Northern Ont. firefighter heads to France for an important bike ride for vets

Volunteer firefighter and Gore Bay resident Duncan Sinclair is no stranger to a bicycle. There isn’t an inch of Manitoulin Island he probably hasn’t reached.

Volunteer firefighter and Gore Bay resident Duncan Sinclair is embarking on the trip of a lifetime as part of Wounded Warriors. It’s a unique journey that peddles its way through the French countryside on the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings. (Ian Campbell/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Later this week he’ll be embarking on the trip of a lifetime as part of Wounded Warriors.

It’s called Battlefield Bike Ride, a unique journey that peddles its way through the French countryside on the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

Cyclists have raised thousands of dollars just for an opportunity to make the trip that will take them from Caen to Falaise in France. The almost 500-kilometre trek follows in the footsteps of soldiers who traversed these paths eight decades ago.

“So we’re going over and doing five days of riding, visiting all of the historic sites, grave sites where Canadians are buried, museums and just getting to know all of the veterans out there and hearing some of the stories they’ve had to deal with,” Sinclair told CTV News.

“The thought is anyone who risks their lives to help complete strangers deserves our support and because of that, I support Wounded Warriors and I ride every year that I can for them.”

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Sinclair has been no stranger to causes that support mental health.

The Gore Bay deputy fire chief joined 25 cyclists in a 57-kilometre bike ride in 2023 to raise money for the organization and raise awareness about post traumatic stress disorder.

“Big tough firemen, big tough police officers, you know they are human and they don't deal well with mental issues, not all of them,” he said.

“Things will affect them so, you know, everyone needs help and we're here to get a message out there that mental illness is something not to shy away from.”

The journey will last five days and take them to such monuments as the Merville Battery, the Atlantic Wall at Le Grand Bunker Museum and the Normandy American Cemetery. They’ll trace the paths of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada and likely gain some insight at the Juno Beach Centre.

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Cheering him on

Sinclair already has many on the island and here at home cheering him on as he undergoes this trek.

“We’re very proud of Duncan for what he’s done. I believe this is his sixth ride for Wounded Warriors and this one is overseas so I think it will be extra special for him,” said Gore Bay fire chief and colleague Mike Addison.

“I’m a real believer that we have to do something for not only our veterans, but our first responders because we do encounter situations that could have a lasting impact on us and so anything he can do to help the cause, we’re quite pleased.”

Addison said Sinclair can be seen on his bike all the time, so he’s confident he’s ready for the task.

To participate, Sinclair and others had to raise $5,000 for the charity. He has already raised more than $9,000. For more information on the event or to sponsor his efforts, you can find it on their event page here.