Editor,
After reading Ms. Sylvie Paillard's overall negative editorial about the RBC GranFondo I just couldn't bear the thought of not writing a response.
Really Ms. Paillard, really? You really felt that the GranFondo was a huge inconvenience?
Wow! I'm in disbelief with your attitude. Maybe Squamish should not host any more events as "it was a stupendous imposition on the town's people" as Ms. Paillard wrote.
No more Test of Metal, Loggers Sports, Thomas the Train, Wild at Art, Squamish Live, baseball tournaments, Brackendale Farmers Market, Canada Day Celebrations, the list goes on and on. Or even, for that matter, the train crossing in downtown Squamish. Let's just become a nothing place!
I'm positive that other people have been slightly inconvenienced by some of these events as well. I know I have, but really, a few extra minutes waiting is not the end of the world - come on people, get a grip!
Ms. Paillard, your opinions also make me believe that you are unaware how small businesses depend on tourism in the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada. That every event that Squamish hosts is just another step in showcasing what this little town has to offer, the incredible outdoors and all the unique small businesses.
Let's just have big box stores here because we know they can withstand the seasonal type selling that small businesses must endure here.
The District of Squamish and GranFondo event organizers were in discussions with Brennan Park months ago. Some of the frustrations that occurred in approximately one per cent of the people that arrived at Brennan Park for Youth Soccer and the Rod and Gun Club's 400-person event could have been alleviated in the early planning stages.
Traffic control organizers and even the Squamish Chief were advising motorists/public two weeks in advance of the situation. Possibly motorists could have left home a little earlier so as not to be late for work.
But hindsight is 20/20 and what I witnessed was a bunch of amazing volunteers trying their best to reorganize the situation and get things moving as quickly and as smoothly as possible.
The rest of the people who arrived at Brennan Park just rolled with it and quiet enjoyed witnessing what was unfolding. I'm sure that the construction on Government Road couldn't have helped matters either.
The 4,000 riders started their day at 7 a.m. for their 120-kilometre ride, riding down Georgia Street and over the Lions Gate Bridge (which was closed by the way) and up Taylor Way (wonder how many people were disgruntled about that? I didn't read about it in any other papers' editorials).
The onslaught of riders arrived in Squamish at 9:30 a.m. and we saw the last rider leave at 11 a.m. Brennan Park was cleaned and packed up by noon. So really, Ms. Paillard, it was a whole two and half to three hours of "stupendous imposition."
GranFondos are organized all over the world, some with participants of more than 10,000 people.
This is an event that communities welcome. It's light-hearted and gives working people a goal to accomplish on their time off similar to the Sun Run.
I can't believe how many people told me they were in awe riding over the Lions Gate Bridge. We witnessed riders training up and down the highway from spring until last week, with many taking breaks in Squamish for lunch and purchasing small necessities.
Some of these riders will undoubtedly return with their families to enjoy other parts of Squamish.
Why can't we try and be gracious hosts, look at the positive effects overall for the many outdoor enthusiasts that live here and what it brings to the businesses in town?
Fix the mishaps that occur at all events to make it even better for next time.
Maybe the event organizers could arrange for the cyclists to ride around Squamish next year because as of today 1,500 people have already registered for Granfondo 2011.
One last thing, why can't motorists and cyclists share the road?
Sandra Brull
Squamish, B.C.
