Ansar Ride for Peace – Ottawa to Baitul Islam, Day 2
Following Fajr prayer, a quick breakfast, and a team briefing, the group of seven cyclists loaded their supplies and spares into the support vehicle, preparing to depart Kingston at 6:45 AM on Friday morning. The members offered silent prayer (Dua), and as the morning sun broke across the horizon under crisp, clear skies (15°C), they set out on the scenic route tracing the northern shore of Lake Ontario toward their destination 260 km away: Baitul Mahdi Mosque in Durham Region.
The group rode with speed and discipline, forming a tight, synchronized peloton. While cycling, the riders listened to Huzoor’s (aba) Friday Sermon on tawakkul (trust in Allah). In the sermon, Huzoor (aba) recounted a Hadith of the Holy Prophet (saw) likening the state of true believers to birds that fly out in the morning with trust in Allah’s provision. With seven cyclists unified on the road, the group drew an inspiring parallel to this teamwork through the aerodynamic technique of drafting. Much like flocks of birds flying in formation over vast distances, cyclists ride in a paceline where each rider takes a turn pulling at the front. While the lead cyclist breaks the headwind and exerts the greatest effort, each subsequent rider is sheltered in their slipstream, conserving vital energy. Throughout the day, each cyclist took their turn at the front for a steady shift before rotating back, ensuring the collective endurance of the peloton was maintained.
At 9:15 AM, having covered 55 km, the team took their first brief stop to replenish hydration and energy bars from the support vehicle, then promptly resumed the journey. By 11:45 AM, the cyclists had surpassed 100 km and paused for a 30-minute rest. By now, the midday sun was beating down with intensifying heat. The riders recognized that the easiest 100 km were now behind them, and the remainder of the day would be considerably more demanding. Up to that point, the peloton had maintained a brisk average rolling speed of nearly 28 km/h; leaving the stop, they resolved to pace themselves deliberately to avoid exhausting their reserves before the halfway mark.
Junaid Chaudhry Sahib (Innisfil/Barrie) remarked on the physical challenge:
“When the heat kicks in, the legs begin to feel heavy. Staying hydrated is essential, but managing mental fatigue is just as important. Having my brothers riding alongside kept my spirits high and proved immensely motivating.”
With just two quick intermediate stops, the group pushed past the halfway mark and reached Cobourg, ON at 2:45 PM, having clocked 170 km. The group offered Jumu‘ah prayer, ate lunch, and gave their legs well-deserved rest.
During the lunch stop in Cobourg, the cyclists visited a local McDonald’s for coffee and ice cream, proudly wearing their cycling jerseys emblazoned with “Muslims for Peace” and “Love for All, Hatred for None.” An elderly gentleman approached the table, pointed with admiration to the motto on their jerseys, and remarked warmly: “This is what we need in this world. What you are doing is very good.” After stepping away briefly, he returned to present the team with a McDonald’s gift card as a heartfelt token of encouragement and goodwill. This spontaneous interaction was a poignant reminder of the core purpose of the Ride for Peace—fostering a peaceful view of Islam wherever the journey leads.
When the riders rolled out again at 3:50 PM, they faced a new challenge: time. Cycling in the dark carries heightened road hazards, and with nearly 90 km still remaining, the journey turned into a focused race against the setting sun.
For the next phase of the route, the group navigated beautifully winding, canopy-covered backcountry roads leading toward Port Darlington. These quiet stretches provided welcome relief from highway traffic, allowing the cyclists to take in serene views of Lake Ontario. However, with twilight closing in, the riders prepared for the night stage. By 7:30 PM, the group fitted their bicycles with high-powered front and rear lights and embarked on the final 50 km—a demanding leg through the dark, rolling hills of North Oshawa and Whitby.
With more than 200 km already in their legs, the cyclists confronted the steepest climbs of the day under the cover of night. Across the full stage, the elevation gain would eventually total 1,519 meters (nearly 5,000 vertical feet), with swift descents reaching top speeds over 50 km/h. Under ordinary circumstances, calling it a day would have been the sensible, rational decision. But on this occasion, the team was united in purpose and resolute in completing the ride, come what may.
Reflecting on the psychological test, Maud Chaudhry Sahib (Vaughan) shared:
“By late afternoon, doubts began creeping into my mind about whether we would be able to finish the distance. But after offering Jumu‘ah prayer and taking time to remember Allah, I felt renewed with fresh energy. The whole group was uplifted, and we had complete conviction that, by Allah’s grace, He would help us reach our destination.”
At 8:55 PM, after 14 hours and 8 minutes on the road (10 hours and 26 minutes of active pedaling) and exactly 260.1 km, the cyclists finally turned onto Salem Road and were warmly welcomed by the gracious hosts at Baitul Mahdi Mosque in Durham. Alhamdulillah! With exemplary love, warmth, and hospitality, the members of Majlis Ansarullah Durham had prepared a hot dinner and accommodations. The group concluded the day in collective prayer and heartfelt gratitude to Allah Almighty for bringing them through this grueling journey—exceeding 420 km over two days for the Ottawa contingent—safely and without incident. Alhamdulillah.
Day 2 Ride Summary (Strava Data):
| Total Distance | 260.1 km (161.6 miles) |
| Elevation Gain | 1,519 m (4,984 ft of climbing) |
| Time on Road | 10 hrs 26 mins moving | 14 hrs 08 mins elapsed |
| Rolling Pace & Speed | 25 km/h avg |
| Energy & Physiology | 5,073 kcal expended (4,550 kJ work) |
Stay tuned for the Day 3 report, where the group will be joined by dozens of Ansar cyclists from across the Greater Toronto Area for the final ceremonial ride into the 39th National Ansarullah Ijtima at Baitul Islam, Peace Village, Insha’Allah.
Maashaallah! Love For All Hatred For None!