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Outdoor Tips, Tricks, Inspiration and Activities | MEC Blog

We go outside, initially, because our parents make us.

We protest of course, longing to stay inside and watch TV or build furniture forts, but they point unflinchingly towards the door. And reluctantly, we trudge out.

But soon we discover puddles to jump in, bugs to catch, and trees to climb. Then we are off, pasting maple keys to our noses, blowing dandelion fluff on the winds, holding buttercups to our chins and tasting clover. Notably, we need no instructions or encouragement to engage with the world beyond our walls. If one ever needs proof that we are all, at the core, creatures of the wild, just watch how instinctively children explore a forest or wander a shoreline.



As the years pass, a slow yet undetected metamorphosis occurs, until one day we wake up, and realize we are heading for the door voluntarily, instinctively, even longingly. A fondness for nature is both innate and universal, posits E. O. Wilson. One might even call it an addiction – of the healthiest variety, I’d argue, for both mind and body.

Gradually, as cement walls and daily obligations rise around us, we begin organizing our schedules to include a bike ride in the park, a walk through the forest, or paddle on the lake. We dream of the weekends when we set off, along with a posse of like-minded friends, towards mountains or beach, national parks, secret spots and roadside camps. Leaving our beds and residences behind, we return to another home; to sand between the toes, sun on the shoulders, wind in our hair, and at night, the solid earth beneath us.

We go outside to rinse ourselves of worldly stress, and to taste again that simple life. In our escape, we leave behind Facebook and Twitter for a brief time, choosing instead face-to-face time beside the campfire, and the tweet of the kingfisher along the riverbank.



We go outside to recharge. To sweat. To ingest a healthy dose of dirt. And learn lessons that cannot be taught in any book or website. We go to test ourselves, and our instincts. To enjoy our friends in a different light. To set our imaginations alight. We go to taste freedom.



Amid those cathedral groves, blue waters and high peaks, we glimpse the insignificance – and the ephemeral beauty – of our own precious life. In the process, we unearth a kinder, gentler incarnation of ourselves. It seems an inescapable truth that we are always a better person for having been outdoors.

In an increasingly neurotic, stressed, socially isolated, sedentary and suburbanized world, we go outside to make sense of what’s going on inside. To lose ourselves, and to find ourselves. We go outside for reasons that transcend words.

With time, we begin dragging our own kids outside too. Or our friends’ kids. Or nephews and nieces. To sniff fresh-cut grass, cherry blossoms and budding poplar. To carve sticks, ride bikes and skin knees. To feel the soft belly of a gasping trout, and marvel at a fluttering hummingbird. To light a fire with birch bark. Roast marshmallows. And watch the Milky Way drift across the heavens.



Call us a crew if you like – the outdoorsy ones, the dirtbags and granola munchers, treehuggers, nature lovers, and fitness freaks – but we go outside simply because we love it.

If you’re not already out there, playing around too… well, we’re sure hoping you’ll join us. There is always room for another beside the campfire.



## Related articles
- [Day hiking for beginners](/en/explore/day-hiking-for-beginners)
- [Backpacking basics: How to plan an overnight hiking trip](/en/explore/planning-for-overnight-hikes)
- [How hiking has changed my life](/en/article/how-hiking-has-changed-my-life)



For the outdoorsy ones, the dirtbags, the nature lovers and fitness freaks. MEC Ambassador Bruce Kirkby explores what drives us to get out there.

Why we go outdoors

We all have those favourite routes from home that are quick, fun and get us familiar with our neighbourhoods, but what if venturing further meant we had more to admire? We chose some pieces of art, architecture and engineering from a few major Canadian cities, to help turn your next run into a culture crawl.

### Toronto and Barrie
##### The distillery district


This artisan mecca boasts great shops, restaurants and cobblestone streets worthy of a Saturday stroll and patio lunch. But while you’re mid-sweat why not take off down Gristmill Lane and spend time with a few notable pieces of art instead? Keep an eye out for Michael Christian’s *Koilos*sculpture, *Still Dancing*by Dennis Oppenheim and the Insta-famous Love Locks installation. Use [#distilleryto](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/distilleryto/) to find more.



##### Monument to multiculturalism at Union Station


As Canada’s busiest multi-modal transportation hub, [Union Station](https://twitter.com/unionstationto) sees a lot of different faces. In 1985, Italian artist [Francesco Perilli’s bronze masterpiece](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/monumenttomulticulturalism/) was unveiled in front of the Beaux-Arts-style building as an ode to the positivity of multiculturalism and the dialogue and peaceful collaboration it can spark among people of different ancestries and convictions – a great place to see and a great topic to meditate on when your mind starts to wander on long, slow runs.



##### Spirit Catcher


Ron Baird’s [*Spirit Catcher*](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/spiritcatcher/) sculpture has travelled the nation from its original Expo 86 home in Vancouver’s False Creek, all the way to Kempenfelt Bay in Barrie. The piece explores First Nations’ mythology of the Thunderbird and is now part of the MacLaren Art Centre’s permanent collection. MEC Ambassador [Jim Willett](/en/explore/mec-ambassadors/jim-willett) appears ant-sized next to the twenty tonne steel sculpture. Cool fact: its 16 quills are kinetic and rock back and forth as the wind blows.

### Calgary
##### The Peace Bridge


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In an interview with the Calgary Herald, Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava called the [*Peace Bridge*](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/peacebridge/) the most technically challenging work he’d ever designed, and for good reason. The structure has a webbed, tubular design with just a 1% slope – a pretty amazing feat considering it has no pillars, masts, beams, arches, cables or lower supports other than the embankment at either side of the Bow River. A favourite of pedestrians, the maple-leaf-red bridge is so famous it has its own Instagram account, [@peacebridgeyyc](https://www.instagram.com/peacebridgeyyc/).



##### Wonderland at the Bow


If you’re looking for a turning point in your run, consider [*Wonderland*](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/wonderlandyyc/) at Calgary’s [Bow building](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bowbuilding/). The 12-metre high, bent-wire cameo features two door-sized openings that invite passersby to get up close and personal with Barcelona-based artist Jaume Plensa’s work. Participation is a big part of this YYC landmark and from inside, visitors can get a whole new perspective of the iconic skyscraper that rises 58 storeys above it.

### Vancouver
##### Science World


Originally built for Expo 86, this “golf ball” on False Creek is a [geodesic dome](https://www.scienceworld.ca/buildinghistory) – a patented invention of American inventor R. Buckminster Fuller, also used at Expo 67 in Montreal. The 391 lights across 766 triangles make [Science World](https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/1654/) a favourite to capture at night. Plan your run for dusk and enjoy the scene as the sunset fades and the dome lights up (and revisit during the day to check out all the cool exhibits inside).



##### Bridges galore


From [Ironworkers](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/ironworkersbridge/) to [Lions Gate](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/lionsgatebridge/), Vancouver is home to more than a few bridges. [Burrard](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/burrardbridge/), [Granville](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/granvillebridge/) and Cambie offer great views of False Creek and English Bay and are accompanied by ocean air breezes (plus Granville offers an awesome view [@OsGemeos](https://www.instagram.com/osgemeos/)’s [*Giants*](https://www.instagram.com/p/seDDTXhwhv/?taken-by=osgemeos)). Ironworkers features three-metre safety railings that skew and fade your perspective the faster you tread. And suspension-style Lions Gate is a great way to tack on a couple extra kilometres to your next [Stanley Park](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/stanleypark/) run.

### Montreal
##### Habitat 67


Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie’s [*Habitat 67*](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/habitat67/) has become an emblematic symbol of the Montreal landscape. The building’s design was originally conceived as part of Safdie’s McGill University thesis and focused on the connection between quality of life and an urban environment. The building draws its name from both the centennial year, and the 67.354 modules stacked on top of one another to form 148 individual residences. Run by and you might see MEC Ambassador [Joan Roch](/en/explore/mec-ambassadors/joan-roch) training for his next ultra.



##### Montreal Biosphere


Consider yourself an environmentalist? A sprint past former Expo 67 pavilion, aka Montreal’s [Biosphere](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/montrealbiosphere/), may be just the thing to convince you to take on more foot-powered commutes. The design combines R. Buckminster Fuller’s steel geodesic dome with an interior set of enclosed buildings designed by Éric Gauthier. Together they make up an environmental museum exploring water ecosystems, climate change and sustainable development.



Take your run to the next level by looping in art, history and architecture.

Run this: Bridges, monuments and open-air art

Can we take a moment to discuss the genius of the camp s’more? Melty, crunchy and beautifully gooey – it’s probably the best camp snack ever. But here’s the thing: most folks have experienced only *one* variety of s’more. Sure, it’s a bonafide classic, but doesn’t a snack as universally lauded as the s’more deserve just a bit of experimentation?

Enter our craft s’more guide: a way to change how campers think about the humble yet much-loved s’more. We get that s’more traditionalists are apt to be a bit offended by the following experiments in s’moredom but, seriously, these are well worth a try. We’ve included some potential beverage pairings as well, for all the s’moreliers out there (sorry, we had to).

## S’mores kebabs
*Fresh local fruit + marshmallows + melted butter + toppings*



A Twist on Classic Camp S'mores



S’mores without chocolate? Oh yes, it’s possible (and delicious). Chefs Chuck Hughes and Danny Smiles show us their twist on classic camp s’mores with sweet local peaches and over-the-top toppings.

## S’moreos
*Black and white cookies + marshmallows*



Decadent in every way, this craft s’more combines two of the world’s finest desserts into one delicious, gooey mess. Recommended pairings include White Russians, reasonably hoppy IPAs or a cool glass of milk.



## Simian s’mores
*Graham crackers + marshmallows + bananas + peanut butter cups*



A subtle yet striking variation on the common s’more that pairs masterfully with root beer and dessert porters.



## S’more snaps
*Gingersnaps + marshmallows*



Pared back yet deceptively complex, s’more snaps blend the creamy texture of marshmallow with gingery spice for a truly well-rounded treat. Pairs well with chai tea or a [slightly spicy saison](/en/products/camping-and-hiking/camp-kitchen/coolers-food-storage-and-bar-items/flasks-growlers-and-wine-storage/growlers-and-beer-glasses/c/1778).



## S’morittos
*Tortilla + chocolate spread + peanut butter + marshmallows*



Playful and well-balanced, this rich and messy treat perfectly concludes a night spent enjoying [hand-blended camp margaritas](/en/product/5027-635/Vortex-Blender).



## S’mores en blanc
*Vanilla cookies + marshmallows + white chocolate*



Surprisingly light on the palate, a carefully crafted s’mores en blanc elevates tones of vanilla and honeydew from a [nicely chilled](/en/products/gear/camp-kitchen/coolers-and-food-storage/coolers/c/1269?q=%3Asales-rank) pinot grigio, chardonnay or can of coke.



## Breakfast s’mores
*Pancakes + marshmallows + strawberries + maple syrup*



If it’s brunch you’re after, this s’more delivers. Substitute chocolate spread for maple syrup for a more traditional approach. Beverage pairing? A deep, chocolately espresso extracted from your [AeroPress](/en/product/5046-862/Coffee%26-Espresso-Maker) or [hot chocolate](/en/products/camping-and-hiking/food-and-drink/drinks/coffee-and-hot-chocolate/c/1581).

*Did we miss any good combinations? Let us know on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/mec/) and tag us in your s’mores photos @mec on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/mec/).*



## Related articles
- [9 easy meal hacks for family camping](/en/article/9-easy-meal-hacks-for-family-camping)
- [Camping checklist](/en/explore/camping-checklist)
- [A coffee addict’s guide to camp coffee](/en/article/a-coffee-addicts-guide-to-camp-coffee)



Seriously, these are worth a try (and they have bonus pairing suggestions).

Craft s'mores: Boost your camp snack game | MEC Blog

Craft s'mores: Boost your camp snack game

*Sure, you can hit the gym and up your reps – or you can take your training closer to a real obstacle course and get inventive.*

What is it about an obstacle course that makes you feel like you’ve really accomplished something? Scaling walls, getting covered head-to-toe in mud and muck, bailing enough to use up a box of band-aids probably have a bit to do with it. But how do you train for one of these things, so you can maximize the experience? We dreamed up some accessible ideas to get you fired up for falls and fun.*

## 1. Monkey bars
Mastering the monkey bars as a kid was a big deal and you might be surprised how challenging they can be, even now. Get swinging, skip rungs or go backward to work your core, lats, deltoids and upper back.

## 2. Ice bath
So the water may or may not be freezing at your race, but it will definitely be cold. You might as well get used to some chill sessions so you know what you’re in for.

## 3. Take shortcuts
Beat your friends to the coffee shop by hopping a fence, climbing a low wall, or helping each other up over a barrier taller than you both (without trespassing, of course).

## 4. Piggyback friends
Next time you’re headed somewhere, offer to give your bud a lift. If you’re feeling ambitious try a light jog. Carrying to-go coffee is not recommended with this one.

## 5. Slide and ramp runs
Scout out a playground with a giant slide, find a high skate bowl or ramp and run up it. Doing a warped wall obstacle on a race is pretty much a guarantee.

## 6. Crawl around
Tunnels, tubes, small spaces – there is definitely some claustrophobic crawl space waiting for you. Get familiar with the underside of your dining table and the stash of seasonal gear under your bed.

## 7. Stadium sprint
Find a high school track or stay behind after the next football game. Run the risers in singles, then skip every first or second stair and repeat.

## 8. Mud fight
Exactly what it sounds like. Get used to getting dirty.

## 9. Balancing act
Grab a balancing board and use it any time you’re doing something inactive – at your stand-up desk, while you’re on the phone or even reading. Switch up your stance and try going one-legged too.

## 10. Provoke the cat
You may as well get used to a few scrapes and scratches, plus your cat will love you.

## 11. Water walkers
Head to your local pool and make like an aquasizer. Run, walk and tread your way from either end of the pool. Add some flotation devices to your ankles to turn up the intensity.

## 12. Gym class hero
Remember those brutal sit-up competitions you had to do in elementary school gym class? Challenge your friends, coworkers or siblings.

## 13. Pile high
You know that pile of dirt out back? Yeah, that one. Or the gravel one. Or the sand one beside it. Climb that thing and descend. Repeat until your legs burn.

## 14. Walk the line
A roll of masking tape and a flat surface are your new best friend. Walk that line, again and again and again. Tip toes, variable speeds and backwards mode encouraged.

## 15. Trampoline time
What better way to get comfortable with getting some air? Bonus: toss and catch a ball while you’re on it to dial up your coordination.

## 16. Long way down
Make friends with heights and head to a local pool with a diving tower. Start at one metre and work your way up to 10.

## 17. Mind the gap
Before parkour athletes could flip, they jumped. Couch to floor, deck to grass, bed to pile of pillows. Get used to taking a leap.

**Kid-like enthusiasm plus grown-up common sense are strongly encouraged.*



How do you get ready to climb a warped wall or dodge swinging heavy bags?

17 weird ways to train for an obstacle course

“You hear us talk about it all the time, but this is really about just making it count – and that’s going to mean something totally different to each of you.” Ally Pintucci, one fourth of Vancouver-based crew [Chasing Sunrise](https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/chasing-sunrise-adventures-vancouver) (CS) has the undivided attention of 50 strangers who, just two hours earlier, checked in at the parking lot of MEC headquarters in Vancouver and boarded a bus into the unknown.

A few weeks earlier Ally and CS co-founders Gordon Swenson, Julian DeSchutter and Taylor Smith had the difficult task of choosing 50 participants from over 2000 applicants to come on an all-expenses paid mystery weekend care of [MEC Outdoor Nation](https://outdoornation.mec.ca/en/), [BC Parks](http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/) and Chasing Sunrise (plus other fantastic sponsors). Now at an empty campsite in [E.C. Manning Park](http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/ecmanning/), BC – celebrating its 75th anniversary this year – the group still had no idea what was going on.

“There’s a lot more to life than being in your 9 to 5 routine,” Ally tells the crowd. “None of us play nearly as much as we should. That’s why we’re here this weekend – to live in the moment and remember how to be a kid again. Welcome to [ChaseCamp 2016](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyuJWCpP7hU)!”



While cheers and claps erupt, there are a few stunned and hesitant faces in the crowd. One camper displaying a mix of surprise and delight is Gurjeet Singh. A first generation Canadian, Gurjeet is now the general manager of his parent’s 23-year-old fabric business. While he’s an avid hiker, he’s never been camping before, but the CS crew made the weekend a first-timer’s dream. Fifteen MEC tents have been pitched and stocked with MEC sleeping bags and pads. At a neighbouring log shelter adorned with a “CHASECAMP” banner, fresh, healthy lunch from Whole Foods is already being prepared by Kyle Friesen and Laura Rosset of Paleo food delivery company Fuel Your Fire (vegan, vegetarian, pescetarian and gluten-free options, too). In the centre of the tent city, a MEC Outdoor Nation lounge is decked out with chairs, tables and lanterns. Between two perfectly gapped trees, four hammocks are slung in a bunk-like fashion. Parallel to a path that leads to the water’s edge, there’s a semi-taut slackline. Down at Lightning Lake a pile of floaty toys wait for a dip.

“I’ve never slept in a tent before in my life,” admits Gurjeet. “I didn’t know what that little inflatable thing underneath was, but the guys I was rooming with told me to blow into it and after a couple breaths it was done. I put it down, laid on it and was like ‘this is really comfortable.’”



The weekend starts to unfold with an epic rock-paper-scissors icebreaker game where each defeated camper has to cheer on the victor in their next battle. At the end, the motley crew of 21 to 43 year-olds are shouting through wide smiles. While they run the gamut from hyper-passionate outdoorsy types to those who have never camped before, like Gurjeet, they all have one thing in common: they agreed to go on a 36-hour adventure without a clue of what that adventure was – but Ally is keen to fill them in. An afternoon of Ultimate Frisbee, California kickball, dinner and s’mores around the fire will polish off their Saturday. Gurjeet is all over it. “You see it in the movies and you see it on TV and I’ve always wanted to go,” he says. “But being the son of an immigrant family, camping didn’t make sense to them. I haven’t had the chance to go due to school and work, but it’s what I hoped it would be – good times around the campfire, chilling by a body of water, some physical activities and having heart-to-hearts with people, in this case total strangers.”



Those total strangers have become fast friends within only a few short hours. They are travellers, plumbers, parents, resource ecologists, entrepreneurs, students, environmental scientists and self-described vagabonds, among others. They wanted in and they got it everything that came with it, including a 2:45am wake-up call from the CS crew.

Headlamps flicker through the trees on Sunday morning. Following a fresh juice and energy bar snack courtesy of Body Energy Club, everyone piles in for a short bus ride to start an 8km hike up to Cascade Lookout. Kyle and Laura are cooking bacon, eggs and hashbrowns at the top, plus brewing pots from Salt Spring Coffee – a sweet relief that no one seems to be able to put into words. As the sun crests over the mountains, lighting the sky up in shades of pink, orange and gold, the new friends hug, cuddle for warmth and pose for photos. This moment is not only the CS namesake, it’s their signature, and it’s that intangible thing that makes everyone in their community feel connected, even if it’s only over Instagram.

> “There’s something really special about catching a sunrise,” explains Ally. “It’s different from sunset because sunset is common for people; it’s easily accessible. Sunrise, however, is usually planned out and taken in alone, especially when you’re forcing yourself to peel your eyes open at the craziest of hours to catch it.”
>


The significance of the moment is not lost of Gurjeet. Later, as his buds are napping in the sun beside the lake, he reflects on the personal weight of the weekend. “My parents came from India in the 80s. We didn’t have any family here or grandparents to rely on so after school I’d go to the store. It’s a respect thing too,” he says. “Your parents did this for you – left a place where they were settled, came to a new country and started a business to give you a better life. When I saw the CS posting, I knew I had to apply. I feel like if I didn’t come out I’d be squandering the opportunity that they moved here to give me.”

For the class of [Chasecamp 2016](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyuJWCpP7hU), their opportunity and sunrise reflection came with rad extras that elevated the whole camp experience – using a [Lifestraw](/en/product/6018-750/personal-water-filter-straw?colour=dark+mountain+gray) bottle to drink right from the lake (something Gurjeet says his Mom has always told him specifically not to do), snacking on healthy bars from [Vega](https://myvega.com/) between kickball games, dancing around the campfire to Ultimate Ears Bluetooth speakers and not worrying about missing a moment because the entire weekend was being recorded for them by a bevy of talented photographers, videographers and staff from Hitcase.

“There are some things I didn’t know until now,” says Gurjeet. “I definitely burnt my first two marshmallows trying to make s’mores. There’s a technique to getting it right. I know now what to wear and not wear – long sleeves once the sun goes down and flip flops for comfort.”

As the group took down tents and packed their stuff to board the bus back, the gratitude for the experience was on the face of every camper. “I don’t know how any other camping experience is going to compare,” Gurjeet sighs.



The beauty of the Chasecamp weekend was that everyone who went was so willing to step outside their comfort zone. A lack of knowledge and community are big barriers for people wanting to trying something like camping, but groups across the country like Chasing Sunrise are making it happen – taking strangers into the wild and up mountains in the middle of the night so they can witness the beauty of nature one mystery weekend at a time.



For Gurjeet Singh, camping was just a cool thing he saw on TV. Then Chasing Sunrise and MEC Outdoor Nation took him on a 36-hour adventure into the woods.

36 hours in the unknown: one first-time camper's eye-opening experience

Chasing Sunrise: 36 hours in the unknown

Every road gives a different feeling – some inspire us to ride fast, some beckon to be explored, others encourage us to just take it in.

Ride enough, and you realize that bikes are the same way – some make you feel really fast, some scare the pants off you and (the really good ones) make you feel really happy. Combine the best bikes with the best roads, something magical happens: rides that stick with you forever.

Which is why the three of us – Geordie, Megan and I – have travelled to Southern California. The brilliant Belgians over at Ridley set us up with three rides purpose-built for tackling a wide range of road types: the race and cobble ready [Liz CR40](/en/product/5044-407/Liz-CR40-Road-Bicycle); the revamped and Paris Roubaix-proven [Fenix SL40](/en/product/5044-401/Fenix-SL40-Road-Bicycle); and the do-it-all newcomer wunderkind – the [X-Trail C30](/en/product/5043-674/X-Trail-C30-Bicycle). Over the course of a long weekend, we put each bike through its paces by tackling plenty of *pavé*, switchbacks, merciless climbs, and bucolic stretches of rolling California paradise. While power meters and heart-rate monitors are essential and useful tools for any cyclist, we haven’t brought either along. Why? Because we’re here with a simple goal in mind: to find three roads that best represent each Ridley ride we’ve brought along.

Here it is, then: 3 Ridleys for 3 Roads.



### Prefumo Canyon Road + The Fenix SL40


##### What’s the road like?
A cobbly, scarred snake of asphalt carved into rolling, densely treed hills. Undulating sections lead to steep pitches, brief descents and tight switchbacks from start to finish.

Three-quarters of the way up it opens to an astounding view of endless rolling hills and the shining Pacific to the west. Closing in on the summit, a picturesque switchback gives way to a steep ramp, another hairpin, and a beautifully exposed finishing section.

##### And that descent?
A technical delight. There’s plenty of less-than-ideal asphalt, so you have to concentrate. Outside of that, it’s just plain fun. Fast rolling sections give a roller coaster like feel, and we collectively “whoop” and “yip” on the way down.



##### Tell me about this Fenix SL40
The [SL40](/en/product/5044-401/Fenix-SL40-Road-Bicycle) is a totally revamped Fenix for 2016. Not to be mistaken with the Fenix CR, Ridley placed it between the lightweight Helium and the aero Noah. Skinny seat stays and clearance for 30mm tires give plenty of rough-road comfort, but don’t think of it as a cushy slouch – the massive BB and tapered headtube boost stiffness, while the geometry firmly places it in the realm of race bike.



##### So how is it, then?
Outstanding. It really is a convincing endurance/race bike. Climbing up Prefumo, it’s race-bike fast and responsive under hard efforts. Unlike some hard-edged race bikes, it doesn’t toss you around over rough asphalt, and you never get the feeling that it’s trying to kill you. Instead, it infectiously coaxes you to ride a bit faster, corner a bit harder and ride longer than expected

Descending Prefumo, it’s a gem. The predictable turn-in and outstanding stability nails the apex on the way down. And when riding over that scarred and gnarly asphalt? Cool as a cucumber. Brilliantly composed with race-ready climbing abilities and handling prowess, somehow it just feels built for fast European feeling roads like Prefumo.



### Figueroa Mountain Road + The X-Trail CR50


##### What’s the road like?
Nestled in Los Padres National Forest, it’s less of a road than an experience. 15km of climbing, too many cattle gates to count, ridiculously rough pavement and endless technical corners. It’s a hoot of a road, with just a hint of terror. We scope some gravel detours and get a sense of just how incredibly expansive this park is (we end up coming back three days later). You could seriously lose yourself here for days on end, exploring everything from fast asphalt, to singletrack (with knobby tires on the X-Trail), to bouts of gravel. It’s a cyclist’s dream.

##### So what of the X-Trail?
Road bike, cross bike and gravel grinder – the [X-Trail C30](/en/product/5043-674/X-Trail-C30-Bicycle) is a bit of everything. Ridley chose to push the “one bike to rule them all” notion to whole new levels. The result is a bike that feels road-bike responsive under power, yet totally competent and nimble on technical terrain. With 38mm of clearance, you can tackle cross and gravel-grinding. Looking to winter ride? No sweat. Fender eyelets make that a cinch. It is, simply put, the most versatile bike here (and, just maybe, on the market).



##### So why the X-Trail for Figueroa Road?
When climbing, it’s remarkable how much it resembles the Fenix and Liz. It’s a bit heavier and the geometry is slacker, but it never struggles to keep up, an impressive feat for a bike this versatile. When descending, it really shines.

Winding, technical and rough – descend Figueroa Road with some gusto, and it gets serious. Thankfully, the X-Trail made short work of it. The bridgeless seat stay design lends itself to a ride that’s even more compliant than the Fenix or the Liz’s – a remarkable achievement. And then, there’s the game-changer: those brakes.



##### The brakes?
We had reservations about disc-brakes on road bikes, but on a demanding road like this, the benefits are irrefutable. The X-Trail is running Shimano’s 105 spec hydraulic disc brakes, and it’s incredible how much they can change a road like this. For one, you can brake much, much later. It’s difficult to comprehend how much speed you can scrub before tackling frightening corners. On top of outright power, the control and modulation is unlike anything else. There are still benefits to caliper brakes (we wrote an article about the pros and cons), certainly, but our brief encounter with these discs forced us to reconsider our once stubborn opinions. On top of that, the thru-axles obliterate any sense of flex under hard braking or accelerating.

Every bike here is exceptional, but on Figueroa Mountain Road, the X-Trail is the clear winner.



##### What’s the road like?
Sometimes, pictures do a better job of telling a story than words ever can. So, here goes:



##### Oh. Wow.
Right? It’s unlike anything else. The views are nothing short of spectacular, the climb up is difficult but satisfying, and the descent is so delirious that you feel like you’re going to teeter off the edge of the world. One particularly steep and fast section gives the impression that you’re going to plummet straight into the Pacific Ocean.



##### And that Liz?
The [Liz CR40](/en/product/5044-407/Liz-CR40-Road-Bicycle) is likely the stiffest of the bunch, and has the looks and responsiveness to make it a true crit weapon. It’s a touch small for Geordie and I to ride, but Megan’s pace up Nacimiento under a hard effort demonstrates just how fast this thing is. Despite that, there are endurance bike touches throughout, and it retains the diamond shaped tubing that graces the Fenix and the X-Trail (Ridley’s unique tube design that boosts stiffness and strength).

Megan swears it’s just as stiff as race bikes she’s shredded in the past, yet retains a level of composure and comfort on the rough stuff that others can’t match. At one point, Geordie manages to scoop it from Megan for an extended test ride. He quickly falls in love with the stiffness and pink paint job, and it takes a lot of convincing for him to give it back.



##### So why the Liz and Nacimiento Road?
Think of it this way: when you were a kid, the colour of your bike *really* mattered. My first bike was neon yellow and I chose it because it was neon yellow. Why? Because it screamed fun and fast in equal measure. Whenever I rode it around the neighbourhood, there was a giddy promise of adventure and discovery. While all of the bikes on display here bring out that feeling, the Liz is one that makes you grin every single time you look at it. It taps into those feelings of adventure, discovery and excitement that we felt as kids when looking at a shiny, colourful new bike.

As a road, Nacimiento does something similar. The foaming brilliant Pacific below, the golden sunset above, those perfect sun-soaked corners and the briny wind in our faces – I’ve known Geordie and Megan for a long time, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen bigger smiles on either of them. Riding Nacimiento for the first time, we all felt like kids giddily riding around on bikes, feeling that sense of adventure and discovery that got us hooked on bikes in the first place.

The Liz captures that sensation, but so do the Fenix and X-Trail. With the advent of incredibly versatile road bikes that can go seemingly anywhere, there’s good reason to be excited, more roads than ever before are yours to ride. And while not everyone will have the chance to explore every nook and cranny of Southern California this year, that giddy feeling of discovery is always out there waiting to be found. The trick to finding it? You just gotta ride more roads.



3 Ridleys for 3 California Roads | MEC Blog

3 Ridleys for 3 California Roads

The task was simple: move from Ottawa to Vancouver in five days. With those instructions, it would have been easy to think of it as nothing more than A to B, and a 5500 km straight shot across the continent. And why not? A new job, a new city, and a new life were waiting out west. It could have been little more than one long ride.

Five days of the driver seat and the fast lane. An endless number of billboards, truck stops, and little white lines, blurred together by the vision of a single destination. But it also could have been a lifetime worth of opportunity, slipping through our fingers with each kilometer traveled. A world of adventure, passing by as fast as the road we traveled over.

See, if there’s one thing I’ve come to believe, it’s that the greatest experiences are not exclusive to the grandest plans. The moments we so deeply long to live are in no way reserved for only the most exotic trips. They are held for those who search for them, who step out of the everyday routine, and who take them. It was this simple belief that made those five days so much more than a long drive. It transformed them into an opportunity to explore, adventure, and connect with a world we then knew nothing about. It turned a car ride into a road trip, and turned the kilometers into opportunities to seek the unknown. The journey became a destination in and of itself.

Because of that simple shift, I don’t have to tell you what I think it could have been. I can show you.

It was taking moments to get back to the things that matter most:



and chance after chance to embrace the unknown.



It was taking time to make new friends:



and learning lessons in history, without stepping into a classroom.



It was places that looked like different planets,



and waking up on the side of a mountain.



knowing full well it would likely lead us astray.



It was landscapes that left us looking at this world differently



and moments we still can’t find the words to describe.



It was a reminder that some of the best things are not on the well-travelled path



and that sometimes you have to go where there is no path at all.



And coffee just about anywhere we could get our hands on it.



It was a reminder that the “little moments” really aren’t so little.



And that we should spend just a little more time kicking back and taking it in.



It was Ottawa, Toronto, Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, Minnesota, Badlands, Rushmore, Black Hills, Big Horn, Yellowstone, Butte, Columbia, Seattle, home and everything in between.



We saw things we didn’t know existed and learned things we didn’t know were there to learn. Felt emotions we didn’t know we could feel and created memories that will change the way we live our lives.

It was anything but A to B.



*This post was submitted by Julian DeSchutter from [Chasing Sunrise](https://www.instagram.com/ChasingSunrise/). You can keep up with Julian on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/deshoots/).*



Vancouver to Ottawa: Finding adventure at every turn | MEC Blog

Vancouver to Ottawa: Finding adventure at every turn

Want your camp-chef repertoire to consist of more than hot dogs, chips, tang and warm beer? You just need the right tools (and access to these little known secrets) to rise in the ranks from camp cook to camp chef. From smoked brie to ice-cold margaritas, we’ve compiled our go-to kitchen essentials and prep techniques for elevating a camp kitchen.



## Craft camp snacks
Sure, chips are great, but there’s a lot to be said for classy camp snacks made the slow way. See how it’s done.



Camp Kitchen Secrets: Craft camping snack ideas



**The secret**: Camp Chef Popcorn Popper



## Camp hootenannies and recoveries
Our methods for lantern-lit kitchen parties and peachy mornings.



Camp Kitchen Secrets: Camp hootenannies and recoveries

## Kick your camp into gear
Easily the most delicious way to get your crew out of bed in less than 10 minutes. Get caffeinated below:



Camp Kitchen Secrets: How to make Aeropress coffee



**The secret**: [AeroPress Coffee Maker](/en/product/5046-862/coffee%26-espresso-maker-with-tote-bag)



## Pro-grill techniques
Technique transforms your packable, ultralight grill from handy appliance into camp-chef secret weapon.



Camp Kitchen Secrets: Be a campfire grill mark master



**The secret**: Light My Fire Grandpa’s FireGrill

Take your camp chef game to the next level. Explore our latest camp kitchen gear and toys.



## Related articles
- [A coffee addict’s guide to camp coffee](/en/article/a-coffee-addicts-guide-to-camp-coffee)
- [How to choose a camp stove](/en/explore/choose-your-camp-stove)
- [Camping checklist](/en/explore/camping-checklist)



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