Editor’s Letter

Looking at what’s right in front of me, and what’s beyond

Iknew they would make fun of me. Of course my colleagues would. My bike looked ridiculous with three head units on the handlebar. And, I admit, if I could have fit a fourth and a fifth, I would have. Five at once would have made my life easier. I built this absurd mission control while I was testing head units for this issue (p.74). While folks around the office got a kick out of razzing me, I was content to take their ribbing and tinker with computers. What’s more fun than trying stuff out?

Also for fun and out of a sense of curiosity, I asked Mark Cohen to look into the future and report back on what he saw on bicycles. It was a tricky story to write: part trend-spotting, part extrapolating, part exercise in getting people to reveal a little more than they usually might. You should definitely check out Cohen’s story (p.48) for a glimpse of what lies ahead. My own contribution to this technological fortune-telling came out of my chat with Armando Mastracci, who is behind the training software called Xert. His algorithm can help plan your workouts and project your future fitness. I’ve been using it. Sometimes Xert shows a bright future; other times, it’s a harsh reality check and motivating kick in the bib shorts. But a striking thing Mastracci said about what lies ahead for his program is that it involves an old training tool, the heart-rate monitor. That simple bit of tech – when compared with a power meter – is the key to some next-level data (p.52).

An athlete like Emily Batty has her eyes on the future, training for upcoming races. At the same time, the past can weigh on her mind and affect the present. Writer Tara Nolan spoke with Batty for a profile of the top-level cross country racer from Brooklin, Ont. Batty discusses some of the trials and sacrifices throughout her 17-year-long career in a candid and honest fashion (p.54). Nolan also checks in with Catharine Pendrel, Leah Kirchmann, Maghalie Rochette and Kirsti Lay. They’re riders focused on their careers who also take time to support and encourage young riders, especially young women. Those pros are looking beyond their head units to the sport as a whole. Those are good signs for the future. Matthew Pioro

Editor