When I got my first pro contract, the feeling I felt was relief. I didn’t realize how big of a risk it was getting into cycling. I was naïve to how hard it would be to move up the ranks. I was probably the oldest guy in cycling history to turn pro. I was at 29.
A lot of people blew me off because of my age but Jonathan Vaughters had an eye on me after I broke the KOM on Haleakala in Hawaii, the world’s longest paved climb. Ryder Hesjedal had it before me and JV had it before him. I think that peaked his interest. As I improved, he was the first guy in the World Tour to reach out to me. He likes guys with interesting stories and I fell into that category.
I started out as a runner and still hold the 3000 m and mile record for the junior ranks in Canada. I stopped running in 2011. I was 25. I was going really well, and it looked like running would be my future career. Then I had several injuries to my left navicular bone. I had two surgeries and could never get the bone to fully heal.
My dad started cycling to stay in shape. He convinced me to give it a try. I borrowed his bike. I found it really cathartic. I had been injured for so long and really struggling to find a way to exercise my demons and the bike offered that.
At the time, I was working in a bank as a teller. I was lost – not happy with where I was at in my life.
But, it actually ended up being a good experience for me because I realized I wasn’t the center of the universe and some people don’t get to do what they love. It’s really made me appreciate what I have now.
I had a big engine from running so the transition to cycling wasn’t too much. Racing in Canada is not too technical or tactical and it favors people with big engines. It wasn’t an easy road though. I almost didn’t continue my cycling journey after breaking my collarbone in Tour of Alberta in 2013. I was going to do World Tour races in Quebec and Montreal with the national team but because of the injury, I didn’t have an opportunity to show off my skill.
I was riding for Team Garneau Quebecor and they were looking at doing a criterium program the next year. That’s something that did not favor me. Because of the injury, I didn’t get a contract with any team. That was a low point for me but my support crew helped me through it and encouraged me. Eventually I got an opportunity to Amore &Vita where I got some results and it opened the door to 5-hour Energy.
My wife was the first one to believe in me. She convinced me to quit my job and said she’d fund my dream because she believed I belonged to be a professional athlete. My coach found private sponsorship to help me out. He has been amazing. You need good support in the tough times and I’ve found that from them and my parents.
Losing our son in June this year was a difficult time for us. He inspired me to train hard over the summer and get a result to honor him. He is the reason I’ve had so many results the last few months.
I’m also really lucky being on Team EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale where they believe in me and gave me way more opportunities than I’ve necessarily deserved. Their patience enabled me to see the front of the race and you don’t learn much if you don’t see the front of the race. The last few years I’ve seen a lot of the front and made a lot of mistakes but developed. Guys like Simon Clarke have shown me the ropes and it’s made a massive difference in my progression.
Back in the day, as I got closer to a World Tour contract, I realized the significance of it.
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