Ex Thundering Ram 2013

Corporal Cam Davidson

With 81 participants destined to Canmore, AB, Exercise Thundering Ram 2013, a 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group motorcycle adventure, kicked off on the morning of 26 August.  Despite a rainy start, everyone was eager to hit the road.  With the roar of nearly seven-dozen bikes, riders thundered out of the base.  Some were dressed for success, while others sported military issued rain pants and ponchos.  Surprisingly, the rain pants held up, but unfortunately the ponchos did not.  By the time the riders hit Drayton Valley, the sun was shining and the ride became exuberantly more enjoyable.

The route was broken down into four legs starting at CFB Edmonton with stopovers at Drayton Valley, Rocky Mountain House, Cochrane, and finally ending at the Owl Group Campground in Bow Valley Provincial Park just outside of Canmore.  First objective was to arrive safely at Bow Valley Provincial Park as quickly as possible so that riders could sign in and part ways to enjoy the beautiful scenic view of the Rocky Mountains. After a few more hours of riding there was an evening dinner orchestrated by Sergeant Patrick Flanagan and a handful of other Strathcona cooks and soldiers.  Dinner consisted of hearty roast beef and chicken along with some beers to wash it down.  Everyone enjoyed the rest of the night sitting by a warm fire.

There’s really nothing quite like waking up in the crisp morning, climbing out of a tent, and viewing a spectacular mountain backdrop. The sun was shining, eggs were served for breakfast, and kickstands were back up for 8am.  The journey back home was met by twisty curves and tree lined roads - a biker’s paradise.

Commander of 1 Canadian Mechanised Brigade Group, Col Dave Anderson, said it best: “it’s a hard day to hate the army.”  Exercise Thundering Ram 2013 was a great success, filled with great weather, great riding, great food, and great company - we couldn’t think of any other way to spend a work day.