Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
On Saturday, October 17, 2015, Canadian cyclist John Murtaugh bikes throughout the US on his way to San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato in Mexico.
Guillermo Ordorica, the Mexican Consul in McAllen Texas, welcomed the 70 years old from Ontario and bikes with him to the Hidalgo/McAllen international bridge.
Consul Ordorica arranged a welcoming group in Reynosa México where the Canadian cyclist will spend the night before continuing his trip to San Miguel de Allende.
Consul Ordorica told Texas Border Business, “México and Canada are friends and we support that friendship.”
Murtaugh began his journey from Canada to the city of San Miguel de Allende in central Mexico on September 15, 2015. He plans to arrive at his destination next month during the first week in November.
Jim Darling, mayor of McAllen was not able to participate to welcome Murtaugh however he responded to Texas Border Business request to comment and also sent an invitation to Murtaugh that says: “What a great ride, John, I hope you come through McAllen on the way back – you might decide to stay!” Jim Darling, Mayor.
Mayor Darling is also a cyclist, and never shy away to an opportunity to bike ride with friends or visitors. Just a few weeks ago, he did a 20-mile bike ride with Consul Ordorica.
The purpose of Murtaugh’s journey is to raise $ 25,000.00 for a charity organization called Amistad Canada which supports social and educational projects in and around San Miguel de Allende
Murtaugh was inspired by the documentary film “CICLO”, the story of two Mexican brothers – Arturo and Gustavo Martínez – who cycled from México City to Toronto Canada back in 1956. They remained in Canada, married and raised their families there.
Several years ago, filmmaker Andrea Martínez Crowther persuaded her father (Arturo) and uncle (Gustavo) to retrace their journey. After seeing the film, Murtaugh, who is himself an experienced long-distance cyclist, decide to cycle same journey, but he’d do it in the opposite direction, ending up in San Miguel de Allende.
The non-for-profit organization ‘Amistad Canada’ was founded in 2009 as a successor organization for ‘Casa” which itself was founded in the 1980’s by Murtaugh’s late mother-in-law Aleen Harris and later managed by his late wife, Elizabeth Harris.
The funds raised that Murtaugh is hoping to raise will be used to support three projects run by CASA (Centro para Adolescentes de San Miguel de Allende). Amistad contributes to the salaries of three CASA staff members: a Clinical Coordinator in its School of Midwifery, the Library Coordinator and one of the psychologists on its Anti-violence team.
If Murtaugh meets this goal, the $25,000.00 will pay three salaries for an entire year.
Those wanting to support the ride, the Bi-Ciclo Facebook page says, can do so directly via the Amistad Canada website if in Canada, or by visiting CASA’s website, if attempting to donate from the United States.
