Billy’s Big Cycle raises funds for Central America

Trócaire supporter Billy Lavelle is pedalling against poverty by cycling an incredible journey from Alaska to Argentina to raise funds for communities in Central America.

Starting at Prudhoe Bay, the most northern point accessible by road in Alaska, Billy will cycle all the way to Ushuia in Argentina, the southern most city in the world. The journey will take him 27,000 kilometres and will take him through 15 countries: USA, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.

Billy’s fundraising efforts will primarily focus on improving the livelihoods of the rural poor in Nicaragua by improving their food security.

Local photographers Terry and Cynthia Julien of Northern Exposure Photography bumped into Billy in Alaska and took these stunning shots of the Irishman cycling on the Alaska Haul Road.  “We wanted to give him a ice cold drink because we could see that he was really working up a sweat,” said Terry. “He had a very determined look on his face.”

 “The shot of him with the already travelled road behind him speaks volumes. It was an honour to be able to shoot a very small segment of his journey through our great state of Alaska and a great honour to meet Mr. Billy Lavelle.” 

You can support Billy’s fundraising efforts by donating to his fundraising page here and you can follow Billy’s adventure on Facebook.

All photos by Terry and Cynthia Julien of Northern Exposure Photography.