The Irishman who cycles across the globe

For Tomás Mac an t-Saoir, from Ballyferriter, the world is no bigger than one turn of a wheel.

The County Kerry man has just returned from cycling across Afghanistan, Iran, India and Pakistan as part of a mission to cycle across the globe, and meet as many people as possible along the way.

It started in 2016 after university in Galway - when he packed up his bicycle and belongings to cycle across the USA.

What started as a goal to cover as many miles as possible has evolved into a mission to really see and enjoy the world.

Since then he has wheeled his way across much of the continents of Africa, Asia and Australia.

And Tomás does not mind how long it takes him to complete.

"It's become a bit of addiction - the world is so big and beautiful and a bike is fast enough that you can get from A to B, but slow enough - as I am only doing 80-100km a day that you get an opportunity to see the world properly and spend time with the people who inhabit it," he told BBC News NI.

During his 1300 km (807 miles) cycle through Afghanistan

In between trips, when he is home in his close-knit Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) village on the Dingle peninsula he works at his family pub and as a tour guide.

He also works while he is travelling but said that cycling is a budget-friendly way to get around.

"Cycling can be as cheap as you want. You have your tent and your cooking gear," he said.

Many of the places he visits are affordable to eat in, especially "if you stay away from the main tourist places".

"I've met other cyclists who are living off as little as $5 (£4) a day," he said.

Unfortunately, Tomás said there is no way to make cycling thousands of miles easy.

"There really is no comfortable saddle. You just have to sit on it and make yourself get comfortable," he said.

"At the beginning, you'll be sore and tired, but after a few weeks you get used to it and feel fitter."

With all his camping gear and equipment "the bike is weighed-down so I'm not going at crazy speeds".

"I'm not cycling 21-hours a day, maybe only four to eight - I go steady, stop for breaks and chat to people," he said.

In Iran, his chain broke, and despite putting on a spare link it broke again and he was 100km (62 miles) from Tehran, but generally, he has been lucky.

"If it's punctures, I fix them myself - every time I'm in a city I get it serviced - you just have to keep on top of it.

"It's always well-looked after so it looks after me in return," he added.

Tomas, with Iranian friends who live in Ireland, who he met up with when they were home visiting Iran

For Tomás, wherever in the world he goes, it is the people who stand out and the kindness he has experienced.

It started from day one, but has continued everywhere.

"When I set-off on the trip to the States, I never thought people would be so curious and willing to take care of me," he said.

"People see you on the bike and they want to know if you're ok - if you need money, water, food or a place to sleep.

"It's been like that in in the USA, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East."

Some countries have really stood out.

"It's usually the country that we are told might be dangerous. I was told I wouldn't come out of Sudan in one piece," he said.

"But Sudanese people went above and beyond - it's also ingrained in their religion that you look after guests.

"If I tried to camp, it was like I insulted the whole country by having the audacity to sleep in my tent.

"If I stopped in a village and asked where to camp they would say 'no guest of ours will sleep in a tent'," he said.

He said that was across the board on his latest trip.

"People would stop their cars and ask if I had somewhere to stay, ask how they could make me feel more comfortable in their country," he recalled.

"It's humbling be at the receiving end of such genuine good will gestures."

Afghanistan, though has been a highlight to date.

"We all know what happened in the last 40 to 50 years and it looks like what a war-torn country would look like, but despite the humanitarian and economic crisis people were still kind," he said.

"Many people don't have much there, but they treated me as one of their own."

During his 1300 km (807 miles) cycle through Afghanistan

"My family is used to it by now", but he added that his parents will always worry.

"I was biking with two Canadian guys in Africa. One of them was nearly 60 but he still video-called his mam everyday, which was very sweet," he added.

"M parents know I am not afraid to ask for help and they are so grateful for those who help me."

He added that lots of the people he had met had come and stayed at his home in Ireland.

What's next?

"The question these days is when am I going to stop but I'm not quite ready yet," he said.

"I wont be doing this forever, so I am making the most of it while I can."

"South America is on the list, and after that "I'll break it down into regions - so it'll just get more detailed."

Lessons learned

For Tomás, his biggest takeaway has been the goodness in people.

"I can't think of any bad experience I have ever had - the biggest takeaway is that 99% of people are good, peaceful people who just want to live a peaceful life and leave behind a good life for their kids and grandkids," he added.

-bbc