Under the Helmet: Ahmed Yousef

Faces of cycling in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows

By: Antoinetta DeWit

Today I spoke with Ahmed Yousef — a husband, father and long time community leader in Maple Ridge. He is a fair-weather cyclist with a very interesting story to tell.

Ahmed can remember being just five years old when one of his uncles would lift him up on to the handle bars and cycle places with him. He loved the feeling of the fresh air on his face and the wind blowing through his hair without obstruction.

At just seven years old, his first bicycle was like a dream come true and one for which he had to work very hard. It was a blue BMX with gold flakes under the clear coat over the paint; the wheels had gold accents on the side and the tires, spokes and wheels were blue. It was the greatest bike he had ever seen and he loved it!

Ahmed cycles on good weather days whenever he can find the time. Generally, he cycles about 4-6 hours a week and frequently with his children aged 9 and 11. They enjoy the dykes, the bicycle parks, trails and the multi-use pathways around our town. It is always a very exciting time to be out with his family but also adventuring out alone as well. One of his fondest memories was waking up early in Kuwait, to join his friends in the Desert Biking Club for a good cycle in the desert before the temperature got too high.

DO you have a cycling story to share? Email toine1956@yahoo.ca