MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER

Biking has been one of my lifelong passions. Although I didn't start riding a bike until I was 10 years old, the neighbours on my street in downtown Toronto can tell you about the eager boy who rode his bike up and down Gifford St. for hours at a time because his parents wouldn't let him stray farther afield. Once I discovered mountain biking in my first year of university, there was no turning back. My first bike was made by a company called Balance, long since out of business. It was 1989, and front suspension had just started to make its way into the mountain bke world. My bike had a plush 1" of travel. I thought it was the best thing I'd ever experienced and more than I'd ever need.

Many years later, I ride a plush Rocky Mountain Slayer with 6" of travel and powerful disc brakes. It's worth about 5 times what my old Balance was worth. But regardless of the bike under me, the feeling remains the same: that rush of adrenaline on a technical downhill, the sense of accomplishment when standing on top of a long climb, the amazing feeling of truly experiencing the great outdoors, the camaraderie of a great ride with good friends.

Upon landing in a place called Fernie, I immediately realized the potential of this little piece of paradise and started this company way back in 1996. From meager beginnings renting a few bikes and offering the odd day trip, we now offer trips all over interior British Columbia, Chile and Peru, and will be expanding to Guatemala, Croatia, New Zealand and other countries where the mountain bike is welcome.

This company was founded on the belief that mountain biking can make a difference in people's lives. From opening us up to the sanctity of our mountains, forests and rivers, to making a difference in a child's life through a donated bike, to experiencing another culture from the seat of one's iron steed, mountain biking has the ability to change lives.

I know this because it's changed mine. I hope it will change yours too.

Yours,

Mike Brcic, president and founder, Sacred Rides Mountain Bike Holidays