Halfmoon Bay’s Bob Stanhope is in the running for the Kazlaw Community Mountain Biking Award this year. Stanhope has been a major player in the Sunshine Coast’s biking community for the last 25 years.
Stanhope was modest about his nomination, saying there are many others on the Coast who are just as qualified as he is.
“There are so many people who are unsung heroes behind the scenes – who don’t get paid a cent – who are building bridges and trails,” Stanhope said. “We really have put this place on the map.
“About 25 years ago when I started riding here, it was a lot of logging roads and the odd trail,” he said. “Now we have probably 300 km of trail alone. There are people building constantly.”
Stanhope helped to establish what is now Off the Edge Adventure Sports in Sechelt. He was also very involved in building Sprockids bike park outside Gibsons and coaches the Chatelech Secondary mountain biking team.
“I used to be this 160 kg blob and at the age of turning 30 I realized I needed to make some changes,” Stanhope said. “I got on a bicycle and started going around the block with my daughter in a basket.”
Stanhope’s daughter Grace nominated him for the Kazlaw award.
“Like everything else, one thing leads to another, and almost 30 years later, I’m 74 kg and I’ve been coaching and riding since forever,” Stanhope said. “I’ve been involved in cycling on the Coast and trying to build the culture and the trails – with a lot of other people.”
Stanhope is one of eight finalists for the Kazlaw award, which is given to a person who “makes mountain biking happen in his or her community,” according to www.kazlaw.ca
Kazlaw is a Vancouver-based law firm that specializes in injury claims, especially from cyclists.
The winner will receive a spot in the sold-out 2016 BC Bike Race, which runs from July 6 to 13.
The BC Bike Race starts in Cumberland on Vancouver Island, moves to Powell River then makes its way down the Coast to Gibsons, crosses Howe Sound to North Vancouver and eventually ends in Whistler.
The public is encouraged to vote for the most deserving recipient of the Kazlaw award. You can do this online at www.bcbikerace.com. Voting is open until March 14 and results will be announced on the 16th.
