Steve Sloat of Glenboro pedals for a purpose

“To prove that we still could.”

Those six words capture the heart of Steve Sloat’s latest mission. After more than 31 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces, the Glenboro resident teamed up with fellow retired veteran Bob Poirier of Ontario for a challenge measured not in medals, but in miles – more than 3,500 of them.

Starting on June 28, the pair pedaled from Mile 0 at Currie Armoury in Victoria, BC, to Kenora, Ontario, crossing rugged mountains, sweeping prairies, and countless kilometres of open road. They pushed through wind, weather, and fatigue to raise funds for the Gunner Peer Support Program, which provides a one-time $500 grant to current and former Gunners in times of need.

Last fall, when Sloat and Poirier first discussed the feasibility of the journey, they agreed on one thing – they weren’t going to push themselves to the breaking point. An average of 120 kilometres a day felt realistic.

“Some days, if the weather was too hot and humid, we would quit a little early,” Sloat explained. “We always used Trailer Swift (if we weren’t using a hotel) even though we weren’t finding it the most ideal. The lesson-learned is next time we would try to use a motorhome. We never slept in the jeep.”

When asked about training, Sloat commented with a grin that there wasn’t any real science to it at all. “We both like long distance biking so getting training miles in wasn’t difficult. “I also did a lot of weight training and even slipped in some Yoga here and there as well,” he explained.

Sloat recently retired after 32 years in the Canadian Armed Forces. Poirier, a number of years older, had retired from service a few years earlier.

“Quite a few of our friends thought we were crazy to tackle this, most especially our wives,” Sloat chuckled. Despite a slight issue with his knee, he added with a grin that neither he nor Poirier had to rely on painkillers or ointments during the trip.

Mornings came early. They were usually up by 5:00–5:30, and although they had the provisions to start the day with a camp stove breakfast, they soon found it to time-consuming. More often than not, they opted for a diner along the road instead.

“It was the same with the trailer,” Sloat admitted. “We also found that finding a campground, setting it up and taking it down was too time-consuming, especially in the morning, so we most often just slept in the truck.”

They were also pleasantly surprised by how well their bodies held up. “A few good stretches and we were on our way!” Sloat said, noting that neither of them experienced muscle soreness during the trek. Staying hydrated with plenty of water, a few electrolyte drinks, and even coffee in a tube were the only supplements they used to keep their energy levels up.

A personal challenge for Sloat was tackling Richter Pass – a 500-metre climb that tested both strength and stamina. For the 54 year-old cyclist, conquering it was not only rewarding, but deeply emotional.

“The scenery was breathtaking, absolutely unbelievable as well as the sights were the sounds and smells, you just don’t get that experience behind a windshield,” said Sloat with deep emotion.

One of the toughest days was when they reached the base at Shilo, “It was weird because to me I was home, but we still had a couple of days yet to reach Kenora. My wife, Kathy, along with a number of friends were there to greet us, so it was a little tougher getting back on the road the next morning.”

Accomplishing what they set out to do brought many rewards, but the trip also left Sloat and Poirier with countless unforgettable memories.

“We found some of the most amazing places to eat along the road, but it was the people we met who were truly unbelievable,” Sloat reflected. “The entire experience was incredible, but the friendships and connections made along the way left us with some great memories.”

Beyond their physical achievement, Sloat and Poirier also raised over $6,000 in donations for the Gunnar Peer Support Program. Friends and family followed their progress through the “Operation Grind for Gunnars” Facebook page, where daily videos captured the journey and shared their experiences in real time. The social media page is still open and along with watching a number of their videos which showcased some pretty spectacular views, it will also give a direct link, https//rca-arc.org/support-the-regimental-family/ to their donation page which is still active.

Steve Sloat and Bob Poirier’s remarkable journey was more than a test of endurance; it was a testament to the power of camaraderie, resilience, and giving back. Their ride not only raised vital funds to support fellow Gunnars in need, they inspired many they met along the way as well as those at home. Most importantly they proved that the spirit of service lives on, long after the uniform comes off.

PHOTO CAPTION: (l-r): Bob Poirier, Woody Linton, former Honorary Lieutentant Colonel of 116 Independent Field Battery in Kenora, Al Schaldemose and Steve Sloat. PHOTO SUBMITTED