This weekend's GranFondo mass bike ride was an enormous affair that brought thousands of bike peddling visitors through the Sea to Sky.
It also saw plenty of local participation as Squamish's cycling enthusiasts hit the saddle or attended the mid point gathering at Brennan Park.
Sponsors Corsa Cycle hosted the impressive mid point station, greeting those daring souls braving the 100-kilometre journey from Vancouver to Whistler with pasta, wine, fruit, water, power gels, trail mix, cookies it goes on and on. And then they merrily sent them on their way to Whistler.
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Squamish saw thousands of cyclists beaming and generally having a grand old time while moseying down their very own lane on a Highway 99 dotted with the odd cheering individuals.
The intersection lights blinked red throughout the day as flaggers stood ready to stop any imposing vehicle traffic so the hordes could peddle through unimpeded.
There was joy in the air, smiles, applause, waves and seething. Lots and lots of seething.
GranFondo was a lovely sight for those who would love to see the spread of two-wheeled travel, the enjoyment of the beautiful Sea to Sky Highway and folks exercising.
But, for many others, it was exercise all right - in frustration.
It was perhaps a lesson in what cyclists have to endure the rest of the year, but was it really necessary? Of all the communities that could be accused of not respecting cyclists' right to the road, surely Squamish must be right at the bottom of the worst offenders list.
Hopefully Squamish got more out of it than warm fuzzies because, although great in principle, in practice it was a stupendous imposition on the town's people.
The Chief's staff heard endlessly about the problems people endured because of the ride, including being late for work and losing one's shift, turning Brennan Park into a zoo as GranFondo coincided with the first day of youth soccer, cutting West Coast Railway Heritage Park's attendance for SteamFest 2010 (however, the Brackendale Fall Fair did better than ever), and relegating the downtown into a virtual ghost town for a day during the last long weekend of the summer.
That's not to mention the obvious frustration felt by those daring to (or needing to) access the highway by motorized vehicle, and by flaggers who could be seen sputtering in anger and bellowing at confused drivers (they got their share of being bellowed at too, we're sure).
The Chief is always supportive of cycling events - our reporter and our regional manager rode in the GranFondo. But we also try to take a balanced perspective on things.
And when it comes to Whistler GranFondo's benefits and drawbacks, that balance just seemed out of whack - at least where Squamish was concerned.
So let's look back at this fondly and as a one time only event.
Or, if GranFondo must return, certainly give cyclists their own lane (that's the only safe way to do it), but make sure cyclists respect the rules of the road.
Red light means stop, so stop.
- Sylvie Paillard
