Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
The Rolling Barrage stopped in Jasper on its cross-Canada motorcycle journey on Aug. 17 in support of those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Paul Harman, national executive chairperson for the 2021 event and one of the directors for the Rolling Barrage PTSD Foundation, explained why they were making the journey.
鈥淲e plan to elevate the level of care that our first responders, the military, emergency services community (and) veterans are getting,鈥� Harman said.
The Rolling Barrage began their trip in Halifax on Aug. 2 and is scheduled to finish in Vancouver on Aug. 21.
Despite the length of the journey, Harman said the fatigue wasn鈥檛 getting to him.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been getting better and better every day. We鈥檝e had some phenomenal support as we crossed the country. When we hit towns like Neepawa, Man. and Red Deer 鈥� we鈥檙e going to hit Okotoks 鈥� they just absolutely throw out the red carpet.鈥�
Nine riders were registered for the 鈥渇ull pull,鈥� which is the complete 20-day motorcycle journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific, with daily events scheduled in towns all the way across Canada.
With many riders only opting to ride a portion of the journey, the Rolling Barrage has picked up over 400 participants so far and had about 50 riders show up in Jasper.
鈥淔or the organization point, to get everybody sorted and to get all the towns, all the venues, all the hotels sorted out, it鈥檚 a lot of work,鈥� Harman said.
鈥淔or a rider though to prep, it鈥檚 basically having your kit and your gear, having enough money to cross; it鈥檚 an expensive trip if you鈥檙e going to do the full pull, but we have a lot of people who just do one-to-three days and we have a four-to-six-day package as well.鈥�
Funds raised by the Rolling Barrage support the cost of treatment at such centres as Rally Point Retreat in Nova Scotia and Camp My Way in British Columbia.
The goal is to raise $40,000, although Harman noted that the pandemic has made fundraising a challenge.
The Jasper Royal Canadian Legion donated $1,000, which Harman said would go a long way.
To donate and for more information, visit or go to their Facebook page at
