Creativity & Cadence with Emily Neill
Rooted in Vancouver's diverse landscape—where scenic coastlines meet rugged mountains—Emily Neill moves seamlessly between fast rides and creative flow. And her strength on two wheels hasn't gone unnoticed—securing a spot with Analog Racing for the upcoming season, a women's pro team making waves out of the Pacific Northwest. Off the bike, she brings that same focus to her work as an art director, where conceptual thinking and creative expression are part of her everyday toolkit.
Whether it's fending off attacks in the peloton or curating the latest brands, Emily thrives in environments where ambiguity and discipline collide. Her dual worlds constantly inform each other: Grit and hard work propel her forward as a creative, while her personality brings a unique perspective to the sport. And, for the benefit of our latest Training Grounds edition, a true connection to the cycling community in her hometown. For Emily, movement is a way of life—one she's chasing with rapid momentum. We dive into Emily's take on why Vancouver's widely regarded as the spot to be...
Vancouver's always topping the best cities to live lists. From a rider's perspective, how does it live up to the hype?
Well, it's a special place to ride because you can access a large variety of terrain right from your doorstep. Horseshoe Bay delivers oceanside views and punchy climbs, Cypress or Seymour for mountain climbs and intervals, Pacific Spirit Park and Lower Seymour for quick access to gravel rides, Richmond (where I grew up, but when I didn't bike much) for fast, flat terrain.
Beyond that, the weather lets you get outside pretty much all year (as long as you’ve got the right rain gear). Plus the whole city is obsessed with being outside and active. I’m pretty sure my bedtime has gotten way earlier since living here. People love to get up early and out into nature.
What is it about riding in Vancouver that makes it so special?
Simple. Community. People often talk about it being hard to meet people in Vancouver but I have found the opposite—as long as you engage in an outdoor activity. Pretty much every time I get out on the bike in Vancouver, I cross paths with a familiar face and get a friendly smile. The Vancouver riding scene, and especially the racing scene, is tight-knit. Everyone trains and races hard but ultimately has each other's backs, which is special in a sport that can sometimes be exclusive.
Let us in on your pre-and-post-ride routine.
To be honest, my pre-ride is usually pretty chaotic, making sure to eat, put on the right number of layers, load the route and check that my bike is working enough to survive the ride. Also, something I'm sure my fellow female riders can relate to is going to pee about 10 times so you don't have to find a stop mid-ride.
Post—Eat! Protein is a must (before too actually). Followed by a long shower and, if it's the weekend, crawling back into bed for a little nap. When I'm being really responsible, I'll give my bike a rinse.
Any ride rituals?
It’s pretty essential to sneak in a coffee somewhere along the ride—pre, during, post, whichever. Having a few minutes to relax and catch up with friends is the my favourite part of the day.
For anyone familiar with our Training Grounds series, coffee is always at the top of the conversation. Where's your go-to spot?
I’m a little bit biased but we love to end our rides back at the Diversion clubhouse aka Enroute. Usually the latest cycling race is playing on TV, there is excellent coffee, tasty treats and the chance to peruse the latest cycling kit.
A couple of others that are worth mentioning include Oide and Timbertrain (where you must try the walnut chocolate chip cookie!).
And for eats?
Le Marche St. George is my favourite place in the city for a croissant; if you get there when they open, you can snag one that is still warm. It’s on a little neighbourhood corner and very quaint. A Vancouver staple is Tacofino, usually, on Thursdays after the weekly summer crit, people gather in the park, discuss what happened out on the course and slam a burrito. It's not mind-blowing, but it's going to hit the spot and more.
For a slice or two you can’t go wrong with La Ruota or Thank You Pizza if you are feeling some natural wine and a patio. Otherwise Vancouver has a million breweries—I’d try Superflux for beer and a hot-dog or Bomber Brewing for more local brews.
Anything you can’t leave home without?
Lots of water! Years ago, when I started cycling, my family did a casual 75km local race in Waterloo, Ontario. I almost passed out at the finish line from dehydration (whoopsies). They didn't have any water for another 5 kms beyond the finish line. I remember staring at strangers's bottles on their bikes and D R E A M I N G about taking a sip. I can still feel the thirst!
What are your fave rides to recommend to anyone paying Vancouver a visit?
So many options, here are some that are at the top of the list. Horseshoe Bay, Fishermans/Demo Forest, British Properties, Stanley Park, hopping on a ferry to Vancouver Island for the day.
Anything you can’t leave home without?
Lots of water! Years ago, when I started cycling, my family did a casual 75km local race in Waterloo, Ontario. I almost passed out at the finish line from dehydration (whoopsies). They didn't have any water for another 5 kms beyond the finish line. I remember staring at strangers's bottles on their bikes and D R E A M I N G about taking a sip. I can still feel the thirst!
What are your fave rides to recommend to anyone paying Vancouver a visit?
So many options, here are some that are at the top of the list. Horseshoe Bay, Fishermans/Demo Forest, British Properties, Stanley Park, hopping on a ferry to Vancouver Island for the day.
Horseshoe Bay - 65 km
When I moved back here, friends took me on this route at golden hour. Coming from a place where most of my rides were either in a big city or in the countryside, I was struck by the views and ocean. And proximity to home. A coffee stop must along this route is Isetta (they have beautiful old cars and great food). Plus, For those who like to test themselves, pull off at Sharon Drive for a 3-4ish minute hill climb. It’s a hotly contested segment for many riders here. I have to admit I haven’t done it yet but It’s on my list too!
Demo Forest - 64 km [ Road ] or Fishermans - 70 km [ Gravel
]
Lower Seymour has road and gravel routes that make you feel like you are deep into the wilderness. On the road, there are no cars, winding routes, and stunning old trees. For the gravel ride, there's definitely still no cars! Plus, there are more stunning old trees and really fun single-track sections at the top.
The Triple Crown - 117 km
An infamous Vancouver route tackling three mountains in one ride. It’s a bucket-list item for most riders here. Taking you from one side of the North Shore to the other.
Daytrip to Victoria - 146 km
Across the water on Vancouver Island, this route goes through one of my favourite stretches ever - Munn Road. You can ride your bike onto the ferry and make a day of it.
What’s your soundtrack to riding in Vancouver?
It would have to include Mount Kimbie (check-out Empty and Silent + Blue Train Lines). It’s hazy, introspective and experimental.
And finally, if you were going to sum up why Vancouver’s a great place to ride, what’s the verdict?
For once, when you do come across some cars they are all pretty respectful, and there are lots of bike lanes. You can access different terrains on your doorstep. Most importantly, there are lots of events and groups you can ride with weekly; if you're in Vancouver and you're a cyclist, you're never riding alone.
Emily Neill (@emilynicoleneill) was shot on location in Vancouver by Jake Forsythe (@jakeforsythe) wearing the latest season of MAAP Training apparel, available now.
