A Squamish cyclist with close ties to Powell River will be one of thousands riding from Vancouver to Whistler on Saturday, September 6.
Cliff Lang, 61, who considers Powell River his hometown, decided that it was time to test himself after shedding weight, close to 80 pounds the last time he stepped on the scale, and spending every day of last year in the saddle.
Lang will be riding in the 122-kilometre RBC Whistler GranFondo, a group ride that takes thousands of passionate cyclists from downtown Vancouver up the Sea to Sky Highway, in a dedicated car-free lane, to Whistler Village. Since its inaugural event in 2010 with about 4,000 riders, the ride has become increasingly popular, almost doubling in number, with cyclists in a range of abilities from amateurs to professional racers.
“I don’t think I’ll have any trouble with the ride,” said Lang. “I’m not a professional racer in any way, but I’m going to do this.”
He chalks his successes up to increased exercise and changes in diet.
On August 27, 2013, Lang said he stepped onto the scale, it read 264 pounds, and he knew it was time to do something about his weight.
He started riding his hard-tail mountain bike and taking his dogs for “brisk” trail walks.
Not wanting to hurt himself, he started slowly but went for rides every day, rain or shine, to build up his legs.
“I just kept progressing and before I knew it I was up to about 22 miles (35 kilometres) a day,” said Lang.
He rode throughout the winter facing snow, frost and rain, he said.
Over this past summer, Lang said he has been putting in close to 100 kilometres a day on his Trek Madon road bike which he bought in May.
From his home it takes him about two hours 20 minutes, depending on which way the wind is blowing, to ride north to Whistler, a picturesque route he often chooses.
Eating was also of importance to the rider. Lang took a close look at what he was eating and started to “back away from the garbage.” He stopped eating red meat and sugar and increased the amount of lean poultry, fruit and vegetables in his diet.
He also started on what he calls a weight loss transformation program that has him drinking protein shakes for breakfast and lunch, though he contends that on balance his weight loss was more the result of the hours on his bike than drinking the shakes.
The last time he weighed himself before speaking to the Peak, his scale read 187 pounds.
“I’m doing this because I want to and I am enjoying myself,” he said.
Lang is doing the race in memory of his mother Sylvia Rose and uncle Jack Haycock. He has their names painted, along with his wife’s and dog’s, on his helmet, he said.
“This whole thing is very inspirational for me. I’m really stoked.”
