CFB Esquimalt gets wheels in motion

Participants of the 2023 Navy Bike ride held at Belmont Park with routes leading through the Esquimalt Lagoon on June 3. Photos: Sailor First Class Kendric Grasby, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

Peter Mallett 
Staff Writer

A revamped Navy Bike Ride returned on June 3 after a three-year hiatus.

This year also marked the first time the Navy Bike Ride was hosted in the City of Colwood after moving from its previous route at CFB Esquimalt. The new course was an absolute hit with the participants.

“It was a lot of fun and a great event to enjoy on one of the first nice weekends of the spring,” said Lieutenant-Commander (LCdr) Sebastian Harper. As the event’s lead cyclist, LCdr Harper rode at the head of the pack, guiding participants through the course.

Participants of the 2023 Navy Bike ride held at Belmont Park with routes leading through the Esquimalt Lagoon on June 3. Photos: Sailor First Class Kendric Grasby, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

LCdr Harper is also a member of Victoria’s Tripleshot Cycling Club. His wife, Lieutenant (Navy) Chelsea Henderson, the club’s president, also participated in this year’s event, along with some of the club’s other members.

“Bringing the ride here was a great decision; the course was awesome, and I saw a lot of positive interactions between people from within and outside the military community,” LCdr Harper said.

Beautiful spring weather greeted approximately 100 participants in the non-competitive event. This year’s ride began and concluded at École John Stubbs Memorial Elementary School; it included a 28km signature intermediate/advanced ride past scenic Esquimalt Lagoon and a shorter 4km ride through Belmont Park for beginner riders.

Participants of the 2023 Navy Bike ride held at Belmont Park with routes leading through the Esquimalt Lagoon on June 3. Photos: Sailor First Class Kendric Grasby, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

Participants also enjoyed a musical sendoff for riders by the Naden Band and a post-event barbeque, interactive displays, and children’s bouncy castles. A virtual component was also available for interested riders. Titled “The Admiral’s Challenge”, the virtual component involved the completion of 100km of cycling in one day.

Founded in 2016, the Navy Bike Ride encourages the well-being and health of communities and families through non-competitive cycling tours. The Navy Bike Ride is a national event, with rides also held this year in Halifax, Quebec City, and Ottawa.