Twenty years ago, Randolph Westphal was diagnosed with cancer and told he had one year to live. Today, driven by the goal of sharing his message and with the help of his dogs, Westphal has cycled his way around the world four times - 91,000 miles and counting.
On Saturday the 46-year-old German passed through Squamish traveling north on his way to Anchorage, Alaska.
"For the past 20 years I have either been in the hospital or cycling," he said. "During this time I have also had 25 cancer operations to have 25 malignant melanomas removed."
Westphal, who is accompanied on his cycling journey by his three dogs Yukon, Nanuk and Chinook, said his reason for dedicating his life to cycling great distances was simple.
"My message is always to show people not to give up," he said. "Go forward not backward, It is easy to die and harder to live."Westphal, who rides 60 - 80 kilometres each day, relies on donations while he is cycling and was given a free night at the Mountain Retreat Hotel and Suites in Squamish on Saturday. He asks the hotels he stays in to write ahead to other hotels along his route to let them know he is coming.
Westphal said he enjoyed riding in Canada but "feared for his life" while cycling the Sea to Sky highway.
"People come so close to me and go so fast," he said. "North Americans really need to learn how to drive."
Spending so much time on the sides of roads Westphal said he was also put off by the way people treat their surroundings.
"I also wanted to tell people to run your car just when you need to and to put trash where it belongs," he said. "Everything we do in nature comes back to us."
After traveling to Anchorage Westphal, who has also cycled in sub zero temperatures, plans to travel across America and then on to tackle Russia.
"I didn't give up and my message is the same to others - don't ever give up," he said.
Donations on Westphal's behalf can be sent to:
Andrew McLaren
6974 Inman Road, Box 75
Lone Butte, B.C. V0K 1X0.
Westphal can also be reached by email at [email protected].
