Bend (verb): To take on a curved, angled shape or cause something to do this or a very accurate name for a town whose limits curve around the

if you happen to find yourself in bend (for 24 hours or less)…

eat
After our eight hour drive we were more than ready for some good grub, luckily we knew a local that could point us in the right direction (thanks, Emily!) Topping her long list of awesome places to eat was Kanpai Sushi. We Vancouverites consider ourselves to be sushi connoisseurs and Kanpai can definitely kick it. Innovative rolls, intricate nigiri and a cozy patio made for the perfect treat after our tri state trip!

sleep
If we were going to move to Bend, we’d simply move in to the Pine Ridge Inn. Perched on the hill above the Deschutes River, each of our rooms at the inn had a glorious four-poster king sized bed, cozy fireplace and furnished patio.  Add to that the complimentary beverage upon check in, the made to order continental breakfast and the fresh baked ginger cookies and you can understand why we were so sad to leave.

sweat
We weren’t kidding when we said we got bendy in Bend. We hit up Namaspa for Suzie Harris’s Baptiste Style Vinyasa Flow and got bent and stretched in all the right places. The next time you find yourself in a super sweaty yoga class remember what Suzie said, “no one ever drowned in their own sweat.”

Insider note: Keep an eye out for the Om Cycle smoothie cart, parked outside the studio for post perspiration rejuvenation!

sweet treat
Blacksmith’s S’mores Brownie dessert is the stuff dreams are made of. A crunchy graham cracker crust, dense chewy chocolate center, topped with a flame-toasted marshmallow and then drizzled in salted caramel sauce.  Is this real life?

Our timing in Bend couldn’t have been better as we managed to catch the Pole Pedal Paddle in action. Special shout out to our ecommerce manager’s dad who placed first in his age group - Go Jim! Now, onwards to Portland…

We’re gearing up for a road trip and we couldn’t be more excited. We’re driving Vanna (our beloved, manifestoed, complete-with-a-yoga-platform-on-the-roof van) home from San Fran to Seattle and hitting up some sweet places along the way – hey, it’s a tough job but somebody’s got to do it.

San Francisco, Tahoe, Bend, Portland and Seattle – we’re coming for you!

We’ll be getting sweaty in studios, tearing up run routes, hitting local hotspots (tweet us your recos)…and, yes, likely doing some touristy things along the way too (can you really blame a lifelong MK&A fan for wanting to see the Tanner household? No.)

Follow @lululemonlive for in the moment updates and check back on the blog as the #vannaontherun story unfolds!

Catch yah on the flip-side USA!

lululemon and a professional cycling team: what’s up with that?

Here at lululemon we pride ourselves on being unlike any other company. We continually push ourselves to find creative ways to introduce the world to our culture and our brand. Recently, as a fantastic example, we entered into a supportive relationship with a male professional cycling team, Team Saxo Bank.

Jens getting ready for time trial at the Tour of California

Team Saxo Bank is one of the top ranked teams in the world, competing at the highest level of international competition, and includes many cycling superstars, including Andy Schlek, who is favored to win the Tour De France this year, and Fabian Cancellara, the “it” rider of the this year’s professional cycling scene.

Eric (on the right), our Director of Community shows Team Director Bobby Julich how it’s done

I know what you’re thinking… “Um, last time I checked, lululemon doesn’t make cycling gear.” Right you are, we don’t. What we do though, is make the best technical cross-training apparel in the world, and these guys, being indisputably some of the best athletes in the world, are testing our garments for all of their off-bike training and lifestyle needs and providing us with invaluable feedback for the further development of our mens’ line. Further, as the staple of our culture is yoga and our belief in the benefits of yoga for athletes, we are excited to be introducing yoga to a sports demographic that has not seen much of it as of yet. I think none of us would deny that cycling = some really tight hips.

Regional Community Guru Jacki helping Matti Breschel (team rider) achieve the perfect warrior in our Calabasas store

In the spirit of conversation generation, a group of us lululemoners travelled as a support team with the Saxo Bank team a couple of weeks ago for the Tour of California. Cruising down the Coast of California in our beloved “Vanna” we enrolled fans and riders alike in the excitement that is lululemon. It is truly a thrill to introduce so many European athletes to a brand unlike any other and unlike anything they have ever experienced. From impromptu yoga, to hotel-room pant hemming sessions, to fueling the Team Directors with their morning caffeine, this team is now very clear that support is our mission, in any capacity it is needed.

Jacki, Jessica, and Allison in front of Vanna with Jakob Fugslang and Andy Schlek (team riders)

Welcome Team Saxo Bank to our lululemon family. We look forward to you killing it at the Tour De France in July!

Cycle on,
Allison