Ride to Remember saluting fallen officers

The annual Ride to Remember has taken to the roads in Saskatchewan.

Thirty officers from across the province and civilians are taking part in the event, which is marking its fourth year.

They are cycling to honour officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their communities.

Co-organizer Sgt. Pat Barbar of the Saskatoon Police Service said the group will cycle roughly 150 kilometres per day.

“It’s gruelling, but there’s a big sense of a camaraderie among the riders and everyone gets really close by the end of the ride,” he said.

The event is held on the last weekend of September to coincide with the Saskatchewan Police and Peace Officer Memorial held at the legislative building in Regina.

While the conditions are not ideal this year, Tony Nadon of the Saskatoon police said there is no shortage of motivation to keep them going.

“We know the weather is challenging, we know the wind is strong here in Saskatchewan, but ultimately we think about those individuals who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” he said. “It’s a little bit of pain for what they went through.”

Nadon said they are also remembering first responders dealing with mental illness.

The 450-kilometre journey began Thursday from the North Battleford RCMP detachment and is to end Sunday in Regina.