Tom O’Brien wearing a bicycle helmet and sunglassesTired Old BikerThe bicycle journals of Tom O’Brien

A wider view of the man behind the journals

Tom Beyond the Bicycle

The touring journals tell an extraordinary part of Tom’s story. These family photographs preserve some of the rest: children, mountains, races, celebrations, and quiet moments at home.

Tom seated with his children during a family camping trip.
Tom with his children on a family camping trip

The parts of his life that happened away from the route map.

Family

A later portrait of Tom.
TomA later portrait of Tom.
A family celebration at home.
At HomeA family celebration at home.
Tom sharing the bicycle with one of his children.
A Bicycle and FamilyTom sharing the bicycle with one of his children.
Tom with his children on a family outing.
Family OutdoorsTom with his children on a family outing.

Mount Whitney, Mount Hood, and another way of reaching the summit.

The Mountains

Tom on the snow-covered mountain.
Mount Hood · 1992Tom on the snow-covered mountain.
Tom high above the clouds on Mount Hood.
Mount Hood · 1992Tom high above the clouds on Mount Hood.
Tom climbing on Mount Whitney.
Mount Whitney · 1977Tom climbing on Mount Whitney.
Tom at the Mount Whitney summit marker.
Mount Whitney · 1977Tom at the Mount Whitney summit marker.

Cycling and running were not limited to quiet touring roads.

Races, Rides, and Finish Lines

Tom with his bicycle above Crater Lake.
Cycle Oregon · 1992Tom with his bicycle above Crater Lake.
Tom competing in a bicycle hill climb.
Hill ClimbTom competing in a bicycle hill climb.
Tom with his bicycle after the hill climb.
Hill ClimbTom with his bicycle after the hill climb.
A post-event conversation.
Hill ClimbA post-event conversation.
A group photograph from the Hilly Dilly.
Hilly Dilly · 1972A group photograph from the Hilly Dilly.
Tom with fellow runners at Hood to Coast.
Hood to Coast · 1991Tom with fellow runners at Hood to Coast.
A finish-line moment from Hood to Coast.
Hood to Coast · 1991A finish-line moment from Hood to Coast.

Ordinary moments that help complete the portrait.

Tom, Between Adventures

Tom with his children during a family camping trip.
Family CampingTom with his children during a family camping trip.
Tom with one of his bicycles.
On the BicycleTom with one of his bicycles.
A wedding-day photograph.
Tom and His BrideA wedding-day photograph.
Tom at the Santa Monica city limit.
Santa MonicaTom at the Santa Monica city limit.
Tom relaxing at home.
A Quiet MomentTom relaxing at home.
An informal photograph of Tom.
Young TomAn informal photograph of Tom.

More than the miles

The bicycle carried him through every state. It was never the only thing that made up his life.
Return to Tom’s story