The importance of remaining active during one’s retirement years is highlighted in a book that tells the tale of Peter Murtagh. As he enters his 69th year, he ventures on a solitary journey riding his motorcycle down the renowned Pan-American Highway, starting from the southernmost point of Chile in South America and ending in Deadhorse, Alaska, where the road ceases.
Despite his journey initially being thwarted by the Covid pandemic, like so many in recent times, Murtagh’s story soon becomes an invigorating and adventurous tale. His escapades range from getting lost in the Ukika Valley in Chile, where he fell asleep to the sounds of feral hounds, to attending a remarkably courteous arms exhibit in Tucson, Arizona.
Murtagh’s journalistic instincts shine during the most gripping parts of his account. He delves into human stories, navigating through the Peruvian demonstrations in the aftermath of President Pedro Castillo’s removal. Murtagh also sheds light on the plight of migrants in Colombia, tracing the path that thousands traverse through the jungle to Panama towards a fresh start in North America.
Murtagh’s narrative, which offers a vivid portrayal of an almost fantastical feeling of travel, is truly inspiring. It will resonate especially with individuals who have a penchant for the outdoors, as Murtagh maps out the complexities of maneuvering, refilling, and maintaining a motorcycle in various environments. These range from the stark white salt flats of Uyuni, Bolivia, to the treacherous ‘roads of death’ in Peru’s highlands.
Completing a venture of such magnitude requires Murtagh to be discerning – deciding where to pause and where to hasten. This element could, at times, feel a bit jarring. However, such a predicament is inherent to any road trip and actually enhances the pace.
The book, Wild Atlantic Women: Walking Ireland’s West Coast, has been authored by Gráinne Lyons and published by New Island Books.