BONNYVILLE - The Shaw House parking lot was full of unique motorcycles and affable bikers as The Rolling Barrage (TRB) stopped in Bonnyville while on their cross-Canada tour to raise money and awareness for PTSD in first responders.
The event was held on Aug. 13 and included a dinner, a show and shine, and auctions.
The event was supposed to be held in Jasper, but due to the wildfires it had to be relocated.
“Bonnyville, we all made this happen because of who we are, and because of that we're on TRB radar and will be included in more rides, we came together as a community and did some magic,” said organizer Jamie Beaupre.
TRB director Warren Cave explained that the core idea of TRB is to normalize conversations around mental health and PTSD.
“We’re in a community of people who’ve shared similar experiences, whether you’re police, fire, EMS, you could be in corrections or border patrol, Canadian forces – we've shared similar experiences. It’s nice to be able to chat or sit down with people who've had similar experiences, and you don’t have to explain anything, they just understand.”
Cave has participated in every tour and spoke about how the tour took shape.
“Scott Casey had this idea about a ride across Canada to raise awareness for PTSD and raise some money. He got together a group of core friends that were going to do the ride all the way across and pick people up as they could. There were six to seven people - at least three are here tonight. They rode from St. Johns, Newfoundland to Victoria, British Columbia.”
“That year I didn't even have a motorcycle,” continued Cave. “Probably hadn’t had one in 25 years. Seeing some of the people getting involved, I just knew I had to be a part of it. I registered... and rode out to Kamloops with my son. That’s where we waved goodbye, and they carried on. I got a taste of it.”
Cave added, “What I find with The Rolling Barrage is yes, we collect money and support programs that help our demographic, but the ride itself is therapy. Having that opportunity to get out... get the wind in your face, socialize with people who’ve had similar experiences, and accomplish something together.”
He finds the collective focus on a common goal with like-minded people to be a winning combination for supporting mental health.
“In general, the magic starts to happen after a three or four-day ride. It doesn't happen in a day ride. Don’t get me wrong, we love the day riders – they help support, and if they like it, they usually come back for more. But it you want to really get something out of the ride, it’s going to take three or four days of enjoying the comradery.”
Cave shared a story about a man who joined for the Nova Scotia leg of the tour. “He was a medic in the army. He didn’t stay close to the ride. He would ride a little bit behind and show up at the stops. You’d see him there at the back, he would sit in a lawn chair away from everybody.”
“His plan was to go back to P.E.I from Nova Scotia,” continued Cave. But “He ended up in Vancouver, day by day. Everyone pitched in to help him and by the time he was in Vancouver he was socializing with everyone.”
In Bonnyville, the crowd was full of open-hearted people with stories to tell. One such person was TRB rider Terry Collins, who shared a story about being on the road with TRB when a tornado hit outside Sault Ste. Marie.
“The sky went purple and red,” said Collins. “Then two waves of rain crashed down on us like nothing you’ve ever seen before.”
Nigel Colley was also riding during the tornado.
“First the rain came sideways one way, and I thought ‘hmm that doesn't look good,’ and then it came the other way. I had a bandana around my face, and it was instantly soaked, and I couldn't breathe. I had to take it off and just hunker down,” said Colley.
Collins described the ensuing winds that saw construction pilons and debris flying across the road. “There was the most insane wind, it was so loud in your helmet. And then all of a sudden complete silence and I felt like there was an inertia picking up my guts, like when you’re on a roller coaster.”
“I tried my breaks, but they didn’t work. I was being lifted up and turned around. When I saw the ditch and the trees, I thought I was a-goner, but I kept turning and landed on the road and fell over on my side,” continued Collins.
“When I spoke with a meteorologist, he said that’s called the Hand of God,” said Collins.
The winds and rain returned in torrents, but everyone made it out alive.
Paul Perry recalls one of the riders having an airbag vest that deployed when the tornado knocked him off his bike. Collins laughed when he said they still call him the Michelin Man.
“I remember looking over and he’s stuck on his back like a turtle with this puffed-up vest,” said Perry with a grin.
“I tell you, I fell on my hip, and I could barely walk the next day. That guy with the airbag vest was completely fine. Few years now and I’ll be getting one for myself.”
All the riders involved in the tornado incident received patches for their biker vests that say “Tornado Crew.”
A small presentation was held at the Shaw House to acknowledge those who helped with TRB, and Jessica Wolfrey delivered a heartfelt speech thanking TRB for their impact on her father's life.
Cave explained that Jessica approached him and asked for his help, as her father, Phil Wolfrey, was going through a tough time with his mental health. Cave took Phil on a hunting trip, and later got him volunteering with TRB, creating a lasting impact on the Wolfrey family.
In an article called “From the daughter of a Veteran” on TRB website, Jessica explains the physical and emotional suffering her father experienced even after being treated for PTSD, and how challenging it was to see her father struggle.
“I want to say how grateful I am to everybody,” said Jessica in her speech. “Two years ago, I couldn't even go into a grocery store or hang out with my friends because I was too anxious. But I’ve made it to all of my university classes and done all the things I needed to do, and it’s all thanks to everybody here. You guys have all inspired me more than I could ever say.”
Jessica pursued her degree in Psychology and hopes to become a therapist that can help frontline workers.
Cave explained that those who have accomplished the “full-pull” and ridden the entire tour, are bonded. “Those are the people that really bond and become family – and I mean family. We talk all year long. It’s a beautiful thing. We help each other out.”
Cave encourages anyone interested to register and come out to connect.
“This ride is not about motorcycles. This ride is about people, the motorcycle is the catalyst.”
