Your Story; Michael Cranwell

Communities–be they geographical, ethnic, social, political or otherwise–produce leaders.  In fact, communities require leaders for their protection and development.  And I don’t mean power-hungry self-interested politicians but those passionate, charismatic, courageous few who are willing to stand-up for what they believe in, stand up for their community.  Today, I’d like to introduce you to one of those people.  This is Michael Cranwell’s story.

When I first met Michael in the summer of 2001, I was a mechanic wrenching at Duke’s Cycle in downtown Toronto, Canada; he was a loyal customer.  Though I didn’t get to know him too well that season, he did leave me with a positive impression.

At that time, MC was racing 24 hour mountain-bike relay races around Ontario while founding the LapDogs Cycling Club.  The name captured the reality of being a cyclist; the beast on a track, silently suffering lap after lap.  It also reflects-well the character of the club’s membership; an unabashedly pampered clan of graphic designers, architects, IT professionals and urban-cool craft-beer aficionados.  You know, yuppies on bikes.  Really, really nice bikes.

Soon enough, Michael had created a mountain-bike race team to be reckoned with.  The men and women of the LapDogs regularly podium at both short and long-distance events.  They also race ‘cross, build trails, fundraise for various charities and drink plenty of coffee; good people really.  With membership now over two hundred, both the club and race team have become wildly successful.

During this time, MC took the helm as the General Manager at Duke’s Cycle, uniting two forces in the Toronto cycling-scene.  The seasons we worked together, Michael and I got along very well, respecting what the other brought to the business.  Sure we butted heads every once in a while, but we shared an understanding, a passion for the bicycle and our community.

Dining with Michael this week we talked frames, forks and gearing choices; rides, races and grand adventures.  We also spoke about the changing face of cycling in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and beyond; racing, recreating, commuting and otherwise.  While our conversation meandered through nearly every topic associated with cycling[although, not a word about doping, the Texan, or the UCI!], there was one constant; Michael’s genuine love of cycling, cyclists and what the bicycle can do for people.

MC truly wants more people on the bikes.  He wants for others what the bicycle has given him; happiness, sanity, friendships and a community to belong to.  His passion is genuine and deep.  He has a very sober grasp of the realities facing cyclists and the myriad obstacles to getting more butts on bikes within the North American car culture.  Like any good leader, his passion is married to diplomacy and long-term vision.

Fortunately for us all, Michael’s unique skill-set will be put to further good use; he has just been elected to the Ontario Cycling Association‘s board of directors.  With Michael representing the needs of cyclists at the OCA, the future of our community truly is in good hands.

May 2013 O-Cup race

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Enjoying coffee and pastry after a spring road-ride