An 84-year-old man from Quebec's Gaspé region has bicycled more than 800 kilometres from his home in Maria, on the Bay of Chaleur, to Montreal so he can catch a plane to Beijing. Once there, he will get back on his bike and make his way to the Olympics.

It will be the 12th straight time Albert Leblanc has travelled to a Summer Olympiad this way.

His tradition started 44 years ago at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

He had gone to Europe to see his sister, then extended the trip to include Tokyo.

"I found out that they had [the] Olympic Game. I knew nothing about it, and then they gave me a ticket for opening ceremony, and ever since I haven't missed once since," Leblanc told CBC News.

Leblanc has also cycled around Mexico, Munich, Montreal, Moscow, Los Angeles, Seoul, Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney and Athens.

Each time he lands in a new location, he unpacks his bike and decorates it with signs that say things such as "Maria à Moscou."

"I'm 84; I surprise myself that I had the health, the courage, and the [pride to ride] all the way from Maria to here [Montreal]. I'm really surprised; I'm really in good shape.

LeBlanc said he travels because he loves meeting people from other cultures, and being a "representative of all Canadians" and Quebec.

"They tell me that I'm kind of an example for young people, especially the people that shouldn't get themselves into drugs and drinking and something like that.

"I don't dream of my life. I've realized my dream. You know, I'm travelling, seeing the whole world, and I've seen some beautiful things all over the world," he said.

Leblanc will fly to China this week. The Games officially open on Aug. 8.