Two cyclists, Val Duquenne and Thomas Clark, from New Brunswick, were participating in a charity ride across Canada to raise awareness for men's mental health when their bikes were stolen in downtown Winnipeg.The theft occurred on Friday morning after they stopped at CBC Manitoba's Portage Avenue studio for an interview.Their bikes, valued at approximately $15,000, were taken from a car parked on Young Street, with the thief leaving an old bike behind.The incident has derailed their journey, which began in North Sydney, N.S., on June 22, with the goal of reaching Victoria by September.They had raised $6,500 for Movember Canada, aiming for $250,000.

The theft has also impacted their mental health advocacy, as the bikes were donated by the community, including a veteran who gifted Duquenne his bike.Despite the setback, the cyclists plan to continue their journey, either by purchasing new bikes or fundraising.The incident highlights ongoing issues with bike theft in Winnipeg, which has affected cross-country cyclists multiple times.Winnipeg police acknowledged the problem as a 'property crime of opportunity' and urged cyclists to register their bikes through Project 529.The cyclists have reported the theft to authorities and are seeking help from the public to recover their bikes or find replacements.