Saturday, July 25, 2026
It’s time for you…to Ride Like Ole!
Ride Like Ole is a unique chance for everyone to experience everything that our friend, the late Ole (oh-lee) Heie (hay), loved about trails. In his 12 years on this earth, few things brought Ole more joy than being out on the trails and bringing others along with him. With the support of Ole’s family, Ride Like Ole is a special event where everyone—from novice to experienced—can join together and celebrate Ole’s story while crushing some personal goals on the trail. We also guarantee this will be the happiest trail event you’ve ever been to! (Ole would have called it AWESOME!) Bring your bike out for your first trail ride, or your 1000th, it doesn’t matter. Ride Like Ole is for everyone.
Ride Like Ole first began when 7 mountain bikers embarked on a 2021 memorial ride in honour of Ole Heie. The gruelling 172 km ride ended up capturing the imagination of thousands of people from across the country, raised money for trails, and it began a very special story that continues to this day. In 2023, Valley Life Recreation hosted a small Ride Like Ole Anniversary Ride with 4 of the original Ride Like Ole riders. It went well, except, it didn’t stay small: over 130 people showed up! That event planted a seed… and in 2024 we hosted our first open Ride Like Ole event. Between riders and spectators and volunteers, nearly 200 people made the trail park their home for that day. The high fives were endless and the joy on peoples faces spread far and wide.
This is not a race.
This is not a competition.
The event is not timed, but it is meant to be a challenge, but the main person you challenge is YOU. You will also be meeting cool new people, doing amazing things together, learning about an incredible person named Ole, and spending some epic time on trails! Ride Like Ole is an event with the best outdoor event vibes you can possibly imagine.
Think of this event as the most amazing group ride you’ve ever been on. Don’t like group rides? We’re still pretty sure you’ll love this.
About the Riding
The riding will take place over the 5.4 km Perimeter Loop (made up of the Cenovus Energy Unity Trail and Les Métis Way) on the single track trails in the beautiful Squirrel Hills Trail Park. Each 5.4 km “lap” has about 90m of elevation (these trails are far from flat) and will take anywhere from 20-60 minutes to ride, depending on the rider.
Seven unique lap (distance) events are planned for the day, including a 1-lap, 2-lap, 5-lap, along with a 10-lap, 15-lap and a 20-lap event for those who want to push their abilities to the max. A 20-lap team relay event is also available. Choose the event that you want to challenge yourself to, and bring a few friends! More details on each event are listed at the registration page.
Staggered group starts for each event are listed below (all have different start times) so that everyone, regardless of their event, ends up finishing at relatively similar times. The direction of travel will also change three times throughout the day. For those riding the 20-, 15- and 10-lap events, think of this as a multi-stage event. See the Event Schedule below for important details on last rider out times ahead of the three directional changes.
All riders will be supported with snacks, drinks and gummies. (Gummies were always a critical part of what kept Ole going on the trail!) You’ll also get a Ride Like Ole finisher water bottle, Ride Like Ole decal, a Ride Like Ole custom and personalized bike plate, great volunteer support at the new park trailhead, the chance to win prizes, and guaranteed epic vibes from everyone the whole day!
If you cannot come for the time of your event, you are free to come and ride at any time that day. Before anyone rides though, they must check in with registration for details on how to start and what the direction of travel is.
Event Day Schedule
Saturday, July 25, 2026
8:00 AM
20-Lap Event START
20-lap riders and 20-lap relay teams must check in with the registration table no later than 7:45 AM. Last rider out prior to the 10:15 AM directional change is 9:50 AM. This is a HARD cutoff.
10:15 AM
15-Lap Event Start
15-lap riders must check in with the registration table no later than 10:00 AM. Last rider out prior to the 12:30 PM directional change is 12:05 PM. This is a HARD cutoff.
12:30 PM
10-Lap Event START
10-lap riders must check in with the registration table no later than 12:15 PM. Last rider out prior to the 3:00 PM directional change is 2:35 PM. This is a HARD cutoff.
3:00 PM
5-Lap Event START
5-lap riders must check in with the registration table no later than 2:45 PM.
4:30 PM
2-Lap Event START
2-lap riders must check in with the registration table no later than 4:15 PM.
5:00 PM
1-lap Event START
1-lap riders must check in with the registration table no later than 4:45 PM.
5:30 PM
All Riders Begin to Finish
Gather ’round, gather ’round! All of the 1-, 2-, 5-, 10-, 15- and 20-lap riders should be coming over the Ride Like Ole finish line sometime around now (give or take 30-60 minutes)!
6:00 PM
BBQ + good times!
Hang around as we celebrate each other’s accomplishments, share high-fives with as many people as possible, and snack away on well deserved BBQ and enjoy good times together!
7:00 PM
Prizes and Thank Yous
We’ll thank all of the incredible people that made Ride Like Ole happen! Maybe you walk away with some awesome prizes?! You will be told how rad you were to come out and crush some trail goals! It’ll be awesome, you won’t want to miss this.
8:00 PM
The End (kind of)
Ride Like Ole doesn’t really end, because after learning all about our friend Ole, we all simply carry on with a Live Like Ole mindset. Everyone comes away changed for the better. We hope this hits you like we know it did us and all those at last years RLO event. 💜
Thanks to our Event Partners
Nutrien Ag Solutions
Water bottle sponsor
Nutrien Ag Solutions is a provider of agricultural products and services for western Canadian growers. A subsidiary of Nutrien Ltd, Nutrien Ag Solutions is dedicated to helping farmers achieve their maximum success by being a trusted partner and creating the next generation of agricultural solutions to help growers feed the world.
Stream n’ Wood
BBQ dinner sponsor
Stream N Wood is an outdoor store specializing in bikes, kayaks, quality clothing as well as skis and snowboards in winter. They also have a full bike service shop and will be on-site for Ride Like Ole providing their exceptional tech service for all riders.
Remax Valleyview Realty Ltd.
Bike plate sponsor
Remax Valleyview Realty Ltd. is a full service Real Estate brokerage specializing in Residential, Commercial, Condominium and Farm Sales throughout Brandon, Minnedosa and Southwestern Manitoba.
Cenovus Energy
Lap decal and RLO decal sponsor
Cenovus Energy is a Canadian-based integrated energy company headquartered in Calgary with operations in Minnedosa and elsewhere.
Precision Toyota
Volunteer t-shirt sponsor
Precision Toyota offers automotive products and services to the Brandon, MB area. From new Toyota vehicles to quality used cars, anyone looking for a vehicle near Brandon will find what they want at Precision Toyota.
A & L Cycle
Trailhead aid station sponsor
A&L Cycle provides bicycles, running shoes, fitness equipment, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and cross country ski equipment. They endeavor to provide friendly professional service at competitive prices. When you are ready to get active, A&L is ready to help.
Sunrise Credit Union
Perogie sponsor
Sunrise Credit Union is a financial institution owned by the people it serves. The organization is dedicated to providing personalized, competitive financial services to benefit its members and the communities in which they operate.
Minnedosa CDC + Tourism
Lunch sponsor
Minnedosa CDC + Tourism is an organization dedicated to supporting economic development, tourism growth and community vitality within Minnedosa and the surrounding region. Through the promotion of local businesses, attractions, events and outdoor experiences, the organization plays an important role in showcasing Minnedosa as a vibrant destination to live, work and explore.
Heritage Co-op
Gummy sponsor
Heritage Co-op serves the communities of Minnedosa, Brandon, Erickson, Sandy Lake, Wawanesa, Strathclair and Rivers with grocery, building products, fuel and ag needs.