After another warm night, breakfast at the Hotel Hainault was, like the surroundings, outstanding. With a bit of time available, I decided to take a COVID test. I am happy to say that I was a solid negative. This took a lot of pressure off of my mind and allowed me to concentrate on the … Continue reading BBR22 – Final Day
BBR22 – Day 4
After 2 days in the hotel in Arras, it's time to pack the gear and head to Valenciennes. This will be our longest ride. The guide says it will be 80 km with 529 m of climbing. This is also the hottest day yet, so I hate to think what the final total will be! … Continue reading BBR22 – Day 4
BBR22 – Day 3
Today is a big day. Today I take a short trip back to Canada by bike. Place des Héros, Arras, today. Place des Héros, Arras for the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. It is getting hotter and the air conditioning in the hotel wasn't working. Funny that the best a/c that I … Continue reading BBR22 – Day 3
BBR22 – Day 2
Another warm day dawns in Amiens. Today, the plan is to travel north-west to Arras. The published ride details are that we are to cover 86 km and climb 530 m. Stops along the way include the Newfoundland Regiment Memorial in Beaumont-Hamel as well as the Ulster Memorial Tower War Monument. But first, we have … Continue reading BBR22 – Day 2
BBR22 – Day 1
The day dawned sunny and warm. As we gathered for breakfast in the hotel in Amiens, I was struck by the impact that COVID has had on those who were about to engage in this event. The last time that I rode with the Wounded Warriors Canada group, there were 100 of us plus support … Continue reading BBR22 – Day 1
Battlefield Bike Ride 2022 – Let’s Get Started!
The riders from all corners of Canada are starting to arrive in Amiens, France, to start the ride - The Battlefield Bike Ride 2022 - 100 Days to Victory. The Somme River as it looks today. Tomorrow we start with the first ride, but today we all meet at the ride hotel in Amiens for … Continue reading Battlefield Bike Ride 2022 – Let’s Get Started!
Wounded Warriors Day – After Action Report
After weeks of worry and concern about weather, Wounded Warriors Day at Oyama Zipline and Adventure Park dawned sunny and welcoming. And welcoming it was. And thanks to all of the preparation and planning by Jenn Madsen, we were ready for whatever came our way. Of course, there was the concern that nobody would come, … Continue reading Wounded Warriors Day – After Action Report
The United States in WW1
The United States remained neutral at the beginning of World War 1 and did not enter the war until 6 April, 1917. Initially, the United States supplied finances, raw materials, armaments and food to both the Allies and the Central Powers. However, a successful British blockade severely limited trade with the Central Powers. While individual … Continue reading The United States in WW1
Heroism in the Presence of the Enemy
The Victoria Cross is the highest decoration for valour in the armed forces of Great Britain and the British Empire. It is awarded for extreme bravery in the face of the enemy. So great is the prestige of the Victoria Cross that it takes precedence over all other orders and medals in Britain and recipients are entitled to add V.C. … Continue reading Heroism in the Presence of the Enemy
General Sir Arthur Currie
The Hundred Days Offensive (8 August to 11 November 1918) was a series of massive Allied offensives which ended the First World War. Having already presented a review of the Offensive and the battles that were critical to its outcome, I thought that a short discussion of the General who led the Canadian Corps through that time is appropriate. Arthur … Continue reading General Sir Arthur Currie
BBR23 - 80RTONA 