Nigel Pike and Brad Morin
Firefighters cycle from Hamilton to Ottawa to honor Canada’s fallen and stand with the families they left behind
On Sept. 9, in front of the Hamilton Fire Training Academy, a group of firefighter cyclists will gather for the Canadian Fallen Firefighter Memorial Ride — a three‑day journey of more than 500 kilometres to Ottawa. It is a physically demanding ride, but the purpose goes far beyond cycling. This is a ride of remembrance, support, and commitment to the families of firefighters who have paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.
We ride to raise awareness and support for the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial Foundation, the organization responsible for maintaining the memorial and providing ongoing assistance to the families of fallen firefighters. Their work ensures that those families remain connected to the firefighting community and that their loved ones are never forgotten.
When I first attended the memorial ride and the Canadian Fallen Firefighter Ceremony in 2019, I didn’t know what to expect. I’m a professional firefighter from a small town in western Newfoundland. I was excited and eager for the ride, but I quickly learned that excitement alone wasn’t enough. Training for the memorial ride is a year‑round commitment. I typically ride five days a week, building the endurance and strength needed to complete the journey.
During the winter months, my teammates and I meet online through Zwift, a virtual cycling training platform. Even though we may be in different provinces, those sessions keep us connected and motivated throughout the off‑season.
A Ride of Remembrance
Because I live in Newfoundland, I wasn’t able to attend any of the team’s in‑person training rides, and I felt a little out of my element—not having the chance to prepare for cycling with such a large group. Within the first ten minutes of the ride, unfamiliar with the dynamics of a pack this size, I nearly crashed. Luckily, my fellow firefighter teammates were encouraging. They gave me tips about spacing, positioning, and group riding etiquette. That support has remained a defining characteristic of our team to this day.
Over the years, I’ve developed strong friendships. A few of my fellow riders and I have gone on cycling trips together, and many teammates have already visited — or promised to visit — Newfoundland. I’m looking forward to showing them our legendary Newfoundland hospitality.
During my second year riding with the Fallen Firefighter Cycle Team, one of the original members, Dale Markman, pulled me aside to tell me how meaningful it was that I travelled from Newfoundland to join the ride, and how much I was contributing to the team. We may come from different fire departments—and in my case, a completely different province—but when we ride together, it feels like we’re all working the same shift. Everyone looks out for one another. Riders share gels, electrolyte mixes, and advice. When someone struggles, we work as a team to help.
That sense of camaraderie reflects the very best of the fire service. It reminds us that no matter where we serve, we are all riding for the same reason: to honour our fallen.
Changing the tire.
Training and Teamwork
During the ride, each cyclist attaches name tags to their bikes representing the fallen firefighters they are riding in honour of. Being a rider from a Newfoundland fire department, I carry the name tags of Newfoundland firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. Bringing those names to the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Ottawa is both an honour and a privilege. It is our way of recognizing their service and sacrifice. Newfoundland has a proud firefighting tradition and has experienced its own line‑of‑duty losses. The memorial ceremony offers a unique opportunity to honour those sacrifices while supporting the families left behind.
The most meaningful part of the ride is the Canadian Fallen Firefighter Ceremony we attend on the Sunday that follows. During the ceremony, the families of the fallen are placed at the centre of the memorial. As the names of their loved ones are read aloud, firefighters from across the country stand around them in support.
Standing there, surrounded by my fellow firefighters and the families of our fallen brothers and sisters, fills me with an incredible sense of pride and belonging. It is a powerful reminder of why we train, why we ride, and why we continue to honour those who came before us.
The Fallen Firefighter Memorial Ride and the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony are truly remarkable experiences. They remind us that the fire service is built on service, sacrifice, and community. Most importantly, they ensure that the names and legacies of our fallen firefighters continue to be remembered.
For me, participating in the ride is more than a cycling challenge. It is an opportunity to carry the memory of Newfoundland’s fallen firefighters to the nation’s capital, to support their families, and to stand alongside firefighters from across Canada in honour of those who can no longer ride with us.
