Eleanor Deckert
He’s good looking. He’s smart. He’s touring B.C. on his bicycle with two trusty dogs, Nanook and Chinook, trotting alongside.
Randolph Westphal says he is a 25-year cancer survivor (who was given one year to live) who believes, “Hurry gives you cancer and when you enjoy your life your immune system works much better.”
He apparently also has had multiple surgeries, suffered a brain injury, was told he would never get out of a wheelchair, and yet he keeps returning to the open road for more cycling with the message, “Never give up.”
It’s a long story available on-line (written in German, but you can hit the “translate” button) at www.randolph-westphal.de
He’s not raising money (he says his budget is $12 per day) He’s raising awareness.
“Twenty years ago the vegetables had more vitamins. Now we hurry hurry hurry to grow everything. But you can’t take from Mother Nature like we have been doing. If everything is about money and hurry, then we become machine-like. Take time for yourself. You are a human being,” he says.
He wants to see everything, so his route zigs and zags from Vancouver to Calgary, through Jasper, down Highway 5 to Kamloops. From there he intends to head west to Cache Creek, up to Prince George, and either to the coast or Alaska.
He wants to talk to people. He has been a guest speaker at hospitals, schools, universities and care facilities. If you see him, say, “Hello.” If you would like to invite him to address your group, he has a cell phone with him (49-162-275-7592).
A guest on Wednesday, July 10, at the Log Inn in Avola, Westphal was also to be given some fine baking at the Strawberry Moose, receive complimentary accommodation at the Wells Grey Hotel on Thursday, Jasper Way Inn for Friday and the Clearwater Lodge on Saturday.
According to Westphal, he has the Guinness world record in Guinness for the longest bicycle ride with dogs. He’s on Youtube, in the news, and on Facebook. Google his name. You’ll be inspired.