Canadian Businessman Luc Poirier Embarks on Cross-Country Charity Bike Ride

Luc Poirier, a businessman from Candiac, Quebec, is planning a major cycling tour across Canada, starting in Vancouver and ending in Magog. This ambitious project aims to raise funds for the Bruny Surin Foundation and the Christian Vachon Foundation. Poirier’s journey will cover approximately 5,400 kilometers, which he hopes to complete in three to four weeks, beginning in mid-August and concluding by late September.

Poirier recently participated in the “Grand Tour d’écoles,” an event held from September 2 to 14, where he cycled to various schools across Quebec, including visits in Longueuil. This initiative successfully raised nearly $200,000 for the same foundations. He expressed, “I love to outdo myself, and this will be the challenge for next year. It’s completely crazy because it’s about 5,400 km, and I’ll try to make this crossing in three weeks. Maybe it will take me three and a half or four weeks.”

The Bruny Surin Foundation works to ensure that “the fundamental needs of young people are met and that they have access to quality sports infrastructure so that all young people can enjoy the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle,” according to a press release. The Christian Vachon Foundation focuses on supporting the development, perseverance, and academic success of young people, providing clothing, school supplies, meals, and cultural and sports activities.

Poirier acknowledged the challenges of fundraising over a broader geography, stating, “We’re always trying to aim bigger, but it’s going to be a challenge to raise funds [during the cross-Canada tour] because we’ll be spending fewer days in Quebec. For example, raising money in Manitoba will be difficult since we’re not known there.”

Poirier also plans to end this extensive tour at the Christian Vachon Foundation event at Lake Memphremagog in Magog, where participants circle the lake.

Preparing for such an endeavor will require significant training. Poirier admitted experiencing some discomfort following the recent Grand Tour d’écoles. His preparation included participating in the Canada Man/Woman Xtri World Tour, a long-distance triathlon at Lac-Mégantic on October 6, which involved 3.8 kilometers of swimming, 180 kilometers of cycling, and 42 kilometers of running.

He remarked, “The organization of the Canada Man/Woman Xtri World Tour invited me because they saw how much I have done for the cause with the Grand Tour d’écoles, and I immediately said “yes.” Many would refuse between two events due to the need for recovery.”