Tour de Thanks: Durham Region - live updates

Follow along with the Tour de Thanks throughout the day on June 20, 2025.

Click HERE to donate to the Senior Living CaRES Fund.

8:00 AM – Wheels Up!

Daniel has just wrapped up the first 34.2 kilometers of the Tour de Thanks — and what a morning it’s been. He started before sunrise, hitting the road while most of us were still tucked in bed. His first stop was at Parkland Ajax Retirement Home right before 6:00 AM. The weather has been kind, with clear skies and light traffic all along the route, and Daniel says he’s feeling good as he heads into the next stretch.

You can see the map view of his journey here:

So far, he’s made heartfelt visits to Parkland Ajax, Westney Gardens, Chartwell Harwood, Amenida Seniors Community Pickering, Chartwell Pickering City Centre, Amica Pickering, Abbeylawn, Orchard Villa, and finally V!VA Pickering, where he was invited in for a well-earned breakfast.

Abbeylawn marked the westernmost point of this morning’s route, and from here, Daniel will continue his ride northward, bringing Elderado’s gratitude to even more retirement communities.

2:00 PM - The Longest Stretch Yet

Daniel has just completed the second (and longest!) leg of the Tour de Thanks and it’s safe to say, this stretch tested both legs and spirit. While the weather stayed bright and beautiful, the unexpected headwinds and a bit of over-ambition in the day’s planning meant this ride took an extra hour longer than expected.

Still, Daniel powered through, visiting another incredible lineup of homes: Aspira Douglas Crossing, Butternut Manor, Venvi Port Perry Villa, West Shore Village, Vedanta Living Bowmanville, Chartwell Bowmanville Creek, and Seasons Clarington. Each stop offered a fresh reminder of why this journey matters, with heartfelt welcomes from frontline staff.

In a true family moment, his mom and grandfather met him at Aspira Douglas Crossing to deliver a much-needed power bank and a dose of encouragement. Not to mention, Daniel enjoyed a delicious butter tart break en route to Bowmanville.

With the longest leg complete, Daniel is now setting his sights on Oshawa, continuing his ride with perserverance.

6:00 PM - Pushing Through

Daniel has officially crossed the 150 kilometer mark on the Tour de Thanks, pushing through with grit, gratitude, and determination.

Since the second leg, Daniel has visited 9 more homes: Aspira Traditions of Durham, White Cliffe Terrace, Cedarcroft Place, The Carriage House, Livita Centennial, Harmony Hill, Bloom Oshawa, Chartwell Wynfield, and Winchester Glen. Each stop brings fresh smiles, stories, and a renewed sense of purpose.

He stopped for a well-earned lunch at Aspira Traditions of Durham, where he was greeted by our friend and collaborator Rebecca Scott from the Senior Living CaRES Fund. In a heartfelt video posted to Instagram and YouTube, Rebecca shared her excitement about the tour and encouraged a $33 donation for every site Daniel visits.

you can donate to the the Senior Living CaRES Fund HERE.

Despite the long day and growing fatigue, Daniel is pushing through and all the support from friends, family and staff make the tough journey a lot easier!

7:00 PM - Full Circle

“It feels good to be back on home turf,” Daniel said as he neared the final stretch of his incredible journey. It was a true full-circle moment, both physically and emotionally.

After 14 hours and nearly 200 kilometers of biking, Daniel officially wrapped up the Tour de Thanks with visits to his final 8 homes: Lakeridge Heights, The Village of Taunton Mills, Aspira Lynde Creek Gardens, Amica Taunton, Amica Whitby, Bloomsdale Seniors Home, Chartwell Colonial, and V!VA Whitby Shores.

To the staff, friends and family who welcomed Daniel with open arms and supported him along the way. Your warmth, encouragement, and generosity made every kilometer count.

To those who cheered from afar, shared kind words, rode virtually alongside us, or donated to the Senior Living CaRES Fund — we couldn’t have done this without you.

The Tour de Thanks was more than a bike ride. It was a tribute to the people who make retirement communities vibrant, compassionate, and truly special. And while today’s ride is over, the gratitude keeps rolling.