 A head injury sustained during his time racing mountain bikes has left Hesjedal without a sense of smell.Following the 2012 Giro d'Italia, Hesjedal helped start a charitable group called the "Ryders Cycling Society of Canada", whose stated aim is “to create and sustain opportunities for young Canadians to ride bicycles.” Hesjedal also auctioned a pink jersey he wore as leader of the General classification in the Giro d'Italia for $10,000, and distributed it to help young Canadian cyclists.Hesjedal now resides in his hometown of Victoria, British Columbia.