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Musician and cyclist rides more than 3,000 kilometres cross-Canada in support of Blue Dot Movement

In the worlds of cycling and music, the word "tour" normally means two very different things. For one Montreal-based cyclist, though, bringing them together is proving to be pretty effective -- especially considering his reasons for doing so.

Image: David Olive
Image: David Olive

In the worlds of cycling and music, the word “tour” normally means two very different things. For one Montreal-based cyclist, though, bringing them together is proving to be pretty effective — especially considering his reasons for doing so.

Derek Olive works as an emergency room nurse and holds a master’s degree in music. He’s also, it seems, a pretty strong, ambitious cyclist, something evinced by the ride upon which he’s embarked. Traveling 3,055 kilometres across Canada, from Vancouver to Winnipeg and from Toronto to Montreal, Olive has taken his new record on the road. Called “Mystery & Dust,” the Montreal cyclist is stopping at various points along the way, playing his original tunes in a variety of venues. It’s a memorable way to get people to remember your music, that’s for sure, trading a tour bus for a touring bike.

It’s also a great way to support good causes, which forms the backbone of Olive’s adventure.

His ride isn’t just to raise the profile of his music, but to support the David Suzuki Foundation’s Blue Dot Movement. The Movement’s mission, at its core, is to enshrine access to clean water, safe food, fresh air, and the public’s agency to make decisions about their health and wellness as fundamental rights. It also calls upon Canadian governments — at all levels, from municipal to federal — to recognize those rights, a process that advocates ultimately intend to take to the highest level of constitutional authority in the country, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. At each stop and performance, Olive raises money on a pay-as-you-can basis, passing around a bike helmet.

To officials with the David Suzuki Foundation, as Saskatchewan’s Southwest Booster reports, Olive’s big ride sends a powerful message, especially when achieved with the minimal carbon footprint involved in cycling. And they’re certainly happy about the financial support.

“I’m thrilled to see Derek take on this cross-Canada challenge in support of the Blue Dot Movement,” said Sophika Kostyniuk, representing the David Suzuki Foundation. “We’re grateful for this support and his personal commitment to share the Blue Dot message with even more Canadians.”