Fifty days from now, I will roll out from the start line of The Road To Valour !

As I sit and contemplate what lies ahead — the mountains that must be climbed, the vast open spaces of the prairies that seem to stretch on forever — I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel a certain degree of trepidation.

It’s there. Self doubt! What was I thinking? All the garbage that infects the mind!

But what outweighs it — what steadies me — is the support I’m already receiving from so many people along the way. And that’s what I keep coming back to.

I won’t be starting this ride alone. A number of friends will be riding alongside me as we set out from Vancouver.  Some will be there for the first day, others for a few days more. They’ll share the road, the effort, the conversations, and the purpose behind this journey. And then, as the kilometres pass, they’ll peel away — returning to their own lives, their own responsibilities.

But the road won’t be empty for long. Along the way, others will join in. Some for a stretch of highway, some for a single day, some perhaps for longer. New faces, new energy, new conversations — all moving the journey forward, one pedal stroke at a time.

And somewhere in between those moments — between the departures and the arrivals — there will be stretches where it’s just me, the bike, and the road. That’s the nature of this ride.

In many ways, it mirrors the journey that so many veterans and first responders face when dealing with Operational Stress Injuries (OSI), including PTSD.

No one overcomes these challenges entirely alone. There are friends, family members, peers, and professionals who step in at different times. Some are there at the very beginning, helping you take those first difficult steps. Others come into your life later, offering support, perspective, or simply the reassurance that you’re not alone. Each plays a role. Each matters.

There are also moments — often the hardest ones — where the struggle is deeply personal. Moments where, despite the support around you, you have to dig in and keep moving forward on your own.  That reality doesn’t diminish the importance of those who stand beside you. If anything, it highlights it.  Because knowing that someone has been there, or will be there again, can make all the difference when the road feels long and uncertain.

The Road To Valour is not just a physical journey across much of Canada. It’s a reflection of that shared and solitary struggle — the balance between leaning on others and finding strength within yourself.

So when we roll out in 50 days, it won’t just be the start of a ride.  It will be the beginning of a moving reminder: that none of us are ever truly alone in this, even when it feels that way.

And this is where YOU come in.  You can be part of this journey. Ride with me for a few kilometres as I pass through your community. Join for a day, or more, if the road calls to you. If you’re not able to ride, come out to meet me, share a coffee, or help spread the word. Offer a place to rest, a place to pitch a tent, or simply a few words of encouragement along the way. Every gesture matters. Every kilometre shared matters.

And if you’re moved by the purpose behind this ride, I encourage you to follow along. I will be posting daily updates at the end of each ride (as long as I have internet service) — where I am, who is with me, what I’ve covered, how much I’ve climbed, and people I have spoken with — so you can track the journey as it unfolds across the country. Share the message, and consider donating at TheRoadToValour.ca in support of Wounded Warriors Canada — helping ensure that those facing operational stress injuries have access to the care and support they deserve.

Because just like this ride, none of us are meant to carry the load alone.

50 Days until THE ROAD TO VALOUR