(Waverly, Iowa) Tim O’Brien, an enthusiastic cyclist from Waverly, and formerly from Atlantic, has received an incredible chance to be among twenty-five amateur riders chosen to traverse the 2,100-mile Tour de France route, which includes a daunting 170,000 feet of elevation gain, just one week before the professional cyclists hit the roads.
This event is organized by Tour 21 in the UK, with the ambitious goal of raising one million dollars for Cure Leukemia. Each selected rider has pledged to raise $30,000 individually to support this vital cause. Tim has been fundraising in local bike shops, newspaper articles, bike clubs, and social media posts. He has found this to be quite a challenge, and to date, O’Brien is 57 percent toward his goal. On Saturday, April 26, the O’Brien family hosts a “Fish Fry Fundraiser for Leukemia” from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Iron Specialties, 410 3rd Street, in Atlantic.
When asked about his passion for cycling, O’Brien recalls that when he turned sixteen, many of his classmates bought cars, not Tim; he purchased a bicycle.
O’Brien’s journey toward riding the Tour de France route began in 2022 during a trip to the annual Atlantic High School Trojan Alumni Reunion, held that year in Sedona, Arizona. While there, he saw a man training on a stationary bike on the sidewalk—a chance encounter that sparked something in him.
The idea lingered, and after returning from RAGBRAI last summer, O’Brien received an unexpected email from Tour 21. With the support of his wife, he applied. Shortly after, he was informed that he was among a group competing for just five open spots on the team. He sent in his cycling résumé and took part in a video interview with the selection panel.
O’Brien notes that the Tour 21 ride isn’t a race but an endurance challenge—2,100 miles in 21 days, including a staggering 170,000 feet of climbing. He ramped up his training to prepare, riding 100 miles daily for three consecutive days.
The 25 amateur cyclists selected from around the globe will begin their three-week ride on June 28.
And don’t forget—the Fish Fry Fundraiser for Leukemia will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Iron Specialties, 410 3rd Street, Atlantic.
The entire interview with Tim O’Brien is posted below:
