The streets of Jasper were lined with citizens. Children were hoisted onto the shoulders of their fathers and mothers just to get a view. Donations were pouring in as the community stepped up and pitched in the contents of their piggy banks, or the few coins jingling in their pockets. 

Yes, Jasper was willing to support the cause, all for a glimpse of seven-time Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong. But wait, that’s not what happened when the cycling legend swept through Jasper on August 26.

What did happen was a group of cyclists from Edmonton hosted an event in Jasper that I don’t entirely feel this community was invited to. There were no Jasperites lining the streets to see Lance and his LinkPink fund-raising ride. Only Edmontonians whose husbands or friends got the chance to ride in the peleton and a host of big-city media trucks with camera equipment chasing down the police escort. A few astute tourists had caught on, and they desperately searched for information as to where they could catch a glimpse of their hero. There was a team of Livestrong staff and busy media people who were unwilling to release the top secret route the group would be travelling to the lowly Fitzhugh reporter. 

I was told I could sit at a pullout behind the Jasper Park Lodge. I would not be told of the route, and my photo opportunities would be finished after the initial pass. As a photographer, that gave me about three seconds to capture a front page shot. Good luck, right? 

I didn’t like that answer, so I investigated and got a tip from someone who was participating in the security detail. He wasn’t even told the route, or given a map despite the fact that he would be escorting the group. He told me what he knew, and I figured out the ride would be picking up on the Icefields Parkway, and heading to the Athabasca Falls. I sped down the highway, and caught them as they slipped onto the Cavell Road – which I had been told would not be included in the route by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s media people. I managed to get about 10 shots of Lance from two passes I caught up with. 

I feel Jasper was not included in this special, once-in-a-lifetime event that happened on our very streets. Why was the community not given the chance to participate? Why was the route not released? Why were we not given our own opportunity to give to a worthy cause, and possibly raise some funds? 

So Jasper, I’d like to know, would you have liked to have seen Lance? Would you have participated in this fund-raiser or gone out to get a photo had you known where to go? 

The Fitzhugh welcomes charities to contact us about events. This did not happen for the LinkPink fund-raiser, and I feel our local media was totally unwelcome at an event that happened here. I also think Jasperites would have loved the opportunity to see one of the world’s most famous sports heroes ride on our roads, had they been invited. I’m not a cycling fan and even I was excited.

Edmonton, next time you want to hold an event in our town limits, don’t forget to invite the hosts.

DISCLAIMER: The Last Word is an opinion column, it is meant to provoke thought and debate. As such, any opinions written here are the writers own and do not reflect the viewpoint of any other Fitzhugh staff member or the directors of the Jasper Media Group Inc.