Past Events
Are you interested in finding an event outside of the National Capital Region? If you live in Canada or the U.S., our interactive map will show which events are happening near you.
2021 May Event
In 2016, a group of cyclists rode from Ottawa, Canada to Washington DC to support and promote awareness of mental health issues among emergency first responders. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 we were unable to celebrate the 5th anniversary by repeating our previous ride. Undeterred, a group of the original riders got together and created an alternative event.
To honor the spirit of the original 10-day Capital-To-Capital ride we pledged to engage in some form of physical activity every day from May 3rd to May 16th. Additionally, each day we posted information about different mechanisms first responders can use to help mitigate the stress of our work.
We successfully created a large virtual event where people of all ability could participate using the physical activities of their choice. Efforts were tracked in Strava, and the event was also highlighted on social media.
Arnprior Dinner and Two-Day Bike Ride
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Our second in-person event happened over two days in August. The primary goal was for people to gather on August 27 in small town Ontario at the Arnprior Legion for a spaghetti dinner. We had four presenters lined up to share ideas on how they stay mentally and physically well. About thirty people attended the dinner.
Earlier that day fifteen people rode their bikes from just shy of 70 kms from the Riddell Fire Station in Ottawa to Arnprior. Half of those spent the night at a local hotel only to get on their bikes the following morning for the return trek to Ottawa. The return trip was 116 kms much of it along the shores of the Ottawa River and through the rolling hills of the Calabogie Highlands. We were blessed with great weather both days. We had a support vehicle following us or jumping ahead to set up the next rest stop, for which we are grateful.
At the dinner we heard a variety of topics from our presenters:
Syd Gravel, retired Staff-Sergeant with Ottawa Police told us about hi efforts to fundraise for the Ottawa Heart Institute. Encouraged by his wife Judy and others Syd’s goal was to do a 10-hour marathon of weight lifting as way to raise money and awareness for his local cardiac center. He succeeded in lifting 111,600 pounds in under 10 hours and $5,000 for the Heart Institute. Syd is quoted as saying: “When you are squatting 300 lbs on your shoulders, you only have one thing to think about, and that’s getting up. Takes you away from your worries.”
Brian Robitaille, used humour to get his point across. Brian’s talk centered on the habit of getting into the habit. His point was that focusing on healthy lifestyle habits doesn’t happen on its own. That is why practicing them regularly and often instills in us the ‘need’ to do what is good and healthy all the time. The example Brian used was brushing our teeth before bedtime - something everyone in the room could relate to.
Rob Leathen, Firefighter Captain was in attendance having travelled many hours from his home with several of his works of art. Rob has turned to producing graphic designs to help him in his recovery from depression and PTSD. Rob volunteers with several mental health organizations including First Responders Are Human, Boots on the Ground, First Eyes and Badge of Life Canada in his ongoing effort to help those whose work it is to help others in need.
Speaking to us from his home of Arnprior, Derek Davis warmed us up to the notion of “Climb Mountains, Don’t Carry Them”. Derek worked on the front lines as Paramedic for 16 years. Over the course of his career he attempted to move mountains by bringing forth ideas to improve and enhance mental health for his colleagues through the employer’s health and safety committee. Derek plans to “Everest” Mt Haleakala on Maui in the summer of 2022 in his continuing effort to raise awareness about First Responders and the importance of prioritizing self-care.
