Julia LennipsPresented by BMO, The Navy Bike Ride, virtual, free, and fun event, is open to cyclists of all skill levels and all ages while encouraging cyclists to ride and respect social distancing rules, thereby maintaining the health and safety of individuals and their communities.
After closely monitoring updates related to the ongoing COVID-19 situation in the National Capital Region and across Canada, the decision was made to alter this year’s event physical event by creating a virtual challenge.
The Battle of the Atlantic Challenge will see participants across the country cumulatively conduct 25,000 rides between June 13 and August 30, 2020, in honour of the 25,000 voyages Canadian Naval and Merchant Navy Forces conducted during the Second World War in the Battle of the Atlantic 75 years ago.
Proceeds from the Navy Bike Ride go to those in need through two organizations dedicated to their well-being, the Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund (RCNBF) and Support our Troops.
“This year, even amidst these unprecedented times, we are honouring their memory, courage and sacrifice, attempting to cumulatively ride the same number of voyages they did during World War II,” Commander Gordon Roy Director, Navy Bike Ride, stated on the website.
The Navy Bike Ride: Battle of the Atlantic challenge officially starts on Saturday, June 13, 2020, at 9 a.m. All participants will have until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, August 30, 2020, to participate in this virtual challenge.
Proceeds from the Navy Bike Ride go to those in need through two organizations dedicated to their well-being, the Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund (RCNBF) and Support our Troops.
Last year, support from donors directly assisted four ill and injured members of the Royal Canadian Navy. Money raised supported these sailors in adapting to their new normal and reintroducing an active lifestyle through recreational and sporting activities with the Soldier On program.
Funds from the Navy Bike Ride also empowered two youth of naval families to pursue their academic dreams. They also sent six children to experience summer camp: creating lifelong friendships, gaining confidence, and the feeling of just getting to be a kid.
The Navy Bike Ride is inviting participants to connect over social media by sharing photos of themselves participating in the challenge with friends and family and posting photos to their personal Instagram or Facebook accounts with the hashtag #NavyBikeRide2020, since they won’t be able to see each other in person.
The cumulative rides will be visually tracked and presented on navybikeride.ca with updates shared on the Navy Bike Ride Facebook account, so every time participants go out on their bike, they should log their ride to help reach the goal of 25,000 rides.
How to log your ride:
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- Go to navybikeride.ca
- Click on “Track my ride.”
- Create your account. The first time you log in, you will need to create your account with your name and email address. Alternatively, you can log in via your Facebook account.
- Enter your ride information. If you are part of a team, be sure to select your team from the drop-down list.
- Submit your ride, and share.
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There are over $7,500 in prizes to be won. To enter and be eligible for weekly prizes, participants needed to register to the Battle of Atlantic Challenge on the RaceRoster platform and log their rides via the Navy Bike Ride website.
To win the grand prize, participants needed to register to the Battle of Atlantic Challenge on the RaceRoster, log their rides via the Navy Bike Ride website and share participation on Facebook by using the hashtag #navybikeride2020.
The top three participants who cumulatively have the most posts on Facebook during the Battle of Atlantic Challenge will be entered into a draw to receive one of three gift certificates from SportChek valued at $1,000, $750, and $500.
Visit the Navy Bike Ride website here to learn more about this year’s event or to donate.
