Dan first joined Ride Through the Rockies in 2014, invited by his son Ken Crockett to participate as an “inspirational rider” alongside his wife Toni. He was 67 years old at the time. What started as a single event quickly became an annual tradition, and this year marks Dan’s 12th ride.
The ride that changed everything
Dan still remembers the very first Ride Through the Rockies the sense of excitement, camaraderie, and satisfaction as they crossed the finish line. But one moment in particular stood out.
“Hearing from a family what our fundraising meant to them,” he says.
It was a powerful reminder of the real reason they ride: to help working families put down roots and build a better future through affordable homeownership.
Passion with purpose
Dan, a lifelong cycling enthusiast, has no trouble staying motivated. “This is the event I look forward to each year,” he says.
“It inspires me to put in the work needed to complete the ride. Many of us overcome injury or illness so that we can participate. This is not a race but a ride with deep meaning for us and we will do whatever it takes to complete it.”
Dan doesn’t take the cause lightly. “I feel that is one of the best things that a community can do for those with families that cannot afford housing,” he says. “It is a perfect way for the building supply and construction industry to give back to the communities they serve.”
More than a ride
RTTR isn’t just physically demanding, it takes months of planning and dozens of volunteers behind the scenes to make it happen. “People might not realize the amount of preparation required and the number of volunteers it takes to put it on,” Dan says. “It’s all about raising money for families, not just a bike ride with friends.”
That message is what Dan shares with his own network every year: the impact they’ve made, the lives they’ve touched, and the legacy they’re building one ride at a time.
Dan’s story is a reminder that passion, purpose, and a little grit can go a long way. Not just over 300 kilometres of road, but in changing lives.
Inspired by Dan’s story?
Learn more about Ride Through the Rockies and how this incredible group is helping build a future where more families can access affordable homeownership.
