Events

Navy Bike Ride Expands to Connect with Canadians

Mishall Rehman May 31, 2024

0 2 minutes read

A signature event of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), the Navy Bike Ride, will be open this year for participants of any age and ability from across the country, as well as sailors deployed around the world.

“We come together in the spirit of camaraderie and community to support the men and women who serve,” states the Navy Bike Ride website.

For years, the Navy Bike Ride has served as an important event for the RCN to connect with everyday Canadians, give back to the community, and fulfill the Navy’s fitness mandate.

The Navy Bike Ride 2024 will take place in two formats: virtual and in-person. The in-person events will begin at the end of May and continue throughout June.

Military and civilian personnel attend the 3rd annual Navy bike ride, held at Work Point, Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt on July 6 2019.
Photo by: Leading Seaman Victoria Ioganov MARPAC Imaging Services.

Different Events Coast to Coast

To showcase its footprint across Canada, the RCN is hosting in-person Navy Bike Ride events in four distinct communities:

Ottawa, ON;
Halifax, NS;
Esquimalt, BC; and
Quebec City, QC.

The Navy Bike Ride consists of three events:

Signature Ride,
Admiral’s Challenge, and
Masthead Challenge.

Ride Location Information

The National Capital Region Navy Bike Ride will take place on Saturday, June 15. This ride is unique compared to the rest because it consists of two components: a 5K run or walk and a 5K cycling ride.

The Halifax ride will take participants along breathtaking views of the Atlantic View Trails, Shearwater Flyer and Salt Marsh.

Taking place on June 8, the different distance rides offered for the Halifax in-person event include:

a six km kid’s ride,
a 15 km ride,
a 30 km ride, and
a 37 km ride.

The Quebec City ride will take place on June 15. The ride in Esquimalt took place on May 25 and included a free kids and family ride.

The Navy Bike Ride also offers a virtual option. According to the Navy Bike Ride website, virtual rides are to be completed in one ride.

From left: Petty Officer First Class (PO1) Jeremy Finlay, PO1 Quentin Locke, Leading Seaman (LS) Roderick Reid, LS Justin Caldwell, Chief Petty Officer Second Class Edward Hopkins and Able Seaman Emily McDonald participate in a Navy Bike Ride, organized to contribute to the Battle of the Atlantic Challenge, a multi-event organized to fundraise the Royal Canadian Navy Benevolent Fund and the Support Our Troop programs, during Operation REASSURANCE, June 13, 2020. Please by: Cpl Simon Arcand, Canadian Armed Forces Photo.

Giving Back

Funds raised by the Navy Bike Ride are given back to support Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, and their families. This is achieved by giving back to organizations like the Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund, Support Our Troops, and Soldier On.

“With funds raised going to the Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund, Support our Troops, and Soldier On, this event continues to solidify an extensive reach and encourage riders from coast-to-coast-to-coast to come together and collectively support such important causes. Every year, we as a community show what we can do as One Navy Strong,” states the Navy Bike Ride website.