Today marks 100 days until the wheels turn and The Road To Valour officially begins.
In one sense, 100 days feels like plenty of time, but in another, it feels like tomorrow.

This ride has been a long time in the making. In 2026, we will take on a 2,600+ kilometre unsupported bicycle ride from Vancouver to Winnipeg, tracing a route rich in Canadian military history. Along the way, we will pause to honour Canadian Victoria Cross recipients, men whose courage under fire represents the very best of service and sacrifice. The ride will begin at the regimental home of Ernest “Smokey” Smith, VC, the last Canadian living with the Victoria Cross, and it will end on Valour Road in Winnipeg, a street unlike any other in the world.

But this journey is about more than distance or geography.

I am a 22-year veteran of the Canadian Army and like many who have served, I carry the effects of service with me—Operational Stress Injuries that have shaped my life in ways both visible and unseen. Mine are manageable. Many are not so fortunate. Veterans, first responders and their families continue to carry burdens long after uniforms are hung up and sirens fall silent.

The Road To Valour was created to raise awareness of these realities and to support Wounded Warriors Canada, an organization that helps those affected. This ride is one way of contributing—by starting conversations, remembering those who served before us and encouraging practical support for those who need it today.

With 100 days to go, my preparations are well underway. My training continues and intensifies, my equipment is being prepared and the details of the route and commemorations are coming together. This is also a good time to pause, take stock, and focus on what lies ahead.

Every kilometre of this ride is dedicated to those who served and those who continue to serve in quieter, harder ways at home. It is about remembrance, yes—but also about responsibility. Responsibility to acknowledge the cost of service. Responsibility to support those who bear it. Responsibility to keep their stories alive.

The first and last Commonwealth soldiers killed in World War 1 are buried just metres apart in the St. Symphorien Military Cemetery nears Mons, Belgium.

This ride will not be easy. It isn’t meant to be. Service never is. The route, in a draft subject to adjustment, has been posted here. Take a look. I may be passing near you. If so, come and join me for a few kilometres or the day. Or just come out to encourage me along the road.

Over the next 100 days, I’ll be sharing more about the route, the Victoria Cross recipients we’ll be honouring, and the partners and supporters who are helping make this possible.

If you’ve been following quietly, now is a good time to lean in and lend a hand. If you’ve been supporting already, know that it matters more than you may realize.

The Road To Valour is ahead