Editor’s Letter
On when to head out, and when to come back
“Cycling is a very selfish sport.”
It was an odd thing for Neil Mckinnon to say. He’s the founder of the Granfondo Whistler and has the title of chief enthusiast. It’s his stoke and that of his organization that have been getting roughly 5,000 riders on the road from Vancouver to Whistler, B.C., for the past 10 years. (Read about what’s up for Granfondo Whistler in 2020 on p.8). But I knew exactly what he meant by the selfishness of cycling.
“On a bicycle, you are gone for hours, often leaving somebody, leaving your family,” he said. “If you are lucky, they will come with you. In many circumstances, you are on your own or away from your family.”
About halfway through a test ride of the T-lab All-terrain X3 (p.42) that took me into the woods, I started thinking of my family and friends back at a cottage, having a relaxing morning. I had just spent two hours bashing around muddy atv trails, exploring and having a blast. I had come out of the forest to a major highway and had some decisions to make. I could head back into the woods where I could follow the same trails back. That would take another two hours. I could check out some new trails that I suspected could get me back in less than two hours, or not. Finally, I could take paved highways home. The route wouldn’t be that inspiring, but it was probably the fastest.
I chose the highways. I wanted to be back with my friends and family.
As Mckinnon said, we leave for hours. It’s part of the fun. It’s also the nature of an endurance sport. My colleagues at Canadianrunning magazine and Triathlonmagazine Canada need to log miles. The climbers at Grip ped make trips to their crags. The activities are great for your physical health. They can also provide a mental refresh. For some, they are just something you have to do. But they take you away. Unlike work, they take you away when you don’t have to be away.
Of course, Mckinnon has worked to mitigate the necessary selfishness. He recommends the Bici Gusti event in Whistler that combines cycling, gourmet food and even activities for kids. Taking a page out of Mckinnon’s playbook, my whole family went to Sea Otter Canada in early July. The festival and Blue Mountain, Ont., have things we all enjoy. But, I’ll be honest: it was tricky as I wore multiple hats there – make that, casquettes – as editor of this magazine, as someone who rides for fun and as a husband and a father. Like riding a bike, it’s a balancing act.