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Outdoor Tips, Tricks, Inspiration and Activities | MEC Blog

##### What’s going on here?
Last year I rode Ridley’s ridiculously light Helium SL. I loved it, so was honestly a bit hesitant to move over to the Noah SL. Plying much of my trade in the hills, I was worried: how would the additional weight translate? On top of that, I took delivery of the Noah SL shortly before setting off for the sun-drenched shores of Hawaii’s Big Island, so didn’t have much time to acclimatize to its very different geometry and super-aero design (claimed to save 7% of wind resistance over more traditional, round-tubed designs). Truth be told, I had no idea what to expect.

##### How’s the build kit?
The Noah SL shipped with Shimano wunderkind mechanical groupset – Dura-Ace. With lightning fast shifting, ridiculously powerful brakes (mounted in their traditional position – as brakes should be!) and quite possibly the stiffest crank on the planet, Dura-Ace 9000 is nothing short of stellar. The Zipp 60s upped the fast ante that much more. After swapping in my own stem, seat and handlebar, I immediately felt pretty dialled.

##### 


##### Tell me about these aerodynamics.
At first glance, it’s evident that the Noah was built for aerodynamic slipperiness. Look closer, and you realize the devil is in the details. The distinctive F-Splitfork is a fascinating piece of bike tech: each fork leg features a small, narrow gap that improves airflow by pulling turbulent air away from the rotating front wheel. On top of that, the fork crown is neatly integrated into the head tube and downtube, with a small lip extension at the top trailing edge of the fork.

The meticulously shaped Kamm tail downtube features two narrow grooves running down its leading edge to channel air more efficiently across the frame’s surface. And that sculpted downtube leads to a big and beefy pressfit bottom bracket for stiffness.

The seat tube neatly wraps around the rear wheel to further reduce drag. An aero-shaped seat post features two channels running the length of the post, similar to the downtube. Lowered seat stays on the seat tube round shave grams, boost stiffness and further improve aerodynamics.



##### How’s the handling?
After logging over 700km on the Noah SL that included long climbs (Kohala Mountain Road), plenty of winding terrain, desolate stretches under full gas (Akoni Pule Highway), and frenzied sprints, I definitely put it through its paces. One thing I can say for certain is that the Noah SL’s handling is nothing short of racy; quick and razor sharp with impressive feedback, capable of carving just about any arc you throw at it.



##### The big question: were you faster?
Honestly, it’s hard to quantify aerodynamic efficiency – I have no real gauge of how to measure if I was 7% faster than I was on my Helium SL. I will say, however, that rolling at 45km/hr and throwing down an attack brings with it an immediate reaction and a sudden increase in tempo. The stiffness of the package offers exceptional get up and go, but it’s surprisingly comfortable: there’s no buzzy harshness normally associated with aero bikes. Bumps, vibrations and bigger potholes are nicely absorbed, always offering confident feedback every step of the way, without beating you up in the process.



##### Should I buy one?
If you’re looking for a race ready bike that’s just as capable ripping hair-raising crits on cobbles as it is at logging training miles with your closest buddies, the Ridley Noah SL should definitely make the top of your list. Stiff, fast, composed, sexy and surprisingly comfortable, it’s definitely a winner.



Review: the Ridley Noah SL | MEC Blog

Review: the Ridley Noah SL

At the heart of the Okanagan valley, along the edge of the Okanagan Lake sits an opportune blend of the comforts and culture of city life and the wild uncertainties of nature. An ideal home base for any type of adventure, this BC wonderland is now home to [MEC Kelowna](/en/stores/kelowna).

The awesomeness of the Okanagan Valley attracts travellers and activity junkies from around the world, including MEC Ambassadors [Sarah Hart](/en/explore/mec-ambassadors/sarah-hart) and [Max Edwards](/en/explore/mec-ambassadors/max-edwards).

As a professional climber, Sarah holds the area in high regard. She visits the area often to practice and train.



> “Climbing on the ‘dry side’ of the mountains is a Coastal climber’s secret weapon. When it’s raining at home (in Squamish), it’s almost certainly dry and warm in the interior. In early spring, when my gear feels mouldy from a winter of rotting in the rain, arriving at the Skaha Bluffs parking lot is like stepping out of the car into paradise. The air is rich with the smell of sage brush and the sounds of canyon wrens. Not to mention from the Skaha Bluffs, not a car can be heard anywhere.” – Sarah Hart
>


For up-and-coming Canadian mountain bike athlete Max, the trails of Kelowna offer something different than those of his hometown of Whistler, BC. He frequently travels around Canada riding and racing and he’s always on the lookout for killer riding destinations and training grounds.



> “Riding in BC’s interior is always amazing. Fast, wide open singletrack, lake views and trails that leave right from town… it’s truly a mountain biker’s paradise! I’m constantly blown away with how many different riding zones there are and the variety in trail styles. Kelowna’s got everything from rocky technical moves, to smooth flow trails with big built up berms.” – Max Edwards
>


Why MEC Ambassadors train in Kelowna | MEC Blog

Why MEC Ambassadors train in Kelowna

For the past six years, Canada’s current fastest marathoner* and New Balance athlete Reid Coolsaet has spent 4–10 weeks training in the small Kenyan village of Iten. This year, his sights are set clearly on Rio.

Iten, Kenya, is the “Home of Champions.” Runners from all over the world come to train at this rural town 2400m above sea level, and this is where Reid Coolsaet comes to test his limits. He runs with locals who’ve finished a marathon in 2:06 and a half marathon in under 60 minutes, and he regularly runs a half marathon’s worth of kilometers in one day, ranging from 155 to 170km in one week. *Whoa*.

When you have just a few months to go before you race alongside the world’s best athletes in Rio, there’s a necessary predictability built into your daily itinerary: fuel, train, recover.

To give us an idea of what life is like leading up to such a big event, Reid shares an in-depth look at what goes into two days of his training stint in Iten.



## Hours 0–24
##### Fuel
My goal here is to leave fitter than when I arrived – it sounds simple, but because I’ve been doing this for so many years I can tell a lot by listening to my body, and it starts with fueling.

The High Altitude Training Centre (HATC) where I stay caters to Western athletes, and today’s breakfast includes eggs, porridge, bread and pancakes, plus tea and juice. Later I dip into Club Iten, a restaurant where the wifi is good and the mango juice is fresh.

I have lunch at my friend Thomas’s house. He lives with his wife Doris and daughter Grace in a one-room apartment adorned with race medals and posters; Doris has an upcoming marathon in Tanzania. There’s no running water, just a well outside and outhouses. Their small television plays dubbed over Spanish soap operas (very popular amongst Kenyans) as we sip a sweet milky tea with heaps of sugar. We also eat pawpaw fruit, which tastes like cantaloupe, as well as potatoes and beans. It seems crazy to me how simple their life is, and although many people don’t have much here they don’t seem poor in the sense North Americans are used to – they don’t stress about things they don’t have and aren’t in debt for a lifestyle they’re trying to capture but can’t afford.



For dinner at HATC, they serve Kenyan specialties. *Ugali* is close to polenta and made from cornmeal and there’s the nutrient dense and kale-like *sukuma wiki*. Kenyan runners swear by *ugali*as a big source of energy and even cook it in hotel rooms abroad before races.

##### Train*
*
Today I’m running at my own pace. I pass children bundled up as though it’s the dead of winter. At 10–12°C in the early morning, the locals find it very cold. There are athletes of all different speeds out running, and almost all have tights and a jacket. I’m one of the few wearing shorts (very Canadian). I run 18km in an hour and 20 minutes, which is quite routine for me. My legs are fairly tired from the last few weeks of intense training, but a little soreness and fatigue is just part of the game. Later I do another 10km in 45 minutes with fellow Canadian John Mason.

I spend some time at the gym at HATC and go through my core routine, which I do 2–3 times per week. It consists of functional movements on my feet, work with a medicine ball, planks and injury prevention exercises.

##### Recover
I’ve been running up to 170km per week lately, which isn’t really high for me, but it’s enough that I feel like taking a nap. I feel very comfortable in Kenya, it’s like a second home to me. The weather, the trails, the people and the atmosphere are great.



## Hours 24–48
##### Fuel
Breakfast is functional tea and oatmeal. I dive into my stash of protein bars mid-morning and round things out with lunch of vegetable soup, fresh bread rolls, rice, lentils and salad.

*Ugali*, *sukuma wiki* and salad are on the dinner menu tonight, as well as beef stew and roasted potatoes with watermelon for dessert. It was a solid day, so I decide to treat myself to a mango and beetroot juice, too.

##### Train
Over 200 athletes use the track at Kamariny Stadium between 7 and 11am. Today’s work out begins at 9:10am and it’s hard. I prep by going through my stretching routine, listening to music and applying some much-needed sunscreen.

I lace up my [New Balance](/en/brand/new-balance/ideal-for/running/products/footwear/shoes/c/1195?q=%3Asales-rank&text=) 1400v1 racing flats and finish off my 5km warm-up around the track. I brought a slightly used pair of runners so I could give them away to a local athlete at the end of my training camp. I came here with 16 pairs and will leave with just three.



There are typically 40–50 athletes in the group I train with. About 10 guys who all have experience racing abroad are doing 15 x 1000m and are targeting 2:50–2:55 for each interval, with just over two minutes rest between them. I join in, averaging 2:55 for the first six intervals while hanging on to the back of the group.

Martin Matathi (2007 World Championship 10,000m Bronze Medalist) picks up the pace on the seventh interval and I trail the group by a few seconds. I’m pretty tired and I’d rather run with the group than fall behind, so I decide to run the first 600m of their 1000m for the last eight intervals, embracing the extra rest. They ask me to pace the last two. I’m a little nervous about screwing up, but I hit the splits right on and run 1:43 and then 1:42 while leading the remaining seven guys still in the workout.

Later, I do an easy 6km run to get my daily running volume up to 26km. I run some drills and a bunch of kids come over. They mime my running drills, lunges, high knees and jumps.



##### Recover
I venture over to Dan’s apartment for a massage. He’s a really good masseuse and only charges 500 shillings (about $7 CDN) for an hour. I’ve heard different stats but it sounds as though the average income is about $1000 CDN a year in rural Kenya, plus I’ve seen world record holders getting massages here.



In the 12 weeks leading up to the games in Rio I’d like to average around 200km per week. Physiotherapy, stretching and pool running will keep me in training mode. My goal for Rio? To finish in the top 15 in the marathon or top 10 if training is going really well.

*We’ll be rooting for you in Rio, Reid. Thanks for the behind-the-scenes look at life training in Iten. – MEC*

**Reid Coolsaet is the second fastest Canadian marathon runner ever, after Jerome Drayton (2:10:09 in 1975), and is the current fastest at only 10 seconds behind Drayton at 2:10:29. That’s pretty darn fast.*



Road to Rio: 48 hours in Kenya with Reid Coolsaet | MEC Blog

Road to Rio: 48 hours in Kenya with Reid Coolsaet

We’re pumped to announce the winners of the MEC Dirt Search. Each winning organization receives $10,000 for trail improvement, and they have some big things planned.

## Winner – Western Canada
****[Revelstoke Cycling Association](http://bikerevelstoke.org/) in British Columbia with 2,748 votes.

#### What they’ll do with $10K:
Frisby Trail Stewardship Upgrades. Our high alpine Frisby Ridge XC trail is our most popular trail with both locals and tourists alike. It sees a ton of traffic, and definitely had some wear and tear last fall in the wet weather. This will really help our efforts towards the long term sustainability of this important trail.



## Winner – Eastern Canada
[Simcoe County Mountain Bike Association](http://new.scmbc.ca/WELCOME.html) in Ontario with 4,477 votes.

#### What they’ll do with $10K:
Maintain, improve and expand our existing 100km network of single track, expand our flow trail, and improve signage for better access.



Overall, the MEC Dirt Search received over 24,000 votes, which kind of blew us away. Thank you to everyone who voted, spread the word, and showed some love for their favourite spots to ride.

##### Want to know how your community can get trail building support?
If your local riding association wasn’t featured or didn’t come out on top in the Dirt Search, we’ve got good news: this contest is just one way that MEC funds projects. Check out the types of projects we support and how to apply for grants through our [Community Contributions](http://www.mec.ca/AST/ContentPrimary/Community/CommunityContributions.jsp) program.



Dirt Search: who won the grant gold | MEC Blog

Dirt Search: who won the grant gold

A long time ago, preparing for one of my first trips to the mountains, I bought a pair of [MEC Ferrata Pants](http://www.mec.ca/product/5029-910/mec-ferrata-pants-womens/). At the time, I didn’t know much about anything. Truthfully, I bought the pants because they looked cute. It wasn’t until an expedition to India, Pakistan and Peru that I realized there was something unusually tough about their Schoeller soft shell fabric. My Ferrata Pants wore me into the ground before I came close to wearing them out. The only drawback? A tendency to bag out over time. By the end of a trip, they didn’t have the same shape and fit they started with, and they held moisture. So along with having a baggy bottom, the pants got heavier and more restrictive as I sweated. Not ideal.

Fast-forward to today and I’ve got a much improved pair of Schoeller Dynamic pants in my quiver: The [MEC Constantia](http://www.mec.ca/product/5040-133/mec-constantia-pants-womens/) – the brainchild of my good friends Spring Harrison (MEC Designer) and Katy Holm (MEC Product Line Manager). Understanding the strengths and limitations of the fabric, Spring and Katy did a masterful job of designing pants as durable as the Ferratas while solving issues of breathability and fit. The Constantia doesn’t bag out and it doesn’t hold moisture. Not even a bit. The durability of Schoeller means you can bash your knees against granite, dirt, tree branches, bricks, and whatever else without catching or tearing. Beyond that, they do a compelling job of combining urban style with lightweight alpine function.



So, what will I do with these pants this summer? The Constantia’s skinny silhouette and 4-way stretch, means I’ll be using them around home in Squamish for days bouldering, sport climbing, and long routes on the Chief (and some espresso sipping at the Adventure Centre). The low-profile means I won’t be wearing them over long johns or mountain boots, but for fast and light alpine missions they’re going to be my not-so-secret weapon.

*Thanks Sarah, you inspired us to put together a brief visual guide to the last 40-or-so years of MEC climbing pant excellence.  – MEC editors.*

#### The Constantia/Highpoint


Ridiculously durable with good looks to boot, the Constantia and [Highpoint](/en/product/5040-122/HighPoint-Pants) might be the most high-performing and bombproof soft shell pants we’ve ever produced. Plus, the simple design means you can maintain a low-profile in the city, too.



With the [Arque](http://www.mec.ca/product/5040-123/mec-arque-pants-mens/) and [Sanchali](http://www.mec.ca/product/5040-132/mec-sanchali-knicker-womens/), MEC designers sought to create a casual looking pant with serious cragging potential. Between the stellar colour offerings and grade-pushing technical details, they manage to hit the sweet spot between heel-hooking flexibility and micro-brewery aestheticism (heck, the Arque managed to sneak it’s way into MEC Climbing Ambassador [Joshua Lavigne](/en/explore/mec-ambassadors/joshua-lavigne)‘s heart last year).



#### The Ferrata Pant (2001 – still going strong)


The older sibling of the Constantia/Highpoint, the [Ferrata](/en/product/5029-910/Ferrata-Pants) have reached cult status thanks to their insane durability and activity-to-activity versatility. Expect to see them at the crag, on bicycles or high in the alpine.



#### The Rad Pant (1989 – whenever they finally wear out)


Ah, The Rad Pant. Originally deemed “the ultimate movement pant,” Rad Pants can still be spotted in the wild today. Having spanned every jewel tone and earthy shade imaginable, Rad Pants featured a built-in belt, elasticized cuffs and harness-compatible thigh pockets for stashing PowerBars and your Disc-Man.



#### Rainbow Neon Lycra (so big in 1984)


The year is 1989, and Lycra has been the go-to climbing choice (for sport climbers at least) for nearly a decade. Now available in such stellar colours as Zebra, Neon Pink and Slithery Snake Skin, the MEC-brand Lycra Tight manages to unlock previously unheard of climbing grades and abilities in extreme high-stepping.



#### Homemade, patched or thrifted (timeless)


It was the 70s. It was a different time. Climbing pants weren’t really readily available, so the best option was to create your own, find some white painter’s pants or wear some thick nylon track suit bottoms. Tight-fitting wool knickers were also acceptable.



Climbing pants, from Ferrata to Constantia | MEC Blog

Climbing pants, from Ferrata to Constantia

We did it! MEC would like to send out a massive thank you to everyone who tagged their winter photos with #live4snow this season. We surpassed our target and will be donating $10,000 to [Protect Our Winters](http://protectourwinters.org/) (POW). POW is one of the hundreds of deserving non-profits MEC supports through our commitment to [1% for the Planet](/en/explore/granting). Since 2010, we’ve invested over $500,000 in non-profits that support winter activity in Canada.

### Meet our MEC Ambassadors
MEC Ambassadors Mark Sollors and [Roz Groenewoud](/en/explore/mec-ambassadors/roz-groenewoud) are members of the [POW Riders Alliance](http://protectourwinters.org/riders-alliance). This group of athletes believes the collective power of the winter sports community is massive, and if we can all work together, the end result can be revolutionary.



Mark Sollors  MEC Live4Snow

Roz Groenewoud MEC Live4Snow

**A note from Executive Director of Protect Our Winters Chris Steinkamp:**

“Our partnership with MEC in Canada has been a great first step in our outreach to the Canadian snowsports community – some of the most environmentally passionate individuals we work with. Engaging them in this creative way with our athletes helped reinforce the idea that at the end of the day, we’re doing this because we all love winter. The funds raised will help us accelerate our impact in Canada, uniting the community and taking action on the most important climate issues facing not just Canadians, but the rest of the world. Thank you MEC and to all those who took the time to submit photographs  – visual reminders of why we started POW – and for helping us raise a great deal of money to make sure that we effectively address Canadian climate issues.”



##### [Seeking Nirvana](http://blog.mec.ca/2016/03/14/seeking-nirvana-series-skiing/) Crew


Media Not Found

Check out all the photos from [#live4snow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/live4snow/).



These pics helped raise $10K for POW | MEC Blog

These pics helped raise $10K for POW

This winter we hooked up with Canadian free skiers Mike Henitiuk, Joe Schuster, Riley Leboe, and Matt Margetts from the web series *Seeking Nirvana*. Sit back and enjoy three episodes of vast powder bowls, big lines and good-time skiing with friends.

#### Seeking Nirvana | Part 1: Home


This is the mountain village of Whistler, 675m above sea level. Forested with old growth fir and cedar. An important black bear habitat. Criss-crossed by deep valleys making way to endless glaciers. There are few paved roads but instead many miles of intersecting logging roads and dirt trails. It is an El Nino year. We are on the far edge of the Howe Sound, famous for fierce storms, which will make landfall from the west, come December.

4 men make haste into the storm in search of vast powder bowls, to which the mountain village has garnered a reputation. A difficult task, travelling the unchartered terrain, requires the groups combined wits. Only persistence and a spot of luck will reward success. The adventure begins in the mountain village they call home but foreign lands beckon. A journey awaits and a feeling desired. We follow this group, through trials and triumph, Seeking Nirvana.


Created by:
Mike Henitiuk
Joe Schuster
Riley Leboe
Matt Margetts

Cinematography by:
Taylor Loughran

Edited by:
Leigh Powis

Narration by:
Colby James West
Jay Henitiuk

Graphic Design by:
Alex Viau

Seeking Nirvana 1.1 - Home



This is the mountain village of Whistler, 675m above sea level. Forested with old growth fir and cedar, an important black bear habitat. Criss-crossed by deep valleys making way to endless glaciers. There are few paved roads but instead many miles of intersecting logging roads and dirt trails. It is an El Nino year. The far edge of Howe Sound is famous for fierce storms.

Four men make haste into the storm in search of vast powder bowls, to which the mountain village has garnered a reputation. A difficult task, travelling uncharted terrain requires the group’s combined wits. Only persistence and a spot of luck will reward success. The adventure begins in the mountain village they call home but foreign lands beckon. A journey awaits and a feeling desired. We follow this group, through trials and triumph, seeking nirvana.

#### Seeking Nirvana | Part 2: Cabin Fever


Childhood friends embark on a journey past roads-end. Far from civilization, deep in the wilds of British Columbia, time slows as they align with their surroundings. Battling blizzards they quest towards untracked landscapes of powder glory. Through trial and triumph they tirelessly press on. The snow falls, the angst builds. Fever has set in...

Strange adventures await, Seeking Nirvana.

Created by:
Mike Henitiuk ~ @mikeheni
Joe Schuster ~ @joe_schuster
Riley Leboe ~ @rileyleboe
Matt Margetts ~ @mattmargetts

Follow us:
@seeking.nirvana 

Video Editing, Sound Design and Color Grade:
Leigh Powis

Cinematography:
Taylor Loughran

Aerial Cinematography:
Dylan Ross

Narration:
Colby James West
Jay Henitiuk

Graphic Design:
Alex Viau

Seeking Nirvana 1.2 - Cabin Fever



Childhood friends embark on a journey past road’s end. Far from civilization, deep in the wilds of British Columbia, time slows as they align with their surroundings. Battling blizzards, they quest towards untracked landscapes of powder glory. Through trial and triumph they press on. The snow falls, the angst builds. Fever has set in. Strange adventures await.

#### Seeking Nirvana | Part 3: The Lucky Strike


This band of seekers have found a treasure, a mother lode if you will... it's time to stake their claim and strike it rich! This treasure.... it’s not the conventional kind ... gold, diamonds or other such things ... this treasure is much more rare. Found only in the alpine, an land of unrelenting rock and ice, caped with soft and endless snow.

Created by:
Mike Henitiuk ~ @mikeheni
Joe Schuster ~ @joe_schuster
Riley Leboe ~ @rileyleboe
Matt Margetts ~ @mattmargetts

Follow us:
@seeking.nirvana

Fellow Traveller:
Josh Bibby

Video Editing, Sound Design and Color Grade:
Leigh Powis

Cinematography:
Taylor Loughran

Aerial Cinematography:
Dylan Ross

Narration:
Colby James West
Jay Henitiuk

Seeking Nirvana 1.3 - The Lucky Strike



This band of seekers have found a treasure, a mother lode if you will… it’s time to stake their claim and strike it rich! This treasure…. it’s not the conventional kind … gold, diamonds or other such things … this treasure is much more rare. Found only in the alpine, an land of unrelenting rock and ice, caped with soft and endless snow.

*All videos via [Seeking Nirvana](https://vimeo.com/user48494445) on Vimeo.*



3 episodes of vast powder bowls, big lines and good-time skiing. Features Canadian free skiers Mike Henitiuk, Joe Schuster, Riley Leboe, and Matt Margetts from the web series Seeking Nirvana.

Seeking Nirvana captures backcountry ski radness | MEC Blog

Seeking Nirvana captures backcountry ski radness

International Women’s Day happens every year on March 8, drawing attention to the need for gender equality while celebrating inspiring, creative and innovative women who have made political and social strides. We’d like to use the day to honour women we see getting after the everyday – living in the moment; taking advantage of our great Canadian backyard and the world abroad; leading active lifestyles and making strides in sport.

Follow them for some daily inspiration and to renew your love for Canadian winter.

#### Mirae Campbell


We found all this amazing inspiration in our [@mec](https://www.instagram.com/mec/), [@mec_nation](https://www.instagram.com/mec_nation/), [#mecnation](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/mecnation/) and [#mecambassador](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/mecambassador/) feeds – check it out and add your own adventures!



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