Making a difference one km at a time
By Melissa Piche Times Contributor
A retired Canadian Armed Forces mechanic is preparing to hit the road once again, combining his passion for cycling with a cause that has become deeply personal.
This August, Sgt. Rob Nederlof, formerly of Base Maintenance at Canadian Forces Base Shilo, will pedal 1,000 km from Canmore, Alta. to Moose Jaw, Sask, as part of the fifth annual Prairie Thousand fundraising ride. Alongside him will be his wife, Marina, who serves as the support crew behind the wheel, while Rob tackles the long days in the saddle.
Together, the couple hopes to raise $5,000 for Wounded Warriors Canada’s Operational Stress Intervention (OSI) Service Dog Program, continuing a fundraising effort that has already generated more than $100,000 since it began in 2021.
This year’s ride carries the theme “Friends and Family,” highlighting the people who often provide the first line of support when someone is struggling.
“Friends and family should be our first go-to when we’re having any type of mental health issues,” Marina said. “We need to be able to depend upon our friends and family, but if not, there’s always someone available.”
The Prairie Thousand began with a chance encounter during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cycling had become a regular part of Rob’s routine when a passing motorist asked whether he was riding for a cause.
“I was doing a lot of cycling at the time,” he recalled. “This guy drove past and asked if we were doing it for a cause or anything like that. And I said, ‘No.’ Then I started thinking, ‘Well, I was cycling, I could do it for a cause.’ That’s basically how it started.”
What began as a simple idea quickly grew into an annual tradition. Over four previous rides, the Nederlof’s have covered more than 4,000 km through Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, while raising awareness about the mental health challenges faced by veterans, military personnel, first responders and emergency service workers.
“The first year we did it, I was amazed that we raised as much as we did,” he said. “That motivated us to do it again.”
The 2026 route also holds special significance for the couple. Both originally from Alberta, they’ll be travelling through communities where family and friends still live.
“We’re from Alberta originally,” he said. “I’m from Calgary, my wife is from Edmonton. We have friends and family along the way, so we can check in and all that sort of stuff as well.”
While fundraising remains a major focus, the ride’s broader purpose is to encourage conversations about mental health and remind people that support is available.
“The men and women who stand behind the shield, the military, police, EMS workers … it’s for them that we do this,” he said.
Preparing for a 1,000-kilometre ride takes months of work. During the winter, Rob logged hours on a stationary trainer before transitioning back outdoors. These days, much of his training comes from cycling roughly 52 kilometres each day.
Along the way, the couple has met countless veterans, first responders and community members willing to share their experiences. Those conversations have become one of the most meaningful parts of the journey.
“Everybody’s got a story,” Marina said. “Everybody has something that they’ve had to deal with that they were not expecting to encounter in their particular profession.”
Many of those stories carry a common lesson: even people who enter high-pressure careers expecting difficult situations can be caught off guard by the emotional toll.
“They (first responders) think, ‘I can handle it. I know it’s going to be a dangerous job,’” Marina said. “But then some kind of traumatic event happens, or even over time they realize it’s hitting them a lot more than they ever thought it would, and they finally go get help.”
The pair are expected to pass through Strathmore on Aug. 12 as they travel from Calgary toward Carseland.
For anyone currently struggling with their mental health, Rob encourages them to take that first step and reach out.
“Probably start, if you’re not sure where to start, dial 988,” Marina said. “That is the mental health hotline across Canada. Even if you have no idea what to do, if you call and say, ‘I need help,’ someone is there to walk you through it and connect you with the best resources. It doesn’t matter where you go to get help – If you need it, go. You will be helped.”
Donations supporting Wounded Warriors Canada’s OSI Service Dog Program can be made through the Prairie Thousand fundraising campaign (https://www.justgiving.com/page/prairiethousand). The organization also welcomes cadet groups, scout troops and community organizations interested in riding alongside Rob as he passes through their communities