get to know steve

Steve the Pace Beaver is a four-wheeled, buck-toothed furmobile (read: vintage 1960 food truck). He's been riding the streets of Toronto to and from local run clubs, parking along popular trails and paths through the downtown core, and leaving smiling and somewhat perplexed faces wherever he goes.

why a beaver?

A pace bunny is that bunny-ear-wearing runner who sets a steady pace for distance races, so that runners of varying levels can reach their goal times and keep track of their race pace.

Think of Steve as the Canadian spin on a pace bunny - setting the pace for Toronto's run scene this fall.

best steve moments

Steve has created spontaneous cheer stations along Lakeshore and dance parties at every red light. He's been to early morning and late night run clubs, and he's shown us the best training routes tucked behind skyscrapers and busy city streets.

We've product tested technical run outfits with runners so they can focus on achieving their personal best. Last weekend at the Toronto Marathon, we even let our tail down and cheered loud and proud through rain and shine until the last p̶e̶r̶s̶o̶n̶ marathoner passed the 31km mark at our epic cheer station.

When someone emails you from across the country saying you made their brother's day with a just a pair of arm warmers and words of encouragement during a long cool run, you know you're onto something good.

find steve

Look for Steve the Beave out in the Toronto community and online at @lululemonCAN. Tag your photos and tweets with #pacebeaver to connect with Team Steve and let us know where you're running - maybe you'll spot our purple hubcaps on the move.

At last Sunday's San Francisco Marathon, our cheer station was set up at mile 23.5 - literally the last corner before the end of the race. Our San Francisco educator Lark recaps what it was like to be the light at the end of the tunnel for all the athletes that ran.

We sit and we wait, anxiously anticipating for the first runner to make the turn past our cheer station and on to the last leg of the race. Our shipping container headquarters is looking great and as the DJ finishes setting up, the team gets the signs together and we are ready for action.

The first man swings around, tired and sweaty. Even in his exhaustion he takes a second to notice the people dressed in neon, yelling as though they have had too much caffeine, crazed and jumping up and down in lemon suits. Through his exhaustion a small smile appears and we all see the reason we are here. It’s mile 23.5, after a grueling course of concrete and San Francisco hills, they have finally made it to us and even the strongest of runners need a little help for the last stretch. It’s the light at the end of the tunnel, only three miles left.

Music blaring and voices loud, cheers and cowbells can be heard for blocks. It’s almost 8 o’clock and our excitement is only growing. Every happy glance from a passing runner means we’re doing something right. Spectators and volunteers are smiling as more lululemons arrive and join the army of motivational shouting. Today, like any other day, we take part in inspiring our world to go do great things. Runner after runner, smile after smile.

The San Francisco Marathon was an experience of happiness and energy. The runners pushed our cheer levels to 11 and we gave it right back. To watch those people dig so deep was truly inspirational and the least I could do was to yell my heart out and express my admiration in effort to get them to the finish line.

from athlete to spectator

Competing in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing China, I earned a silver medal with the USA Women’s water polo team. Fast forward a few years and here I am, an instructor of all sorts of things (Pilates, yoga, spin, stand up paddleboarding), a lululemon ambassador and social media gal for myHealthyOC, Kids Play International, and The Travel Yogi.

top 3 things i’ll be sharing with you in london

passport please
lululemon will be rockin’ the socks off the world by giving the gift of yoga. The Passport to Yoga will bring together athletes and yogis alike at a variety of local London yoga studios.  Want to join us? Follow the blog or pick up your own Passport to Yoga at our Chelsea Showroom and meet us on the mat!

not your typical cheerleader
Nothing pumps an athlete up like hearing an energetic “woohoo” or “you can do it” from the stands. We’ll be supporting our elite ambassadors who are competing in every way we can think of.  Yoga session? Check. Vision and goals? Check. Tea and crumpets? Check. Cheer song… “Jump up and down, let’s do a dance. How’s the chafing in those pants?” I’m working on this one.

embrace the culture
London is pulsating with inspiring energy and sometimes our best moments are the unexpected ones, the improvised, the genuine. That’s what I’m looking for and that’s what I’ll be sharing with you. Flash mob yoga with a guard at Buckingham Palace? It’s on.

I'd say just sit back and enjoy the ride but this is no time to laze about on the couch. Throw on your cheer gear, pranayama your way through some celebratory dance moves and follow me across the pond during this summer's athletic adventures!

Check back in with us for Jaime's blog updates and follow @lululemonlive for live tweets from the stands. What events are you most excited to watch?

Dance (on a shipping container) or run a marathon like no one's watching.

The answer to: "What are you thinking at Heartbreak Hill (aka Mile 21)"?

Why her mom runs.

Never, never give up. Our Detroit ambassador, Sue (on the left), ran the marathon with her aunt Sue, who finished chemo 4 weeks ago.

Who supports you in a marathon? Family, friends, and strangers.

It was No Stopping Monday.

"The world" and cookies. When life gives you lemons, you know what to do.

Love notes come in all forms.

Canadian Josh Cassidy near the top of the hill, before finishing to break the world record in the men's wheelchair race by two seconds.

Overheard at Heartbreak Hill: Go banana, go!

Neighbours: good for borrowing cups of sugar from, hosing you down in the middle of a marathon, and...

...handing you water when you need it the most.

How to cheer: make signs. Bring music. Scream your heart out.

Don't forget to have fun along the way.

With temperatures hitting the mid-80s (Canadian translation = around 30), the heat was intense, even as a bystander.

Friends don't let friends run up Heartbreak Hill alone. (Bare feet: noted.)

Boston ambassador Wayne Levy has logged more than 93,000 miles of running in his life (to date).

Go Wayne, go!

Molly from our community team with her run mantra...

... and running with her heart the next day.

To everyone who participated in the Boston Marathon this year: you inspire us. Thank you for the goosebumps.

What are you doing on August 23-26, 2012? The first-ever Wanderlust Festival in Canada is taking place in Whistler, BC, and we couldn't be more stoked to be hosting this huge yoga and music experience in our own backyard.

what is wanderlust?

Yoga. Music. Dancing. Mountains. Put all those together and add amazing yoga instructors, top musical acts and DJs, inspiring speakers, and your friends, and you've got the basic ingredients for a Wanderlust weekend. Feel free to improvise on this recipe to create the weekend of your dreams!

There are four Wanderlusts in total:

Stratton Mountain, Vermont - June 21-24, 2012
Copper Mountain, Colorado - July 5-8, 2012
Squaw Valley, California - July 26-29, 2012
Whistler, British Columbia - August 23-26, 2012

Yoga. Mountains. Need we say more? (photo from Wanderlust 2011 c/o Tom O'Neil)

yoga teachers at wanderlust whistler!

Here are the teachers that will be moving you through four days of downdogs and sun salutations at Wanderlust Whistler, including many from our ambassador family!

Baron Baptiste
Eoin Finn
Janet Stone
Lisa Black
Tina James
Anne Marie Kramer
Danielle Mika Nagel
Reno Muenz
Maria Filippone
Rameen Peyrow
Tiffany Cruikshank
Clara Roberts-Oss
Meghan Currie
Julia McCabe
Mike Nichols
Nico Luce
Cameron Gilley
Sjanie McInnis
Jeff Mah
JP Tamblyn
Ichih Wang
Mara Branscombe
Kevin and Hali Mcquillan
Chris Chavez
Carina Raisman
Ryan Leier

view a timelapse of the wanderlust experience

what you need to know (in a nutshell)

1. Wanderlust Whistler is taking place Aug. 23-26, 2012
2. Tickets will be available February 21 here: www.wanderlustfestival.com
3. All other details about who, what, where and when can be found here.

'memba last year?

Squaw Valley Wanderlust 2011: A Summary
Exploration at Wanderlust Vermont

Mark your calendars, grab your friends and see you in Whistler!

Let’s take it back to a few years ago –okay maybe more than just a few. Let’s go back to that time when your inner kid didn’t exist because, well, that’s just who you were. A kid.

If your childhood was anything like mine, the concept of “spreading yourself too thin” only applied to too little jam on your toast. Between back-to-back dance class on Mondays, soccer on Wednesdays and gymnastics twice weekly, there was hardly a moment when we were ever standing still. You were always ready to bust a move and would breakout in dance any chance you got.

In 2009, we gave a warm welcome to ivivva athletica. Now, we’re proud to announce that on August 15^th the ivivva online store opened their digital doors to Canadian guests with the launch of the newly redesigned ivivva.com. ivivva creates clothing that is designed to perform through every cartwheel, chasse, and axel in both a functional and fun way. They’ve incorporated learnings from lululemon’s  athletic wear to ensure that every athlete is ready and able to reach their full potential.

Girls all over Canada will be lacing up their dancing shoes and going online to check out the entire ivivva closet for the first time ever. Like us, the online store also offers free shipping across Canada so girls can literally dance everywhere.

Hopefully we haven’t lost sight of our ability to get our groove on at the drop of a solid beat. Over the years our definition of activity has probably changed and morphed with us but the importance of exercise has always remained the same. We understand the value of athletic wear that promises performance and that enables us to run faster and go further.  The shining faces of the young girls who look up to us deserve nothing less.

As for our US guests, we haven’t forgotten about you. We’re working hard to get your online store all ready to go in time for the holidays. Sign up for ivivva.com’s email to be the first to know!

top 5 cool runs

round rarotonga road race

September 22-29^th 2011
Rarotonga, Cook islands

The Round Rarotonga Road Race is part of a week long running festival that attracts serious run enthusiasts, casual joggers and everyone in between. The white sand beaches and aqua blue lagoons are just icing on the cake when it comes to the main event which is as a 32KM race around the island.

the great gorilla run

Saturday September 28^th 2011
London, England

The only thing better than a costume party is a costume run!  Grab your best Gorilla suit and join thousands of people during The Great Gorilla Run. It’s a 7K fun run that passing famous London sights such as Tower Bridge and The Tate Modern.  No need to worry about a personal best or winning form in this totally bananas effort to help save an endangered species.

disney wine & dine half marathon

Saturday October 1^st, 2011
Florida, USA

If you’re looking to shave a few minutes off your time, one of the best places to try to do this is the place where their claim to fame is making dreams come true. Just imagine, Disney world, at night, with a route lined with your favourite characters cheering you on, while a complimentary glass of wine awaits you at the finish line. If the Disney wine and dine half knows how to do one thing right, its giving participants a happily ever after.

reggae marathon

Saturday December 3^rd, 2011
Negril, Jamaica

When it comes to the Reggae Marathon, Bob Marley says it best, “One good thing about music, when it hits- you feel no pain.” From the minute the gun fires, this marathon bursts with excitement while the beat of loud reggae music echoes throughout. Veterans of the course agree it’s the perfect race to get lost in the drumming and that the atmosphere is like no other. The biggest draw is its location. Think Marathon, then vacation. That’s definitely a combo we could get used to!

the great wall marathon

Saturday May 19^th 2012
China

In the court of fun runs, the jury is out for this one. Just in case a marathon isn’t enough of a challenge, how do you feel about 5164 steps along the way?  Okay, The Great Wall Marathon might teeter on the fine line of fun for some people but it was just too cool to leave out.  We can only hope that the breathtaking views of Tianjin can distract your mind enough to forget that you are, in fact, running a marathon while climbing stairs. Not to worry though, this one isn’t until May 2012, which should give you plenty of time to train; The CN Tower might be a great place to start!

Now that we’ve got wine drinking, reggae listening gorillas running stair-a-thons around an island, on our mind, we’re thinking it’s about time to start booking those destination races for fall! What other fun runs are on your radar for the upcoming season?

want more?

• what to pack: your destination marathon checklist
• more races to tickle your fancy: destination marathons
• Looking to break in some running gear before the race? See our latest offerings for men and women.

Are you in the first few years of a yoga practice like I am? Do you live your life in a whirlwind of work, friendships, family and everything else in between…and sometimes feel tired and overextended when your head hits the pillow? If this sounds like you, I highly recommend heading with a few close friends to a weekend festival like Wanderlust.

Primarily focused on yoga + music, Wanderlust Festival (held in a locations across the U.S. each year) is a wonderful blend of all things designed to nourish to your body, mind and spirit. I was lucky enough to attend this year’s Wanderlust in Stratton, Vermont, and I have a couple of key learnings I’d love to share with you.

1. variety of classes & quality of instructors

Can you say Rodney Yee-Colleen Saidman-John Friend-Seane Corn-Elena Brower ten times fast?! If you are a beginner yogi trying to take your practice to the next level, this is the PERECT forum. Not only are you practicing with some of the top instructors in the world, the variety of classes is staggering. In our all too fast-paced daily routines, sometimes we count on what is tried & true instead of venturing into, for example, a deep-breathing Kundalini class. At a weekend like this, you have so many opportunities to try new styles of yoga and you might surprise yourself with what you like. Anusara and I are now BFF forever!

2. go with friends

After opening your heart, hips, and well, everything over the course of four days, I guarantee you will have some of the most authentic, powerful conversations of your life. The girls and I talked about goals, health, relationships and more – and they were some of the most honest, warm and impactful conversations I’ve had in years. We also laughed & danced our butts off – my face was as sore as my hamstrings when I got home!

3. trust your body

As always, who we are on the mat is usually who we are off it, too. I came into my weekend in Vermont thinking I couldn’t do certain poses. A few classes in, I discovered that if I just tried to perform them, I could do them. Were my poses textbook? Or the deepest stretch in the room? No – but they were still the poses, and it was me doing them. I took this realization back to my home studio in Vancouver and my shifted perspective has me doing things now I wouldn’t have dreamed of three months ago – both in & outside of class.

4. go with an open mind & heart

There is literally something for everyone at a festival like this. From getting feathers woven into your hair to palm-reading to music of all kinds, there is a lot to do if you need to take a break from asanas. I had never heard Krishna Das sing and, to be honest, I probably would have said “he’s very talented but it isn’t my cup of tea” had I heard him before. However, after seeing him perform live at Wanderlust, I listen to him at home all the time when I’m relaxing & making dinner. An added bonus: when you come home and find a red feather tickling your shoulder during a day at work two weeks later, it’ll stop you dead in your tracks and make you giggle!

If you are looking for a retreat from your daily routine, want to deepen your daily practice and love exploring, check out a weekend yoga festival. You’ll leave lighter, more centered and ready to return to your life with a spring in your step and a renewed intention.

want more?

• top 10 wanderlust must-haves
• be sure to check back for Alana's daily recaps from Wanderlust Tahoe.

upcoming wanderlust yoga festivals

• Wanderlust Tahoe – Inspired Gathering
• Wanderlust Santa Monica – Yoga In The City
• Wanderlust Tahoe – Wanderlust CA
• Wanderlust Seattle – Yoga In The City

Something you should know about Thea, one of our Vancouver educators, is that she loves to dance for fun. For her, a successful party is simply not complete without a sweet, sweet dance floor. She tells us how her passion for dance (and a belief that it can bring communities together) led her to a series of Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals and a future date with Ellen.

I lost touch with dance in any sort of formal way after I finished school. It wasn’t until my sister’s wedding, 3 years later, that my passion was reignited with the brilliant plan of creating a flash mob as a gift! I choreographed a ridiculous routine to Beyonce’s ‘Put a Ring On It’ and made a step-by-step instructional video. The guests learned the steps prior to the wedding and busted it out an hour into the reception. It was awesome! The next winter, during Vancouver's Olympics, 5000 spectators watched as a 3000 strong flash mob danced my choreographed routine up and down Robson St. This second success gave me a new sense of energy, momentum and purpose (and an opportunity to set some goals.).

 

setting big hairy audacious goals

Focusing on my strengths and my passion for dance, I set my first BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal): I create an online instructional dance choreography business by January 2011.

It felt scary, foreign and ridiculous to create a business out of thin air. That, by the way, is how you know a goal is a BHAG. If it scares the crap out of you or seems impossible, it is a BHAG. It's been a year of huge learning, perseverance and patience but I have successfully created my business, Just For Fun Dance Party, and can check that BHAG off the list.

Of course there is always another juicy one waiting around the corner. My current BHAG gets me excited every time I think about it: the Vancouver Bust Out! It's an opportunity for Vancouverites to get together and create a unique and hilarious experience. A Bust Out is like a flash mob but it's NOT a secret. The goal is to engage with our greater community and do something just for the sake of fun!

the bold declaration

• 500+ Vancouverites participate in the Vancouver Bust Out on July 23rd during the Khatsahlano Music Fest.
• Ellen DeGeneres sees the video of the Bust out on youtube and invites me to teach her and her audience the dance. (I've assigned you a special ring tone, Ellen).

join in

Come join in the fun and bring all of your friends and family. We dare you all to try learning the first few moves and NOT giggle. Check out  justforfundanceparty.com or find the Just For Fun Dance Party Facebook page so you can learn the moves at home.

Or come practice in person with Thea. Here is the schedule of rehearsals for the Bust Out! happening on July 23rd:

• Wed July 13 from 8- 9pm @ lululemon West 4th (2113 W 4th Ave)
• Wed July 20 from 8- 9pm @ lululemon West 4th (2113 W 4th Ave)
• Fri July 22 from 7:15- 9:15 @ Semperviva Kits Beach (2201 W 4th Ave).

want more

• learn how to create powerful goals
• dance. sing. floss. travel. it's right there on the manifesto

With Independence and Canada Days upon us again, now is the time for lighting short fuses attached to paper tubes of gunpowder and running away as fast as we can to enjoy them from a 'safe' distance. The debate over whether fireworks are a valuable tradition or a dangerous nuisance is nearly as old as the countries themselves. Let's make sure we all stay safe this year.

injury

Just like oil and water, fireworks and alcohol don’t mix. Children and fireworks don’t mix well either, kinda like nitrogen and glycerin (they can look at each other but don’t let them touch).

pollution

Pollution around fireworks celebrations always raises red flags (and it’s not just the plastic cups and used explosives). Stopping to think about it, firing a cardboard tube with gunpowder into the air must be one of the most inventive (and socially acceptable) ways of littering.

fire risk

Canada Day’s and Independence Day’s fireworks cause greater concern than their mid-winter, New Year’s counterparts (especially as droughts stretch across parts of the continent) . If you’re celebrating with fireworks at home (rather than enjoying the public displays) make sure you take safety precautions. Pyrotechnicians - that’s the fancy term for fireworks professionals - take factors like wind strength and direction into account. They also shoot their displays higher into the air to reduce the chance of live embers falling on dry grass and leaves.

think safe

before

• Check out your local fireworks regulations.
• Don’t experiment with homemade fireworks.
• Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies and for dousing on fireworks that don't ignite.
• Choose a clear area, away from houses, dry leaves or grass.

during

• Make sure everyone's out of range before lighting.
• Keep unlit fireworks away from live fireworks.
• Never have any portion of your body over a firework while lighting.
• Never light fireworks in a container (especially glass or metal container).

after

• Don't try to relight malfunctioning fireworks.
• Wait 30 minutes before picking up used fireworks.
• Soak old fireworks in water before throwing them away.

Happy Candepence Day weekend everybody.

You’d be unlikely to find athletic gear, like lululemon, in a fashion magazine but some of the women here insist that the Cool Racerback deserves to be. The tank is a fundamental part of their daily outfits.

melorin

why I love cool racerbacks
“They’re so versatile. I wear them everywhere: circuit classes; running; to and from yoga and on the weekends under jackets and blouses with some heels added and you have the perfect casual outfit. Also they're so easy to pack when travelling.”

the colours
“I love the bright coloured ones; they're great to add some pop to my wardrobe when I need it. My favorite colour is the rubber ducky. I get so excited when new colours arrive!

dressing them up
“My current favorite summer look is wearing a cool racer back with a cardigan over top, paired with some shorts or skinny jeans and some flats. I’ll layer it with a couple of unique necklaces draped over and a fun, coloured purse.

Melorin is a purchasing manager raised in North Vancouver. One of her favorite place she's travelled is Gili Islands in Indonesia.

heathered grapeseed CRB tank

carolyn

why I love cool racerbacks
“I love the Cool Racerbacks because they’re extremely simple. I love simple because I wear yoga clothes all day long and I want to be able to style them up when I’m going to and from the studio. They’re just so versatile for me. They look really good layered but often I only wear one while I’m doing yoga to reduce on laundry.”

the colours
“I love all the colours they come in. I’m really into the pastels, especially heathered grapeseed, which isn’t a colour I’d normally wear. I love the heathered tango red too because you don’t see a lot of them. The heathered ones hide the sweat well; it blends in a little bit.”

dressing them up
“I love the length of them. You can wear it with any kind of pants; you can have it hanging over your pants or shorts or have it tucked in, like with a high-waisted skirt. Usually I dress them up with a scarf and I wear a lot of cardigans. They all look great under my cardigans and jean jackets. In Vancouver the weather is so changeable; it’s nice to have an extra layer in your bag to put on if it gets cold; and they fit into every single purse I own.”

Carolyn is a yoga instructor for Semperviva and YYoga as well as Ambassador for the lululemon on West 4^th, Vancouver. She does a lot of yoga and a lot of smiling.

surge CRB tank

elim

why I love cool racerbacks
“The Cool Racerback is my favorite because I can wear any type of support under it. I can wear it with a Flow Y bra (or my new favorite the Arise Bra) or any one of my standard bras; for minimal to full support. I wear them for running, Vinyasa and Hatha yoga.”

the colours
“I have five white Cool Racerbacks. I love them. I wear them on their own or layered underneath other coloured tank and shirts.”

dressing them up
“I'll wear my Cool Racerbacks with anything. I love to wear them under my power mesh tops from the lab. I’ll dress them up by putting a blazer over the top or just with jewelry and leave my hair down.”

Elim is our Photo Studio Coordinator and Stylist. She loves to people watch the streets of Vancouver and has goals to work in a certain magazine in New York City.

pink mist CRB tank & wren CRB tank

bailie

why I love cool racerbacks
“The length is awesome which makes it a perfect layering piece - I throw it under a favorite shirt and ta da! ready for the office and yoga without messing around with a change of clothes. I love how light and breathable this tank is too. I usually pair it with the Arise Bra and my trusty Wunder Unders for working up a serious sweat in one of those impromptu Spin or Power Vinyasa Flow classes.”

the colours
“My favourite colour is Wren. Not only is it named after a lovely little bird but olive green is an amazing transitional color - beautiful in the summer but dark enough for those colder months.”

dressing them up
“For me it's all about the layers.  It's perfect under my loose flowing tops paired with some worn in cutoffs, great sunglasses and a beloved necklace.  Hello Sunday beach day! Or I’ll do a long jersey, high-waisted skirt and maybe a pair of amazing wooden wedges.”

Bailie is a proud member of the Men’s Team working as the Allocation Analyst (aka – gifting the stores with new product … whoop!).  Born and raised in Calgary and, yes, still loves the Calgary Flames.

They all said it in different ways ('versatile', 'simple', 'favourite', 'ta-da!') but the way that the Cool Racerback's can switch from sports gear to street-wear and back is what makes it one of our essentials.

Let us know how you use your Cool Racerback. Join the conversation with lululemon on Facebook.

Many things help brighten our day as we head through the week (random smiles, exhausting sweat sessions). Click on the images below to see some of the stuff that inspired us lately.

Our designers are an awesome bunch. They're like a hive of busy little creative bees, always buzzing around thinking of ways to make our lives and work outs easier. Unlike real bees, our designers also like to stop and have fun. This black and white striped bee, with her grapeseed Retro Groove Bag, is our accessories designer Katie. She's never without her moleskine (and a pencil) to jot down inspiration when it strikes.

katie and the broken pencil

Designers always have a spare pencil...somewhere.

want more?

• Organize your life with a new bag.
• Meet some of our other designers.

tires

In my life, bike tires deflate a little over the winter months while spare tires grow. Planning ahead and putting some air in the tires about a week before hitting the road this spring means there's plenty of time to check for leaks. If your tires are deflated or flat a couple days later, there's still time to get that tube replaced. (If you're pumping up your tires at the gas station, inflate to the PSI indicated on the sidewall of the tire — narrow tires generally need 80-100 PSI and mountain bikes with wider tires require 40-60 PSI).

brakes

When worn out tires prevent you from going, that's bad; when worn out brakes prevent you from stopping, that's worse. Fortunately they're easy to check. Lift up one end of the bike so the wheel can spin freely and squeeze the corresponding brake (then check the other end). The wheel should stop instantly. If it doesn't, drop in and see your friendly bike shop.

nuts & bolts

Check that your seat and handlebars are straight and that the bolts holding them are tight. If the handlebars are loose you won't be able to steer. Before you tighten them off, make sure your seat is the right height too (who knows, you may have grown over winter). If the seat is too low, you have to work much harder (when the pedal is at the bottom of the stroke, your knee should be just slightly bent).

chain

One of the dirtiest, but most satisfying, jobs in the bike maintenance list is cleaning the chain. You can get up close with an old toothbrush or take the easier route with a chain cleaner (a little plastic box with rotating brushes in it). Don't forget to lube it once it's sparkling.

test ride

A gentle tour of you neighbourhood, before you head across town, is a good opportunity to test your gears (do they shift up and down easily) and your brakes. Listen out for any grinding, squeaking and clicking noises (from the bike, not your body).

I use the mnemonic "Tortured Bikes Never Create Thrills" to remember the five checks on this list. If something doesn't feel right, take it to the pros. Alternatively, local bike shops, like Our Community Bikes in Vancouver, are great places to pick up some knowledge about simple checks and maintenance that we can all do ourselves.

want more

• Be seen in reflective cycle gear.
• Use cycling for cross-training.

Image: flickr/yukoners

Ahhh, the sweet scent of summer is upon us! The air is fragrant with flowers, cruiser bike gangs are converging on every corner and weekend missions are being planned with the passion & precision of a NASA launch. One activity that's synonymous with the season is the group camping trip. No matter your style of camping, from a relaxing journey into nature (with canoes, hikes and tents) to a full-on party (complete with BBQs, high-fives and cannonball competitions), there are essential components to take your voyage from lame to ‘best weekend of my LIFE!” status.

miraculously versatile sweater 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– we all have that one sweater that goes with everything – and you need to be prepared. What happens if your campsite just so happens to sit next to a Dirty Dancing-esque resort and you all decide to crash the party? It’s always smart to have a go-to piece.

one more bikini than you think you’ll need 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– Okay, so you probably won’t wear it. But swimsuits take negative space in your backpack and you can never have too many options for swimwear. While you’re at it – toss in another pair of undies (pssst, our undies are really awesome, guides honor – no muffin top!!!)

an extra air mattress for the lake 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– Someone is inevitably going to forget theirs and if you save their day, you’ll enter hero status. To rocket into the camping god stratosphere, bring an inflatable party raft. Sure, it sounds tacky – until you’re having the best afternoon of your life. Schwing!

the perfect beach blanket 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– Okay friends, be strategic when it comes to picking your blanket, whether it's for sand, grass, or some other miscellaneous surface (hey, I'm not a judge-y camper). Mexican blankets are fabulous; thick enough to not feel sticks and rocks and beautiful enough to add a little boho vibe. Straw mats are also a chic and practical choice. Just don't make one of two classic blanket mistakes: using a too-small towel as your blanket or the ultimate cardinal sin of blanket behavior, bringing your childhood blankie. You might think it's sweet, but lying on your mothball-scented Strawberry Shortcake comforter isn't as cute & ironic as you think.

yoga mat 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– One of the best ways to soak in the beauty of your camping spot is doing sunrise yoga. Just imagine - gazing out from the familiar home of upward dog at the stunning sight of the sun rising into the sky, followed by a deep, full breath of fresh air. I'm feeling serene just writing this! Bonus: the mat doubles as a comfy seat for you and a friend to sit and eat lunch on! Multitasking is so hot right now.

disposable underwater camera 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– maybe it’s just me, but underwater photos are still novel and exciting. Plus, you can’t take a billion ‘re-do’ photos with an old-fashioned throwaway, therefore achieving authentic, in-the moment photos - a rarity these days in the world of pose downs and hipster mobile downloads.

playing cards & crib board 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– You may never need them, but should the weather turn gnarly you’ll be happy you threw these in your bag.

surf rashguard 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– Going surfing on your vacay? If you’ve been before, you’ll know – a rashguard is a must to prevent, yup, you guessed it, a rash. Is it just me or are we getting smart up in here?

Image: flickr/Eko

ghetto blaster

– The wilderness is one of the few places where being a luddite is still awesome. Get yourself some speakers for your iPod or better yet, a ghetto blaster. You’ll be the de facto party station for the rest of the weekend

new sweet tunes 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– Sunshine + good tunes = camping nirvana. Bring a ghetto blaster (see above) coupled with great music and you've got a new soundtrack for your life. On that note, see below my favorite songs for mellow summertime hangin'.

"World’s Got A Handle" – Sun Wizard
This might be the new greatest road trip song of all time.

"The Birds" – Serenades
The Swedes do it again – this new Scandinavian group just released an album full of ethereal, catchy beats.

"Young Blood" – The Naked & Famous
This song sounds like skinny-dipping…if that is even possible.

"Pumped Up Kicks" – Foster the People
The hottest track around right now. These dudes sound awesome and look like Jack Johnson’s hot little brothers.

"2 Hearts" – Digitalism
Check out this new song from the most underrated posse out of Australia. Warning: not for the casual camping trip.

"Lizstomania" – Edwin Van Cleef (featuring Jane Hurley)
This clever cover of Phoenix’s monster hit will have you basking in the late afternoon sunshine, praying for the moment to never end.

"Towers" – Bon Iver
Just when you thought it couldn’t be done…Bon Iver goes and releases an even better album. Perfect for late night marshmallow roasts and friendships.

Alright, now pack up the car and get out there! I’ll be the one with the burned veggie dog humming Bob Seger.