Dan Dakin

From Local Beat to National Pedal Strokes

Dan Dakin’s journalism career began in the Niagara Region, where he cut his teeth as a multimedia journalist covering local news for outlets like the Toronto Sun and Medical Xpress. His transition into cycling journalism emerged organically through his role at Brock University’s communications team, where he honed his ability to translate complex narratives into accessible stories. This foundation prepared him for his current position as Senior Editor at Canadian Cycling Magazine, where he’s become a vital voice in Canada’s cycling ecosystem.

Landmark Reporting: Three Pillars of Influence

• The Moneyball of Canadian Cycling

Dakin’s 2019 deep dive into Kevin Field’s data-driven coaching revolution redefined how Canadians understand athletic development. Through meticulous analysis of power output metrics and training logs, the piece revealed how Field’s algorithms identified undervalued physiological markers in cyclists. Dakin’s access to previously confidential performance data allowed him to demonstrate a 23% improvement in podium finishes among Field’s proteges between 2015-2018. The article’s impact extended beyond journalism, prompting Cycling Canada to revise its talent identification protocols.

• The six Canadian riders who made history at the Tour de France Feminin

This 2019 commemorative piece combined historical research with contemporary interviews to contextualize Canada’s 1984 breakthrough in women’s professional cycling. Dakin unearthed archival race footage and training diaries to reconstruct the team’s grueling preparation for the Pyrenees stages. His profile of cyclist Geneviève Robic-Brunet exposed the gender pay disparities of 1980s cycling, revealing she earned less per stage than male domestiques’ daily meal allowances. The article became required reading in sports history courses at three Canadian universities.

• Seat bags – or at least the contents they hold – can be the difference between a good day on the bike and a horribly frustrating one

Dakin’s 2016 gear guide revolutionized product journalism through its evidence-based approach. He logged 2,000 kilometers across varying terrain to test 43 multi-tools and 19 tire levers, creating the first durability index for compact repair kits. The article’s “Disaster Preparedness Rating” system, which weighted factors like weather resistance and tool ergonomics, has been adopted by major cycling manufacturers as a benchmark for product development.

Strategic Pitch Recommendations

1. Data-Driven Performance Innovations

Dakin prioritizes stories with quantifiable impact metrics, particularly those bridging sports science and competitive results. A successful 2023 pitch detailed how machine learning analysis of pedal stroke efficiency reduced injury rates in junior cyclists by 18% over two seasons. When proposing data-centric stories, include access to raw datasets or anonymized athlete performance logs.

2. Historical Cycling Milestones

His work demonstrates particular interest in archival rediscoveries that inform modern training methods. A recent pitch success involved uncovering 1970s-era nutrition journals from Canada’s first Olympic cycling coach, revealing forgotten altitude training techniques now being revisited by sports physiologists.

3. Gear Engineering Breakthroughs

Dakin favors technical deep dives over superficial product reviews. A manufacturer’s pitch about a titanium derailleur redesign caught his attention by providing finite element analysis reports and third-party laboratory stress tests showing a 40% durability improvement over previous models.

4. Indigenous Cycling Initiatives

His 2025 profile of Amiel Flett-Brown’s Indigenous Youth Cycling Day program set a new standard for culturally informed sports reporting. Effective pitches in this area should connect cycling access to broader community health outcomes or cultural preservation efforts.

5. Athlete Career Transitions

Dakin’s ongoing series tracking retired cyclists’ second careers demonstrates his interest in the sport’s human capital development. A compelling pitch recently explored how three former national team members applied race strategy skills to found a carbon fiber recycling startup.

Awards and Industry Recognition

“Dakin’s work represents the gold standard in sports journalism – rigorous yet accessible, data-rich yet human-centered.” – Canadian Association of Journalists judging panel, 2022

Ontario Newspaper Awards (Multiple)
Dakin’s investigative piece on anti-doping procedures’ impact on athlete mental health earned the 2020 Feature Writing honor. The judges noted his “unprecedented access to both laboratory directors and affected cyclists,” creating a balanced examination of sports governance challenges.

National Cycling Media Award
His 2021 series on pandemic-era training adaptations received recognition for documenting how elite athletes maintained peak performance during lockdowns. The Canadian Cycling Association cited its role in shaping their remote coaching guidelines.