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Resident takes on the globe with his never-give-up attitude

October 28th, 2020

Ninety-one year-old Harold Lehmann began riding a stationary exercise bike when he moved to Points West Living Red Deer two years ago. The furthest thing from his mind at that point was circumnavigating the globe. But every day, as he pushed himself to greater distances, he began to dream; first about cycling across Canada, and then, the world.

Friends had no idea

Harold kept his goal to himself until he was almost done. Even though fellow residents, care partners and his own daughter would see him cycling in the exercise room of PWL Red Deer, they had no idea what he was up to. He’d kept track of his progress on sheets of paper, marking off his miles after each ride.

When PWL Red Deer embraced the #StepsToMentalHealth activity challenge this summer, Harold had almost reached his global goal, so he let the community know his accomplishment. When he finished the 24,490 mile (40,000 km) journey, he said he wanted his story in the newspaper.

Media buzz

So, Recreation Therapist Delray Dempsey shared Harold’s story with the Red Deer Advocate (article here). It wasn’t long before word got around, and he was approached by media around the province, including CTV Edmonton. That story went to air on October 27, and is available on the CTV Edmonton website (video here).

Don't quit when you're half done

Harold told the reporters that his quest was a lot of fun but, “It was a challenge from day one. I got in my head that I was going to do it so I did but it was challenging.” What did he learn during those long hours of physical effort? “Only thing is don’t quit when your half done, finish to prove your capability. There were times in which I was soaking wet from sweating from cycling but I never stopped the challenge. It is really fun if you are determined to stay with it.”

“I am getting too old to do it again as I am 91 years old,” he adds, “and at that age it truly is a challenge. But maybe when I am 100 I will do another challenge.” In the meantime, Harold still gets on the bike just about every day to keep his fitness up, and still enjoys it. Of course, friends at PWL Red Deer wanted to celebrate Harold’s success, so they held a party for him, featuring at his request, Kentucky Fried Chicken and ice cream.

Photo: Resident Harold Lehmann pedaled around the world on an exercise bike at PWL Red Deer (Earth photo credit “By NASA/NOAA/GSFC/Suomi NPP/VIIRS/Norman Kuring”)

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