Get in Motion for a Great Cause: Jack Ride Returns to Caledon for 2026 event

May 21, 2026 · 0 Comments

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Jack Ride, an event that raises funds for critical mental health education and prevention programs, is returning to the Caledon East Community Complex for yet another year, and they invite you to bring your bike this Saturday to join.

Taking place on Saturday, May 23, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., more than 800 riders are set to descend upon the Caledon East complex for a morning of biking in support of youth mental health.

Jack Ride began in 2010 when Eric Windeler and Sandra Hanington founded “The Jack Project” after the tragic loss of their son Jack, a first-year student at Queen’s University.

Since then, the Jack Ride with Jack.org has taken off, raising over $10 million in 16 years.

Across every province and territory in Canada, cyclists work to raise funds for mental health education for young Canadians.

And, you can participate in person this year here in Caledon.

Michael Braithwaite, President and CEO of Jack.org, says that although the event itself is about the bike ride, it’s truly about seeing how many people across Canada can come together for a day of healing and hope for young people’s mental health.

No matter what route you choose for the Jack Ride, Braithwaite notes you’ll be right beside someone who has, in some way, been affected by mental unwellness.

“It’s a real special day,” he says.

“Almost every Canadian has somehow been affected by mental health themselves, or in their family, but to see that show of support coming together in one day to do this ride is a great energy,” says Braithwaite. “If we can actually get together with this many people in one day [who] care enough to come out and do this then there’s a lot of hope for Canada and moving forward in young people’s mental health journey.”

Braithwaite says they love hosting the event in Caledon, as not only have they always been well received, but it also provides the perfect routes for the event.

“We know that so many young people are affected early on by mental health unwellness, and why wait till they go into crisis and that’s what Jack.org does. If you want to be part of the solution, this is your way of doing so, whether you’re …riding,

walking, running just getting in motion that day really shows the support of young people that you’re connected to, whether they’re in your family [or] your community this is a great way to come out have a fun day, but at the same time raise some funds so we can continue to do the great work we do in early intervention prevention in Caledon and around across the country when it comes to preventing youth mental health crisis and with the hopes of fewer young lives lost by suicide.”

There’s something for everyone at Jack Ride, with routes ranging from as little as 10k to 25k, 75k, and all the way to 100k.

Also, a gravel ride is available for those looking to do something a little different than traversing the hills.

You don’t even have to participate in the ride itself; with live music, food, and more, Braithwaite encourages the Caledon community to come out for the event either way, as there’s a lot to explore on the day and ways to support youth mental health.

Braithwaite says the event moves “pretty fast,” so he encourages riders to show up early to make sure they have everything they need and to make it to their start on time.

Those looking to participate can register prior to or on the day of; just make sure to bring your own bike!

Taking part in the 10k himself, Braithwaite says he looks forward to meeting different people at this year’s ride and hearing their stories.

And really, it comes down to what Canadians can do to support youth.

“Day in and day out we’re bombarded by a lot of negativity and some real hard facts that our young people are the unhappiest they’ve ever been,” says Braithwaite.

“Coming out of COVID, young people across the country are struggling, we’re losing way too many people by youth suicide, the second leading cause death in Canada; with all that negativity there, with Jack Ride, what it is is positivity. We can move forward, we can do better, we will do better,” he says.

“Just by the fact that 800 people are willing to come out on a Saturday in May to show that support, to raise over a million dollars towards young people’s mental health and doing better is a huge sign of hope, and gives me a ton of hope coming out of that. It’s a wonderful day of momentum towards better mental health for young people across Canada.”

He adds that those looking to support don’t have to participate on the day of; he encourages you to grab your friends and family and set out on your own Jack Ride this May.

To register ahead of time for the event visit www.jack.org/jack-ride.