Paramedic Tour

From Friday September 19, 2014 to Monday September 22, 2014, Dr. Michael Austin of Ottawa and I had the honor to ride on a tandem bicycle and do The Paramedic Tour in Canada. Along with eighty other EMS professionals, from Canada and the USA, the ride traveled from Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto to City Hall in Ottawa, the capital of Ontario.

This is the second year for this ride that remembers and honors fellow Canadian paramedics that have lost their lives in the line of duty, along with raising funds in support of a National Paramedic Memorial Monument, which will be built in Ottawa, Ontario. Since 1988, 36 Canadian Paramedics have lost their lives in the line of duty. This year the group carried the EMS flag for New Brunswick, as they lost one of their paramedics this past May in the line of duty.

Last year the cyclists rode to remember the crew from Ornge air ambulance that crashed in May 2013, resulting in loss of the flight crew. This year’s ride is about raising awareness of PTSD. Canada has had over 20 suicides this year in the EMS community related to PTSD.

Many of the riders were riding for someone they have lost in the line of duty. On the third day, after morning briefing, there was reading of the names of the fallen and ringing the bell, one young lady told us about her reason for riding. She lost her father while he was transporting a patient to the hospital in an ambulance accident. Also, her uncle is suffering through PTSD due to the loss of her father.

Ornge air ambulance gave a fly-by at the opening ceremonies and numerous times along our route, hovering and keeping pace with the riders. The fly-bys were a real boost for the riders, but they had to be careful not to go off the road while they were craning their necks to see the helicopter going overhead.

Leaving Toronto we traveled along the shoreline of Lake Ontario to Kingston, Ontario where we turned north to the end site at City Hall in Ottawa.

Day 1: September 19th, 2014 - TORONTO -> PORT HOPE, 130 KM  - 78 mi

Day 2: September 20th, 2014 - PORT HOPE -> KINGSTON, 178 KM  - 107 mi

Day 3: September 21st, 2014 - KINGSTON -> BROCKVILLE, 87 KM   - 53 mi

Day 4: September 22nd, 2014 - BROCKVILLE -> OTTAWA, 130 KM  - 78 mi

TOTAL: 525 KM – 315 MI

This group of riders displayed a lot of heart during the ride. As a group we rode along in cool to cold temperatures, ranging from the mid 40 degrees to low 50s, and with gusty winds blowing off Lake Ontario. Even though we would warm ourselves as we peddled we cooled off quickly at our rest stops.

On the third day we had rain, but at least it had warmed to a milder temperature, mid-50s to low 60s and it was our short day of 58 miles. These riders showed no quit with the changes in the weather. They continued on, no one taking the easy way out by riding in the support vehicle, finishing each day remembering the reason that brought this group of strangers together to bond as family over the miles, doing this ride.

We received support from the local communities we rode through along with the ambulance services that we came in contact with. We were welcomed with open arms and provided with bounties of food and drinks. Businesses also opened their doors to us. Case in point, on the last day with the wind and cool temperatures we had an impromptu stop a small village store. Not only did they let us use their bathroom, we were also provided with free hot coffee.

This year the ride leadership rented a large RV for riders to take breaks in and to provide a mobile bathroom. It’s not always easy to find a rest room on a long distance bicycle ride when one is needed. The RV was a welcomed asset.

On arrival at City Hall in Ottawa we had closing ceremonies and a light lunch before the riders broke up and headed back to their homes and families.

For more information on the Paramedic Ride of Canada go to: https://paramedicride.ca/