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GREENSBORO — When he reached the hill at Country Park, Cal Weimer pedaled faster as onlookers yelled encouragement Friday.

“Whoosh” went the sleek Specialized Sequoia road bicycle as it whizzed by. The staunchest supporter was Weimer’s wife, Susan . She waved blue posterboard signs (she’s a teacher, don’t you know) with encouraging messages in neat, white block letters:

“Go Calvin.”

“Happy Birthday.”

“77 Years Young.”

Not your typical birthday party. But Cal Weimer’s not your typical guy.

He started cycling five years ago after finding an old mountain bike left at their home by a former foster child.

Back then, he could barely get around on the bicycle. He pushed himself to go faster and farther. He bought the Sequoia — a “serious” bike, as Weimer calls it — at cycles de ORO .

He started logging his miles and thoughts on riding in a notebook, adding articles on cycling and exercise tips to improve his sport.

He began competing at the local Senior Games in 2006 , snagging a third-place finish in the more competitive state games last year. In July, he tackled the steep, winding road to Pilot Mountain.

He next challenged himself to 77 miles for his 77 years.

“So many people my age, they’re sitting all day long and watching TV and not using their minds ... and not taking care of their aging bodies,” Weimer said. “I want to do the best I can. I’m pretty lucky to have lived all these many years.”

So he celebrated his birthday Friday on a bicycle: eight hours of circling Country Park, past the pond and the BarkPark , past walkers and joggers.

Strangers cheered him on when they found out what he was doing.

Friends and neighbors stopped by during Weimer’s daylong quest.

“I take my hat off,” neighbor Amparo Ayuso, 38 , said when Weimer finished his ride. “That’s amazing. An inspiration, for sure.”

“How are you feeling?” one supporter asked after Weimer crossed the finish line.

“Like I won’t make it to 78!” he responded, laughing as he bent over his handlebars, breathing deeply.

“No, actually, really good,” Weimer said. “Really good.”

Contact Jennifer Fernandez at 373-7064 or jennifer.fernandez@news-record.com