most people would start thinking about
slowing things down. He’s the owner
of a successful real estate company and
has raised a family. He’s earned the right
to sit back and relax, to look forward
to retirement. And while he’s taken
advantage of the security he’s gained by
taking his hands off the
day-to-day workings of
office life, he’s put those
hands to use elsewhere,
firmly grasped around
the handlebars of a bike
that now seems a natural
extension of his body.
Pushing himself has
taught him many things
and those lessons are
ones he hopes will inspire
others, as well. “Too
many people let so much
of their lives pass them
by without ever seeing
this world and it’s such
a wonderful, beautiful place,” Catanese
says. “God gave us the ability to go
beyond the limits that our minds confine
us to and this journey has taught me to
trust the strength of my mind, my body,
and my soul to accomplish things beyond
anything I’d ever imagined possible.
Anyone can do that if they have the faith
to challenge themselves.”
Such physical fortitude required to push
through all those miles naturally mandates
proper fueling. While one could certainly
rely on easy-to-pack protein bars and
tasteless nutritional supplements to keep
their bodies charging along, Catanese is
exploring at every opportunity, using his
time in each country to taste the authentic
flavors of the world he rides so far to
see. “I lose a lot of salt on my rides, so I
love to have pizza loaded with anchovies
and olives to help replenish that sodium
anywhere I can. I’ve enjoyed some of the
most amazing breads and cheeses and
I eat dessert every day. I usually stop
somewhere around the last ten miles of
my ride each day and have an ice cream!”
Tom laughs. “With the amount of calories
I burn everyday refueling is the key, so
I enjoy eating my way through these
countries and getting more of a sense of
their culture through their cuisine.”
With plans on the horizon to explore
more of the Mediterranean countries he
has yet to see he’s keeping his calendar
full, tentatively setting his sites on biking
a course from Paris to Istanbul. For
Catanese and his adventurous soul, life
is truly a journey we should all enjoy to
its fullest—and he’s hoping to inspire the
world to open their hearts and their minds
to come together and take the ride.
December/January 2017 | 29
“God gave us the ability to go beyond the limits that our minds confine us to and
this journey has taught me to trust the strength of my mind, my body, and my
soul to accomplish things beyond anything I’d ever imagined possible. Anyone can
do that if they have the faith to challenge themselves.”
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11/29/16 9:26 AM