story of a man who has been moved to the core of his soul to join in with what he sees God can do in a powerful way through the work of others.
Murray Taylor
President and CEO, Investors Group
Every once in a while there’s a story of someone who does something amazing, something few people would even attempt—let alone accomplish. This is that kind of story. A successful man and a proud grandpa lays it all on the line to change the lives of the poorest of the poor. As someone who’s been on a support crew for Arvid when he accomplished what we all thought was impossible—I can say this story is going to grip your heart and mind and encourage you to never quit and never give up—you can make a difference.
Victor Neufeld
Support crew member, GrandpasCan 2011
Lead pastor, North Kildonan MB Church
All readers will find much to stimulate their thinking in this book. The story of Arvid Loewen’s journey is inspirational. Its breadth and scope will provoke both thought and emotion. As he has done throughout his journey, Arvid helps us think more clearly about the things that are truly important and the difference one man can make in the lives of thousands.
Doug Warkentin
President, Warkentin Group, Private Wealth Management
To collect Arvid’s dentures out of an Alaskan roadside ditch in ’97 was an adventure for me. To break the Guinness World Record across Canada in 2011 is a lifetime achievement for Arvid. The years of training, determination, faith and sacrifice in between are God’s calling on a man’s life to make a difference to street children in Kenya.
Juergen Loewen
Eight-time support crew member
It was our privilege to give Arvid Loewen coast-to-coast coverage on our daily 100 Huntley Street telecast, as we tracked his courageous trek across Canada. Our Crossroads Relief and Development team are proud to have been connected with Arvid and Mully Children’s Family for a number of years. Arvid’s huge heart for helping those less fortunate is an inspiration to us all!
Ron Mainse
Spiritual director, Crossroads Family of Ministries
Executive producer of 100 Huntley Street
Arvid is the fastest cyclist I have ever met. What makes Arvid so wonderful and unique is that he uses his ultra-marathon cycling to honour and glorify the Lord Jesus. He is making a big difference for many at Mully Children’s Family in Kenya, Africa.
Albert Martens
Extreme running, Power to Change
Arvid’s grit has challenged and inspired me for years as he lives out his mission with a passion and commitment that blows my mind. This book provided poignant “behind the scenes” detail that only increased my respect for his faith, tenacity and willingness to sacrifice. Pedal through the pages of this book along with Arvid if you need a good kick in the pants to discover and live out your own calling. Simply: “Wow.”
Carolyn O. Bergen
Marriage and family therapist
Director, Bergen & Associates Counselling
Go, Grandpa, go!
Arvid’s eight grandsons
Dedication
My wife, Ruth: you are my best friend, most loyal supporter and accountability partner. Our life has been quite the adventure thus far, and I look forward to how God will continue to lead us.
Our children, Jodi and Bernie, Stephanie and Josh, Paul and Jeanette: you have played a major part in shaping who I am. Being your dad has taught me much. Thank you for blessing me.
Our eight grandsons, Niko, Oliver, Jaden, Emerson, Kieren, Bryce, Lachlan and Jonah: you make life even sweeter. May each of you aspire to make a difference in the world for the glory of God.
Table of Contents
Foreword by David Balzer
Acknowledgements
1. The End: RAAM 2008
2. Determined to Succeed: Paraguay
3. New Beginnings: Canada, Part 1
4. Between the Posts: Canada, Part 2
5. The Fat Years: Post-Soccer, Pre-Cycling
6. If At First You Don’t Succeed: Cycling, Part 1
7. DNF: Cycling, Part 2
8. Oh, The Things You See: Stories from the Road
9. Against All Odds: Spoke ’99
10. The Breaking Point: Spoke 2001
11. Closed and Open Doors: Preparing for Spoke 2005
12. Praying Without Disclaimers: Spoke 2005, Part 1
13. Dream Big: Spoke 2005, Part 2
14. Changing Lives: Mully Children’s Family
15. Giving It Up: Quitting My Day Job
16. Planned Adversity: RAAM 2008
17. Family: Mully Children’s Family
18. Claiming Victory: GrandpasCan 2011
19. The Beginning: GrandpasCan 2012
Author’s Note
Appendix 1: Riding Accomplishments
Appendix 2: Life Timeline
Appendix 3: Fun Facts
Appendix 4: Behind the Scenes
Foreword: November 10, 2013
It was June 1999, and I was sitting in the front seat of an RV making my way through Canada’s immense Rocky Mountains. But this was anything but a vacation. Amidst the picturesque offerings of mountain grandeur, what I was actually fixated on, just on the other side of the huge picture window, was a small man on a bicycle. He’d been climbing the excruciating grade of the Coquihalla Highway for the past hour at 8 km an hour and simply hadn’t stopped pedalling. As a media coordinator, I had been asked to tell the story of Arvid’s first Vancouver to Winnipeg ultra-marathon cycling attempt. I couldn’t imagine how what I was watching was possible. Fourteen years and thousands of kilometres later, there is still something unbelievable about the story that follows. Unbelievable, that is, if you aren’t prone to acknowledging the strength of a vision and the presence of God.
I actually cycled a few kilometres alongside of Arvid on the bald prairie of Saskatchewan during that first trip. We still share laughs about
