He might be 70 but there's no slowing down Armin Kluge.
Kluge, who recently stopped in Yorkton along his journey, is cycling across Canada to raise awareness about the importance of education as well as funds to help out a school he helped to build in Cambodia.
"I started on July 15 from Stanley Park in Vancouver," he details. This journey is the second leg of a three part adventure that will see Kluge cycle from coast to coast.
Last year he travelled from Kenora, Ontario to Manitoba and then back to his hometown of Aurora, Ontario.
"That was 2,100 km, and now from Vancouver I've done almost 2,800 km."
His plan is to cycle back to Kenora where he will hop on a bus home. At that point he will make the decision of when to proceed on the third leg of his mission which is to pedal to the east coast.
Being on the road for such a lengthy time, sometimes without the means to communicate can take a toll on family life he says so once he reaches home he will decide whether he needs to take a break before heading out again on the final trek. But he's determined to finish what he started.
"I want people to understand the importance of education. I'm also trying to raise funds to help children in a school that I helped to build in Cambodia so they can get an education that will give them a better chance in their lives.
It's makes for an adventure to say the least.
"The most exciting experience I've had, of course there's the scenery, nature, the terrain... it's all wonderful... but the most wonderful thing has been the people. The people that I meet are awesome and I get so much reinforcement on my quest...
"I can see the difference between the people I meet now and those from 25 or 50 years ago. We're growing as a civilization. It's been just great, heartwarming. People have been very helpful, open minded, the support I'm getting is without any question second to none."
It took a lot of preparation and much training but for Kluge, it's all worth it.
"I go to Cambodia once a year so I am very close with the children, the school itself, the teachers and even the village. It's one of the poorest areas in Cambodia," he adds.
"I consider myself privileged to have the opportunity to do this. I wish I was a millionaire so I could just give them endless funds but maybe this is even better. I do this on a very low budget. It gives me the opportunity to get to know people and the personal growth for me is just as important..."
Before setting out he could have never really known what it would be like or how demanding it would be.
"At my age you can't just jump on the bike and go. I have to be a lot more conscious of what my body is telling me... It's a learning experience and a big commitment. I've almost had to put my life on hold ..."
But he has no regrets, none at all.
"There are challenges. Sometimes I feel I have to fight for every kilometer that I'm cycling but then maybe that is the nature of the beast. But there are no regrets."
To see results makes everything worthwhile.
Seeing the faces of the children is all the thanks he needs.
"I am so blessed and privileged to be able to do this. When I visit the school it is always a very moving experience."
To lend support to Kluge and his cause visit his website at: www.helpcambodianschool.org where there is also a SPOT tracking system. And even more important he says, is spread the word.
"Spread the word of how important change is and this world will become a better place."
