New staff keen to empower youth
We are thrilled to introduce three talented and passionate individuals who have recently joined
the Youth en Route team as new Cyclists in Residence. Each brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and enthusiasm that will help shape the future of our cycling programs. Let’s meet Chris, Sam, and Mario, and learn about their journeys.
Mountain biking drives Chris’s cycling passion
Chris Linder comes to Youth en Route with an impressive background as an athletic therapist, strength
and conditioning coach, and mountain bike coach. Having worked with several youth mountain
bike programs and running his own coaching business, Chris is a seasoned professional when it
comes to teaching and leadership. His ability to guide others through learning and overcoming
challenges—whether on a bike or recovering from an injury—makes him a valuable addition to
our team.
What excites Chris most about joining Youth en Route is the opportunity to impact youth at a
grassroots level, helping them use biking as a means of transportation and fostering
independence. He has seen firsthand how biking has contributed to his own children’s
development and confidence, and he hopes to extend that impact to the young people in our
community.
Outside of work, Chris enjoys spending time outdoors, and one of his favorite memories is
commuting to work by bike almost every day for ten years, improving his health and saving on
parking costs. He is passionate about creating accessible cycling routes that will shape the future
of our communities
Sam: Pro-cyclist turned Cycling educator
Sam Hargreaves brings a wealth of experience from the competitive cycling world, having spent the last 14 years racing on various terrains, including road, track, mountain, and cyclocross. For the past
five years, she lived in Belgium, competing on the UCI circuit with European teams. With
extensive knowledge in all aspects of cycling—from racing to commuting, and even bike
maintenance—Sam is highly skilled and well-rounded. Her passion for teaching and mentoring
young cyclists led her to Youth en Route, where she sees an exciting opportunity to share her
expertise and inspire others.
Sam finds great joy in helping kids learn to ride, showing them how biking can provide both
freedom and fun. She is particularly excited about working with schools where many students
don’t have access to cars, as biking opens up new opportunities for independence. With her
connections in the competitive cycling world, Sam hopes to leverage those relationships to help
expand the Youth en Route program and reach more young people.
In her free time, Sam enjoys cooking, hiking, and spending time outdoors. Her travels around the
world for cycling races have given her a broad perspective on different cultures, and she values
the unique experiences that cycling has brought into her life.
Expert mechanic, Mario is also a passionate cyclist
Mario Rocha’s journey with bicycles started in Chile, where he studied tourism and worked in the
industry before moving to Canada 15 years ago. After settling in Calgary, Mario discovered his
true passion in the biking world. He spent nine years working at Mountain Equipment Company,
starting as a junior mechanic and eventually becoming a shop manager. Later, at Bike and Brew,
a unique bike and coffee shop, Mario further honed his skills as a professional mechanic.
Now, Mario brings his extensive experience and love for biking to Youth en Route, where he
hopes to inspire students and the community alike. With years of experience fixing all types of
bikes and creating bike-related courses, Mario’s expertise is invaluable. His goal is to ensure that
more people have access to reliable bikes and can experience the many benefits biking offers. He
feels especially passionate about giving back to the community, ensuring everyone can enjoy
biking, whether it’s for leisure, fitness, or transportation.
Beyond the workshop, Mario’s interests extend to city tours and leading youth on inner-city
adventures to parks and museums. He also enjoys listening to music, creating art using bike
parts, going for walks, and cooking. One of his favorite activities is going for bike rides with his
daughter, sharing his love for bikes with her. He believes that bikes can truly change lives, and
through his work, he hopes to make that difference in his community.
As part of Youth en Route, Mario plays a crucial role in maintaining, fixing, and caring for the
organization’s bike fleet, providing the professional expertise needed to keep all bikes in top
condition. In addition, Mario will be leading the Bike Giveaway program and collaborating our partners at the Greater Forest Lawn 55+ Society’s Bike Shed. Of course, he’ll also be in classes, teaching cycling and bike repair to students.
Over the last 10 years, Mario has noticed a growing community of people who view biking as
not just a hobby but a practical way to get around and enjoy their city. His goal is to help Youth
en Route grow so that, one day, they can reach even more kids across the entire province.
Through his work, he’s determined to ensure everyone experiences the freedom and joy that
come with riding a bike.
Already teaching and learning
There’s no time to waste. Already, our new staff are at schools and empowering youth.
