Castelli and Canadian Cycling Magazine Italian getaway finalist Jordan Behan

After two weeks of taking entries, seven finalists in the dream cycling getaway to Italy by Castelli and Canadian Cycling Magazine have been chosen. Now it’s up to you to pick the grand prize winner, the person who will ride in the Maratona dles Dolomites sporting full kit by Castelli. To vote for a finalist, scroll down, check the box and hit Submit. The deadline for voting is June 2.

Help send a lucky winner to Italy!

Finalist

Jordan Behan
Vancouver

Jordan’s entry

I’ve always considered myself a cyclist. But only recently have I come to appreciate cycling as a truly spiritual experience.

I started riding more when my kids came along, as a way to stay in good enough shape to keep up with them. What I found is my appreciation for the sport of cycling goes beyond its usefulness as a simple form of exercise.

There is therapy in the freedom of it all, and in the mental strength it takes to set and achieve goals on a bicycle. There is empowerment in the way a few gears, a chain and two wheels can propel you at superhuman speeds across long distances—up mountains and to places you would never discover or appreciate with any other mode of transportation.

That’s why I want to ride the Maratona dles Dolomites. To achieve one of my life dreams, of a life-changing cycling excursion on another continent. To travel just for the sake of riding, because the riding is the thing. To not have to close my eyes to imagine myself riding in the Giro, but to get a taste of it with my eyes wide open, the ribbons of tarmac of the Dolomites laid out before me like an invitation, “keep on riding.” Should I be fortunate enough to win this trip, I can assure you of one thing. I will appreciate every beautiful second of it.