First-time Watershed Rider Gary Thomson, a native of Dublin, has been at the highest stage of competitive cycling. As a member of the 1984 Irish National Team, he took part in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Gary Thomson at an event celebrating all of Ireland’s Olympians.

Four years later, he would return to the US to take part in the Whaling City Classic, a five-day stage race in Southern New England. The 24-year-old didn’t even know where New England was at the time. They housed him at UMass Dartmouth (known as Southeastern Massachusetts University back then), and the stages took place all along Buzzards Bay and up into Cape Cod. He was so impressed with the natural beauty and the hospitality of the people here. When the director of the race coordinated a job for him as a cook at a local restaurant, he jumped at the chance to return once again.

He has never left.

He also hasn’t competed at such a high level of biking ever again. But that never extinguished his love for the activity. “Cycling is more than just achievement,” he says. “You can measure your success not by your fitness level, but by enjoyment, too.”

Among many other jobs, including being a bartender and deliverer for Buzzards Bay Brewing, he works for a company called Promoter Line, which does logistics for events nationwide. In this role, Thomson marks courses for various Bike MS and Best Buddies rides and then actually marshals the events on the day.

“You have to stay fit,” he says. While he admits he rides frequently between gigs, he doesn’t consider it training. At least training on the level he had four decades ago as a teenager as a run-up to those Olympics.

“It keeps me active,” he says. And he enjoys spending his time working for good causes.

He is giving back to the area he now holds so dear by taking part in this year’s Watershed Ride, one of our signature fundraiser events, whose claim to fame is that you will protect the beautiful lands and water views you cycle past.

With all his travels to cycling’s premier destinations, I assume he would list as a favorite something in California, Colorado, or even a location overseas.

“It’s very hard to beat here,” he says. “The coastline here is truly remarkable. It never gets boring.”

Support Gary or another Watershed Rider here.