![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/BROKEN-LOCK.jpg\")
The cyclists had their locks broken and bikes stolen on July 24, 2026 (Mitchell Ringos, CityNews)<\/p>\nTwo cyclists crossing Canada to raise awareness for men\u2019s mental health say their journey has come to an unexpected setback in Winnipeg.<\/p>\n
After promoting their cause in the city Friday morning, Val Duquenne and Thomas Clark returned to find both of their bikes had been stolen.<\/p>\n
The friends from New Brunswick began their journey in June, cycling across the country to raise awareness for men\u2019s mental health and funds for Movember Canada. They say the two bicycles, worth roughly $15,000 combined, were donated by supporters who believed in their mission.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we started before even anything started, (a local veteran) met me and gave me his bike,\u201d said Duquenne. \u201cHe struggled with PTSD and was nothing but help right away and that bike was very sentimental.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a Facebook post before the bikes were stolen, the cyclist duo shared their excitement of arriving in Winnipeg.<\/p>\n
\u201c32 days ago, we started from Sydney, Nova Scotia, completely unexperienced, and together we\u2019ve reached Manitoba. It\u2019s been absolutely unreal.\u201d<\/p>\n
The say just an hour after they were away from their vehicle for less than an hour while promoting their cross-country ride when someone cut the lock securing their bicycles and stole them from the back of their vehicle in downtown Winnipeg Friday morning.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur car was a little hit behind a corner so I walked out and saw the tail land where the bike should be and it was empty, and I was like just jaw on the floor,\u201d said Clark, Men Don\u2019t Ride Alone.<\/p>\n
Winnipeg police are investigating the theft, while the pair are asking anyone who recognizes the bikes to come forward.<\/p>\n
The cyclists had their locks broken and bikes stolen on July 24, 2026 (Mitchell Ringos, CityNews)<\/p>\n
Clark also made a direct appeal to someone who may have stolen their bikes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese bikes are very sentimental to us. If there is any way in your heart to get them back to us that would be incredible, drop them off at the police station. They know how to get them back to us and contact us, were not looking to press charges we just want our bikes back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCanadian Tire of Winnipeg called Thomas and said we wanna help you guys we\u2019re giving you $9000 then we had a person in the community reach out for $5000 so it\u2019s been absolute insane,\u201d Duquenne said. \u201cGreenfoot also gave us $1000 so it\u2019s been crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Cyclists-1024x768.jpg\")
Cross-country cyclists Val Duquette and Thomas Clark pose at the border of Ontario and Manitoba (Courtesy: Facebook\/Mendontridealone)<\/p>\n
Despite the setback, Duquenne and Clark say they aren\u2019t giving up.<\/p>\n
Whether it\u2019s on replacement bikes or another way entirely, they say they\u2019ll keep heading west, determined to finish the journey.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re men don\u2019t ride alone and our goal is to raise $250,000 for events mental health to go to Movember Canada,\u201d Clark said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery single person who donates gets their name written on our hood on sharpie and at the end of the trip, we will split the hood in half and keep half-and-half in our living room,\u201d Duquenne said.<\/p>\n
\t\tKeep it Factual<\/p>\n
Add CityNews Winnipeg as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.<\/p>\n
![\"Add](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/google-trusted-badge.png\"){kind=icon}