Winnipeg's cycling grandpa will be finding another way to help Kenyan orphans, but this year it won't be through a big Guinness World Record Attempt. 

"The 10,000 km GWR is no longer in jeopardy. But the 4000 children at MCF still are," says Arvid Loewen in a Facebook post on June 30, 2021. 

He was on the third day of 22 days of straight cycling, with the goal of covering 400 km a day to break the Guinness World Record for fastest time cycling 10,000 km. 

"I am disappointed, but 100% certain that I (we) made the right call. I am no longer on the road in pursuit of the 10,000 GWR record."

Loewen is turning 65 years old this year and the physical toll, on top of the intense heat, was simply too much.

"Yesterday, I got off the bike at 11 pm. I had suffered a lot, especially in the afternoon heat, to reach the 441.7 km existing GWR pace. 5 hours later, I had a breakfast of scrambled eggs and porridge, only to deposit all of it on Henderson Highway. My stomach rejected the nourishment I needed."

The first few days of July, the temperatures are all reaching low to mid-30s, with Saturday reaching a high of plus 37 before the humidex.

"Now I am faced with another change. I can no longer do multi-week events, where my recovery time is less than 12 hours. Not sure what future cycling fundraising events will look like, but they will include some significant recovery time."

The only reason Loewen puts his body through these intense events is to raise money and awareness for Mully Children's Family, a Christian organization that raises orphans in Kenya. 

"If you were considering making a donation to MCF at some point during my 22-day attempt, please consider making it even if I am not riding anymore. Ruth & I thank you in advance for helping us provide 600,000 meals to children in desperate need."

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