Congratulations to Dylan Pearce who set the record for Ontario E-W in the following categories: Men, 18-49, upright bike, breaking the existing record by over 3 hours.
Rider’s Narrative Summary
The Ontario E-W Record Attempt began on May 16, 2026, at 11:53 a.m. from the west side of Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario. Starting at the intersection of Parliament Road and Vittoria Street, with Parliament Hill to the east and the Supreme Court to the west, the ride set out with a clear purpose: to break the existing Ottawa to Windsor cycling record while raising awareness for mental health through the “Ride Beyond Limits: Breaking Records to Break Stigma” campaign I started this past fall.
The attempt covered 805 kilometers with 3,903 meters of elevation gain and was completed in an official elapsed time of 31 hours and 40 minutes, surpassing the previous record of 34 hours and 57 minutes. The ride concluded at 7:34 p.m. at City Hall in Windsor, Ontario, on the south side of the building off City Hall Square South.
Conditions throughout the ride were extremely demanding. Persistent headwinds and crosswinds challenged progress from start to finish, while temperatures rose significantly on Sunday, reaching approximately 33°C. The prolonged exposure to heat and sun resulted in sunburn and heat rash by the finish. Overnight conditions brought a different challenge, with temperatures dropping to approximately 8°C and heavy fog affecting visibility between Oshawa and Toronto.
The record attempt was deeply personal for myself. Through my Ride Beyond Limits campaign, the goal was not only to raise awareness surrounding mental health struggles, but also to demonstrate the power of resilience, perseverance, and community support. Endurance sport has played a transformative role in my own life, providing purpose, discipline, consistency, and determination after previous mental health struggles. This attempt became both a physical challenge and a platform to inspire others facing difficult battles of their own.
The ride was completed aboard a 2020 Giant TCR equipped with a Specialized Power Expert Mirror saddle, Bontrager Aeolus 50 Elite wheels, Profile Design Legacy II aero bars and GP5000 tires. Essential accessories included a Coros Dura head unit, Fenix rear and front lights, a spare Diamondback front light, and a headlamp. A Specialized Tarmac was also available as a backup bike but was ultimately not needed. In accordance with WUCA requirements, the ride was supported by an official follow vehicle carrying two WUCA officials and two support crew members.
Nutrition and hydration were carefully planned, with an intended intake of one liter and approximately 110 grams of carbohydrates per hour, supplemented with additional carbohydrates through snacks such as Rice Krispies treats, Fruit 2 Go bars, and Special K bars. Caffeine intake was scheduled roughly every six hours. However, approximately seven hours into the ride, significant stomach distress began and persisted for much of the event. From that point forward, nutrition became one of the greatest challenges of the ride, forcing me to rely on whatever foods and fluids could be tolerated, including cookies, chips, croissants with jam, Gatorade, and large amounts of water.
Despite the physical setbacks, the most rewarding aspect of the ride came from overcoming the difficult mental moments and continuing forward through discomfort, exhaustion, and doubt. Crossing the finish line in Windsor after more than 31 hours on the bike was an emotional and meaningful accomplishment, made even more significant by the purpose behind the ride. The support from crew members, family, friends, sponsors, and the broader community became a major source of motivation throughout the attempt.
The hardest moments came from managing the combined effects of relentless winds, fatigue, stomach distress, and heat. There were periods where simply staying awake on the bike became difficult, particularly during the early sunrise hours and late Sunday afternoon. With energy levels depleted after episodes of vomiting, the focus shifted to surviving one pedal stroke at a time, taking in small amounts of food and fluid whenever possible just to continue moving forward.
A few unexpected events occurred during the attempt, including a flat tire and a short detour caused by road construction near Road 68 and 31st Line. However, the greatest challenge remained the constant battle against physical exhaustion and mental fatigue. Ultimately, the ride served as a powerful reminder of the mind’s ability to endure prolonged adversity and continue pushing forward under difficult circumstances.