Dana Gallant was born in Toronto, Ont., and received his bachelor of science degree, majoring in psychology, at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax.Before entering university, Gallant was enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces’ pilot training program, becoming the military’s youngest pilot at the age of 17. His course load included officer training as a lieutenant, extensive instruction in both land and sea survival, as well as flight school in both propeller and jet planes.During this time, Gallant was also one of Canada’s fastest sprinters, posting Canada’s fastest time in 1976 at 10.2 seconds for 100 metres — time still considered world class.
He started Pedal & Sea Adventures in 1993, and it has grown from a modest, one-man operation to an international conglomerate. Well, not really, but it has been growing exponentially for the past few years.
During the off-season, his travels have brought him to London, Amsterdam, Venice, Florence, Bangkok, Singapore, Sydney, Perth, and Jerusalem — to mention just a few destinations. In ’94, he toured California, New Zealand and Australia on bicycle — an eight-month trip covering 8,000 kilometres. Croatia has also become a favourite cycling destination. He’s been there more than 50 times over the last few years, clocking in another few thousand clicks.
Nova Scotia, though, still enchants him, and Gallant started Pedal & Sea Adventures to share his love for the province, what he considers to be one of the world’s best places. He has cycled around the province more times than he can remember. He believes that the quaint fishing villages, friendly people and quiet roads along the coast are second to none. He has been often quoted as saying that if the weather was biking weather 12 months a year there would be no reason to go anywhere else.
