Every summer we see cyclists brave the long stretches of prairie road, and some are biking for the pure pleasure of it, and others are on a mission.
Glenboro resident and Canadian Forces member Major Steve Sloat is tag teaming with retired LCol Robert Poirier to raise funds for the Gunner Peer Support Network, a charity of the Royal Canadian Artillery.
OPERATION GRIND FOR GUNNERS started at the end of June in Victoria, BC and will end in Kenora, ON at the beginning of August if all goes according to plan.
Having spent their entire careers in the military, the two have deemed the trek a true mission to raise awareness and funds to support their fellow CF artillery members. OPERATION GRIND FOR GUNNERS is in all caps, is used for the names of military bases, forces and units, as well as for exercises and operations, clearly identifying the goal of the operation.
What is the goal of this operation?
The goal is to cycle to all of the units and sub-units of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery in Western Canada between these two cities, and this includes both Regular Forces and Reserve Units, and to raise money for this valuable charity that helps support their CF members and their families in times of need.
While Major Sloat was taking his turn on the Yellowhead Highway somewhere between North Battleford and Saskatoon, we caught up to Winnipegger, Robert Poirier on the side of the road in their safety vehicle.

"Gunner Peer Support is a network of facilitators across the country who have the ability to give $500 to any member of the Royal Canadian Artillery or ex-members or immediate members, or their family who are in trouble for whatever reason," explains Poirier. "A good example is a couple of years ago, $500 was given to a guy whose house burned down so he could purchase essentials like toothpaste and underwear, you know that sort of thing."
The 4100 km trek covers the area of the 3rd Canadian Division, which is headquartered in Edmonton. They'll be stopping in at 14 locations in total, including Victoria, Nanaimo, Vancouver, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Edmonton (20 Field Regiment and The RCA Band), Regina, Yorkton, Brandon, Camp Shilo, Portage la Prairie, and finally Kenora.
"So, we've got a Jeep and a trailer which contains a tent, and one guy will cycle, and one guy will drive the Jeep to his predetermined point and then we switch around," says Poirier. "We'll do that two or three times a day."
Distance achieved in a day depends on the weather and terrain. Needless to say, they were pleased to see the Prairies after taking on the Rockies! In poor conditions with inclines and descents they might be able to complete as little as 5km at a time.
"And part of that, was of course climbing, climbing the passes and there were seven of them on our trip because we took the #3 highway," he says. "But the up hills are hard ... but the downhills in some cases are pretty dodgy too. You get going pretty fast and one big pebble or one flat tire and it would be a long way down!"

When asked what some of their greatest challenges were, other than the Rocky Mountains, the retired LCol said 'exhaustion'.
"I'm 69 and I've been out of the military now for 15 years. Steve's still serving at CFB Shilo, but he's releasing next month, and he's 54. So, I guess we're fit for our ages, but we're still getting on," he says with a chuckle. "A couple days ago we cycled the day in a cold rain with a bit of a headwind and that tends to wear you down. But that said, we still got in 130 kilometers that day, so we finished off in a motel with hot showers and a nice meal in town. We will treat ourselves to a motel if necessary."
What have been some highlights of their trip? The people they've met along the way!
"We've met some extraordinary people," says Poirier. "You're cycling, so of course, you're going fairly slow. And you're stopping a lot of times, and you interact with a lot of people. And we've met some absolutely fascinating people over the whole course of the trip. I'd have to say people are the highlights."
"And there's a couple coming out to support us," he's quick to add. "They went out to BC and cycled with us for three days. Mark Wilson is a high school teacher in Winkler, also an army reservist. So, he and his wife, Deana, came out and cycled with us in BC and they're going to come out this coming weekend and cycle with us from Regina to Shoal Lake!"

There is something to be said about really immersing yourself in your surroundings when travelling by bike. Poirier and Sloat have seen the beauty of Western Canada from a unique and memorable vantage point, the seat of a bike. From the mountains to the prairies, through rock and forest on their way to Kenora they will have experienced a trip of a lifetime, to see Canada at its finest in mid-summer when canola fields and wildflowers are in full bloom.
"It's a spectacular country we live in," shares Poirier. "You know, the vistas, the towns, the beauty, I'm sitting here, I'm looking out over the Saskatchewan Prairie for kilometers and kilometers and kilometers and through all directions, really. What a magnificent land we have! That's another highlight."

Being the true athletes that they are, he adds another highlight is being able to push themselves to reach their goal destination in good time.
"The dream is to is to hit Kenora on the 1st of August. Kenora is the home of 116 Independent Field, a Reserve Unit and it's the furthest most east Artillery Reserve Unit in Western Canada that makes sense. And it would be nice to raise $10,000. I think we're at $5,000 now," he adds.
To donate to OPERATION GRIND FOR GUNNERS, visit the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery website by clicking HERE!
To follow Bob and Steve on Facebook, click HERE!
(all photos used by permission from Facebook)