This past weekend, thousands of cyclists took to the Sea to Sky Highway here in Vancouver to ride the third annual Whistler GranFondo. We’re talking about a 120K, mostly uphill climb. One of our writers, Ella, rose to the challenge and shared the ten things she was thinking about between moments of telling her legs to “shut up”.

10 things i was thinking during the whistler granfondo

Our internal dialogue while we’re pushing our bodies to its limits can often be quite hilarious. What are some of the crazy things you’ve caught yourself saying?

vancouver bike rave

Music, lights, dance parties and bikes, need we say more? This is becoming an annual summer event here in Vancouver and we’ll be sure not to miss it next year. Just watch this video from the 2011 bike rave and you’ll be hoarding glow sticks ‘til June.
(photo source: Steve Bosch via The Province)

pari rollers

If you thought rollerblading was out, you were wrong. Every Friday (all year round since 1994) a gang of skaters, better known as the Pari Rollers, hit the streets of Paris for a 3-hour, 30K night ride. The event has grown so big (attracting as many as 35 000 people) that the French police became involved to ensure safety for both participants and spectators. The ride starts at 10PM and is suited more towards advanced skaters (cobblestone roads = danger)!
(photo source - flickr user: rhymeorreason)

firefly run

Get your glow stick on (literally attach them to your bodies… everywhere!) and light up the night with this fun, touring 5k/10k race. This event promises to be a sight to see (you’d have to be blind to miss it) boasting live entertainment, costume contents and ‘amazing visual effects’. Chicago, San Jose, Atlanta and Houston, you’re in luck ‘cause the Firefly Run will be lighting up your cities in the next couple of months!
(photo source: The Firefly Run)

boston midnight marathon bike ride

We’re sure you’ve heard of the Boston Marathon but have you heard of the Boston Midnight Marathon Bike Ride?! Every year, while die-hard runners are fast asleep resting for what will surely be the race of their lifetime, hundreds of bikers are pedaling their hearts out and breaking in the route. As tradition stands, the mob of bikers take the last train out of the city and then make the 30-mile trek back in.

san francisco midnight mystery ride

Okay gumshoe – this one is for you! On the third Saturday of every month a meet-up location for a nighttime ride is announced on the San Francisco Midnight Mystery website. The group converges at 12:00AM and sets off, following a leader to some undisclosed mystery location. Like a well-kept secret, the website doesn’t reveal much more than this so you’ll have to give us an update if you make it to one of these rides!
(photo source: Midnight Mystery Ride)

Calling all other creatures of the night – what are your favourite not-to-be-missed night events? Ps. Be safe out there! Reflective gear is a must.

A few weeks ago, the lululemon lab hosted a 101 on bike maintenance with support from a local bike shop. Here’s a few of the things we learned when it comes to keeping our sweet ride, sweet.

tired out

you know it’s time to replace your tires when…
• The rubber looks cracked
• The treads are worn down
• There is visible damage to the tire
• You’ve gotten several flats in a short period of time

pumped up
PSI stands for Pounds per Square Inch and is a unit of measurement for pressure. When pumping up the air in your tires, most tires will indicate a range of PSI best suited for your bike. Stick to the lower end of the scale if you’re into mountain biking – a bit of a softer tire will help keep you upright on loose gravel and unpredictable terrain. If you’re planning on hitting the road, a higher PSI will encourage your tires to roll over the pavement more efficiently – ain’t no one gonna catch you now!

a well-oiled machine

 
One of the most surprising things I learned was how often I should be cleaning, degreasing and lubing my bike – turns out I’ve been neglecting her… A LOT. For the average commuter you should degrease and lube up your ride once a week (or whenever the chains start to look black and gucky).

degreaser – think of it like shampoo. Degreaser is for cleaning all the darkness and build up that occurs on your chains. Spray the degreaser over the length of the chain, pedaling through a few times to allow it to soak into the links. Wipe clean with an old rag and a bit of clean water.

lube – your lube is like your conditioner and is to be used after you degrease your bike (and once it’s completely dry). When it comes to lube a little goes a long way – just let a few drops trickle over the chain and pedal through about two times. Voila! Easy as pie.

other things every bike owner should know:

• do not lubricate your brakes. Ever.
• do not use WD40 on your chain.
• the minute you feel like you have to tug on your brakes a lot or they are making a weird sound, bring your bike into the shop immediately! This is not something you can wait on – it’s very serious!
• Get your bike tuned up once a year. Just like going to the doctor, it’s something you should just do on an annual basis.

Pedal on, people – happy riding!

The life of a professional cyclist is hardly a glamorous one – it’s physically exhausting (try roughly 80 serious races a year) and mentally exhausting (and here I thought riding the seawall on a sunny Saturday required a strategy).

In January we said “hasta la vista” to Vancity and headed to Denia, Spain to hang out with the BMC professional cycling team. Along for the ride was Santa Monica ambassador, Ted McDonald, who led the team through a daily yoga practice to complement their intensive training program. Check out this rad video to meet the BMC team and hear what they have to say about yoga for cycling.

(Ed’s note: BMC does not stand for “badass men’s cycling” although given the content of the video, I still think it should). 

There is nothing (literally nothing) that could make us want to bike to work like the prospect of looking this chic on our wheels. While we’ll leave biking in a maxi dress to the Europeans (aka the pros) our commuting capsule has got us inspired to saddle up. Looks a side, we asked University Village educator, April, to share five reasons she likes to ride her bicycle as much as Queen does.

5 reasons to commute on your bike

1. it’s a beautiful day in the neighbourhood
Goodbye gridlocked traffic, annoying radio commercials and the occasional onset of road rage. Trade in your drive for a bike ride and you just might see what Mr. Rogers was talking about. On my bike, I’m much more connected to my community. My senses are all heightened during my commutes and I’m always making mental lists of the restaurants and shops I must visit on my next outing. There’s truly no better way to discover a new coffee shop than by getting a caffeinated whiff when I whiz by.

2. get your bike to do the heavy lifting
There’s no doubt about it, carrying your stuff sucks (aside from the impromptu arm workout). Whether it’s your work stuff, gym gear or groceries, carrying the load by hand isn’t fun. Schlep no more – from cute bike baskets to commuter lunch boxes to bike bags, there’s tons of crafty ways to let your bike carry the weight. Heck, there’s even a way to get that six-pack home in style. *Disclaimer: please don’t drink and ride.

3. it’s good for the environment
Being a Seattleite (not to be confused with satellite), I like to think of my city as environmentally conscious with bike friendliness at the top of the list. More and more cities are implementing bikes lanes and bike sharing programs making biking a breeze. Think of all the carbon emissions we could save when calories are our fuel of choice.

4. it’s good for your wallet
Gas, car insurance, transit passes, parking. Need I say more?

5. log a little extra sweat for the day
Riding my bike to commute means no gym membership for this girl. What could be better than getting your sweat on while getting to work? I spend 70 minutes riding round trip and my workout is done for the day. I always feel so energized when I arrive at my destination and I never regret my choice to bike.

Why do you love to ride?

The minute we mixed all-star athletes and badass bikes we were bound to develop a schoolgirl crush (sweat is the way to our heart, after all).

We are beyond stoked to support the Specialized-lululemon cycling team so we jumped at the first chance to spend a little one-on-one time with them. We headed down to Carlsbad, California to hang out with the ladies at their first-ever training camp. They brought the hard work, laughter and inspiring stories - we brought the yoga (special shout out to local ambassadors, Julie Rader and Katie Brauer, who led daily yoga practices for the team).

Here’s a glimpse of our time with the gals in Cali - we’re confident you’ll be inspired (and fall in love with them too).

Can’t get enough? We’ll be following the team on and off their bikes in the upcoming months. Until then... ride on!

They say things don’t always translate well into English and in our opinion ‘Gran Fondo’ is one of those things. The Italian phrase loosely translates to “big race” but we can’t help but think that “big” doesn’t quite do the enormity of the challenge any justice.

gearing down after the gran fondo whistler

This past weekend marked the 2^nd annual RBC GranFondo Whistler Race. Cyclists took to their bikes and rode from downtown Vancouver to Whistler Village. We caught up with three lululemon employees to see what they had to say about the 120km uphill ride.

jaci – director of people resources

how would you rate yourself – training wheels or tour de france?
Queen of the mountains! I love to bike and have been cycling for eight years.

what other activity best complimented your training?
I run a few times a week, teach two spin classes a week and practice yoga one or two times per week.  Between all that, I love to get up the Grouse Grind or do some laps in the pool when I can.

what was your ultimate goal?
I wanted to beat all of the lululemon ‘dudes’ that were also riding – goal achieved!

what’s your go to fuel for long distance?
During the Fondo I had a protein/energy bar, a pack of organic sport chews, and ate half of a banana.

120km of you, your bike and the road - what were you thinking?
It’s funny, a lot of people asked how I enjoyed the scenery on the Sea to Sky highway. To be honest, all I saw during my four hour race were bums and pavement!  I was mostly thinking about how many more kilometers were left to ride and how many more hills I had to climb.

we have to ask, what do you do when you have to, you know, go?
In a race, I just hold it! But there are usually stations along the way to do your business.

shirley- ecommerce project specialist

how would you rate yourself - training wheels or tour de france?
I’m a first time rider. I bought my road bike just over 6 weeks ago.

how did you train for the gran fondo?
Every Thursday, my training group did a ride that was about 55km with small hills along the way for practice. I also used spin and yoga to cross-train and found that rather helpful. The longest ride I did pre-race was 70km.

what was your ultimate goal?
To survive my first Gran Fondo and enjoy the scenic ride to that finish line in Whistler.

120km of you, your bike and the road. what were you thinking?
Did I wear enough sunscreen to avoid a wicked bike kit tan line?

when the going gets tough…
Take a deep breath, keep your pedals moving and tell yourself out loud “YES YOU CAN!” I must’ve said it 20 times.

hindsight is a beautiful thing. any words of wisdom for future riders?
I’m in good shape so I was able to complete the race but I’d recommend starting training earlier than I did. Also, buy all your supplies (tubes, gels, energy snacks, etc.) days before the event or your favourite retailer may be sold out.

ben - community groove trainer

how would you rate yourself - training wheels or tour de france?
Coworkers have been teasing me about my shaved legs and spandex for awhile now. I ride as much as possible and this was my second time doing the Gran Fondo.

What was your ultimate goal?
I wanted to ride faster than last year and to have a blast in the process.

What other activities complimented your training?
Yoga – I aimed to get in one power class per week.   For your training to take effect, you need to focus on rest / recovery.  Yoga helped by providing “active recovery” and alleviated the tightness in my legs and back.

when the going gets tough…
Remember you’re not alone.  I ended up riding in a group of 12 random strangers who quickly bonded together. The collectiveness got me through the tough parts of the ride.

is it necessary to drop a lot of dough on a good bike?
If you’re a poser, then yes.  Otherwise, no. You can get a great bike either new or used (check out Craigslist) and not pay too much for it. If you’re buying your first bike, fit is super important so it’s wise to actually buy one from a store.  They’ll also be able to talk you through other needs you’ll have like shoes, gloves etc.

chamois – oui ou non?
Is this a trick question?  Chamois is essential.  The extra layer of padding is going to help prevent a ton of discomfort.

While Gran Fondos are traditionally popular in Europe, lately we’ve seen them popping up in North America too. Any cool races coming up this fall that we should know about?

want more?

• Feeling inspired? Check out the November Gran Fondo in Miami
• Register now for the 2012 Gran Fondo Whistler
• Something for your noggin – safety meets style

Runners who are devoted to crosstraining include one or two low-impact options in their training program every week. They use crosstraining as part of a well-balanced running program to maintain muscle groups, add variety and prevent injury.

Uncommitted crosstraining relationships develop due to overuse injuries. In this situation a runner ignores minor aches, forgoes their better judgment and follows their running desires until an injury forces them to stop. Once the damage has been done, these runners cross train to maintain their fitness until they can return back to full-time running and repeat the cycle.

A long-term crosstraining relationship requires compromises and commitment to improve your running. Play the field with these low-impact running alternatives until you find one that’s right for you.

recumbent bike

This is a more comfortable option compared to the upright bike and still works your hamstrings, quadriceps and glutes.

upright bike

Biking and spin classes are great ways to improve your cardio and strength.

elliptical

This machine is my personal favourite because you get a total cardiovascular workout, it's low-impact and you almost feel like you're running.

Other great options are pool running and rowing. What’s your favourite way to cross train?

Cross training gear:

• Ta Ta Tamer
• Stand Strong Tank
• Run: Speed Short

Dear Light Up Cycling Line,

I heart you big time. Here are the top 6 reasons why (that’s right, I couldn’t stop at 5):

reflective taping

1. It may be obvious, but the reflective taping on the back is awesome. On my white jersey, you can’t even see the taping until light hits it. The shorts have it right down the back, which is exactly where you need it the most for maximum visibility. This is such a great safety feature, especially in the summer, when it’s too hot to do a long ride in the middle of the day. You still need to feel like you’re wearing next to nothing in the warm evenings, but you have the reflectivity you need.

circle mesh

2. The Circle Mesh Back on the Jersey. The ENTIRE back (and a bit of the front) is circle mesh. It’s anti-stink, moisture wicking, and basically air-conditions the whole shirt. This is pretty rad because it makes this the most lightweight jersey I own, which also makes it my favourite.

back pockets

3. The Back Pockets. This jersey has two deep pockets in the back that fit EVERYTHING. I’m talking pump, spare tubes, sandwich (PB&J), gels, phone for emergencies, and there’s still room for more. The secret is the super stretchy circle mesh which can accommodate almost anything you’d want to put in there. The shorts have a secure back pocket, which is perfect for my ID and anything that I need to keep safe.

power luxtreme

4. Power Luxtreme. The shorts, and the front of the jersey are made of inherently wicking, lightweight power luxtreme. This is so key for hot summer days, as it keeps me drier than other materials, and feels amazing against my skin.

angled sleeves

5. Angled Sleeves. These are perhaps the sexiest sleeves I’ve seen on a bike jersey. They are shorter and angled, so that when I’m leaned forward on my road bike, I avoid the dreaded Farmer’s tan. Trivial, I know, but come on, it’s like the icing on the technical features cake.

Britt in the Light Up Jersey, avoiding Farmer's tan!

padding (aka the 'chamois')

6. The Chamois. It is so hard to find a cycling short with a chamois (pronounced "sham-ee") that doesn’t look like a diaper. This one is perfect because it’s discreet, but still makes my training rides super comfortable! Now I can chill post ride at my fave coffee shop or local pub and not feel self conscious.

Carol on her biking journey.

On the day I biked from Kelowna to Penticton along the Kettle Valley Railway, everything seemed in perfect harmony. My senses were acute, and each blade of grass and pebble shone with energy. Every twist and turn of the trail promised new scenery as I gazed out over my handlebars. I ducked, in and out of the hot sun into shadowy caves, sinking into sandy stretches and bumping over several rocky kilometers. It was rough and challenging. At times lonely, and slightly stressful since I wasn’t exactly sure where I was going – I only had rough maps I’d picked up at the tourist center the day before and helpful fingers pointing me this way and that. But overall, I felt at peace. And when I finally arrived, seven hours and many kilometers later, I was amazed at the fact that I’d done it! I felt free and alive, couched in a plume of energy from the trees and the moss and the wind and the dust that still clung to my moist skin. I had arrived, at last, and also realized that I had been at my destination the entire time.

The view along the Kettle Valley Railway.

The trip taught me that only after we’ve felt life’s knocks, choked on its dust, and been exhausted by unforeseen twists of the path, that we can see that we are in fact both journeying and experiencing the destination simultaneously. We can search our whole lives for happiness, for purpose, for peace, and never find it. We set out a path for ourselves and forget to wander the trail, to act on impulse, and to listen to our instincts and let them guide us. We’re so afraid of not knowing the way, of trying to make things happen, that we forget that we know our path, we’ve always known, and life is happening right now.

What path are you on right now?

When I started working at lululemon in August 2008, I decided to challenge myself by setting the goal to cycle a century ride (100 miles) in 2009. Thankfully, my fellow Carlsbad Forum store key leader Rachelle Morton was interested in training with me. A two-time Ironwoman, Rachelle had never ridden a century ride outside of an IM race, and set a goal to compete in a race a month in 2009.

So, we committed and signed up for the Lighthouse Century Ride flat 100 on September 26, 2009 in San Luis Obispo County, California. We knew the views from the Lighthouse Century Ride would be gorgeous.

View of San Simeon from the saddle

First thing first - I sold my hybrid bike and purchased a road bike that could withstand thousands of miles of training on flat roads and rolling and steep hills alike, and of course, make me fast!

I knew the second I got in the saddle cycling would become my passion. This bike has gotten me through a successful triathalon and a century ride this year - not to mention thousands of miles of training.

Rachelle became the "big sister I never had" and walked me through all things advanced cycling, from equipment, training, and cross-training, to recovery, hydration, and nutrition - you name it, she taught me! I became someone to help keep her honest in training, push her up the long climbs, and the one to introduce her to the best recovery drink - coconut water.

Her husband Todd, to whom I also owe much thanks, became my mechanic, another advanced rider to provide me equipment and cycling 201, chauffeur, and wine-tasting buddy as a reward after the race.

And now, for the ride:

There were four rides going off at the same time, and we accidently hopped on the metric century (62 mile) route. Very thankfully - due to my trusty math and route slip comparing skills - we realized we were only 10 miles behind, and our intended route met up with the metric route at the first rest stop. It was here we discovered our favorite riding fuel is Nutella and chunky peanut butter on anything! We loaded up, as we knew we had to add on 5 miles past the rest stop, to bring us back up to 100 miles.

We were SO thankful for coffee at the mile 55 turnaround rest stop. We'd been facing headwinds for 20 miles that stalled us to 7mph at one point, and I'm convinced our core body temperature must have dropped a degree or two. Lesson learned - buy arm and leg sleeves!

Elephant seals at mile 59.

At mile 82, Rachelle was dropping me on the hills (I usually can take most guys on a climb) so she feared I was on my way to "bonking." It was then she yelled, "Take your Espresso Love GU NOW!"

I abided, and after the final rest stop for our final 10 miles, we were passing nearly every rider in our foreground.

My Garmin proves to the world we rode 100.1 miles in 6 hours 16 minutes. While we weren't doing the century for time, we rode our fastest pace for a long ride yet.

We did it!

For more pictures from our ride, check out my Flickr photo set.

The following day, Rachelle and I wore our 2008 lululemon holiday goal shirts to work. It was awesome to share with guests our achievement and inspire them to set goals that "tickle their tummy," as our store manager Laura Murphy puts it.

Rachelle, Todd and I had such an awesome experience, we're all doing the Solvang Prelude on November 7th.

Now it's time to create a 2010 health goal; thinking about running a marathon or racing a 70.3 (half Ironman).

What are your health goals?

When I started wearing lululemon clothes, I thought of them as mostly running and yoga apparel. Since beginning working here last year - low and behold - I have discovered some gems for cycling wear.

The run line is an ideal match for spinners and cyclers. The moisture-wicking, flat-seemed garments often include either Silverescent (anti-stink/anti-static) or quick dry and zip or back pockets.

I put our clothes to the test.

The Carlsbad store hosted a private yoga and shopping event with the San Diego Velo Bellas cycling group.

I rode with them before yoga and showed off the Run: Activa Vest and Flow Y Bra, explaining that I was testing the garments for cycling efficiency. While not wind resistant, the back zipper pocket fits my camera and cell phone, and the back pocket of the Spin Babe shorts fits chapstick and my lens cloth. I could have fit Gu, gum and my car key if I wanted to, but it fit in my bike's seat bag.

Jackie, my riding buddy, exclaimed that of course the vest worked - she didn't realize it wasn't a "real" cycling vest.

After the ride, we hosted yoga for the Bellas and invited them to a private shopping event in exchange for design feedback.

After a few months of testing our products in various saddles, here are the winners (please note, not all are currently available in stores):

- Spin Babe Short - have worn spinning and cycling. Lightly padded in the bum.
- Tri Babe Short - see above, plus more moisture wicking
- Run: Sprint Singlet - wore this in a triathlon
- Run: Activa Vest - wore this on a 2 hr ride
- Run: Power Crop - spin class
- Persist Jacket - to/fro bike rides and races
- Hot Yoga Bra - triathlon
- Flow Y Bra - spinning and cycling
- Brisk Run Arm Warmers - made for cold-weather running - and ideal as cycling sleeves.

That being said, lululemon is not best in the world at making cycling gear - yet. The more feedback you give us via our blog, Facebook, twitter, online, and at the store level, the more the designers will hear it and implement changes.

What else have you worn spinning or cycling and loved?