Cyclists honour late Dr. Darren Markland in Cranksgiving bike ride

Cyclists, friends, colleagues and patients took part in a special "Cranksgiving" ride for Edmonton doctor and public health advocate, Darren Markland.

Dozens of cyclists gathered outside of the Telus World of Science Edmonton Sunday morning for a special Cranksgiving ride honouring the late Dr. Darren Markland who was killed in a mountain bike crash near Nordegg on Sept. 26.

“He touched so many lives. He was a really special person,” said Aaron Budnick, a volunteer with the YEG Bike Coalition.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

Budnick said people from the cycling community, friends, colleagues and patients who knew him professionally were there to remember Markland.

“Many of us knew Dr. Markland through Coffee Outside, which was something he started more than 10 years ago, where every Friday morning, cyclists would meet up … we would just get together, talk about what’s going on, build relationships,” said Budnick, adding that Markland was committed to every Friday morning: rain, shine, -40 C.

Budnick said the Coffee Outside meets have continued since Markland’s death and have every intention of continuing.

“There’s no way that’s stopping. It’s something that has sort of evolved past a single person. It’s part of the community,” he said.

Friend and fellow bike rider Glen Kubish said Sunday’s event as well as Coffee Outside represents his love for cycling, the outdoors and being in a community. He said Sunday’s chilly weather was also particularly fitting.

“He didn’t let the temperature determine his enthusiasm for being outside,” Kubish told CTV News Edmonton. “This turnout suggests that a lot of us have heard that message, so we want to manifest that.”

While Kubish mourns the death of his friend, “The Doc,” he said it’s important to take a step back.

“Listen to the conversation, listen to the laughter, in a few minutes listen to the bikes rolling,” he said. “That starts to dent the sadness.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Connor Hogg