My Sponsors

• Kick Cancer's Butt Day matched donation

  “Here's your matched donation made possible by the generosity of long-time SickKids Foundation supporters, the Garron family. THANK YOU so much for your awesome efforts to kick cancer's butt!”

  $1,388.27

  Received this donation 38 days ago
  

  Daniel

  “Thank you so much for your continued support of the Great Cycle Challenge. Your very generous donation every year serves as the nucleus of an incredible day of fund-raising for the SickKids Foundation. Your invoice number matched up to #73 in my book - Oat Couture, which claims to be "the only oatmeal café chain in Canada and possibly the world." According to the book, the café "uses steel-cut oats from Saskatchewan - hulled and toasted whole-grain groat, that are chopped into smaller bits. The result is chewier and nuttier than instant or flaked oatmeal options." The oats are also naturally gluten-free!”

  Thank you so much for your continued support of the Great Cycle Challenge. Your very generous donation every year serves as the nucleus of an incredible day of fund-raising for the SickKids Foundation. Your invoice number matched up to #73 in my book - Oat Couture, which claims to be "the only oatmeal café chain in Canada and possibly the world." According to the book, the café "uses steel-cut oats from Saskatchewan - hulled and toasted whole-grain groat, that are chopped into smaller bits. The result is chewier and nuttier than instant or flaked oatmeal options." The oats are also naturally gluten-free! Save Cancel

• Claudette & Peter LeBrun

  “What a great cause! One$ per km. So proud of you, son. xx”

  $400

  Received this donation 39 days ago
  

  Daniel

  “Thanks Mom and Peter for your very generous donation, and for constantly supporting my participation and different themes. Your invoice number matched to #27 - Chemical Warfare Volunteers Plaque. Located near the National Research Council's parking lot on Sussex Drive, the bilingual plaque describes efforts by Canadian scientists to protect Allied Forces against toxic substances during World War II. This work was largely unknown to the general public until six decades later. It is worth a visit and a read. The two other bikes in the photo belong to JF and Annabelle, who joined me for my ride today - yay!”

  Thanks Mom and Peter for your very generous donation, and for constantly supporting my participation and different themes. Your invoice number matched to #27 - Chemical Warfare Volunteers Plaque. Located near the National Research Council's parking lot on Sussex Drive, the bilingual plaque describes efforts by Canadian scientists to protect Allied Forces against toxic substances during World War II. This work was largely unknown to the general public until six decades later. It is worth a visit and a read. The two other bikes in the photo belong to JF and Annabelle, who joined me for my ride today - yay! Save Cancel

• shannon severin

  “Best of luck Dan. XX”

  $207

  Received this donation 49 days ago
  

  Daniel

  “Shannon, thank you for your generous donation. Your invoice number sent me to entry #84 - Pinhey Sand Dunes. This secluded ecosystem hidden in a forest makes you feel you have arrived at a secret waterless beach, with fine white sand throughout. I could find no signs nearby, so you really have to know its there before you look for it. According to the book, the area "was once the Champlain Sea, which dates back 10,000 years to the last glacial period. Southwesterly winds picked up sand from the exposed sea floor, deposited it here and then helped form it into dunes." This was a wonderful discovery!”

  Shannon, thank you for your generous donation. Your invoice number sent me to entry #84 - Pinhey Sand Dunes. This secluded ecosystem hidden in a forest makes you feel you have arrived at a secret waterless beach, with fine white sand throughout. I could find no signs nearby, so you really have to know its there before you look for it. According to the book, the area "was once the Champlain Sea, which dates back 10,000 years to the last glacial period. Southwesterly winds picked up sand from the exposed sea floor, deposited it here and then helped form it into dunes." This was a wonderful discovery! Save Cancel

• Anonymous

  $124.20

  Received this donation 44 days ago
  

  Daniel

  “Thank you for your donation to help fight kids' cancer. Your invoice number was a match for entry #46 - Golden Palace. The city's oldest Chinese restaurant is famous for its open-ended egg rolls. According to the book, "Six dedicated women arrive daily around 4am to spend about six hours assembling hundreds of egg rolls, which are tightly packed by hand with pork, cabbage, celery, onions and bean sprouts. The recipe is, naturally, a secret. The women use egg yolk to seal the edges of the egg roll wrappers, and they don't pinch the ends closed." And that is how the Famous Golden Palace Egg Rolls are made!”

  Thank you for your donation to help fight kids' cancer. Your invoice number was a match for entry #46 - Golden Palace. The city's oldest Chinese restaurant is famous for its open-ended egg rolls. According to the book, "Six dedicated women arrive daily around 4am to spend about six hours assembling hundreds of egg rolls, which are tightly packed by hand with pork, cabbage, celery, onions and bean sprouts. The recipe is, naturally, a secret. The women use egg yolk to seal the edges of the egg roll wrappers, and they don't pinch the ends closed." And that is how the Famous Golden Palace Egg Rolls are made! Save Cancel

• Gérald Grisé

  “Way to go Dan! So generous and thoughtful of you! We're very proud of you! Merci pour tout ce que tu faits pour cette excellente cause!”

  $124.20

  Received this donation 39 days ago
  

  Daniel

  “Merci Gerry! Your gracious words touched me deeply. I feel this is a great cause, and we are all working together to help others. Your invoice number took me to a sunny area, #71 - Mother House Sundials. They appear on two facing sides of a limestone building at the corner of Sussex Drive and Bruyère Street. This sight is a vertical sundial, added in 1851 by Father Jean-François Allard from France, and is Ottawa's oldest public timepiece. In a sundial, the measurement of time is based on the apparent position of the sun. One sundial marks the time from sunrise until noon; the other from noon to sunset.”

  Merci Gerry! Your gracious words touched me deeply. I feel this is a great cause, and we are all working together to help others. Your invoice number took me to a sunny area, #71 - Mother House Sundials. They appear on two facing sides of a limestone building at the corner of Sussex Drive and Bruyère Street. This sight is a vertical sundial, added in 1851 by Father Jean-François Allard from France, and is Ottawa's oldest public timepiece. In a sundial, the measurement of time is based on the apparent position of the sun. One sundial marks the time from sunrise until noon; the other from noon to sunset. Save Cancel

• Jean-François LeMay & Annabelle Mineault

  “Bravo pour tes huit années d'engagement dans la collecte de fonds pour cette belle cause ! Si jamais tu as besoin de compagnie, n'hésite pas à nous faire signe ! Bonne route et à bientôt !”

  $124.20

  Received this donation 39 days ago
  

  Daniel

  “Merci a vous deux! On va certainement aller se promener en vélo prochainement. Pour le moment, je suis allé sur la rue Bank et, avec votre numéro de facture, j'ai passé à l'intersection avec l'avenue Belmont pour voir les grilles d'égout à poissons (#42 - Fish Sewer Grates). Selon le site web de la ville d'Ottawa, ''Les grilles d’égouts pluviaux sont souvent ornées d’un poisson pour indiquer que leur contenu se déverse dans les rivières et les cours d’eau locaux. Le poisson rappelle aux résidents que ce qu’on rejette dans les égouts peut faire du tort à nos rivières et à nos cours d’eau.'' Un bon rappel!”

  Merci a vous deux! On va certainement aller se promener en vélo prochainement. Pour le moment, je suis allé sur la rue Bank et, avec votre numéro de facture, j'ai passé à l'intersection avec l'avenue Belmont pour voir les grilles d'égout à poissons (#42 - Fish Sewer Grates). Selon le site web de la ville d'Ottawa, ''Les grilles d’égouts pluviaux sont souvent ornées d’un poisson pour indiquer que leur contenu se déverse dans les rivières et les cours d’eau locaux. Le poisson rappelle aux résidents que ce qu’on rejette dans les égouts peut faire du tort à nos rivières et à nos cours d’eau.'' Un bon rappel! Save Cancel

• Lise Charman

  $124.20

  Received this donation 39 days ago
  

  Daniel

  “Thank you Lise! I do appreciate your continued support for the Great Cycle Challenge. Your invoice number brought me to #72 - National Gallery Stairs. To access these stairs, you go up a long ramp from the main entrance, then turn right at the Great Hall (or rotunda). The stairs are long and wide; according to the book, "staff nicknamed them the 'elephant stairs', as elephants could theoretically carry royalty up them. The 1988 building, including the stairs, was designed by Montreal architect Moshe Safdie. As I could not bring my bike into the Gallery, I took a photo with my pannier and helmet against the stairs.”

  Thank you Lise! I do appreciate your continued support for the Great Cycle Challenge. Your invoice number brought me to #72 - National Gallery Stairs. To access these stairs, you go up a long ramp from the main entrance, then turn right at the Great Hall (or rotunda). The stairs are long and wide; according to the book, "staff nicknamed them the 'elephant stairs', as elephants could theoretically carry royalty up them. The 1988 building, including the stairs, was designed by Montreal architect Moshe Safdie. As I could not bring my bike into the Gallery, I took a photo with my pannier and helmet against the stairs. Save Cancel

• Marc Comeau

  $124.20

  Received this donation 24 days ago
  

  Daniel

  “Merci Marc! Ton numéro de facture m'a envoyé au no. 19 - Musée de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation du Canada (Canada Agriculture & Food Museum). Occupant plusieurs bâtiments au sein de la Ferme expérimentale centrale, le musée fonctionne comme une « ferme en activité », avec 150 animaux disponibles à la ferme de démonstration, dont un troupeau laitier de 50 têtes, ainsi que des chevaux, des bovins de boucherie, des porcs, des chèvres, de la volaille et des moutons. De plus, le musée offre des programmes publics et des expositions sur les sciences agricoles et sur l'histoire de l'agriculture au Canada.”

  Merci Marc! Ton numéro de facture m'a envoyé au no. 19 - Musée de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation du Canada (Canada Agriculture & Food Museum). Occupant plusieurs bâtiments au sein de la Ferme expérimentale centrale, le musée fonctionne comme une « ferme en activité », avec 150 animaux disponibles à la ferme de démonstration, dont un troupeau laitier de 50 têtes, ainsi que des chevaux, des bovins de boucherie, des porcs, des chèvres, de la volaille et des moutons. De plus, le musée offre des programmes publics et des expositions sur les sciences agricoles et sur l'histoire de l'agriculture au Canada. Save Cancel

• Marc Lamothe

  “Thank you, Dan, for your continued efforts to raise money for this worthy cause.”

  $124.20

  Received this donation 39 days ago
  

  Daniel

  “Thanks Marc! This year is turning out to be another great one, and I love making new discoveries, like your #89 - Red Bird. This music centre is "a concert venue, a music school and café all in one space that started as an auto body shop." While I was there, I chatted with a frequent patron who was looking at posters of upcoming acts. During this time, an employee came outside with some recycling, and joined in the conversation. I found out that the picture of the Red Bird's interior in my book was taken by the employee's sister - small world! I will definitely be back.”

  Thanks Marc! This year is turning out to be another great one, and I love making new discoveries, like your #89 - Red Bird. This music centre is "a concert venue, a music school and café all in one space that started as an auto body shop." While I was there, I chatted with a frequent patron who was looking at posters of upcoming acts. During this time, an employee came outside with some recycling, and joined in the conversation. I found out that the picture of the Red Bird's interior in my book was taken by the employee's sister - small world! I will definitely be back. Save Cancel

• Rob & Karen

  “You rock Dan! Way to keep riding for such a great cause.”

  $124.20

  Received this donation 38 days ago
  

  Daniel

  “Thanks to you both! I agree this is a great cause. Speaking of "rock", your invoice number sent me to #48 - House of TARG. This building houses a very intriguing mixture of arcade games, perogies (pierogi) and live music. The atmosphere is unique, as the venue is underground, and staff call themselves "wizards". They regularly feature an "all 80s night". Between band performances, patrons can enjoy playing on 19 pinball machines and up to 25 classic arcade games. The venue serves seven kinds of homemade perogies. There is definitely something for everyone!”

  Thanks to you both! I agree this is a great cause. Speaking of "rock", your invoice number sent me to #48 - House of TARG. This building houses a very intriguing mixture of arcade games, perogies (pierogi) and live music. The atmosphere is unique, as the venue is underground, and staff call themselves "wizards". They regularly feature an "all 80s night". Between band performances, patrons can enjoy playing on 19 pinball machines and up to 25 classic arcade games. The venue serves seven kinds of homemade perogies. There is definitely something for everyone! Save Cancel

• Wilson MacKenzie

  “What a great cause Daniel! Wishing this year will be your best year yet!”

  $124.20

  Received this donation 33 days ago
  

  Daniel

  “Thanks Mark! I am definitely having fun with this theme. In terms of fundraising, this may prove to be my best year indeed. Your invoice number matched to #6 in the book - Anti-Poverty Monument. This monument, resembling a giant slice of bread, expresses the struggle that many people face to buy food or pay the rent. The full title is the ''Dorothy O'Connell Monument to Anti-Poverty Activism'' by local artist cj fleury. O'Connell was called ''the poet laureate of the poor'', and she also launched a tenant organization for housing issues. The monument is located on Ottawa City Hall's south lawn.”

  Thanks Mark! I am definitely having fun with this theme. In terms of fundraising, this may prove to be my best year indeed. Your invoice number matched to #6 in the book - Anti-Poverty Monument. This monument, resembling a giant slice of bread, expresses the struggle that many people face to buy food or pay the rent. The full title is the ''Dorothy O'Connell Monument to Anti-Poverty Activism'' by local artist cj fleury. O'Connell was called ''the poet laureate of the poor'', and she also launched a tenant organization for housing issues. The monument is located on Ottawa City Hall's south lawn. Save Cancel

• Anonymous

  $120

  Received this donation 39 days ago
  

  Daniel

  “Thank you for your generous donation and support of the Great Cycle Challenge. Your invoice number matched me to #68 - Mōnz (Moose). This eye-catching bench and work of art is located beside the Rideau Canal Western Parkway, near the Flora Footbridge. It sands out from its green and blue surroundings as it is painted white and emulates abstract moose antlers. The bench is by Algonquin artist Claude Latour; according to a nearby plaque, Latour "was inspired by the disturbance of the Rideau Canal, which caused the displacement of many animals including the moose." It is worth a visit!”

  Thank you for your generous donation and support of the Great Cycle Challenge. Your invoice number matched me to #68 - Mōnz (Moose). This eye-catching bench and work of art is located beside the Rideau Canal Western Parkway, near the Flora Footbridge. It sands out from its green and blue surroundings as it is painted white and emulates abstract moose antlers. The bench is by Algonquin artist Claude Latour; according to a nearby plaque, Latour "was inspired by the disturbance of the Rideau Canal, which caused the displacement of many animals including the moose." It is worth a visit! Save Cancel

• Chantal Nicholson

  “Way to go Dan! So proud of you bro!”

  $103.50

  Received this donation 38 days ago
  

  Daniel

  “Thanks Chants! It is a great joy for me to be a part of something like this. You will appreciate the foodie aspect of your invoice number, which matched up to #54 - Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa. Located in the historic Munross mansion on Laurier Avenue East, the school is the first (and, according to the book, the only) North American campus for Le Cordon Bleu, the guardian of French culinary techniques. The name comes from the blue ribbons used to support cross pendants worn by knights of France's prestigious Order of the Holy Spirit, who were known for their lavish meals. The Ottawa school has teaching classrooms and Signatures Restaurant.”

  Thanks Chants! It is a great joy for me to be a part of something like this. You will appreciate the foodie aspect of your invoice number, which matched up to #54 - Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa. Located in the historic Munross mansion on Laurier Avenue East, the school is the first (and, according to the book, the only) North American campus for Le Cordon Bleu, the guardian of French culinary techniques. The name comes from the blue ribbons used to support cross pendants worn by knights of France's prestigious Order of the Holy Spirit, who were known for their lavish meals. The Ottawa school has teaching classrooms and Signatures Restaurant. Save Cancel

• Jean-Guy Brin

  “Congratulations Dan for your ongoing efforts!”

  $103.50

  Received this donation 39 days ago
  

  Daniel

  “Thanks Jean-Guy for your support! Your invoice number was #1, which took me to the first entry in my book - Afrotechture. Housed in the Byward Market building, Afrotechture was a shop that showcased Black creators. However, while open at the time of the book's printing, the shop has since closed. The shop's variety of products are now available online (afrotechture.com), including clothing & apparel, jewelry & accessories, food & drink, skincare products, and books by Black authors. I took a photo of the building that housed the initial shop.”

  Thanks Jean-Guy for your support! Your invoice number was #1, which took me to the first entry in my book - Afrotechture. Housed in the Byward Market building, Afrotechture was a shop that showcased Black creators. However, while open at the time of the book's printing, the shop has since closed. The shop's variety of products are now available online (afrotechture.com), including clothing & apparel, jewelry & accessories, food & drink, skincare products, and books by Black authors. I took a photo of the building that housed the initial shop. Save Cancel

• Anonymous

  “Bonne route! Sois prudent!”

  $103.50

  Received this donation 45 days ago
  

  Daniel

  “Thank you for supporting me in my fundraising efforts for the SickKids Foundation. Your invoice number matched to entry #3 - Algonquin College. Ranked among the Top 50 Research Colleges in Canada, the college is named after the Algonquin people who were the original inhabitants of the area. I traveled to the college's Woodroffe Campus, which boasts a fully functional (though non-broadcast) television studio with an adjoining control room, for students of the Broadcasting-Television program. The college is home to the Algonquin Wolves, and the school colours are green, black and white.”

  Thank you for supporting me in my fundraising efforts for the SickKids Foundation. Your invoice number matched to entry #3 - Algonquin College. Ranked among the Top 50 Research Colleges in Canada, the college is named after the Algonquin people who were the original inhabitants of the area. I traveled to the college's Woodroffe Campus, which boasts a fully functional (though non-broadcast) television studio with an adjoining control room, for students of the Broadcasting-Television program. The college is home to the Algonquin Wolves, and the school colours are green, black and white. Save Cancel

• Pierre Vinette

  “You are amazing! Great cause, keep it up!!”

  $103.50

  Received this donation 19 days ago
  

  Daniel

  Save Cancel

• François LEMAY

  “Je t'appuie en sachant que tu fais une différence pour ces jeunes. Félicitations.”

  $100

  Received this donation 29 days ago
  

  Daniel

  “Merci pour ces mots d'encouragement. Selon votre numéro de facture, j'ai visité no. 23 - les chênes du parc Champlain (Champlain Oaks). Le quartier verdoyant du parc Champlain abrite des dizaines de chênes à gros fruits âgés de plus de 120 à 200 ans. Le pavillon Champlain Park possède une vitrine contenant une coupe transversale d'un arbre datant de 1856 et qui a été abattu par une construction intercalaire. Forests Ontario a reconnu quatre chênes à gros fruits sains du quartier en 2017 dans le cadre de son programme d'arbres patrimoniaux et en a ensuite ajouté trois autres.”

  Merci pour ces mots d'encouragement. Selon votre numéro de facture, j'ai visité no. 23 - les chênes du parc Champlain (Champlain Oaks). Le quartier verdoyant du parc Champlain abrite des dizaines de chênes à gros fruits âgés de plus de 120 à 200 ans. Le pavillon Champlain Park possède une vitrine contenant une coupe transversale d'un arbre datant de 1856 et qui a été abattu par une construction intercalaire. Forests Ontario a reconnu quatre chênes à gros fruits sains du quartier en 2017 dans le cadre de son programme d'arbres patrimoniaux et en a ensuite ajouté trois autres. Save Cancel

• Kim Lefebvre

  “25000$ au total! Félicitations Dan!😊”

  $95.22

  Received this donation 14 days ago
  

  Daniel

  Save Cancel

• Myra, Micah, and Zalman

  “Lucky number 8! Excited to see where your adventures take you!”

  $80

  Received this donation 38 days ago
  

  Daniel

  “Indeed! This year it`s all about the numbers. Thanks to the family for your support. Your number is #51, which took me to a familiar area in the Byward Market - Irving Rivers. Named for its founder, this store has been around since 1950, and is a popular spot to get Ottawa souvenirs and Canadiana. There are thousands of Items for sale in this "souvenir-plus" store, including poutine snow globes, Parliament Hill puzzles, keychains with beavers, and many, many toques. People love getting their picture taken with the tall stuffed moose that stands outside the store. However, the bikes beside the moose in my photo are not for sale!”

  Indeed! This year it`s all about the numbers. Thanks to the family for your support. Your number is #51, which took me to a familiar area in the Byward Market - Irving Rivers. Named for its founder, this store has been around since 1950, and is a popular spot to get Ottawa souvenirs and Canadiana. There are thousands of Items for sale in this "souvenir-plus" store, including poutine snow globes, Parliament Hill puzzles, keychains with beavers, and many, many toques. People love getting their picture taken with the tall stuffed moose that stands outside the store. However, the bikes beside the moose in my photo are not for sale! Save Cancel

• Cole Lamothe

  “Always an inspiration, dad, and always for a great cause! I'm rooting you on!”

  $72.45

  Received this donation 38 days ago
  

  Daniel

  “Thank you Cole! Your words of support mean a great deal to me, and have helped me get through some of my longer rides. Your invoice number sent me to #52 - "Jean Richard" Shipwreck. After it was launched in 1959, the wooden ship "Jean Richard" transported cargo for almost twenty years on the St. Lawrence, then was converted into a cruise ship and renamed "Ville de Vanier", then further converted into a floating cottage. It caught fire in 1987, and the charred hulk was left in Leamy Creek. The ship was recently deemed a safety hazard and removed in the fall of 2024. I took a photo of its previous resting place. My biking companion Marc's bike is also in the shot.”

  Thank you Cole! Your words of support mean a great deal to me, and have helped me get through some of my longer rides. Your invoice number sent me to #52 - "Jean Richard" Shipwreck. After it was launched in 1959, the wooden ship "Jean Richard" transported cargo for almost twenty years on the St. Lawrence, then was converted into a cruise ship and renamed "Ville de Vanier", then further converted into a floating cottage. It caught fire in 1987, and the charred hulk was left in Leamy Creek. The ship was recently deemed a safety hazard and removed in the fall of 2024. I took a photo of its previous resting place. My biking companion Marc's bike is also in the shot. Save Cancel