KAROL-Ann Canuel is Canadian cyclist with the Boels–Dolmans team. Follow her on Twitter @KarolAnnCanuel and Boels–Dolmans at www.boelsdolmanscyclingteam.com/nl

Why do you cycle?

I started cycling when I was 11 with my family. I have been doing it ever since because I love it. It is really a passion and I love what it brings me. It is a way to evade. It can sometimes be really hard but you always feel good after riding your bike and I really like that sensation.

What do you ride?

I ride a Specialized Amira. I really like my bike. It’s light and responds really well. I also like the colours and how it matches my kit, which is what really matters.

Tell me about your favourite route?

My favourite route is definitely near Girona, my European home base. There is a loop where you can ride along the coast. The view is seriously amazing and it just goes up and down along the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the nicest roads I’ve been on.

Tell me about your best cycling memory?

I think my best cycling memory is when I did the Haleakala climb in Hawaii. It is the longest climb paved in the world. I was able to get the strava and it was three months after I broke my pelvis. I really enjoyed riding in Hawaii. It was around Christmas and I was on holiday with my boyfriend and some friends and we just had really good time there. As a Canadian, it was different and fun to have a warm Christmas. The riding all over Maui was just amazing.

What do you consider your most important piece of cycling equipment?

My helmet is the most important piece for me. Always think safety first. I got a concussion in 2014 and have broken my helmet more than once. I can say that my helmet has saved my life a few times.

If you could cycle anywhere where would that be?

This is a hard question because I’m travelling so much already and I get to ride already everywhere in the world. I feel so fortunate to do I what I do and I’m thankful of what the sport has brought me already.