Flickr: Benjamin Lewis
At the risk of offending golf purists everywhere, I must ask, could cycling be the new golf. It’s early Saturday morning and rain or shine you notice them everywhere! Road Warriors – hardy folk, dressed from head to toe in lycra, clipped in to sleek racing machines, going FAST! Saturday morning, once the preferred time slot to hit the links and tee off has now become the preferred time to spin, mash, grind and attack. And if you look closely, you will notice that a growing number of cyclists are middle aged men, once the key demographic for golf.
The Oxford Dictionary recently coined the term MAMIL to address the explosive growth of Men in Lycra. “MAMIL: a middle-aged man who is a very keen road cyclist, typically one who rides an expensive bike and wears the type of clothing associated with professional cyclists.” Like the golfers before them passionate about their game and intent on showcasing the latest club or long distance ball, cyclists too have become obsessed with accessories. From laser beam LED bike lights to high performance carbon and titanium frames, there is no end to the list of gear designed to complement and support the passionate cyclist.
Photo: R. Weiss
To learn more about the rising popularity of cycling in Vancouver, I sought out Sergio Hsia from Gastown Cycling Club . A non-profit club with a strong commitment to fundraising initiatives, Gastown Cycling encourages friendship and fitness through cycling. Sergio has been riding since the 1980’s and is currently a Director serving on the Club’s Executive. He has witnessed first-hand the dramatic growth in his sport. Over the years Sergio has seen the sport became increasingly social. As we chatted about some of Sergio’s favourite rides, it quickly became apparent to me that the “pit-stop” coffee break location was an essential component to route planning. The majority of the Club’s weekend rides are 80-90km long, so a well-timed coffee break and social gathering makes the effort that much more enjoyable. From recreational cyclist, weekend warrior, bike commuter to competitive racer, Vancouver is the place to ride!
Flickr: Christopher Porter
Camaraderie, Fitness and Fun – maybe that is worth donning lycra for!
Photo: R. Weiss
Vancouver’s Must Ride Routes:
- Ambleside to Horseshoe Bay
- Spanish Banks / UBC Loop
- Dollarton Highway to Belcarra
- Iona Causeway
- Richmond/Steveston
- Vancouver to Britannia Beach
- And of the course, the ultimate test – The Triple Crown – climbing all three of Vancouver’s peaks: Cypress, Grouse and Seymour
Flickr: Paul Krueger
Ready to pedal like a pro? Visit your local bike shop or seek out a local cycling club for tips on gear, apparel, bike safety and route planning. Pedal on!
