As 2010 approached, The Motorcycle Ride for Dad was looking for ways to celebrate ten successful years of fighting Prostate Cancer.

Having staged motorcycle rides in cities right across Canada, the answer seemed obvious. We would stage a National Motorcycle ride from coast to coast! The idea, once planted, began to grow and flourish. It was decided this would be more than a ride, it would be a full blown "Tour”, a series of events linked together by a group of riders weaving across the country, picking up and dropping off Riders and supporters as we went.

The Xth Anniversary Cross Canada Tour was born! We set a number of goals for ourselves:

• Raise Prostate Cancer awareness by spreading our “get it checked” message
• Celebrate our long relationship with the Canadian Armed forces, Motorcycle clubs, Police Associations and commercial sponsors from coast to coast.
• Provide an enjoyable and memorable Ride across this great country
• Raise funds for the Motorcycle Ride for Dad’s fight against Prostate Cancer and the Military Families Fund’s support of our troops and their families.

To ensure maximum participation we divided the Tour into (7) Stages, with each stage being from (1) to (8) days long. Almost all the stages will involve a parade and major event at a Military Base, giving the Riders an opportunity to express their support for our troops.

There will be other community events as well and a chance to meet our Motorcycle Ride for Dad Chapters from coast to coast. We will hit every Province with the overall length of the ride being approximately 9,200 Km. and will take 29 days to complete (August 01-29).

We realize a 26 day tour might be a bit of a time challenge for most, which is why we introduced the Stage system. It will be possible to sign up for just one or more of the stages, (see the registration page) with each stage designed to be a mini event all on its own.

The Ride Format

Since we are using the Ride to string together a number of events that make-up “the Tour” it has been necessary to vary the distances travelled on a given day. We also had to try and make up time on other days and still end the day somewhere close to civilization. It has been a challenge.

There will be a caravan of logistics and support vehicles travelling the route as posted, and will be at all the daily start and finish locations. We will be encouraging Riders to be at those locations, as many will be community events or at least information sessions, but between those contact points riders are of course free to sight-see or take side trips Remember the sweep trucks will be on the designated route only.

To ensure maximum exposure before major events we will meet outside of town or a CF Base to form up for a parade into a designated location.

Like the standard Motorcycle Ride for Dad parade formats, there will be Celebrity riders, Honorary riders, VIP’s etc at the front of the parade. For this Xth anniversary Tour we will also have Vangaurd and Team riders. (see registration).

THE ROUTE - General

The Ride route runs from St.John’s NFLD to Victoria BC and is 29 days divided up into seven Stages: (number of days in brackets)

• Atlantic (5)
• Quebec (3)
• National Capital (3)
• Highway of Heroes (1)
• Northern Ontario (5)
• Prairie (4)
• Mountain (8)

Accommodations

Participants will be responsible for their own accomodations, we will be working on obtaining discounted locations. We will research hotels & motels and get it on the website.

Ferry Crossings

There will be five Ferry crossings; Newfoundland to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick to PEI, across the Columbia River, and Vancouver to Vancouver Island. Riders will be responsible for their own crossings, again we will post information as it becomes available.

Motorcycle Servicing

Two days have been built into the schedule for Motorcycle Service, Ottawa & Edmonton.

Well that’s the Overview, c'mon and join us!

For a more detailed description of the route, check the Route page.