When he isn't being invited to dinner, McGonigle said he is eating "way too many oats, a lot of bananas, granola and peanut butter — and I can't help but reward myself with a cheeseburger at the end of a long day."
McGonigle said he hasn't had any serious problems with his bike, and when he needs help or biking advice, he phones Riverside Cycle in Newburyport, where staffers had helped him choose gear before he started his ride.
And what a ride it has been.
"This has truly been the experience of a lifetime," McGonigle said in an e-mail message from the road. "I am eternally grateful to all those that helped me make this dream come to fruition. My hope is that we can increase the donation total, and help others have the opportunity to pursue their dreams."
