NILES — A German cyclist rolled into Niles Aug. 8 as part of an approximately 7,000-mile route from San Francisco to New York City.

Loaded with nearly 50 pounds of supplies on his bicycle, Jörg Richter, 58, began his cycling journey in April and has since been traveling across the country to raise awareness for the international nonprofit Care-for-Rare Foundation. The organization helps to fund research and connect children battling rare diseases with the care they need.

Richter is from Würzburg, Germany and served as a firefighter for about 12 years. Because of this connection, local fire stations across the U.S. have vouched to offer Richter a place to rest after a full day of cycling, including the Niles Fire Department. Richter stayed at the Niles Fire Department last Wednesday, before continuing his journey up the Michigan peninsula to Canada and eventually to New York.

Richter said he has been touched by the generosity of U.S. firefighters throughout his journey.

“I am so honored that these guys give me a place to stay … it’s definitely better than pitching up a tent somewhere in the middle of nowhere, coyotes howling,” Richter said. “It’s nice to know [there] is a place to stay in the evening.”

This summer marks Richter’s fourth awareness cycling tour, including two prior U.S. trips and one in Europe. So far, Richter’s journey has taken him through Palo Alto, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and even parts of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, where he cycled at elevations of 12,000 feet. This is his first trek to take him into the state of Michigan. Throughout his journey, Richter is stopping at 13 hospitals, where he will visit with children and hand out teddy bears. He also takes the chance to share a bit of his story.

As one might expect, the terrain and weather conditions across the U.S. have made for some unique challenges. He has battled strong head winds in Nebraska, taken detours in Colorado to avoid the paths of wildfires and endured intense desert temperatures. But Richter tells those who ask that being temporarily uncomfortable is nothing compared to the beauty he has been able to take in biking across multiple landscapes. So far, Richter said his favorite part of the journey has been riding through Burr Trail in Utah, where plateaus and rocky arroyos stretch from horizon to horizon.

“That’s my favorite place,” Richter said.

Richter said long distance biking across the U.S. has been a “bucket list” item for years. He credits his son, Lukas Richter, for giving him the push he needed to live out the dream.

“[He said] you’re always the one telling me fulfill your dreams, don’t postpone your vision,” Richter said. “I said, ‘I’m going to do something about that, but I am not only going to cycle through the U.S. – I will do something for kids.”

To prepare for his long-distance rides, Richter said he spent a lot of dreary winter days just pedaling away on a stationary bike while watching TV.

Watching Richter pedal down any street, it is easy to see how the cyclist helps to spread awareness for the cause. Besides his orange riding suit and bicycle loaded with supplies, Richter makes a point of stopping and talking to those that express curiosity.

He said a good example of this was while riding through Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a group of motorcycle riders started shouting at him as he rode past.

“[There was a] bunch of Harley Davidson guys, with tattoos, [and they were] sweaty … I cycled by and they started yelling and that was a sign for me to turn around,” Richter said. “These guys, as dangerous as they seemed, they were riding for St. Jude’s. I made friends for a lifetime.”

Richter found out that one of the motorcycle rider’s children had died, which had motivated the bikers ride for St. Jude’s. They asked Richter to help them spread their message and take a picture of himself in every state, holding the late child’s photo.

While Richter averages about 45 to 55 miles per day, he does not view these treks as a race and said he finds it important to accomplish small acts of kindness like this and take the time to satiate people’s curiosity.

“That’s the way I try to interact,” Richter said. “The farmer waving from the field means turn around.”

When Richter reflects on why he participates in these long journeys, he said it often reminds him to be grateful that he is healthy and can do something for those who are not.

“Being adults, mostly we forget about the fact that getting up in the morning is not granted,” Richter said.