By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Tom Helbig has a simple message as he nears the end of a four-month bicycle trip from Neah Bay, Washington to Bath, Maine.

Live active

Laugh more

Inspire all

It’s a mantra he lives his life by, and feels if more people did to, there would be more goodness in the world.

Four years ago, the Bowling Green State University graduate with a degree in sports management took a deep look at himself and his life, and kept coming back to the aforementioned three principles. Since he worked nine years as a Special Olympics coach and coordinator, Tom found great reward inspiring people through adventurous activities.

In 2014, Tom started his own business — Tomfoolery Outdoors. His services include consulting, event support, guide services (custom guided adventures for people of all abilities), inspirational speaking and team building. His goal is to encourage people of all ages and walks of life to pursue a healthy lifestyle, while making a difference in this world.

A natural spinoff, Tom decided to bicycle across the country to spread his message. He calls it the Tomfoolery Good Vibes Tour. The 44-year-old is close to completing the final leg of the quest to bicycle the perimeter of the United States.  

During his estimated 3.5 month, 4,000 plus miles journey, he has shared the stories of the people, places, communities and organizations that are making the world a more loving and happy place.  

Tuesday, Tom braked near the Stevens Brook park and talked briefly about his adventure, despite a light rain.

“It’d hard to squash my enthusiasm after riding well over 4,000 miles to get here. I am a day and a half away from the Atlantic coast now,” he said. “In 2016, I bicycled from San Diego, Calif. to Key West, Fla. On that journey, I did volunteer work, fundraising awareness events for Special Olympics. There was a lot of positive energy that was gained from that. I told the stories of the athletes, coaches, volunteers, managers that made it all happen. I was like a rolling journalist. After that journey, I said I wanted to continue so I created the Tom Foolery Good Vibes Tour, where I would complete my loop around America on my bicycle, sharing the stories of Good Vibe leaders, which are by my definition, people, places, projects, communities, organizations that make the world a more happy, loving, accepting place.” 

Tom uses social media for his storytelling during breaks from riding between 50 to 60 miles a day.

As for Tuesday’s destination, Tom said, “Today, I don’t quite know. I roll by the seat of my pants. Some friends gave me money for a hotel, so I’ll look for a little hotel for the night. My destination on the coast is the Bath-Brunswick area.”

Showing a little kindness, BN Advertising Manager Eric Gulbrandsen bought the cyclist lunch from Beth’s Café.

“Thanks a million for your kindness,” Tom later said in an e-mail. “I am having chicken curry and rice. I appreciate the hospitality.”

Tom visited Maine in 2018 during one of his Good Vibe Tours, which started in Key West and followed the Atlantic coastline, touching Maine at one point. “In 2019-20, earlier this year, I did the Pacific coast, Canada to Mexico. Now, I am completing the top section of America. When I hit the coast of Maine, it will connect all of the dots. I’ll go for a swim in the ocean, Popham Beach,” he said. 

Highlights from thistour include:

Mountain rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula, 

Breathtaking alpine views of the Cascades, Rockies and Appalachian Mountains

Big Sky plains in Montana and North Dakota.

Mississippi River valley bluffs of Wisconsin and Minnesota

Northwoods lakes of Minnesota and Michigan

Great Lakes coastal riding in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York

Niagara Falls

Historic Erie Canal Trail from Buffalo to Albany, N.Y.

Fall colors in New England

And ultimately, a swim in the Atlantic Ocean — the Grand Finale in coastal Maine.

“I believe in people and the inherent goodness that lives in all of us. We can behave in a manner that divides or we can build community. I hope this long-distance bicycle ride will play a role in bringing people together and celebrate the good vibes leaders in the world,” Tom said. Spending time on a bicycle can make the world a happier and healthier place.”

Tom hopes his message is contagious.

“The outdoors is for everyone and all should do something active in the outdoors every day. Mix in a little tomfoolery. Be silly, goofy, laugh! Unleash your inner five-year-old if you are 50 and hang on to your inner five-year-old if you are five,” he said. 

How? It’s quite simple — Live Active, Laugh More, Inspire All.

You can follow the journey at Tomfoolery Outdoors on Facebook, Instagram, and You Tube.  All links can be found at www.tomfooleryoutdoors.com.   

Editor’s note: Advertising Manager Eric Gulbrandsen contributed to this report.