Lung cancer survivor to cycle throughout Asia, Europe

Ron Ibarra has always wanted to be more involved in his life instead of just cruising through as an observer.

And even while recovering from lung cancer, he wants to see the world and inspire others that life after cancer goes on.

Ibarra, 26, will do this by spending the next two to three years cycling across two continents and 29 countries, pedaling across Europe, Eurasia and Asia. On March 1, he will begin his travels in Western Europe and make his way through the Middle East toward Nepal, then toward Thailand before entering Southeast Asia and ending in Hong Kong.

He plans for the trip to take two to three years. And he is giving himself a year's grace period — without quitting — to experience all the ups and downs. There is no "plan B."

"I think like anybody else, I've always just aimed to be inspired in anything that I do," said Ibarra, who worked as a creative director for Goodwyn Building Company in Montgomery.

"I think inspiration is a pretty important step in doing anything. Life should be spent doing more of what you're passionate about, and enjoying every second of being challenged. I think as a whole, I'm hoping to help and encourage others to experience the same growth that I will experience."

Ibarra, who is Cuban-Spanish, has lived in America for 15 years, and in Montgomery for two years. Sitting at Montgomery MultiSport recently, where he purchased for his trip a Trek 520 — a touring-style bike made for long-distance riding that can handle heavier loads — he said he expects to ride about 45 to 75 miles each day and carry with him a backpack, tent, sleeping mat and clothes for a week. And two spare tires.

He also will carry an extra inhaler with him on his trip — he has mild asthma as a result of his lung cancer — and plans to stay in hostels and with host families and will also sleep in the tent.

Cancer, cycling

Ibarra became cancer-free in 2013 and started riding after cancer treatments ended, when he realized his lungs weren't strong enough to run anymore.

"I loved running," he said. "The freedom feeling you have when you run. I was training for the Mercedes Marathon in Manhattan. I was living in Manhattan at the time ... that's when I became sick and started treatments."

Ibarra never smoked and has no history of cancer in his family, but when he started losing a lot of weight, concern grew. He lost 10 to 15 pounds and started having problems breathing.

Doctors found a spot on his right lung, and he was diagnosed with stage 2 lung cancer. Shortly after, he moved to Montgomery for a job, and because his mother lived in the state. After the move, and after treatments, he started cycling.

"I needed something to still be able to stay active and not put too much strain on the lungs," Ibarra said, adding of his upcoming travels, "I've always wanted to see the world, but I never knew how to do it. And cycling seems like the best way for me to enjoy everything."

His first long journey was last year in Ireland when he traveled for about a month and fell in love with the idea of using two wheels to see the world.

"I had never really cycled before Ireland," he said, "aside from at the gym. It started as an innocent suggestion from a friend to cycle Ireland, and it has turned into something I'm passionate about."

Ibarra is in Barcelona right now, having left Montgomery on Feb. 1. He will prepare for his trip and cycle through Barcelona before traveling to Asia. He will travel with a friend. He said financially he has depended on a lot of discipline, and he will also depend on a lot of faith and support.

"I've had a lot of support from friends and my family," he said. "And my job has been incredibly supportive of my trip."

Asked whether he had any fears, he answered: "Sure. That I won't make it to the end. That I won't like it, after I've been doing it for too long.

"Hopefully, I can help people that are currently undergoing treatment, or who will be undergoing treatment, or who are going through recovery. I know at some point you tend to feel pretty low. It's pretty discouraging going through the recovery process because it requires a lot of intensive training. So I'm hoping that I can somehow show that it's OK to work hard and train hard and recover and still do what you want to do."

Want to follow?

As Ron Ibarra travels the world, follow him online at www.bikeforwards.com