April Newsletter from Wild Rock Outfitters

Wild Rock Outfitters Newsletter

04

ALL THE DETAILS AT www.wildrock.net

WOMEN’S RAINWEAR STAY DRY. LOOK GREAT. EMBRACE SPRING WITH A GREAT NEW RAIN JACKET!

Lole W’s Cumulus Jacket ($139) Waterproof and windproof with great Lole style. Two zip pockets, armpit vents, an adjustable hood, and great colours as well.

Marmot PreCip Jacket ($129) Waterproof and breathable featuring Dry Touch technology for the ultimate in comfort. Zip pockets, armpit zips and a generous hood too.

MEN’S RAINWEAR CLASSIC STYLING. DRY CLOTHES. A GOOD RAIN JACKET IS A SPRING ESSENTIAL!

Marmot M’s Minimalist ($249) One of our best selling jackets. The Minimalist is a high performance jacket featuring Gore Paclite and weighs only 15 oz.

Patagonia M’s Torrentshell ($149) A great go-to rain jacket that won’t break the bank. H2No fabric takes the worst of spring weather with ease.

MERRELL PROTERRA PROTERRA SPORT - $130

PROTERRA MID - $150

In the past few seasons, we have been witness to an enormous shift in athletic footwear. Shoes for running, walking, and fitness have gotten lighter, slimmer, and more flexible. With recognition that properly designed flexible, light shoes can in fact encourage strengthening of the feet and stabilization of the joints of the lower body designers have rethought everything about how we relate to both our shoes and the world that we walk upon. Stiff, supportive shoes are slowly being replaced by shoes that help our feet develop so that they do not need such things.

All this could be said for athletic footwear. Until now, however, hiking shoes and boots, have remained big, high, stiff and heavy. Sure, if you are carrying a heavy pack there is still a place for the traditional hiking boot, but for most of us most of the time, a fresh new wind is blowing.

Introducing the Merrell Proterra. This new series from Merrell brings the new lightweight, minimalist form to hiking footwear. The new mid-cut light hiker and low cut hiking shoe both share a low heel-forefoot drop. Furthering the pursuit of a natural stride both also have enough forefoot width to allow most feet to work the way our feet worked in the days before we(the ancestral we, that is) wore shoes on a daily basis. That’s right, in the days before regular hip and knee replacements among other things. I don’t pretend to be a scientist but this just makes sense to me. photo: Matt Stetson text: Kieran Andrews

Level 6 M’s BonaVista Paddling Jacket $140 Level 6 W’s Manitou Paddling Jacket $140

Level 6 W’s SUP Short Sleeve Shirt $55

Level 6 M’s SUP Rider LS Shirt $65

FRESH PADDLING GEAR FOR SPRING 2 1

3

4

1. Sea To Summit Big River Dry Bag - From $17.99 2. Level 6 Skin Neoprene Glove - $24.99

3. Level 6 River Boot - $59.99 4. Salus Tango PFD - $99.99

SEA TO SUMMIT SLEEPING BAGS

photos: Sea to Summit text: Ryan Sutherland

T

o celebrate and mark Sea To Summits twentieth year, they've brought you the most advanced sleeping bags available – they are lighter, warmer (for their weight), easier to use and combat moisture better than any other bags yet.

Sea To Summit raised the bar when they entered the sleeping bag market last year.

Wild Rock is excited to announce we will now be an official sleeping bag dealer. Their collection of bags will represent our highest level of in-house bags which will complement our growing STS family of outdoor products wonderfully. Features found on the Traverse, such as their 3D NanoShell, combine a super durable water repellent shell with a condensation barrier to manage water vapour in an innovative new way. Combine that with Ultra-Dry water repellent (yes, water repellent!) down fills, top end bag design, third party down certificates, etc etc etc, you have quite the product line up! Even the Coats Poly Core threads they use are worth talking about!

Every bag also comes with a Pack-Store-Wash system including a compression sack, oversized mesh storage sack and a large cotton laundry sack to keep your bag on it's game for years to come. I could go on, but to really get a feel you should pop on into the shop and look and feel them for yourself!

Traverse XTII: The Traverse series bags are designed for versatility. With the ability to tackle a variety of environments, they are a great option for an early spring - late fall do-it-all bag! -11'c $579.00 (Regular)

Talus TSII: The Talus series boasts many features seen in higher priced bags and is ideal for a wide range of activities – offering comfort, warmth and moisture shedding capability. Hello loft!

-10'c $389-429.00 (Short-RegularLong)

Trek TKII: If you find yourself a bit claustrophobic in a traditional mummy shape, but still crave the benefits of a high end bag you're in luck: a classic tapered rectangular bag, that is as at home in the local back-country as it is globetrotting! -8'c $259-269.00 (Regular-Long)

Micro MCIII: Thinking you need an ultralight bag? How does 680 grams and just over 2L of volume sound?

This little bag packs a punch!

Convertible from a duvet or an open ended rectangular to a full mummy shaped bag with the pull of a couple drawcords. -2'c $439.00 (Regular)

BRAND KNOWLEDGE

live out loud everyday photos: Jess M text: Jess M

Well, most of the women reading this will know why the women of Wild Rock absolutely love Lole. First of all, it’s just for women! We love that. Secondly, Lole is a Canadian label and a Canadian business success story. Gotta love that. Some of Lole’s values are well-being, community, environmentalism, uniqueness, balance, and combining an active with an urban lifestyle. It is a brand that is for the woman who does everything, the everyday woman. Lole loves us, and we love Lole right back!

Yes, Lole is a women’s specific clothing brand, so, sorry guys! Left out on this one... With a growing market, the demographic of the “Active Woman” is a force to be reckoned with. Lole recognized this fact in 2002, when the Montreal based business first began this brand centered on women. We have had people in the store ask us if Lole makes a men’s line… our answer is NO! (Or, not yet…)

Who is the everyday woman? She is the woman of now – she is the business woman, the mother, the traveler, the student, the athlete, the sister, the adventurer, the lover, the activist, the fashionista, the teacher, the daughter, and the health nut. Lole makes their clothes for this woman, the woman who does everything!

Function meets fashion, and why not? For too long have we worn clothing that is made either for activity or street, but not both. With Lole, you can have it all – they make active wear that you would feel comfortable wearing to any occasion, and casual wear that has functional qualities. Great for all ages, their clothing line is full of fun, bright, and versatile pieces that will invigorate your wardrobe, and inspire you to activity. Check out their online blog to see inspiring stories, ideas, and recipes While always committed to active wear, Lole has more recently showcased a new line that revolves around yoga wear. Okay… We all know yoga wear has been dominated by one company in the past… needless to say, this company has done it well, with massive success and little competition. Many have tried to jump on the “yoga wagon”, and failed, thinking this is another trend to take advantage of and seeing the huge success of the aforementioned yoga giant.

Lole has joined the arena and proven there is room for more choice – they have had huge success so far, and been featured in various magazines such as Vogue, Self, and LouLou. I think it is important to recognize that yoga has been around for a long time, well before it became “trendy”, and is now viewed as a legitimate way to exercise, train, and find balance in one’s mind and body; it is a technique that is more than just a trend, but a lifestyle that many are embracing. Lole shares these ideals on balance of lifestyle and well-being, and recognizes that this is more than just another trend. It seemed a natural progression for them to involve this sport in their product mix. The yoga line has been revamped this summer with buttery and superlight fabrics, and with gorgeous colours such as peachy coral and mint green. Feel free to check out some of their amazing products on their Pinterest site: Just like their slogan, Lole will inspire you to “Live Out Loud Everyday!”

ENDURANCE ROAD 2013

WAY BETTER THAN GOLF

photos: Matt Stetson text: Jamie Elcombe “Cycling is the new golf�. Have you heard that yet?

Whether or not this is true (we all know cycling is better) there has been a change in the interest of riding road bikes recently. Are people discovering that cycling can be a great social activity (like golf), that you can wear gaudy clothing (very much like golf), or that cycling has just plain fun that will whip you into the best shape of your life. Whatever the reasons may be - we welcome you with open arms.

However, not all is perfect in the world of cycling; many are intimidated by the vision of the long, low and somewhat uncomfortable position of a traditional road bike.

(more stable), and often a frame design aimed at reducing the impact of bumps (less fatigue).

Enter the Endurance Road bike. A genre of bike that has actually existed for sometime - but with the emergence of new cyclists and the growing popularity of longer GrandFondo style rides, the endurance road bike fever has spread across the industry. What is an endurance road bike? Take a traditional road bike, but with a higher hand position (more comfortable), slight changes in geometry

Wild Rock has embraced the endurance road bike in a big way for 2013 - for riders looking to get into their first road bike, or experienced cyclists who want to ride like Fabian Cancellara - here is a look at a few gracing our sales floor this year.

While the endurance road bike may be perfect for new riders to the sport to experience road riding on a bike that will be more comfortable, they are not limited to beginners. Experienced riders and racers have embraced the fatigue reducing benefits they offer, and for riders cycling in the Kawarthas with a plethora of beautiful backroads to explore - these bikes may be the perfect balance between a light, stiff race machine that will also leave you feeling fresher and able to ride longer.

ENDURANCE ROAD 2013

TREK DOMANE 4.0 $2199

ENDURANCE ROAD 2013

SPECIALIZED SECTEUR ELITE $1299

ENDURANCE ROAD 2013

SPECIALIZED DOLCE ELITE $1329

ENDURANCE ROAD 2013

TREK DOMANE 4.3 WSD $2449

ENDURANCE ROAD 2013

SPECIALIZED ROUBAIX SL4 $5399

ENDURANCE ROAD 2013

CERVELO R3 ULTEGRA $3900

layout: David Blondel - Page Design text: Jamie Elcombe

PUNCTURE

PROOF

Nobody, and I mean nobody, likes to get a flat tire when out cycling. To some a puncture is an irritant, to others a day-spoiler. In the extreme the fear of flat tires keep people from cycling at all. While nobody is immune to flat tires there are some handy tricks that can help keep them at bay.

Spring is in the air and folks are pulling their bikes out of garages and basements all across the country.

The snow is melting, the sun is shining ...and there is a season’s worth of sand and broken glass scattered on the city streets. There are potholes the size of small dogs hidden in puddles. Each and all of the above could find you on the side of the road with either your tools or a cell phone in hand. This, my cycling friends, is the Cold FX of spring cycling. These are the things to keep an eye on while the streets clear and summer settles in for the season.

A QUICK GUIDE TO PREVENTING FLATS

1. Make sure your tires are pumped up to the pressure marked on the sidewall. This small step will only take a minute but it will make your first ride feel effortless (well, lest say “more effortless, shall we?).

More to the point this will help to avoid a “pinch flat” which happens when an under-inflated tire bottoms out on the rim when it contacts a hard bump.

2. After pumping up you tires to the prescribed pressure have a look around the tire for cracks in the rubber. If there are many small cracks or a couple of large ones it is worth considering new tires. Even fairly new bikes can show signs of tire failure if the bike has not been stored in a cool, dry environment.

If the tires show a lot of cracks it will be well worth your time and/or money to replace them. Better safe than sorry.

3. We all hit bumps from time to time but it is how we hit them that counts. By easing weight off of your seat when passing over hard edged bumps, like pot-holes or sewer grates, the bike will pivot around the middle of the bike rather than all the impact coming to the rear wheel and your butt. This little gem of advice may save you a flat and will certainly save your butt some angst.

4. Let’s face it. Until the students have gone for the summer there will be glass on the roads. Sometimes it seems as though there is heaps of the stuff. Sometimes it is almost as though cases of smuggled rum have fallen to the... ah, I digress. ...So, punctures. The easiest way to avoid punctures from glass or other small road hazards is to simply brush the tires lightly as you ride. Keep an eye on the road. If you see unavoidable glass or other sharp debris wait until you have ridden through it then little pass your (preferably gloved) hand over the front and rear tire. Keep your head up and only do this if the road is clear of traffic and obstacles. Your don’t need to press hard, just a slight brush is all that is needed. If there is a significant shard stuck in the tire you will feel it and can stop to remove it before it punctures the tube.

Now check those tires and go riding!

PUNCTURE

PROOF

THE COLD FX OF SPRING CYCLING

Nobody, and I mean nobody, likes to get a flat tire when out cycling. To some a puncture is an irritant, to others a dayspoiler. In the extreme the fear of flat tires keep people from cycling at all.

While nobody is immune to flat tires there are some handy tricks that can help keep them at bay.

Spring is in the air and folks are pulling their bikes out of garages and basements all across the country. The snow is melting, the sun is shining ...and there is a season’s worth of sand and broken glass scattered on the city streets. There are potholes the size of small dogs hidden in puddles. Each and all of the above could find you on the side of the road with either your tools or a cell phone in hand.

This, my cycling friends, is the Cold FX of spring cycling. These are the things to keep an eye on while the streets clear and summer settles in for the season.

1. Make sure your tires are pumped up to the pressure marked on the sidewall.

This small step will only take a minute but it will make your first ride feel effortless (well, lest say “more effortless, shall we?). More to the point this will help to avoid a “pinch flat” which happens when an underinflated tire bottoms out on the rim when it contacts a hard bump.

2. After pumping up you tires to the prescribed pressure have a look around the tire for cracks in the rubber.

If there are many small cracks or a couple of large ones it is worth considering new tires. Even fairly new bikes can show signs of tire failure if the bike has not been stored in a cool, dry environment. If the tires show a lot

of cracks it will be well worth your time and/or money to replace them. Better safe than sorry.

3. We all hit bumps from time to time but it is how we hit them that counts. By easing weight off of your seat when passing over hard edged bumps, like pot-holes or sewer grates, the bike will pivot around the middle of the bike rather than all the impact coming to the rear wheel and your butt. This little gem of advice may save you a flat and will certainly save your butt some angst.

4. Let’s face it. Until the students have gone for the summer there will be glass on the roads. Sometimes it seems as though there is heaps of the stuff. Sometimes it is almost as though cases of smuggled rum have fallen to the... ah, I digress. ...So, punctures. The easiest way to avoid punctures from glass or other small road hazards is to simply brush the tires lightly as you ride. Keep an eye on the road. If you see unavoidable glass or other sharp debris wait until you have ridden through it then little pass your (preferably gloved) hand over the front and rear tire. Keep your head up and only do this if the road is clear of traffic and obstacles. Your don’t need to press hard, just a slight brush is all that is needed. If there is a significant shard stuck in the tire you will feel it and can stop to remove it before it punctures the tube.

Now check those tires and go riding!

photo: Matt Stetson text: Kieran Andrews

SPRING TUNE-UP TIME

It is time to get your bike in for service!

Wild Rock can service any make and model of bicycle with professional mechanics and a fast turn around time!

Your bike will run better, last longer, and be more fun to ride with regular maintenance Wild Rock offers full tune-up packages as well as a la carte service to get you back on the road or trail!