One Navy Strong
Navy Bike Ride is back!
#NavyBikeRide2023 #defivelomarine2023
We are thrilled to present Navy Bike Ride 2023, presented by Bank of Montreal (BMO). After the shift to a virtual event the last few years, this year we’ll see a hybrid model including in-person and virtual events.
Navy Bike Ride 2023 is open to participants of any age and ability from all across the country and the world, as well as sailors deployed around the globe.
We come together in the spirit of camaraderie and community to support the men and women who serve.
To celebrate the Centennial of the Naval Reserve, join our coast-to-coast-to-coast cycling community as you complete a 28km Royal Canadian Navy Ride (RCN Ride), representing the 24 Naval Reserve Divisions and four Naval Headquarters across Canada.
Four in-person events will take place throughout the month of June, spanning from both coasts, Quebec City and Ottawa, Ontario.
A virtual event has been made available for those unable to attend in-person to include as many remote riders as possible. This year you will see the return of our exclusively virtual Admiral’s Challenge in the form of a 100km ride that must be completed in one day.
Registration is now open for all four in-person events, as well as the virtual events. We hope to see you stepping up to the challenge where we will ride together as One Navy Strong.
01.
Register
Event: 2023 Navy Bike Ride | Ottawa, Ontario (IN-PERSON)
Date: Saturday 17 June 2023
Location: HMCS Carleton; 79 Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa, ON
Start Time: 9:00am
Description: Navy Bike Ride (NBR) 2023 will be returning in-person to the National Capital Region! The Ottawa edition of NBR will take place on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at HMCS Carleton on 79 Prince of Wales Drive in Ottawa. Cyclists should arrive no later than 8:30 AM (EST) for a departure time of 9:00 AM. Refreshments and NBR merchandise will be available for purchase on-site, and fat bikes may be reserved through Race Roster if needed.
Register now to secure your spot in the 28km Royal Canadian Navy Ride. If you’re feeling extra generous, set up a personal fundraiser for our wonderful charities. We hope to see you there!
Regular pricing May 1 – June 30, 2023:
=>Youth (18 & under): FREE
=>Adults $40
Routes:
Event: 2023 Navy Bike Ride | Halifax (IN-PERSON)
Due to the Nova Scotia Province wide State of Emergency the Navy Bike Ride Halifax Event for June 3 has been cancelled. The health and safety of our citizens and our CAF members is paramount. Please monitor our social media and navybikeride.ca for further information regarding the rescheduling of this event.
Event: 2023 Navy Bike Ride | Québec (IN-PERSON)
Date: Saturday 3 June 2023
Location: Pointe a Carcy – Naval Residence; 144 Rue Dalhousie, Québec City, QC
Start Time: 9:30am
Description: This is a free, non-competitive, family-friendly event. Everyone is welcome to join!
Routes:
14 KM route 28 KM routeEvent: 2023 Navy Bike Ride | Esquimalt (IN-PERSON)
Date: Saturday 3 June 2023
Location: John Stubbs Memorial Elementary in Belmont Park school fields, Colwood BC
Start Time:10:30am
Description: We will have two rides, 1 free Beginner Ride 4Km (through Belmont Park) and a signature 28km for intermediate riders. This is a non-competitive ride for everyone! E Bikes are permitted.
We will have Marty the Marmot from the Victoria Royals Hockey Club, Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre BBQ, the Naden Band, 443 SQN, Triple Shot Cycling Club, PSP Community Recreation, CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum, University of Victoria Vikes Athletics and much, much more!
We will also have a free Bike Valet service at the event!
Routes:
Navy Bike Ride 2023 => 4km Esquimalt route
Navy Bike Ride 2023 => 28km Esquimalt route – this is a 14km route that must be completed twice to equal the full 28km ride
Event: 2023 Navy Bike Ride | Virtual Ride
Date: Thursday June 1 – June 30 2023
Location: Worldwide
Start Time: n/a
Description: Not able to attend one of our four in-person events? No sweat! NBR 2023 includes a virtual option for those unable to attend in person. Passion for the cause is the only prerequisite we ask for; all ages and skill levels are welcome to ride. Virtual rides are to be completed in one ride to fairly compete with our in-person riders. Register now to participate in the NBR 2023 virtual rides! Choose a distance that best suits your abilities.
SIGNATURE RIDE
NAVY BIKE RIDE – 28 km Want more of a challenge this year? Consider registering for the NBR 2023 Admiral’s Challenge. Riders will complete a 100km ride within a 24-hour period and be awarded with a NBR commemorative coin upon completion. Are you up for the challenge?ADMIRAL’S CHALLENGE
NAVRES CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY RIDE – 100kmEvent: 2023 Navy Bike Ride | Masthead Challenge (MILITARY-ONLY)
Date: Thursday June 1 – June 30 2023
Location: Worldwide
Start Time: n/a
Description: This challenge will take place from June 1 to June 30, 2023 and will be conducted based on the accumulation the most miles ridden. The winners of the following sections of the RCN Defense Team; HMC Ships, Naval Reserve Divisions or Shore Establishments will then each receive a $1,000.00 prize for their ship’s fund to a total of $3,000.00 in prizes to be won. Register here to get involved.
02.
About us
A few words about the Navy Bike Ride
What is the purpose of the Navy Bike Ride?
Founded in 2016, the Navy Bike Ride (NBR) encourages the well-being of our communities and families by motivating each other to be healthy through cycling and raising money for a good cause, making a difference to others who need our help.
The push to virtual engagement saw great success over the past three years. Participation came from all across the country, all working towards the common goal of supporting our Navy Community. As a collective, we raised over $47,600 for the Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund, Support Our Troops and Soldier On.
Not only was the 2022 event another success, but it continued our efforts to solidify an extensive reach and encourage riders from coast-to-coast-to-coast to come together and collectively support such important causes. Once again, we as a community have shown that we are One Navy Strong.
The Royal Canadian Navy and cycling
To many, the connection between the Royal Canadian Navy and cycling may not be an obvious one. Cycling has long been a tradition as it can be difficult for a sailor to stay in shape when they are deployed onboard a ship for months at a time. Very few warships have a large enough space to dedicate to a gym, however a stationary bicycle is compact enough to squeeze into tight spots all over the ship.
Many sailors in the Royal Canadian Navy are avid cyclists and dedicated athletes. As we keep our naval ships in fighting shape, our sailors must also focus on their own physical fitness. The Navy Bike Ride is an opportunity to highlight that commitment to health and wellness.
The benefits of fundraising
Designed as a fun, family friendly event, the Navy Bike ride supports the Royal Canadian Navy community with proceeds going to the Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund, Support Our Troops, and Soldier On.
Funds raised as part of the Navy Bike Ride go to providing assistance to former and serving military members and their families. It also is an excellent way to learn more about your Navy and be able to interact directly with sailors.
03.
Fundraising
Make a difference
Funds raised by the participants of the Navy Bike Ride support three organisations dedicated to the well-being of the RCN’s current and former sailors and their families: the Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund, Support Our Troops and Soldier On.
The Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund (the RCNBF) has upheld its long tradition of “Sailors Helping Sailors” for over 80 years by providing financial assistance to former and current Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) sailors and their families. Through their renewed mission of promoting the wellbeing of the naval community, the RCNBF has expanded its efforts to include organizations that support homeless veterans, emergency funds to naval families, equipment for veterans with physical disabilities or who are suffering from the impacts of mental illness, and much more. Propelled by an enthusiastic cadre of volunteers and a small operational team, the RCNBF is establishing a new and comprehensive programming approach based upon identified needs. It continually seeks opportunities to further leverage funds by working with partners and sponsors to achieve maximum impact for the naval family.
The Soldier On program is a highly visible and integral program of the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group. Since its creation in 2007, Soldier On has supported over 10,000 ill and injured serving and veteran military personnel with a permanent or chronic disability (visible or nonvisible). This support enables participating members to attain an active and healthy lifestyle. Soldier On supports these personnel by helping them increase their independence, by challenging them to develop new skills and achieve new goals, and by opening the door to other life opportunities. Soldier On, supported by generous Canadians, furnishes an opportunity for its ill/injured members to socialise and explore common interests, and share learning experiences through peer-based program delivery.
Support Our Troops is the official charitable cause of the Canadian Armed Forces. It was established to meet the unique needs and special challenges faced by members of the Canadian Armed Forces community as a result of military service. Through its grants and programs, it is the most direct way for Canadians to support the recover, rehabilitation, and reintegration of members with a physical and/or mental illness or injury and to contribute to empowering family resiliency.
04.
Sponsors
Thank you to our sponsors
The Navy Bike Ride Team is pleased to be working with a number of outstanding sponsors, without which our event could not be a success.
05.
Jersey
2023 Navy Bike Ride jerseys are available!
Available in either a cycling jersey or a technical t-shirt, participants can choose to purchase a jersey to commemorate their participation in the 2023 Navy Bike Ride. Wear yours as you complete your rides!
The Navy Bike Ride (NBR) 2023 jerseys were designed to celebrate the Centennial of the Naval Reserve. Available in either a cycling jersey or a NBR t-shirt, participants may choose to purchase a jersey to commemorate their participation in the 2023 NBR. Wear yours as you complete your ride, and be sure to tag us in any photos on social media @NavyBikeRide!
After its success in the First World War, the Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve (RNCVR) was reformed on January 31 st , 2023. This authorized the creation of Naval Reserve Divisions (NRD) in 24 major cities across Canada, under the command of Rear-Admiral Walter Hose. The goal of these NRDs was to recruit and train new sailors to support Canada in any security or defence missions that could arise.
The RNCVR went from enlisting 8,000 Canadians in WWI to being composed of 100,000 members by the end of WWII, making the Royal Canadian Navy the third-largest navy in the world at the time. The increase in members and the recent victory for the allies inspired the replacement of the RNCVR with the Naval Reserve. The name would not change again until 1968 when the Naval Reserve became the Canadian Forces Naval Reserve.
With January 31, 2023 marking the 100 th anniversary of the Naval Reserve in Canada, we hoped to celebrate this milestone in the NBR 2023 jersey. The design makes use of the NAVRES Centennial’s official graphic identifier, which can be seen on the left-hand side of the front of the jersey. These colours surrounding the graphic represent the disruptive paint pattern used on RCN war ships in the Second World War, also known as dazzle paint. The striking colours and lines acted as a form of camouflage that made targeting more difficult and disrupted the ability of enemy submarines to accurately track ships.
NBR 2023 jerseys and t-shirts are available for purchase by event participants only. Register now to secure your NBR swag and celebrate the Centennial of the Naval Reserve!
06.
Photos
Never a dull moment...
Eight years later, and the Navy Bike Ride is still at it – we do it for the smiles. We ride together with our community as #OneNavyStrong
07.
F.A.Q.
Got questions?
Navy Bike Ride FAQs cover everything from how to register, finding the fundraising toolkit, to how to buy a jersey. Learn everything you need to know right here.
Dates and times for our cross-country Navy Bike Ride events vary. Please see the Register section for all events details.
Registration for all in-person and virtual events take place on Race Roster. Please direct any technical difficulties or questions to our Contact page.
Participants will have only one day to complete and log their 28km ride.
These distances are symbolic of the NAVRES Centennial. The 28 figure comes from:
- 24 Naval Reserve Divisions
- 4 Formations
- Halifax
- Esquimalt (Victoria)
- Naval Reserve Headquarters (Quebec City)
- Naval Headquarters (Ottawa)
We encourage all participants to stay connected and share photos from their ride. Post your photos to Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #NavyBikeRide2023.
For full prizing and contest eligibility, please consult our Contest Terms and Conditions.
Share your cycling experiences, photos, and/or stories throughout the event on Instagram and/or Facebook with the hashtag #NavyBikeRide2023 to be automatically entered into a weekly draw for prizes
Navy Bike Ride 2023 is proud to once again be partnering with the Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund, Support Our Troops, and Soldier On. More information on these charities and donation options can be found on our Fundraising section.
Thank you for showing an interest in supporting our causes! For more fundraising information, please consult our Fundraising page.
The Masthead Challenge is an opportunity for our Sailors to participate in the NBR from anywhere in the world. Only military members are eligible to participate in this virtual event and awards will be given to the ship that logs the most rides throughout the month of June.
Step 1: Go to Race Roster
Step 2: Click on the “Track my ride” button on the right-hand side
Step 3: Log in to your Race Roster account
Step 4: Select “Submit a result”
Step 5: Enter in ride information
Step 6: Submit your ride and share!
Jerseys are available for purchase to registered participants only. Register now to purchase your very own Navy Bike Ride 2023 jersey!
All jersey orders will be shipped within one week of their purchase. Delivery can take anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks, barring any unforeseen shipping delays.
Official NBR2023 cycling jerseys are $60.00 CAD and NBR shirts are $25.00 CAD. These prices include shipping and taxes – but NOT processing fees – so there are no surprises at checkout.
Jerseys will be available in both male and female sizes.
Please see our size chart here to ensure you are placing the correct order.
08.
Contact
Get in touch
Please direct any direct any Navy Bike Ride questions, comments or technical difficulties to our Contact form:
© 2023 NAVY BIKE RIDE | DÉFI-VÉLO DE LA MARINE