At Critical Cycles, we’re passionate about fixed-gear bikes. Accordingly, we strive to educate our customers as much as possible about everything fixie-related. One common misconception about fixie bikes is that they’re the same as track bikes. While track bikes are also technically fixed-gear and offer many of the same riding benefits as a standard fixie, there are some key differences. For starters, track bikes are designed for racing on a velodrome, or bike track, while fixies are optimized for regular recreational and commuter bike use. Though both track bikes and fixies operate fixed, our fixies have a flip-flop hub with a freewheel, so riders can decide whether they want to ride fixed or single-speed. There are a number of structural differences in these two types of bikes that correspond to the intended use of each.
Engineering
Track bikes are also engineered slightly differently in order to make them more aerodynamic and more efficient at hard sprinting. The fork blades are circular, rather than oval-shaped, which makes them more rigid against the heavy side loads that biking out-of-the-saddle puts on the fork blades in a race. The more upright angles of track bikes’ frames increase the maneuverability while maintaining stiffness. This stiffness means that track bikes are less capable than fixies of handling hazards like bumps, which are more often found on roads rather than tracks.
Tires
Track bikes have the tightest possible tire clearance, so your choice of tires on this bike is limited to the narrowest types available, whereas fixies can accommodate a much broader tire size. Track bikes are also not designed to be used outside of the controlled arena of a velodrome and, as such, can’t have the quick release wheels or fenders that fixies can. This can translate into trouble if you get a flat tire. It’s much more difficult to fix a flat if you can’t remove the wheel. Rough weather conditions are also a cause for concern, since fenders protect a bike’s rider from backsplash.
What to Ride
While you can technically ride a track bike on the road, it’s not what they were designed for. If you are debating between track bikes and fixie bikes, it’s important to know that a regular fixie is much safer for commuters and recreational cyclists. Track bikes are better left to professionals. If you’ve made up your mind about a fixed-gear, check out our fixies, available with both Pursit handlebars as well as Pista handlebars.
Did you know biking to work has increased 60% in the past decade? Don't believe us? Just read the report posted by USA TODAY back in 2014. This means that roughly 786,000 people are using there bikes to commute to and from work each day! By commuting via bicycle, riders are saving money on gas and cutting back on the stress that comes with waiting in rush hour traffic. To be honest, we think it's great! What better way to clear your head in the morning and decompress after the work day then with a bike ride?
With the staggering increase of bike commuters it is essential to know which type of bicycle fits your commute best. This is where Critical Cycles is here to help with our Fixie vs Hybrid commuter comparison.
A Fixie, or "Fixed Gear", bicycle is a great way to get around and get a great work out at the same time. The fixed gear means that you don't ever stop peddling. However, our Fixies, like our Harper Single-Speed / Fixie model, come with a Flip-Flop Hub that easily allows you to change to Single-Speed, which allows for coasting with out peddling, based off your riding preference. The key thing to consider before purchasing a Fixie for your daily commute is what type of terrain and distance you will be covering on the way to work. If you have, say, a San Francisco hills type of commute you may be getting a good work out but you won't be able to make it to work without breaking a pretty intense sweat. However, if your commute consist of slight inclines and flat terrain you will have no problem getting back and forth.
You can view our selection of Fixed-Gear / Single-Speed bicycles HERE
Hybrid bikes on the other hand, although offered in single-speed, usually are accompanied with additional gears for you to transition to while dealing with more taxing terrain. Our Beaumont 7-Speed Diamond City Bike for example is accompanied with seven gears for you to easily adjust according to the types of inclines you will be traversing on your way to work. This makes any hill an easy task, while keeping you fresh for the work day. Not only does this make inclines an easy task, but it also helps commuters that may find themselves riding 5+ miles a day able to easily tackle the distance by being able to down shift to an easy and enjoyable ride when needed. Unlike our Fixied-Gear / Single-Speed models that often provide the rider with a challenge when traversing steep terrain, our Hybrid / City Bikes work with the rider by allowing more gears that lead to an easier ride to and from work.
You can view our selection of Hybrid / City Bikes bicycles HERE
When picking the perfect commuter bike be sure to factor in your experience level and the type of ground you will be covering. If you are a novice looking to enjoy the ride you may want to lean towards our Hybrids. If you have been riding for awhile and are looking for a challenge on the way to work, look no further then our Fixies. But ultimately the choice is up to you!
Still have questions about what bike fits your commute best? Feel free to leave a comment and we'll make sure we can find the right bike for you!
]]>Building a fixed gear bike is a relatively straightforward process, due to the simplicity of the fixed gear design. You can build a fixie out of basic bike parts or convert another type of bike into a fixed gear bike fairly easily. Below are the basic materials you need for building a fixed gear bike.
Fixed Gear Components
Besides the frame, there are several obvious components you need to build a fixed gear bike. You need a seat, handlebars, a crank with a chainwheel, a chain, a set of pedals, wheels, tires, and brakes. Some fixed gear bike riders don’t bother with brakes since they can control the speed of the rear wheel by pedaling. Although the bike can be slowed down this way, we recommend a back-up brake on the front tire for added safety.
The component that really makes a fixie what it is is the rear hub. Fixed gear bikes are characterized by a rear hub that admits a single cog which acts as a single gear. This cog is attached to the hub on the rear wheel and then to the chain and pedals. Some fixed gear riders opt for a flip-flop hub, so they can switch to a freewheel setting if they want to coast.
Putting It All Together
Building a fixed gear bike with all of the materials listed above should be fairly self-explanatory. Take special care that your chain is attached in a straight line and is at a good tension. It is crucial for the functioning of a fixed gear bike to have a proper tension, as there are no derailleurs or tensioning systems to regulate the tension of the chain when riding. You can also order a ready-to-assemble fixed gear bike from Critical Cycles, which comes with all of the necessary tools and components at a low price. Get started building a fixed gear bike with parts from Critical Cycles!
We always recommend taking your bike to a professional mechanic to ensure your safety.
While e-bikes have been around for years, their rise to popularity is fairly recent. You may know someone who owns an electric bike, or maybe you’re seen them around town. Either way, you’ve probably wondered how much it costs to own one of your own.
Now, you’re here. We’re going to finally answer that question and others that you may have asked after seeing an e-bike on the streets. From what exactly an e-bike is to the price range you can expect when buying one, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about these zippy electric bikes and why they might be perfect for you.
Let’s go!
It’s an extremely common misconception that an e-bike’s motor has the same amount of power as an electric scooter or moped. This is a major reason why people are skeptical about e-bikes. Some think the motor takes away from the exercise you get when riding the bike, but it’s actually there to assist you, not fully take over.
You’ll find that most electric bikes have multiple settings for how much power is used. This way, you can turn it down or shut it off completely when you want to have a more traditional bicycle ride, or you can crank it up when you’re going up a steep hill or getting tired of pedaling.
Whenever and wherever you decide to use the powerful motor, it’s good to know it’s there to help you when you need a little push.
Additionally, there are multiple styles of electric bikes, so they don’t all look the same. In fact, it’s likely you’ve seen an e-bike before without even realizing it. Whichever type you decide to go with, your e-bike will be versatile and get you to where you where you’re going.
There are so many reasons to go electric – for your health, for the planet, for convenience, just for fun, and more.
When making your decision to purchase an e-bike, consider where you live and how you intend to use your bike. For example, someone who commutes to work or school in a big city will get the most use out of a city electric bike, and someone who wants an e-bike that can go off-road might opt for a fat tire e-bike. No matter what you plan to use your e-bike for, know that there is one for you!
Here are some common reasons for taking the plunge and picking up an electric bike.
Biking to work or school can be physically demanding, especially if your commute is several miles each way.
With an electric bike, you can alleviate some of the physical work your commute requires. Use the dual hub motor to get over big hills to save your energy for the day. If you’re dressing nice, using the e-bike’s motor to propel you can keep it that way.
Using an e-bike to get to class or work beats sitting in traffic or unreliable bus systems, and you’ll still look fresh when you get to where you’re going. Sounds like a win-win to us!
Arguably the most impactful reason to go electric, e-bikes are environmentally friendly.
Electric bikes do not release any harmful emissions, which allows them to combat climate change 10 to 30 times more efficiently than electric cars.
You don’t need to ditch your gas car completely in order to make a difference. You can still make a huge impact by simply replacing small trips in the car with bike rides under the sun.
If you’re going somewhere nearby and the weather is good, why drive? E-bikes will make for a smooth, eco-friendly, and enjoyable trip.
Going electric is one of the best things you can do for the environment. Reducing our carbon footprint is the first step towards a brighter future, and it can all start with something as simple and fun as an electric bike.
For differently abled riders, e-bikes are capable of making longer rides much more pleasant. With long-lasting throttle and pedal assistance and the ability to go many miles per charge, people who are physically unable to ride for long periods of time are able to pedal with lower impact on their joints for longer.
Go wherever the road takes you knowing that your body will be well taken care of.
There are several different styles of e-bike that you can choose from based on where you live and what you do.
Looking for a bike to use on your daily commute in a big city? The city electric bike will make it a breeze.
Near the coast and want to take a more relaxing ride? The electric beach cruiser offers maximum comfort.
Live in a smaller town with lots of wilderness and bumpy roads? The electric fat tire bike is the best for off-roading and handling uneven terrain.
With electric bikes, there really is something for everyone.
For traditional and big-name brands, e-bikes will cost anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000, depending on the model and style of e-bike.
If you’re feeling a little shocked at the price range, don’t be. There are traditional bikes that are more expensive than some high-end e-bikes. It’s just how much they’re going for these days.
Luckily, you have options, and Retrospec offers high quality electric bikes of all types at lower prices than most other retailers.
Another huge advantage e-bikes offer is that they can pay for themselves. What do we mean? Well, let’s say you still own a car but use an e-bike as your primary mode of transportation for any trip under 5 miles.
Those small trips to the coffee shop or grocery store add up in terms of miles. The less you drive your car, the longer you’ll have it. By completely cutting out short trips, you can increase your car’s lifespan by years.
Probably the most noticeable difference in your life that comes with using an e-bike is the amount you spend on gas. Gas prices have been through the roof lately, and whether or not you’d classify your car as a gas-guzzler, you’re probably spending more on gas than you’d like to. Instead, save the $5 per gallon that you’d pay at the pump and use an e-bike.
The money you’ll save will quickly catch up to the upfront cost of purchasing an e-bike. Additionally, if you want to help the environment and save money at the same time, storing your car during the warm months is another way you can go green.
For a lot of people, not having a car isn’t practical, especially if you live somewhere with all four seasons, but in those warm summer and late spring months, you can thrive with an e-bike.
Although the upfront cost of a new e-bike may be more than a regular bike, it’s well worth it to buy an electric bike, especially if you plan on using it regularly instead of your car, which will save you money and reduce your carbon footprint.
Take it from us; a good e-bike will go a long way. Reduce your carbon footprint and go green. We’ll see you outside!
Sources:
E-Bike 1000 MPG Project | Climate Action
Should I Buy an Electric Bicycle? Here's Everything You Need to Know to Get Started! | Treehugger
ENERGY Americans are paying the most for gas in seven years | CNBC
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Last fall, Anders took our 1970s Klunker-inspired bike, Sully, through the red and golden hues of Minnesota’s fall and up to Chicago’s waterfront. The results were nothing short of stunning. Sully looked at home through winding paths framed by a canopy of fiery leaves.
Anders’ work is as warm and inviting as it is adventurous; like a friend unexpectedly made while traveling alone. Hailing from Denmark, Anders spent the last few years in the Midwest by way of Illinois, having attended Illinois Institute of Technology. Instead of pursuing a career alongside his Masters in finance, Anders took the road less traveled and pursued his passion, photography.
Anders’ work reads like a nostalgic daydream; a refreshing departure from the types of outdoor photography typically seen on Instagram. The juxtaposition between the concept of “wanderlust” and condensing such awesome landscapes into a palm-sized screen isn’t lost in Anders’ creative approach, as well as his openly conflicted relationship with social media.
Interestingly, the outdoor community’s influence and reach on social media appears to reflect a larger societal push toward appreciating our public lands as sanctuaries for all. However, the attempt to filter vast landscapes into 1:1 images seems flippant, dismissive, and counter to these vistas that deserve more than capricious digital metrics. Anders’ work counters this pervasive lens through genuine, thoughtful scenes, portraits, and frozen moments in time. To use a term so excessively used in this industry, Anders work is notably authentic.
We chatted with Anders about his unique experience on between continents, his relationship with social media, his life goals, and the lessons photography has taught him.
R: Describe yourself, who you are, and what you do
AB: This one's not easy! Actually, I've been struggling with this exact question for myself for quite a while now. Let's start with the basics and I'll elaborate as we go.
I'm 23, I'm fully Danish and grew up in Denmark and The Netherlands. Ultimately I ended up moving to Chicago to study and play college basketball. After graduating I moved to Minneapolis for a few years. I'm back in Denmark now and struggling a little with how much I miss life in America. I love sports, the outdoors, my best friend Smoky (my Aussie) and just about anything creative.
Photography is a big part of my life and something I'd love to do for the rest of [it]. I consider myself a photographer at heart and really want to be making photographs of everything I come across in life. That's not always easy because sometimes you need to make a little money too, and so it's wonderful to have the opportunity to be able to photograph lovely people getting married, engaged, or shoot for fantastic companies, like Retrospec, who value and care for the people they work with and offer the opportunity to make money in the process.
The answer to what I do is going to be in two parts. I want the answer to be that I tell stories. That my photography and my life is about capturing a story and conveying something with it.
I do lots of things - I work as a photographer, I go for long walks with my dog, I spend a lot of time thinking about life, and on top of it all, I work odd jobs like [in] retail and cafes here and there to support it financially.
R: Describe your journey from Europe to the U.S. and how that has defined and/or inspired you creatively.
AB: I grew up in Europe and always traveled a lot with my family and my friends so I've been super fortunate to see a lot of the world at a really young age. When I was 17, I moved to Chicago to play D3 college basketball at the Illinois Institute of Technology. This was probably the best experience of my life and really helped me grow as a person. I made the best friends one could ask for, who supported me and pushed me to pursue my creativity and my photography.
My time in the US was the first time I felt free to explore that [creative] side of myself, but what really defined and inspired me creatively were the long road trips from the Midwest to the East and West coasts. Spending time driving across America, camping on public lands, and living carefree with nothing to do but appreciate and document my surroundings is really the thing I fell for in all of this.
Since then, I've always been attached to my camera and making photographs. My inspiration comes from just about everything I see and do in life. What I'm drawn to and what I find aesthetically pleasing, funny, or even thought-provoking is what determines the photographs I make, and so I'd say everything I've experienced in my life has gone into defining my photographic style and it will likely continue to.
R: Do you feel that photography has taught you any important life lessons?
AB: Presence of mind and observing my surroundings with complete care and naiveté. Intuitively following your instincts and emotions is such a simple thing because it inherently yields the best photographs. Carrying that over to life can be difficult and scary. I haven't mastered it but I always keep it in mind.
Acceptance is another big one. A recent revelation and something I picked up from a podcast [featuring] my favorite photographer, Joel Meyerowitz. No direct quotes here, but the basic premise (or at least how I interpreted it), was that every time we take a photograph, we say "yes" to something, and we let that moment live on. In life, I often catch myself living in resistance to the changes happening around me, trying to grasp onto the world I know, instead of accepting what is happening and letting it live on. I take thousands of photographs a year and "accept" those moments into my life, and the moment they're gone I learn from it, move on, and start looking for the next. I want to live my life like that.
Diligence has got to be the last one. Photography [has] ups and downs in all forms. It's really taught me to just stay the course and keep working on my craft.
"Everything yields to diligence."
R: How would you describe your relationship with outdoor photography? Do you feel photography enhances or restricts your “in-the-moment” time spent outdoors?
AB: I'd describe it as a love/hate relationship. I love the outdoors. Sometimes I forget my camera or batteries are dead and I [become] so focused on that "mistake" that I forget to enjoy the moment. Other times, I have my camera with me and I consciously choose to just not use it. Some moments are better to just be lived fully and the memories are enough. I always try to focus on experience over photographs. Mostly because the photos won't be any good if no one is enjoying themselves. Generally, I'm with my friends or family in the outdoors and it's hard to resist photographing people we love in [the] places we love. Honestly, a big thing that has helped all this is shooting film. Making the photograph, moving on, and not spending time looking at a screen to see if you got it just right.
R: We’d argue that the best memories are made while adventuring outside. Is there a certain outdoor experience that stands out as the greatest memory to you?
AB: Summer of 2017, right after graduating college, I took a trip with my dog Smoky (who was just a puppy then) and my girlfriend at the time. We drove from Chicago to the Northwest, down the coast to Southern California, and back up the coast and then back to Minneapolis, living out of my car and camping the entire Summer. That trip was an absolute blast but also one of the most intense growing experiences I've ever had. We spent so much time in the outdoors and felt so connected to each other and the world around us. A great reminder of what living really should be.
R: How do you strike a balance between the demands of Instagram and social media vs. living in the moment?
AB: In short, I don't. I'm really terrible at it. Sometimes I'm on Instagram two hours a day and loving every second. Lately, I can't even get myself to open the app and scroll to see what's happening. I have had short stretches in the past where I've found the balance but I can't say I've come to a place where I can keep that balance. One day, when Instagram is dead and gone, I'll figure it out.
R: What are your favorite types of projects to work on? Experiences, products, portraits, etc. and why?
AB: All of it. I want to shoot sports, concerts, cars, bikes, weddings, street, landscapes. If I had to narrow down, I'd say my favorite thing to capture is people doing what they love. Whether that's cooking, building, playing soccer, driving their Prius. I think there's something so special and such magical energy that is put out into the world when people are doing what they're passionate about. The expressions on their faces, the way their hands move quickly but carefully, the intensity and focus in their eyes. That's probably the closes thing to a "favorite" for me.
R: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
AB: California. Hands down. Why? Yosemite, Big Sur, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, LA, the coast, the mountains, the desert, the valley, the hills, I could go on but I think I've made my point. Also, the people. I'd love to live in New York City someday too but probably for a limited period of time. California is where I want to call "home" for the rest of my life.
R: Describe your perfect weekend
AB: Morning coffee in a mountain town while the sun is rising, going for a walk to enjoy the light and fresh morning air, then a day of shooting something rad. Maybe an outdoor wedding in the fall or a Retrospec bike on some back roads. Then a nice cozy dinner with friends or family in the evening. The next day would have to be for hiking, kayaking, swimming and just being outdoors with good people and my dog. It could be a hot, sunny day, or a day where the snow dumps on us. Either way, I just like extreme weather. Sunday night at home watching football and grilling is the perfect end to the weekend.
R: How do you take your coffee?
AB: With a splash of cream. I realized recently that I quite enjoy black coffee, but the color of black coffee with a splash of cream in it has got to be one of my absolute favorite things. So I'm sticking with cream.
Phew - that was a lot of typing. Time to go outside!
Keep up with Anders and his explorations on Instagram.
To be honest, it wasn’t all that much, but each time I always ended up at one of two places; the creek or the ditch behind the house. I’m not sure if it was because I needed time to think, or if watching the water skippers skim the top of the water calmed me and reminded me of the bigger picture. Fast forward 25 years and I find myself doing the same thing: grabbing my paddleboard and getting on the river where I can find a quiet place to sit and reflect.
For a long time, I thought it was just me and my thinking place. However, after J. Nichols' book, Blue Mind, I learned there was research behind what happens to our brain when we are close to water. Water is more than just a form of recreation and hydration, it alters our brain. Whether you are kiteboarding, sitting by a ditch with a creek, or paddleboarding on a lake, our brains become more relaxed and more connected to the water around us.
Four Ways Water Changes Us
1. Water Calms You
Water has a calming effect on your nervous system. For centuries people have gone near water to think, help clear their heads, and wrestle with hard topics. There’s a reason calming music has ocean waves or rain in the background-these things take our fight or flight reflex down and restore us to neutral.
2. Water Challenges You.
Water-resistance is both a challenging and safe way to exercise. If you’re a runner and have ever tried swimming, you’ll find a challenge in breathing that you don’t have while running. For people with limitations or injuries, water can be a great way to maintain muscles and keep your cardiovascular system healthy.
Whether it’s surfing, swimming, or sailing, water can be a challenge. Even though many elements of water are repetitive (ocean waves, slight trickles in a stream), it’s also everchanging. Weathering storms and catching waves are ways that water can challenge our limits and help us to grow.
2. Water Reduces Stress.
Being in a calmer state of mind for more days out of the year could significantly reduce stress in your life, and what does less stress lead to? Fewer overall health problems, happier relationships, and a more balanced “you” in your day-to-day.
2. Water Better Connects Us with Nature
We protect what we love. Standing above the water on a paddleboard, you’ll see fish, seaweed, and waterbirds. Walking down a creek you might see small fish or raccoons. By spending more time in nature we begin to see the animals and habitats those little bits of trash effect. We begin to understand the positive and negative changes in our waterways, and we are more likely to want to preserve them.
We are all hustling and overcoming daily struggles and stresses. There’s rent, kids’ soccer, and college course finals. We don’t want to wade through those things treating them as just the “boring” parts of life, because they’re real. Life is made up of more than just “the grind,” it is made up of the moments where we feel alive and connected. Creating a happier, healthier life can be done by simply sitting by a creek.
10 Years in the Making
On Friday September 6th, we celebrated our 10th anniversary at Casa de Calidad in West Hollywood surrounded by friends and family. We cannot begin to put into words how grateful we are for the support we've received over the years. A decade of Retrospec would not have been possible without your support.
While this was a private event, we’re looking into creating more activations and #RetrospecIRL opportunities next year.
Check out some highlights from the event.
Special thanks to Calidad, Tacos Zapata, Sunwink, Diddy Riese, and Misty Mtn.
From premier sporting events to incredible food and everything in between, Louisville has it. This includes an incredible cycling community and access to equally incredible bike rides. Whether it is the streets, or a beautiful park system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted – the same designer of New York’s Central Park and Chicago’s Riverside Park - there is a bike ride for anyone. Some of these routes are sections of the Louisville Loop, a near 100-mile shared-use path system around the Louisville area! Try some of them out and you will be sure to catch the beauty of Louisville from a fresh perspective.
Note: You can access park information by clicking the corresponding hyperlinks. The entire Louisville bike map is available here, as well as further below.
Biking in downtown Louisville is much more pleasant than other downtowns. The addition of dedicated bike lanes alongside sharrows make downtown Louisville a considerably safe cycling location. As for route selection, any combination that gets you to Waterfront Park will be perfect. Waterfront park sits at the very north of Louisville on the Ohio River. The paths are wide and allow for comfortable cruising. Often best for first-time visitors, you can see a variety of sculptures, a Lincoln Memorial, playgrounds and the views of the Ohio River and Louisville’s skyline. Going east, it meets with the Big Four Bridge.
Big Four Bridge
Previously a railroad track, this bridge was converted to a multi-use bridge in 2013. With a decent climb to reach the bridge itself, this route works for nearly everyone and provides a unique experience. I have seen it crowded at all times of the day, so expect some foot traffic and ride vigilantly.
Heavily wooded and lightly trafficked roads make this park perfect for cycling. There is an overlook at the top of the park, but take note that it is a serious climb up. There are multi-use trails, but they are not intended for cycling, so stick to the roads here.
With a total of 409 acres, this park is huge. As far as road cycling, there are miles of roads with mostly light climbs and descents throughout. However, I believe the best feature here is the mountain bike trail system. With about 12 miles of trails that connect into Seneca Park as well, there is a lot to explore. The trail is overall pretty flowy with some berms, small obstacles, and tech throughout – making it a small challenge for beginners and easy ride for experts. This trail system does not have a set direction and is multi-use, so again, ride vigilantly.
Waverly Park
Located just southwest of Iroquois Park, Waverly Park has a well-manicured trail system that’s known for being fast. Around 7 miles, the trails lack technical intensity, but keep a nice flow, with steady climbs followed by quick descents throughout. With over 600 feet of elevation change, be sure to bring your cardio.
Dave Armstrong Extreme Park
Just a bit south of Waterfront Park and a couple blocks east of Louisville Slugger Field is a 40,000 square foot extreme park. There are bowls, ramps, rails, boxes, and even a wooden half-pipe, making this place a unique experience. It’s a great place to learn dropping in and out of bowls and practice getting some air. While the park attracts mostly skateboarders and BMX riders, if you’re comfortable on a mountain bike, you can have a lot of fun here.
Race Loops
A personal addition to my Louisville biking experience, I found there are enough dedicated bike lanes that I can do time trials. In this, I am stopped only by traffic signals, as the bike lanes provide freedom from most car interventions.. 3rd Street, 2nd Street, West/East Oak Street, and East Breckinridge Street offer a lot of possibilities. Before you consider going fast, take necessary safety precautions, and sample the route to ensure it is safe.
Safety
Wear a helmet whenever you’re riding. Be sure to follow the rules of the road and rules specific to your location. If the trails are muddy, stay off – it is best for your safety and the condition of the trails. You can learn about Louisville biking regulations here.
I have the urge to do all the outside things and today seems like the perfect day to borrow my husband’s mountain bike and give a new sport a whirl. I’ve never biked with my dogs before so I opt to leave them at home for my inaugural ride to avoid, you know, potentially running them over. I’m cruising on the beginner trail I picked out for my big day and my confidence levels are soaring…until an off-putting dude comes riding the other way and…Luckily, no foul play occurred and I live to ride another day.
We’ve all been there, right? A perfect solo day in the outdoors thrown off by unforeseen encounters, busted gear, or even just a fearful state of mind. As adventurers, we have some sweet examples to look to for how to survive alone in the outdoors. Major TV networks have been running survival TV shows for years. There are books and guides and articles that make great resources to learn how to thermo-regulate, load up a pack properly, build a fire from nothing but twigs and fairy dust, you name it. Most of the examples we have in the solo adventure world don’t have to think through one key, paradigm shifting reality: what it means to be alone outside as a female.
I’m a firm believer that the best memories are made outside. I’m also a firm believer that great strides in mental, emotional, and even spiritual health can be made alone in the outdoors. So, let's start by being blatantly honest: it’s different as a woman. It just is. If you’re wired like me, you’re not backing down from the challenge either, so we should be as informed and intentional as we can be, right?
In terms of safety, preparation is the number one way to ensure more trail days in the future. When in doubt, prep it out. Whether you’re backpacking, road tripping, biking, or even putting in some day-hike miles, having a plan for all the obstacles that can (and probably will) pop up on your journey can silence a big percentage of the fear that may find its way into your thoughts. We want you to feel empowered to strike out on your own. We also want you to come back! The following are tips I’ve gathered from Outdoor Leadership School, and years of soloing outside.
1. Channel your inner "Dora the Explorer": Carry a map.
I don’t mean to sound dated here, but there will always be value in a good old fashioned map.
Like, printed. On paper.
Maps can be printed off the internet or often purchased at your local gear shop or even in some gas stations. If you plan on carrying your phone with you and want to save some trees, you can also pre-download maps of specific areas or even take screenshots of all the information you’ll need. That way, if you trek into an area with poor cell service, you can still find your way home.
2. Have a point person
Always give someone the details of your trip before heading out. Include the name of the trail you plan to use, how far you plan to go (this can be a range, i.e. “5-7 miles”), and when they can plan to hear from you. If you’re headed out of cell range or are unaware of the cell capabilities in the area you plan to travel in, provide your point person with the contacts for local Search and Rescue. Preparing this information beforehand takes the pressure off your point person, and can potentially be life-saving. Provide a projected return time for your adventure and allow for a bit of flexibility here in case you decide to rest, push an extra mile, or simply enjoy the view for a little longer than expected.
Here’s an example script: “I should be back by 4PM, but if you don’t hear from me by 6PM, please call for help.” Most smartphones also allow you to share location with a friend for a dictated amount of time. Keep in mind, this option will only serve you if you know for sure you will remain in an area with cell service.
3. Pack smart.
Layers, nutrition and first aid, fam. If you’re headed into the extreme desert or the high peaks, we’ve got more to talk about. Most of us, however, can count on three layers. Start with the get-up that fits the projected weather for your day, and then be prepared to scale up or down from there. (Sorry, PNW explorers. You should probably commit to that rain jacket as well.) In terms of snacks, by all means, freestyle. I’ve seen the healthiest of snacks on the trail and I’ve seen women throw cold pizza in a bag and call it nutrition (okay fine, it was me). Bring what fuels you and makes you feel awesome, but consider bringing an extra serving in case of fatigue. Throw adequate water and a first aid kit in—fingers crossed you don’t need it— and you’re good to go!
4. Confidence.
Hey, if you’re here hanging out on the Retrospec blog, you’ve probably got some time invested in the outdoors. One trick for upping your solo confidence is to mentally copy and paste your physical abilities from a group setting to a solo one. If you’ve ever hiked five miles with other people around, congratulations, you are capable of a five-mile solo! That’s not to say pushing yourself in a solo setting is not allowed, but if you’re stuck in a mindset that’s telling you you’re not capable of the journey, go ahead and pull out your mental résumé of all the treks you’ve completed before. You’ve got this! If you need a tangible pep talk, bring along a favorite book, a note from a loved one, or write down a favorite quote to keep in your pocket. A good poem read in the outdoors is guaranteed to make you feel like a modern-day John Muir and inspire you to keep going.
5. Call me, maybe?
A few final thoughts on technology, if you plan to carry it with you. If you are counting on your phone for communication during your solo, I’d highly recommend carrying a portable battery pack. There’s nothing like grabbing that money shot for Instagram, hashtag winning, only to realize you’ve tanked your phone battery along the way. More battery life, more sweet pics, more battery leftover to call for help if you need it. Lastly, if at any point you opt for headphones for some musical inspiration or to catch that latest podcast, using only one headphone at a time can help you stay aware of your surroundings.
6. Speaking of surroundings…
This wouldn’t be a discussion on solo female adventuring if I didn’t say what we’re all thinking: what do we do about strangers on the trail? I’ve met a lot of people on the trail and 99% of them have been wonderful, given me tips for the upcoming miles, and wished me well. Shout out to those people, but we’re not talking about them here. When it comes to strange folk in the wilderness, I apply the same rules as I apply to bears: I don’t want them anywhere near me, but I still recognize that they do exist and mindfully prepare for an encounter. I recently upgraded my keychain-sized pepper spray to a full size can of bear spray and I now carry it when I’m soloing outdoors. Best. Decision. Ever. I put my bear spray to the test (find a wide-open space, and move backwards while spraying to avoid contact) and it really does shoot the full twenty feet advertised, as opposed to the five feet my tiny pepper spray offered. The peace of mind that twenty feet offers me is invaluable. That said, always trust your gut. If you ever feel uncomfortable, under-prepared, or unsafe in any way, there is no shame in heading home. Part of empowerment is the idea that as women, we get to call our own shots. That includes calling it quits if need be. Safety is the utmost importance while soloing. Never be afraid to make the right call for you.
7. Is it still soloing if I bring my dog?
Yes. Highly recommend soloing with a doggo. Dogs make great conversation starters with other trail users, they listen without judgement, they provide comfort, and often provide an acute awareness of surrounding wildlife or possible threats. Just make sure to be aware of leash requirements and pack appropriate water and snacks for your furry friends. A good rule of thumb is to mirror your own needs with your dog. For example, if you’re thirsty, they’re probably thirsty, too.
8. Soloing is not the holy grail of outdoor experiences.
There is a known level of elitism in the outdoor world. If you hike, someone else backpacks. If you backpack, someone else backpacks with ultra-light gear. If you’ve bagged 10 peaks, somebody else has bagged 15. You get the idea.
While soloing outdoors provides an incredible potential for clarity of thought and healing, it's not to be considered any greater an accomplishment than going with friends. If you’re not sure where you stand you can always experiment. Try hiking with a friend but staggering your start time by thirty minutes and see how you feel. Look for trails that are close to populated areas and are within cell range. Considering soloing is a wonderful first step, but not a necessary feat for enjoying, exploring, and empowering others to do the same. Your global sisterhood will back you up either way!
I hope these tips give you insight and confidence for your next solo adventure. I hope you welcome the sound of your thoughts quieting and echoes of birds and mountain streams swell . I hope you conclude your solo with a firm understanding of who you are and what you’re capable of, and bring that confidence back to your everyday life. I hope you never back down from whatever it is that sets you free.
Saturday may be for the boys, but adventure is for the girls.
Shelby Holte is a photographer, writer, and outdoor enthusiast based in Nevada. For more of her work, follow her on Instagram on both her personal and photography accounts.
Beth and her family live in a small community on Puget Sound. Thanks to Instagram, the Pacific Northwest she and her family call home is having a moment; and for good reason. Mountains, hidden lakes, sprawling forests, foggy beaches, and the dark blue hues of the Pacific make everywhere you turn an opportunity for a moody, dynamic shot. The similar deep, vibrant colors in Beth’s work evoke a dreamlike essence, each moment suspended in a childlike memory.
Beth, a former university librarian turned stay-at-home-mom, calls her photography a “much needed creative outlet.” Her work captures an uncomplicated, approachable, authentic joy. It feels real, because it is real.
“The concept of ‘place’ really inspires me with my photography,” Beth says, “I think place plays such an important role in our development and sense of self.” Easton’s photography reflects on the places she and her family visit and how her sons interact with those environments. “My favorite photos usually show the scale of how tiny they [her sons] are against the landscape,” she notes.
Photography, in large part, teaches us to slow down and observe. Beth’s work and experiences with photography capture small, but significant flashes in life. “Photography has taught me to notice the small moments,” she says. “Moments when the light reflects on my kid's hair and gives a glint in their beautiful eyes; when a trail reveals a perfect natural framing of trees; when the sky or the sea are the most unusual and pretty tones of blue. You have to slow down to notice these things, and photography has helped me do that.”
Beth sees her work as more than just an anthology of travels. Instead, she is acutely aware of how her kids will reflect back on these experiences and their childhoods with the guide of her photos. “I hope that when they look at photos of their childhood, they will see that even though the places we frequent are beautiful, they are by far the most beautiful things in the world to me,” she reflects. “Raising them is by far my greatest adventure.”
We got to know Beth a little better. From her love of adventure and travel, her favorite memories outside, even down to how she takes her coffee.
R: How does your personal relationship with the outdoors define how you explore and experience nature as a family? How do you instill a love for adventure and exercise in your children?
BE: I grew up on large pieces of property in the hills and canyons of southern California. I had a lot of freedom to roam and explore. My kids don't get that childhood experience in our suburban neighborhood on Puget Sound, so we have ventured to other types of locations that allow them to have a wider berth in nature. It's really important to me that they have the time to feel free without the worry of cars and people. I think all children are naturally in tune with nature and have a wonderful curiosity about it. However, sometimes harder things for them, like hiking, biking, paddleboarding, or camping can be a challenge to get kids involved because it takes effort and planning on everyone's part. Our pretty trips aren't often "easy," but they are worth it for the time we get to spend with each other outside. I think children learn from example, so if they see that as a family we value being out in nature, they will grow into adults that value being out there. If they see their father and me hiking, biking, examining plants or rocks and taking interest in them, they will also learn to value those things and take interest in them.
R: We’d argue that the best memories are made while adventuring outside. Is there a certain outdoor experience that stands out as the greatest memory to you?
BE: I feel a bit teary thinking about all of the wonderful memories we have made while adventuring outside. I think the one that first pops to mind is when my youngest, then 3 years old, completed his longest hike in the North Cascades without being carried (~5 miles.) He was SO extremely proud of himself, and for the rest of the weekend spoke about his accomplishment with the cutest and biggest smile. That was really a turning point for him and how he approaches our adventures. It gave him the confidence he never had before which he is carrying over as he grows and tries new things. Thinking about how proud he was of himself makes my mama heart swell.
R: Do you have a favorite place to take your bikes as a family? Have you taken your paddleboards out to any cool spots?
BE: Taking bikes camping is by far my kids' favorite. They love going around all the loops without much worry of cars or even other bicyclists. It’s a great way for them to meet other kids their age to play with at the campgrounds. We have only had the paddleboards a short while, and the wind in our area has been heavier than usual. We also don't experience true summer weather here in our part of the Pacific Northwest until after the Fourth of July, so we have only taken them out a handful of times to local lakes. We are most excited to take them to our neighborhood beach on Puget Sound for our weekly summer evening picnics (for years, every summer, we meet all of our neighborhood friends with kids at the beach once a week for an evening picnic - its great community building, and the kids and adults come home tired, full, and happy. Our new Retrospec paddleboards are going to add to everyone's fun).
R: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
BE: I love where we live now in Washington. I wouldn't ever want to live away from this region, but I do wish we lived on a large piece of property with a view of the Olympic Mountains or Mount Rainier. San Juan Island holds a special place in my heart - it almost feels like "home" when we pull into port and I hope to experience living there someday. The only place away from the Pacific Ocean or Sound I think I could live would be the Bend, OR area.
R: Describe your perfect weekend
BE: My perfect weekend would be at a little lake house in the mountains, or small beach house on the Oregon or Washington coast. I'd drink coffee in the early morning on the deck by myself. I would play with the kids and our dog in the water all day, and in the evening spend time around a campfire reading stories with them and my husband (with a good glass of wine and a cheese plate at my side.)
R: How do you take your coffee?
BE: Hot with a splash of milk (as a mom, I usually have to settle for lukewarm with a splash of milk.)
R: Favorite pizza in your city?
BE: We are Pagliacci fans here at home. We love getting a pie and taking it to the beach for dinner, or ordering in for movie night when it's rainy. We love Doryland Pizza in Pacific City, OR the most though, and we will drive out of our way to get a pie from them to eat on the beach. I also have to say, there used to be this pizza place in Bend, OR that made a pizza with different cheeses, tons of artichokes, and honey drizzled on top. It was to-die-for!!!! If any pizzeria owners are reading this, please recreate this pizza for me!!
Beth Easton lives in Washington with her husband, two sons, and adorable dog, Pocket. Follow her on Instagram @seasalt.and.evergreens.
Koda
Two-wheel style, with four-wheel support. Koda’s sturdy steel frame and dual braking system is built to withstand every learning curve.
Weekender-Nano
Smaller adventurers aren't looking for a cap on adventure. Nano’s 8’ length, wider body, and rounded hull makes it easy to control and requires less exertion to paddle.
Ely Khakshouri launched Retrospec in 2009 while a Sophomore at USC. Fixies had gained extensive popularity but were extremely expensive, despite their gritty, handmade appearance. In the early 2000s, many fixies were built by cobbling together a litany of salvaged, brightly colored parts to create a custom, unique style. It was Ely’s goal to recreate that look, feel, and style in an affordable way; namely on a college kid’s budget. Ely sourced manufacturers and materials on his own, while still attending school full time.
Retrospec was conceived with the purpose of creating products that ignite a passion for fresh air, and nurture a lung burning, chest pounding euphoria Ely experienced outdoors as a child alongside his grandfather. Retrospec continues to fuel consumers’ love for nature with affordable, quality gear for all seasons. Over the last decade, Retrospec has grown exponentially to serve consumers of all ages, ignite their passion for fresh air, and fuel their love of nature.
Omega’s arresting, contemporary design is commemorative of 10 years worth of Retrospec’s thoughtful creations for adventuring in every season. The bike’s striking lines pay homage 20th-century Bauhaus design and embody the simplicity of single-speed riding. All of that is captured in Omega’s sleek, intentional, modern form.
Retrospec's early roots in DTLA's urban fixed-gear cycling scene led to a decade worth of challenging the status quo, innovative designs, and an astute understanding of the ever-changing cycling landscape.
“In 2009, our Alpha fixed-gear/single-speed bike was Retrospec’s first introduction to the streets of Los Angeles,” Ely Khakshouri, founder and CEO noted, “the gritty minimalism and European influence of our fixed-gear pioneer established Retrospec’s now decade-long status of quality, inventive designs, and commitment to a ‘no-barrier’ entry to nature.”
Designer Justin Jackman focused on clean lines inspired by 20th century Bauhaus trends when composing Omega. An elevated, modern color palette ties Retrospec’s history into its future, aligned with a recent visual rebrand also led by Jackman. “The design is intended to be simple, fun, and functional,” Jackman said, “Omega is aligned with our brand identity. Instead of playing with decals, our products play with color and color theory.” Jackman added that Retrospec’s newest brand identity toys with similar concepts regarding color, traditional Swiss design trends, and approachability.
Omega is built to last using high-tensile strength steel for another decade of cycling. Omega includes Retrospec’s signature flip-flop hub (to ride fixed or single-speed), comfortable riser handlebars, powerful dual brakes, and exclusively designed components including VP freestyle pedals, KMC ⅛” chain, 25.4mm riser handlebars, front and rear Promax brakes, 30mm Deep V rims, and more.
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She and her husband (and new adorable pup Turnip) made the move to Portland, Maine last fall. Sunlit scenes, vintage textiles, worldly travels, and to-die-for fare are just a few things Paige reveals of her tiny family and their recent transition to New England life.
Paige is a lifestyle blogger, reader, dreamer, aesthete, and barista. Creativity flows through everything she does. Her Instagram showcases a lifestyle rooted in coastal light, slow mornings, and thoughtful design. Paige defines herself as a morning person, and rightly so - especially with the early starts of she and her husband. A typical Sunday morning consists of Ryan, a chef by trade, cooking soft scrambled eggs with roasted mushrooms and tomatoes topped with arugula atop a thick slice of fresh sourdough. “All about that savory morning spread.” Paige says, “I usually make the coffee while he cooks - it’s a perfect balance.”
We got to know Paige’s life a little more. From her draw to the New England climate and way of life, to her future travels, to her uncovering of new bike-ready places nearby in Portland.
R: Your style is both nostalgic and refreshing. Where do you draw inspiration from?
PA: Thank you! Gosh, inspiration is sort of everywhere these days. I feel like thrift stores and vintage shopping does draw a lot of nostalgic inspiration for me - I really love simple classic 70’s pieces. I’d say both the modern and contemporary art movements inspire me to bring a lot of color use into my wardrobe.
R: Any big plans for 2019?
PA: My husband, Ryan, and I are getting a puppy this Spring / Summer!* Also [we have a trip planned] to Dublin & London in the fall for the first time. I can't wait.
*update, very cute puppy Turnip has joined the mix!
R: We'd argue that the best memories are made while adventuring outside. Is there a certain outdoor experience that stands out as the greatest memory to you?
PA: Absolutely. A few years ago, Ryan and I actually spent the summer living and working in Yosemite National Park. all those months hiking, biking, swimming in the river...it's all just a giant beautiful memory that I'll carry with me forever.
R: Where or when do you feel most creative?
PA: My wardrobe has always been my greatest form of self-expression. I think for a while, I didn't know that [fact about myself] and wasn't confident in my choices, thinking I didn't "know" enough. Whether I'm styling, thrifting, setting a still life, re-decorating our apartment, sometimes it seems small while explaining it, but honestly, it feels like an extension of myself. I feel proud when I've created a tiny corner in a room that stands out, seeing beauty in something simple.
R: Where would you recommend someone bike to in your neighborhood? Any specific coffee shops, stores, restaurants, or paths you'd suggest?
PA: Since we just moved here last September, I'm looking forward to finding more of my favorite destinations in Portland. Definitely down the Eastern Promenade route, which is right beside the water in the gorgeous neighborhood of Munjoy Hill as well as a given, Tandem Coffee Roasters for a pastry and iced coffee.
R: What is your favorite way to get out and experience the outdoors?
PA: Hiking and biking. I love the payoff of both of these activities. They're so interactive and allow me to stay in the moment, absorbing everything around me.
R: Describe your perfect weekend
PA: Wake up early, make breakfast, grab a coffee on a walk, spend the day by the water with a picnic and a book, take a lil' nap, meet up with friends in the evening. The ultimate goal is spending over half the day outside and smelling like the ocean!
R: How do you strike a balance between daily life and Instagram? Many users and influencers feel pressured by social media and choose to take breaks or even leave it entirely. With that in mind, what do you do to combat burnout?
PA: Yeah, it's sort of exhausting, but it's also not my full time gig. For me, it's my hobby! So, I'll never pretend to be having a good day if I'm not, or like something I don't. I don't mind taking four days off of not engaging if there's nothing going on. I think it's silly to force feed that everyone's got it together all the time, because we know it's not true! It's just not worth feeling exhausted over.
R: Favorite road trip song?
PA: How can I even answer this easily!!!??? 'Thinking of a Place' by The War on Drugs
For your next Sunday morning
Kwaku dresses with intention and lives his life through the lens of quality design. His co-founded company, BrownMill, an eco-friendly high-fashion brand based out of New Jersey, clearly embodies that same conscientious, intentional, and classic style.
Kwaku’s 9-5 is more like 24/7. Outside of managing BrownMill, he is a current senior at Rutgers Business School studying Finance with a minor in Entrepreneurship. To top it all off, after graduation he’ll be working in the Financial Technology sector on Wall Street while maintaining his position at his co-founded brand.
Color us impressed. Get to know more about this insanely talented, endlessly creative Ghanian bred, American raised Beaumont riding entrepreneur.
R: You have a classic, edgy, but contemporary style. What first got you started in fashion?
KA: My mom actually got me started in fashion. She is an extremely fashionable lady and is known around our community for her kente cloth collection. Growing up in a small village in Ghana she always had to work with what she had fashion-wise. She is the Queen of making “something out of nothing” and it reflects on her fashion sense. She taught herself how to sew at an early age so she can constantly repurpose clothes she grew out of.
R: We’d argue that the best memories are made while adventuring outside. Is there a certain outdoor experience that stands out as the greatest memory to you?
KA: One of my greatest memories of traveling outside was a bike ride I took through the streets of Old Montreal in Canada. The route was scenic, the air was fresh, and the people were super friendly.
R: We see that BrownMill incorporates waste reduction and sustainability into their fashion. Since working for them, have you changed any habits when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint? What would you recommend to someone who is looking to decrease their own but doesn’t know where to begin?
KA: Being a part of an environmentally focused has definitely made me more conscious of my carbon footprint. The biggest change I made to my lifestyle was purchasing a Retrospec bike so I didn't have to rely on a car as much. For someone looking to decrease, I [would suggest]: Mind their shopping habits (overconsumption leads to waste) If possible, bike or walk instead of driving Reusable water bottles!
R: Where would you recommend someone bike to in your neighborhood? Any specific coffee shops, stores, restaurants, or bike paths you’d suggest?
KA: Start off on Livingston Campus at Rutgers University, bike all the way to Johnson Park on Busch Campus, take the Bike Route to College Ave.
R: Many people are backing away from Instagram citing burnout, anxiety, or just generally tired of feeling the need to compare themselves to others on the app. Do you feel the need to separate yourself from social media? What do you do to combat burnout?
KA: Working out, going for a bike ride, or just reading a good book are ways I combat burnout.
R: What’s one of your greatest accomplishments so far this year?
KA: My greatest accomplishment from 2019 was opening the BrownMill headquarter/production center in Livingston New Jersey. This is a company I have been a part of since 2012 so this was a great milestone for me.
R: How do you take your coffee?
KA: Not much of a coffee drinker. I prefer green tea.
R: Best pizza in your city?
KA: Krispy Pizza on the Rutger’s College Ave campus
Follow Kwaku and BrownMill on Instagram for more style, inspiration, and more.
Combat hilly streets, flat neighborhoods, and tight one-ways with this top-notch city bike. Plus...it's super stylish.
Beaumont sports front and rear alloy brakes, a Shimano 7-speed drivetrain, and RevoShift grip shifters for safety, precision, and total control. Includes fenders, rack, and bell.
A marketer and content creator by trade, Tarah’s distinct style is undeniably Californian. She elegantly balances an awareness of social media’s capricious demands with a genuine embrace of slowness and nature. Her morning routine begins with that same level of slowness found during soft sunrise or evening paddle on a smooth lake. Creativity is nourished by allowing ourselves to slow down, a simple request that feels more like a luxury, nowadays. Slowly sipping on black coffee, Tarah begins her mornings with intention.
“Typically in the morning, [I have] a cup of coffee,” (Canyon Coffee’s Limu Kosa Ethiopian is her go-to), “before my day has been infiltrated with media.” Tarah is able to fuel her creativity bug with prolonged periods of time spent in nature or traveling, a clear and consistent theme seen in the content she creates.
“In essence,” she says, “I strive to have inner stability and ‘peace of mind’ at all times— with myself and others. People in my life have told me that I am highly receptive, self-assured, creative, and empathetic.”
We wanted to get to know Tarah a little more. From her effortless Californian style and obvious appreciation and connection with nature, her goals, advice, and of course, where she’s off to next on her Beaumont.
R: You have such an approachable, but elevated style. Where do you draw inspiration from?
TK: Thank you! I love California style in that it can be fairly beachy and laid back at (almost) all times of the year, but I think I am most heavily inspired by 70s fashion. I have a few pairs of high-waisted sailor jeans on rotation, a stack of soft tees, fluttery vintage blouses, and I typically walk out the door in a pair of leather booties or greek slides. I thrift most of my clothing, but when I do feel like treating myself, I try to buy only from small or local brands who have a meaningful and sustainable story behind their company and clothing. A few brands that first come to mind are LACAUSA, DOEN, and Christy Dawn.
R: Go-to weeknight dinner recipe?
TK: Baked salmon (my favorite recipe is from this Simple Fare Fall/Winter cookbook), a medley of roasted vegetables, and some type of grain or starch, like purple potatoes, or a slice of freshly baked sourdough bread with butter.
R: Do you have any big goals this year?
TK: I always try to set goals for myself, but lately, I have been in the mindset of being content with where I am at, right now. I can easily fall into the mindset of wanting to do better, make more, do more— but I have realized that this frame of mind all the time can be very constricting and often leaves me feeling drained and discouraged. My daily “goal,” I would say, is to go to bed at night feeling like I made forward movements in my day toward who I aim to become. Whether those were big leaps or tiny steps, it’s still forward and that’s all that matters.
R: How do you typically like to spend time on your bike? Are there any great coffee shops, restaurants, stores, etc. in your neighborhood you like to bike to?
TK: Unfortunately, I don’t live within biking distance to my favorite coffee spots, but I do enjoy bringing my bike to downtown Orange to cruise at golden hour, grab a smoothie, or pick citrus and forage around the cute neighborhoods for wildflowers.
R: Describe your perfect weekend.
TK: Waking to the light of the sun, making my morning pour over, reading or writing a bit, going on a long hike or doing yoga, hitting a few thrift stores around town, and ending the night in the kitchen making a delicious dinner with my man and a glass of red wine.
R: We’d argue that the best memories are made while adventuring outside. Is there a certain outdoor experience that stands out as the greatest memory to you?
TK: My trips to National Parks definitely tend to stick closest with me when I think about outdoor adventures. Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Joshua Tree are among some of my favorites. There was a camping trip that I went on in Yosemite a few years back that is still so vivid in my mind because of how breathtaking the views were. I will never forget how clear the night sky was and the dome of a million stars above. I also went to Yellowstone National Park with my family last September, where we had the chance to swim in a naturally-fed hot spring. It was a surreal trip and I look forward to the day that I get to return.
R: Recently, many Instagram users and influencers have taken periodic breaks if not have left the app entirely. Social media has a ton of benefits, but it can also be very stressful for some. Have you experienced burnout from social media? If so, what do you do to combat it? How do you balance social media with your everyday life?
TK: My relationship with Instagram has evolved quite a bit over the years. I have made wonderful connections, shot exciting projects, and traveled to amazing places because of it. However, I have come to realize that Instagram is a breeding ground for comparison, and that is something that I have had to work on over time. Instagram is simply a highlight reel. Everyone has good and bad days, and no one has it all figured out. Only when I internalized this truth was it possible for me to let go and live free from the burden of comparison and be more present in my own unique and beautiful life. What has also worked for me is taking periodic breaks from social media— to be present, re-center my priorities, and gain perspective on what truly matters.
R: Sometimes enjoying and experiencing nature is made out to feel inaccessible. What advice would you have for someone who wants to experience the outdoors but doesn't know where to begin?
TK: I think the beauty of nature is that it is everywhere around us, even if you don’t think it is. Even in major cities, there are natural phenomena waiting to be noticed— the trees arching over the streets, blossoms peeking through the sidewalk cracks, fresh morning air— it is all just waiting to be adorned by those who take the time to pay attention. You don’t have to set out to the open country to experience the beauty of nature and the outdoors. Something as simple as a walk outside can awaken the senses to how beautiful just being outside can truly be.
For more of Tarah, follow her on Instagram.
For the explorer in you
Mico is an ambitious entrepreneur, artist, and business owner living in Columbus, Ohio. As a Native Islander from the Philippines, a devotion to his heritage inspires his drive for photography and multiple business ventures. Mico has been on our radar for a while with his vintage white Critical fixie and his moody, stunning photos. Get to know about his day to day, his creative outlets, and what he just can't live without.
R: Describe yourself, who you are, and what you do
MC: My name is Mico Cordero. I'm a Native Islander from the Philippines. I'm a creative director for startup brands taking them from concept to execution, and execution to monetization. I love riding my longboard, my penny board, and my white Critical fixie.
R: You have such a distinct aesthetic and photography style, where do you draw your inspiration from?
MC: Heavy question... but it’s a mix of traveling a lot and creating the photos [to look] as real as it can be.
R: Where are the best places (neighborhoods, shops, restaurants, etc.) to bike to or around in your city?
MC: I ride my bike both to both the businesses that we own in Columbus, Hai Poke (an island inspired street food restaurant) and our organic juice bar. I like to ride it in the morning when I wake up to clear my mind before I start my day at the shop.
R: What does your typical weekend look like?
MC: Wild... Super Wild.. and of course riding as much as I can before the midwest winter comes out.
R: We’d argue that the best memories are made while adventuring outside. Is there a certain outdoor experience that stands out as the greatest memory to you?
MC: First time I've ever owned a bike as a kid. I ramped by bike off this ledge thinking I was a power ranger…[it] didn't go so well. [I] ended at the hospital and got my chin stitched up. Looking back, it was one of the most memorable experiences I've had in my life, it never stopped me from riding my whole life - yay!
R: What is something people would be surprised to learn about Columbus, Ohio?
MC: First and foremost, I enjoy being an advocate for Columbus and its growing community. Not being from Columbus, I have really enjoyed the ability to connect locally and to foster the city's best on a one-on-one level. I intentionally work hard to achieve the best and biggest impact by marketing the new and growing Columbus experience.
R: Do you prefer staycations or vacations, and why?
MC: Vacation for sure. [A] trip to the islands, get a quick surf in and come back refreshed and ready to work.
R: How do you take your coffee?
MC: Iced coffee, little milk, and a dash of simple syrup.
R: What are 3 things you can't live without?
MC: 1. My backpack/gear bag
2. My camera
3. White rice
Shoot Mico a follow on Instagram to see more of his day-to-day, grab some style tips, and maybe plan your own visit to Columbus to visit one of Mico's shops!
Beat the midwestern winter blues with your own speedy white fixie.
Kevin Biskaborn is an avid outdoorsman and wildlife and outdoor photographer/videographer from Ontario, Canada. His work captures the beauty of untouched nature throughout Southern Ontario and around the world. Learn more about his passion for the outdoors, tips for getting out on the water during colder months, and paddleboarding with his wife alongside dolphins in Florida.
R: Describe yourself, who you are, and what you do
KB: I'm Kevin and I live in Barrie, Ontario, Canada with my wife, Nikki. We both enjoy exploring outdoors and being on the water with either our inflatable stand up paddle boards (iSUPs) or, when it's windy our Laser dinghy sailboats. My wife has recently completed her extensive training as a family doctor. I am a freelance digital media producer (web, gfx, photo & video: www.kevinbiskaborn.com) with particular interests in wildlife photography and videography; interests that have certainly been amplified by the opportunities paddling on our SUPs have provided! We are fortunate to have a pair of Weekender iSUPs from Ten Toes that we travel with as often as we can.
R: Your photographs capture incredibly vivid moments in nature. What first led you into the world of wildlife photography? Do you have a favorite place you’ve photographed in?
KB: I've always had a passion for being outdoors and enjoyed being able to watch animals in their natural habitats. Being able to share those moments through photography and videography has been equally enjoyable and rewarding. As for the original inspiration for photography, I would have to credit my experiences at provincial parks in Ontario, especially Killbear Provincial Park. I was fortunate to visit this park from a young age and appreciate being outdoors and in nature. My favorite place to photograph wildlife is the Ojibway Prairie Complex in Windsor, Ontario. For a relatively small natural area surrounded by urban development, it offers unrivaled immersion into a wilderness that is just minutes from the city. The complex is home to an incredible wealth of plants and animals, including some that are rare and endangered.
R: What first prompted you to get into paddleboarding? Do you consider yourself more of a leisurely paddleboarder or do you go out in search of a workout?
KB: After some trips to Florida and other vacation spots where my wife and I had to stand on shore watching (particular in Florida where dolphins would swim with other paddlers), we wanted a way to get out on the water ourselves. Renting a boat can be expensive and you're always limited by operational hours and limits set out by the rental companies. Having our own inflatable stand up paddleboards (iSUPS) from Ten Toes has been awesome and the perfect solution. They travel well (rolled up in a duffle-sized bag) and are extremely durable and stable, even in large waves. The best and most important feature of these boards is that they get you out on the water when and where you want. I would say my wife and I are in between leisure and workout mode when paddling - we like to explore and see as much as possible, but at an enjoyable pace.
R: We’d argue that the best memories are made while adventuring outside. Is there a certain outdoor experience that stands out as the greatest memory to you?
KB: We've paddled in some incredible places with breathtaking scenery, but it's hard to beat paddling our SUPs in Florida with wild dolphins and manatees swimming beside and below. On one occasion, my wife and I were paddling with dolphins in the area and they came right up behind our boards with their heads out of the water to check us out. They even followed my paddle as I moved it back and forth through the water. That was an awesome experience and one we'll never forget.
R: We spend a lot of time trying to reduce waste, decrease our carbon footprint, and improve our relationship with the environment at Ten Toes [Retrospec]. As someone who spends so much time outdoors, have you seen the impacts of climate change in real time? How would you like to see companies and individuals respond to these issues?
KB: We've definitely seen changes in weather patterns outside of the norms, hot when it should be cold, and vice versa. It's certainly a polarizing topic as to what's causing the changes, but regardless of the cause, all companies need to be using responsible approach to conserving the environment and the planet, today. It's not enough to think others will handle it - everyone needs to contribute. It can start small - every time you paddle, if you see plastic or garbage floating and it's safe to do so, pick it up. The water will look that much better the next time you paddle there.
R: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
KB: We love living in Ontario and Canada. There's so much to see and do here. There are incredible places to paddle and explore, and when that's not possible in the winter, we'll break out the cross-country skis!
R: Describe your perfect weekend.
KB: Pumping up our iSUPs at sunrise, ready to explore a new place (hopefully with some nice water and scenery!). If there's a beach or sandbar nearby, you can bet we'll pull up onto it to relax. If not, we might anchor and just float. That's the beauty of these boards - they open up possibilities. I don't have specific perfect weekend plans, but any day that includes an adventure and paddling with my wife sounds perfect to me.
R: How do you take your coffee?
KB: I actually don't drink coffee. Chocolate milk, absolutely. My wife is the coffee drinker - one milk, one sugar; or more often, iced.
R: Favorite pizza where you live?
KB: There's a cool wood-fired pizza place in Barrie called PIE. The pizzas are tasty and if you go to the location near the water, you can enjoy the downtown beach or a waterfront walk along Lake Simcoe afterward.
R: What are 5 things you can't live without right now?
KB: My wife, my family, my friends, nature, and... our paddle boards!
Challenge yourself with some winter paddleboarding...first stop - your brand new iSUP.
HAPPY, BRIGHT, FAITH DRIVEN OUTDOOR LOVER AND PNW MAVEN.
Hannah Hunt caught our attention with her bright, smiley photos. This girl is always exploring! Learn about her favorite adventure spots, how she stays grounded, and how she earned the nickname "Otter!"
R: Describe yourself, where you're from, and what you do
HH: My name is Hannah! I am the middle child of seven sisters. I love them and my whole family so much. I am very active and love anything outdoors. I live in the beautiful state of Oregon! Traveling is a big part of my life, and I try to visit new places as much as possible. I have been to four continents already!
I am currently a nanny, and I love my job and “my” kiddos. [I] am teaching them to longboard as well!
I am involved in high school ministry and have taught many of the students how to longboard. It has been so much fun and a great way to hang out and become good friends!
R: You clearly love being outdoors! What are some of your favorite things to do in nature? Is there any activity you’ve been dying to try?
HH: Anything that involves water, like lakes, rivers, or the ocean, is my favorite! My nickname is “otter” because I am happiest in the water. I also love to hike/bike. And my new favorite thing is longboarding in new places or paved trails.
Something that I’ve always wanted to try is dirt-biking, so hopefully, I can do that soon! I also want to do more paddle-boarding. I have a couple times that that was so much fun!
R: We’d argue that the best memories are made while adventuring outside. Is there a certain outdoor experience that stands out as the greatest memory for you?
HH: This is a tough question! I have so many amazing memories from adventuring outdoors. My most recent adventure was going on a road trip with my family to Idaho and Wyoming. We hiked around Yellowstone and then the Sawtooth mountains. Anywhere we could, we would use my longboards to get us places faster and see more sights. Also at rest stops or a cool road, we would longboard to get the road trip jitters out!
R: Where are your favorite places to longboard to or around in your neighborhood? (i.e. great coffee shop nearby, cool shops, nice scenery, etc.)
HH: I live on rough country roads, so I can’t longboard there, but I often longboard with my friends in Gresham or Clackamas or the Springwater trail. We like to longboard to get ice cream and then hang out in a park. In Thermopolis Wyoming, we always longboarded to the pool or coffee shop from our hotel.
R: What’s your favorite place to take your board out for a spin? Do you have a favorite path or destination?
HH: In Oregon, I like to longboard the Springwater trail, but my favorites are Rowena Crest or Crown Point. Mostly I longboard whenever or wherever I can, and it adds more fun to any adventure.
R: Best pizza in your city?
HH: Oh goodness, all the pizza! I actually really like the pizza at Old Chicago in Clackamas.
R: How do you take your coffee?
HH: I love any coffee, but my regular is just plain coffee with a little half and half.
R: What are 5 things you can't live without right now?
HH: Hugs, I can’t get enough. Family, they mean everything to me. Friends, I have some pretty cool ones. Adventure, I have to get out and explore. Laughing, nothing heals the soul like a good laugh. Faith, never taking for granted the goodness of God.
START THE JOURNEY
Get the gear for your next National Park cruise or ice cream shop stop.
HARPER RIDING, CONTENT CREATING, FUN-LOVING, BEER AFICIONADO, & ALL AROUND COOL GIRL
Meet Angela Pedroza. A social media manager living in Eugene, Oregon. This Harper-riding, content creating, fun-loving, beer aficionado from PNW totally caught our attention with her awesome tags on Instagram. Get to know more about her day-to-day, and learn about how her Sage Green Harper ties into her life in Oregon.
R: Describe yourself, who you are, and what you do!
AP: I'm Angela, a 24-year-old Social Media manager & marketer. I live in Eugene, Oregon and currently work from home. I have an almost 3-year-old miniature Australian Shepherd named Annie, and I've been with my better half for a little over 3 years now. Before I became a social media manager I worked for Fred Meyer for 5+ years in the Apparel department.
R: What are your favorite places to bike to in your area (i.e. best coffee, shops, restaurants, museums, scenery, etc.)?
AP: Springfield and Eugene have some of the best bike paths that you can ride along the Willamette River. My favorite route to take during the summer is the bike path that leads to downtown Eugene where you'll find some awesome places to stop and grab a beer! Sometimes it's nice to just ride the path down to the river and sit and relax.
R: You clearly love craft beer, do you have a particular brewery you’re really digging at the moment?
AP: What a hard question! I think if I had to choose a favorite right at this moment it would be Claim 52 because they are always coming out with new releases and they brew a variety of different styles of beer. I also really love the atmosphere, depending on which location you choose to go to.
R: What first inspired you to get involved with social media marketing and content creation?
AP: I actually won a giveaway with the company that I now work for. Once I received the product (kombucha) I tried it and immediately fell in love with it. I wanted to learn more about it and eventually became a brand ambassador for them.
After being a brand ambassador I began to find a love for Instagram, taking pictures, and getting to know other people via Instagram who shared the same passion. It wasn't until the brand ambassador program closed and I received an email shortly after asking if I was interested in being their Social Media Manager. I couldn't believe it! Me? No way! We had a call and they made it clear that they loved my Instagram and how I was able to take pictures and caption them so well. So after no hesitation - I gladly accepted the position.
R: Describe your perfect Sunday?
AP: A perfect Sunday to me looks a lot like waking up at about 7:30 AM and having a big delicious breakfast complete with some iced coffee. After that, I like to make sure my TO-DO list is 100% done and then I'm ready to start the day. During the summer with the sun shining, I waste no time and GET OUTDOORS! Make sure my Harper is sparkly clean and my tires are all pumped up so I can just hop on it and ride. Whether it's a short ride of a few miles around the town or a long ride to the nearest tap house to enjoy a beer and keep on riding, I always love to get outdoors.
R: We’d argue that the best memories are made while adventuring outside. Is there a certain outdoor experience that stands out as the greatest memory for you?
AP: Oh yeah! Last summer me and my boyfriend set out at about 11 am on our bikes where we strapped [a] GoPro on the handlebars. We had no expectations or plans, we just wanted to film and ride. We started on the bike path and rode it until we were on the opposite side of town. We then rode [all over] downtown making sure to stop at every place we've never tried [to have] a beer and some water. We rode for hours that day! Getting some amazing footage as well as working on our tans (haha!) I remember getting back at about 5pm and heading straight to the pool that day. It was so hot and although we were pretty beat, it was definitely a day to remember.
R: Ultimate local spot for a weekend getaway?
AP: If you're willing to drive 45 minutes [from Eugene, Oregon] to Florence, Oregon you'll find the ocean, sand, and a whole lot of seafood! We love going to the coast for a weekend getaway since it's not too far and a complete change of scenery.
R: Best coffee in your city?
AP: If it's not a good craft beer, you'll find some iced coffee in my hand! My favorite coffee stand is called Cool Beanz, it's a little stand over by [a] car wash [in town]. Hands down the best coffee I've ever had!
R: Best pizza?
AP: Well, this is a no-brainer! Viking Braggot brewery! They just opened up their new location and we were counting the days down to try it! We ended up sharing a pepperoni pizza and some garlic knots. My boyfriend says the best kind of pizza is the kind you can fold and I couldn't agree more!
R: What are 5 things you can’t live without right now?
AP: Camera, iced coffee, craft beer, family, & my Harper from Critical Cycles - duh!
A better way from point A to B, whether you're cruising through town scoping out the next brewery to try, or just picking up food around the corner.
The next generation of commuter bikes. This bike is designed for you and all your city adventures.
Entrepreneur, designer, cool mama, and all-around creative Kanlaya Crosby spends her days designing and creating with her family in Minneapolis. Follow her through Minnesota's four seasons, her dreams for the future, and her current projects.
R: Describe yourself, who you are, and what you do
KC: My name’s Kanlaya Crosby and I'm a Renaissance woman: mother, entrepreneur, wanderlust, bohemian, francophile. I'm a UX designer by day and designer of all things by night: fashion + interiors. I also own and operate Landmarks & Lions, a lifestyle leather goods company based out of Minneapolis, with my husband, Canyon Crosby.
R: Minneapolis is lucky enough to have four beautiful seasons. What are your favorite things to do in each season? Do you have a favorite?
KC: The fall weather right now is perfect! Minnesota in the autumn is so lush - we’re busy apple and pumpkin picking at the orchards and just enjoying the fall scenery. This year I'm embracing my Minnesota roots so we'll be renting a cabin up north and exploring what the north shore has to offer.
There's no way to sugar coat it, the winters are long and bitterly cold - but it is a winter wonderland! Christmas is magical - you have Holidazzle, ice skating and skiing. My favorite event is the kite festival on top of a frozen Lake Harriet. After January, the long wait for spring is only tolerable if I can get away someplace warmer - preferably the Caribbean.
Once the snow melts, I'll be out in my bike. In the summer it's strawberry picking, farmers markets, swimming at the lakes. I spent 20 years living in NYC and LA and everywhere in between but we moved back to Minnesota because it's a great place to raise a family.
R: Your travel photos are amazing, how do you decide where you're going to visit next? Do you have a favorite vacation that stands out to you?
KC: My most memorable vacation is our wedding at Villa Cipressi in Lake Como, Italy. It was a week-long affair with our closest friends and family. I’m planning our 10 year anniversary, but this time to Positano. One day I will retire and move to the south of France and run a small B&B.
Lately, Scotland has been close to my heart as my sister just got married there so that guarantees a trip to the UK every year. I've been to Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London so I'm planning to visit Cornwall next time.
R: We'd argue that the best memories are made while adventuring outside. Is there a certain outdoor experience that stands out as the greatest memory for you?
KC: When we lived in Northern California for the year, we spent every weekend exploring the majestic coastline and beaches, redwood forests, all the way from Point Reyes, down to Big Sur. Ironically, even though I chose to settle down in landlocked Minnesota, my happiest place is sitting quietly on a beach.
R: Where are your favorite places to bike to or around in your neighborhood? (i.e. great coffee shop nearby, cool shops, nice scenery, etc.
KC: The chain of lakes and Minnehaha creek area is pretty idyllic with endless bike trails that weave through charming neighborhoods with a quaint mix of architecture from Tudors and bungalows to ultra-modern structures.
Minneapolis is foodie heaven so my destinations are driven by when and what I want to eat! I usually visit Patisserie 46 first thing in the morning for the flakiest buttery croissants outside of France. My favorite coffee place is Spyhouse near Lake of the Isles in Uptown. For lunch, I either choose between something casual at Bread & Pickle where I get a lobster roll with root beer float or a Cubano at Victor’s Cafe or fancier brunch at Lake Harriet Brasserie with a glass of champagne. One of the best ice cream shops is a short bike ride along Minnehaha creek towards Lake Nokomis, at Pumphouse Creamery. The butterscotch or caramel with salted pecans is a must have.
R: How did you first get into style and design?
KC: I loved art and math ever since I was a kid. After a decade of being a software engineer, I realized how much I missed my creative side so I quit my career, enrolled at Parsons to study fashion design. In New York, I was a fashion design assistant for a small local designer and worked on two runway shoes for NYFW, one of which was hosted at Patricia Field's house. I was living the dream!
R: Describe your perfect weekend.
KC: I’m a city girl at heart but on the weekends it's all about family time and exploring the outdoors - hiking, biking and swimming at the lakes. I fell in love with big southern breakfasts from my husband’s side of the family, so on the weekends, we make grits, sausage, Belgian waffles, or hashbrowns. Sunday afternoon is for slow cooking big family meals followed by roasting marshmallows over a fire with a good bottle of wine.
R: How do you take your coffee?
KC: Cream and no sugar. I grind a fresh batch first thing each morning and brew my coffee using a french press or Chemex. The best place to get coffee beans is from Coffee & Tea Limited in Linden Hills.
R: Best pizza in Minneapolis?
KC: Hands down Lola Pizzeria. I know I keep saying this, but I swear it’s the best pizza outside of Italy.
Follow Kanlaya on Instagram for her travels, mom moments, and Minneapolis go-tos.
Spring, Summer, and Fall never looked so good.
for our Women’s History Month feature. Her adventurous spirit, commitment to the outdoors, and beautiful photos were what first caught our attention. Cherise is someone who really represents what it is to live, breathe, and believe in nature. Amid the recent changes at Retrospec, we wanted to share Cherise’s feature again (with a few timely updates!), and draw attention to the importance of getting out there.
Without further ado, meet Cherise Tuttle: a paddleboarding, paragliding, voyaging badass whose zest for life knows no limits.
R: Have you always been an adventurer? Who or what sparked your interest in the outdoors?
CT: Growing up in Western Canada, I had constant access to the outdoors. My parents ran a kids camp for most of my childhood so canoeing and rock climbing were part of my earliest memories. Between my parents and my brother, I had all the encouragement I needed to get outside. As a young child I followed my brother wherever he went, whether it was building treehouses, biking, climbing – I wanted to be just like him. Throughout my teen years, my love for adventuring diminished as my passion for shopping and luxuries such as indoor plumbing increased.
In my early twenties, I moved to Mammoth Lakes, CA. My passion for the outdoors was aroused with the discovery of the immense playground surrounding me. The freedom of getting dirty, and at times bloody, going climbing in the Owen's River Gorge or bouldering in the Buttermilks was redemptive of the time lost. After getting married in 2010, my husband and I built out a Mercedes Sprinter van and moved into that for a few years. I think that’s when I truly fell in love with constantly being outside. It became my new normal - nature literally became my backyard every single day. The last few years we have also spent a lot of our time in Nepal which has opened up a whole different side to adventuring outside. Everything changes when you’re traveling in a developing country and visiting remote mountain villages with few of our ‘creature comforts’. It has opened up my eyes to seeing nature again in its raw form - without selfie sticks and notifications ‘dinging’ every few moments. There’s no phone service and no one in those regions care about your latest post. That’s when you can take a deep breath and fully be present in the world around you. This is similar to my favorite places in the backcountry back home in the Eastern Sierras, phone service hasn’t made its way into all the mountain ranges yet. My husband, Cody, has definitely inspired me to pursue the outdoors even more. He was one of my first climbing partners when I moved to California and we’ve adventured together ever since.
R: Do you think there is an accurate representation of women outdoors in the media? Why or why not?
CT: In the last few years, there seems to be a movement of outdoor women that have burst into the media scene and really inspired others to pursue adventures outside. I think this is a really loaded question because while there is always room for improvement and often inaccurate representations of anyone in media, women are becoming more and more recognized for their achievements, which then inspires other women to push for more.
R: We can't help noticing your furry companion on your Weekender. Tell us a little about him! What is it like to have him on your paddleboard adventures?
CT: Astro is by far one of my favorite adventure companions. As a wolf hybrid, he was made for the outdoors. He loves backcountry skiing, swimming, paddling, trail running, hiking, backpacking – anything that we’re doing, he’s a part of. When I got a paddleboard, he wasn’t sure about sitting on it and would swim beside me. Over the last couple of years, he has gotten used to riding with me and is often on the paddleboard before I am ready to push off! A lot of our lakes are glacier fed so they are quite cold. Astro can swim for a while, but typically gets cold and opts to ride on the board instead.
R: What's the one thing you can't travel without?
CT: Dr. Bronner's soap.
R: Where can we find you when you're not exploring the world?
CT: My husband and I live in a small community between Mammoth Lakes and Bishop, CA nestled up to the Wheeler Crest with instant backcountry access. It’s the perfect rest place and base for exploration! The last few years we have been traveling a lot, so finding a home base that we are just as excited to be as the places we travel, is really important for us. The Eastern Sierras have endless exploration with its incredible mountains and gorgeous backcountry lakes giving us the only issue of what adventure sports we want to pursue. I’m currently really excited about backcountry paddling, backpacking, and paragliding.
R: Do you have any trips planned this year?
CT: We are heading to Nepal next week for a month and then back to California for the remainder of the year. Next year has a number of different options from Mexico to France, to Western Canada. Most of our traveling is for work which is often dependent on many variables including environmental conditions. We often don’t plan more than a month out.
R: What would you tell young girls who want to get involved in the outdoors but don't know how or where to start?
CT: Say yes to the adventure. By that I mean, don’t be scared when people invite you to go paddling, hiking, climbing, etc. I used to allow fear dictate my decisions, but one day, I decided to start saying yes. (It might have been shortly after the movie, Yes, Man came out! Haha!) I was always scared of not being good at something instead of excited to try something new. I didn’t want to embarrass myself if I looked silly in front of people or wasn’t awesome at something right away. It turns out that the outdoor community is really encouraging and celebrates you when you conquer your own personal goals. Also, now more than ever, it’s really easy to find other people who are adventuring through social media outlets and other online sources. These are great tools to connect, find groups who are getting out` and learn more about what you want to do outside. Someone once told me if you want to become good at something, surround yourself with people you look up to in that area. When I started climbing, I went with people who were climbing harder than me so I could learn from what they had already accomplished.
This last year I finished my paragliding course and immediately started to fly with accomplished pilots that I really looked up to. There is a fair amount of vulnerability to step out and try new things, but when it comes to the outdoors, it will always be worth it. If you can’t find people to adventure with, don’t be afraid to go by yourself. My favorite moments are being alone on a lake on my paddleboard with a picnic for one waiting for me on the shore (two if you include Astro!)
R: Is there anything else you think we should know about you?
CT: I would encourage people to put down their electronic devices and get outside. The one thing I love about paddling is that I don’t bring my phone with me. Getting outside has a way of cleansing the busyness of life and allowing yourself to refill. I’m thankful there isn’t phone service in many of the mountain ranges I adventure in. I don’t need that distraction. Exploring nature’s playground has allowed me to discover who I am and what really matters in life. For example, it took being stuck in the Himalayas during Nepal’s largest earthquake in almost a century to propel me into humanitarian work which is something I’ve always been passionate about, but never knew how to get out of my ‘Western comforts’ to act on it. Since then I have been back to Nepal a number of times in the past few years using my passion for the outdoors to draw me to a people group deep in the mountains. These people that I come to help, have taught me more about myself than any class or book. It’s the experience of being present and real, just like being outside, that changes your whole being.
Be the person that says "yes" to every adventure, just don't forget the gear to get you there.
Lorissa embodies what it means to live with light and joy. Her family lives in a 1900s farmhouse in British Columbia and spends part of their year in sunny San Diego. Expert pizza maker, humble gardener, lover of seasons, and supermom. Her kiddos bolt around their property on Cubs while she sports one of our Chatham beach cruisers! Learn about Lorissa, her family, her home's rich past, and her favorite parts of living in the country.
R: Describe yourself, who you are, and what you do
LF: Hi! My name is Lorissa. I would probably be best described as a cripplingly indecisive dreamer! I am generally the opposite of scheduled and organized, despite my strong aversion to anything remotely cluttered or disorganized, and it could easily be said that my life and personality is one big oxymoron. My favorite thing is planning and making lists, never mind that I tend to live life flying by the seat of my pants and my lists always vanish when I actually need them! I am a moody, semi-creative, slightly technical person whose brain apparently can’t decide between being more right sided or left sided! Most of my life I assumed I was an introvert, as I can be painfully shy and am horrible at making small talk until I realized recently that I’m actually extremely extroverted as I LOVE being around people! Oh, and I am very good at rambling on and on about pretty much anything!
While technically I am a stay at home mom, and my days are spent looking after my 4 beautiful, spunky kids; but like many other business owner’s wives, my days usually involve much more than that! On any given day you could find me in the office doing paperwork, out running errands for my hubby, or even delivering materials to the job sites as needed, usually with all my kids tagging along!
With such a busy life, we really treasure being able to live out in the county, and most evenings you’ll find us out biking through the fields together, enjoying the peace and quiet. One of my favorite things to do on the weekend is to have people over. I love hosting parties, cooking for people makes me happy, and I find it both a pleasure and an honor to be able to make sure everyone who comes through my doors has everything they need.
R: Your home looks like a dream! What inspired you to buy a 1900s farmhouse? Was there something specific that called you toward a simpler life, or has this always been the norm?
LF: Thank you! We absolutely love the character that such old homes have, but the main thing that drew us towards it is the history. My husband always likes to say that “You can build a brand new home that looks old and has character built into it, but you can’t build history”. After moving in, we spent quite a bit of time researching the history of the house and the family who built it. They were a young family of 4, and they immigrated here from England to homestead here! A few weeks back the grandson of the couple who built the house showed up at our door. [He] wanted to check and see if the house he grew up in was still here. We had such a great chat with him, and it really made the history of the house come alive. Moments like that make all the issues that come along with living in such an old house totally worth it.
We have always loved living in the country and never wanted to raise our kids anywhere else. It is so peaceful, our little retreat away from the busyness of life. There is just something about farm life that is both inspiring and rejuvenating. I just love the privacy and the ability to just get away from it all, every single night. I guess you could say the non-stop craziness of our everyday life lead us to really cherish the simple life of living in an old house on a farm.
R: Where are your favorite places to bike to or around in your neighborhood? (i.e. great coffee shop nearby, cool shops, nice scenery, etc.)
LF: Living out in the country we don’t have any shops that we can bike to in our neighborhood, but my favorite place to bike is through the fields in the evenings, just as the sun is setting. It is so incredibly relaxing, just soaking in the views. Often there will be deer on the edge of the cornfields or coyotes out hunting mice, and as we move closer to fall, I’m sure the bears will be out and about eating all the wild apples and competing with the deer for the corn!
This fall we plan to spend quite a bit of time down in San Diego, and my hope is to be able to bike pretty much everywhere down there! I am most excited to bike along the boardwalk at Mission Beach, as it is my absolute favorite spot to go and we usually spend quite a bit of time walking around down there!
R: We'd argue that the best memories are made while adventuring outside. Is there a certain outdoor experience that stands out as the greatest memory for you?
LF: I would totally agree! So many of my greatest memories are from amazing outdoor experiences. From fishing trips with my dad as a small child to winters spent skiing with my family, summers on the lake, wakeboarding and tubing, and my family’s amazing 3-month road trip around the states when I was 9! Seeing all the different scenery, the rock formations at Arches National Park in Utah, the mountains of Colorado, down to the swamps of Louisiana, over to the white sandy beaches of Florida, and back up the coast, was such an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience.
[One of my greatest memories was] my mission trip to Uganda as a teenager. The scenery was breathtaking. Watching the sun rise over the plains while driving through herds of elephants on our way to watch lions was incredible. Seeing the lions hunt and actually take down an antelope? Indescribable.
Moments like those will forever be in my memory.
R: How do you teach the importance of activity, movement, and exercise in the lives of your children? Are there specific things you do as a family to help stay fit and adventurous?
LF: There was a time in our life when our kids were a little younger (they are currently 8, 7, 6, and 3) when we let the busyness of life take over, and we didn’t focus on the importance of exercise as much as we should have. We have since learned to make time for it, and we frequently have discussions with our kids about how important it is to look after our bodies and keep them healthy, and how keeping active is a huge part of that.
As I’ve mentioned, we love going for bike rides as a family around our property, and in the winter when the 2-3 feet of snow on the ground makes it a little difficult to bike, we go downhill skiing! Mostly we just encourage our kids to be outside as much as possible, whether it be simply running and playing, or something a little more difficult like stacking wood for the winter! It is definitely something we are still learning, and we are constantly looking for new ways to stay active as a family.
R: Your garden is so beautiful! Do you have any advice to those of us who can’t seem to keep a single plant alive?
LF: Thank you, though I have to say I am only a beginner gardener (this is only my second year having a garden!), so I am still very much learning myself! That being said, my main piece of advice, as simple as it sounds, is to get the best soil possible! I have learned the hard way that the soil you use makes a huge difference. I attribute most of the gardening success I have had to the amazing soil we have at our home. Don’t dismiss the importance of what your plants are growing in!
My other piece of advice is to find people in your life who have beautiful gardens and don’t be afraid to ask them questions! Ask what plants grow the best in your area, what soil is needed, how much and when (if at all!) to prune? Etc.
My Grandma was the one who got me started on gardening when I was little, I remember spending many days on my knees beside her as she showed me how to gently take the plants out of the containers and softly place them in the ground. So many of the little things she taught me came back to me as I attempted to plant a garden for the first time last year, and she is still my go-to for advice on any and all things gardening and has been and huge help to me, and a large part of why I’ve had any success at all in the gardening department!
R: What are your favorite things to do outdoors in each of the 4 seasons?
LF: One of my favorite things to do in the spring is hop in the side by side with my hubby and kids and go for a drive around the farm. We love going down and exploring around the creek especially! There is a little waterfall about a 10-minute walk down the creek, and it is so gorgeous down there, especially in the spring when the creek is at its highest!
Summertime is the best for long evenings outdoors with friends, eating, drinking, and enjoying the warm weather. I would have people over basically every night if I could!! Pizza parties are definitely a favorite!
The fall is winter prep time, and we love taking the truck up old logging roads, building a campfire, and roasting hot dogs while my hubby and I cut and gather up loads of wood for our wood stove at home, our main source of heat in the winter!
My absolute favorite outdoor activity in the winter is downhill skiing, I grew up skiing twice a week and loved every second of it! Last year we got seasons passes for the first time at our local ski hill and I taught all four of our kids to ski! They loved it every bit as much as I do. We’ve already purchased our passes for next year!
R: If you were able to live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
LF: My dream would be to live in Italy, as I just love everything about their approach to life, their culture, their food, the amazing landscape, the rich history, everything!
Realistically though, I would move to San Diego. It is my happy place. We try to go there at least once a year, more often if we can swing it. There’s just something about that city that has captured my heart! The whole vibe of the city is amazing.
R: How do you take your coffee?
LF: I take my coffee black, though I will never say no to a good cappuccino! When I’m out and about on errands I love to treat myself to a good Sweet Cream Cold Brew or a Peppermint Vanilla latte, hot or iced!
R: Best pizza near you? (It’s okay to say you if you’re more into homemade goodness!)
LF: At the risk of sounding incredibly vain, I would have to say the best pizza around comes out of my pizza oven! My husband built the most amazing woodfire pizza oven a few years ago, and it makes the best pizza around, or so we’ve been told. According to our friends, our pizza is legendary! We love spending our weekends having pizza parties with our friends, and we even once hosted a wedding rehearsal dinner here, doing pizza for about 40 people!!
R: What are 5 things you can’t live without?
LF: 1. My husband. 2. My kids. 3. Carbs!! 4. Coffee. 5. Music.
To see more of Lorissa and her adorable family, check her out on Instagram!
Find your match for your simple life. From backyard rides to cruises back from the market with pizza-making supplies in tow.
Chris completely dispels any preconceived notions you may have about Washington D.C. Get to know the unassuming cultural hub, explore his favorite spots, take a ride down the best bike paths, cop some style tips, and browse this up-and-coming designer's collection.
R: Describe yourself, who you are, and what you do
CC: I would describe myself as a creative, curious, hardworking, scattered brained guy with an abundant sense of humor. I grew up in Miami, FL and moved to D.C. about 7 years ago. I’m an east coaster with west coast sensibilities. As far as work I am a Designer/Maker/Entrepreneur and owner of CHRiS CARDi iNC. House of Design.
R: You have a great personal style, where do you draw your inspiration from?
CC: The past is a strong influence especially athletes from yesteryears' off the court style. Following Instagrams of vintage shops and thrift shops make for great inspiration too. People watching and seeing how individuals out there put there own twist on fashion is a great resource. Most importantly art. There’s so much art in D.C. from the installations to the murals, to the museums. This place is visually culture-rich! Go to any No Kings D.C. art exhibit and you will see great fashion that isn’t dictated by a mannequin in a window or the latest fashion magazine. Hangout at Diet Starts Monday on 14th Street NW and you will see an amalgamation of streetwear and the latest in kicks that would make the snobbiest of sneakerheads spazz out. H Street NE has an edgier hipster culture of workwear and thrifted finds as an aesthetic. City Center has that tailored, high end, luxury brand appeal where you will likely find the likes of fashion bloggers and their photographers snapping away under the art installations that have become an attraction there. D.C. is becoming more and more of fashion scene that is setting its own trends and no longer following.
R: What's your favorite trend in menswear right now? What would you like to see gain popularity?
CC: I’m digging the fuller leg renaissance in menswear especially with slacks, trousers, and chinos. Pants with texture and pattern are becoming more and more the centerpiece of building a great look. Look at the wave of guys mixing up plaid pants with graphic tees and cool sneakers. I’m a fan of the fuller leg pants with the higher hemlines too. Best of both worlds. Another one of my favorite things to see is menswear getting a bit more feminine or gender neutral. Clothes are clothes. If you can put it on and carry it well, who cares what section you got it in. If it speaks to you it speaks to you. I have slowly adapted to experimenting with a more feminine approach to accessories especially with bandanas as neckerchiefs.
R: D.C. is known for a lot of things, but what would people be surprised to learn about it?
CC: The industrious undercurrent of creative culture now bubbling up to the surface creating an amazing social scene. There has always been a great appreciation for live music and great musicians here, but now it’s being supported by a rapidly growing fashion scene, photography scene, bloggers, influencers and creative sets of visual artists who have taken over the landscape painting murals on building facades, alleyways, and hosting art exhibitions that draw crowds of cool kids.
People will be surprised to learn about all the hidden gems tucked away in our local neighborhoods. Get out of the museums and Duck boat tours and truly explore. Venture off the beaten path for a day and come experience life like a local. You’ll have a better appreciation of what this city has to offer culturally from the music, fashion, food, and architecture.
H Street Corridor is one neighborhood where this amalgamation of culture is prevalent. I just so happen to call this wonderful place home. The neighborhood situated just over the ramp from Union Station was once long forgotten. This area was devastated by the riots in 1968 after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 2004 D.C. government adopted a strategic plan of action to revitalize the neighborhood.
I’ve been living here since the summer of 2012 and witnessed so much change. H Street Festival which celebrates the sights, sounds, and taste of the neighborhood culture is now one of the largest street festivals in D.C. The festival happens in September drawling over 150,000 attendees for the one-day celebration.
Beyond the festival, H Street on any day is an awesome place to be. You could catch a fledgling band on tour play at Rock & Roll Hotel or at The Pie Shop which is situated on the second level of Dangerously Delicious Pies. If you want to dance the night away like no one is watching Little Miss Whiskey’s is where you do it. Copycat Co. has the tastiest of skewers and potstickers to partner with any of the many amazing signature cocktails. Smith Commons which is my favorite place to unwind at the end of the week is a great spot to catch up with friends for dinner and drinks. Avery’s on the weekends has a drummer that plays along with whatever the DJ is spinning. It’s an amazing experience feeling the percussion hits in your chest while Wale’s “LoveHate Thing” blast through the sound system.
If you are hungover from a late night out on H Street grab breakfast at Tony’s. There’s 2 of them right across the street from one another on 14th N.E. Long story, just pick one. Both are fantastic! Sospeso is a solid choice for coffee and breakfast too. I go there often now to get design work done or take in a photo exhibit. Fare Well is the spot to drop by for vegan pastries. I’m not vegan but when they have the doughnuts you've got to go! Maketto, which is very much a destination on H Street, brings the culture and retail therapy. The latest in streetwear drops, cool happenings, and tasty treats all under one roof.
This is a side of the city that tourist and visitors are starting to discover. While I mentioned a great deal, I only scratched the surface of what H Street is all about and I am still discovering things here myself after 7 years. (If anyone reading this plans on visiting H Street, hit me in my DMs!)
R: Where are your favorite places to bike to or around in D.C.?
CC: The Metropolitan Bike trail starts in NoMa [D.C. neighborhood, North of Massachusetts Ave] and ends in Brookland is a nice ride. The NoMa area is filled with murals by Pow! Wow! D.C. artist and so is the bike trail. Start by grabbing a coffee and breakfast bite at Union Market before hitting the trail. Take the trail up and explore the grounds of Catholic University as well as the Brookland neighborhood and then grab a drink for happy hour at the Dew Drop Inn. Another nice ride is through Barracks Row where stopping at District Doughnut is a must! Take the trail down to The Yards and sit by the river for a bit before heading over to Nats Park and having a beer at the Bardo beer garden. You can venture from there over to the Wharf in SW for dinner and people watching. D.C. is an incredibly bike-friendly city.
R: We’d argue that the best memories are made while adventuring outside. Is there a certain outdoor experience that stands out as the greatest memory for you?
CC: Washington, D.C. Monument bike tour at midnight. It’s incredibly amazing and indescribable to do with words. You’ll have to experience it for yourself!
R: Which would you choose for a weekend getaway? Tropical beach, mountain resort, or city, and why?
CC: CITY! There’s so much to explore in a city. Plus being a small business owner growing a burgeoning brand it’s hard to unplug. I have to stay connected.
Now back to exploring. [The] best way to see cities on the east coast is by bike. You don’t have to look for parking or get stuck in traffic, etc. Think about all the culture you can take in of any city vs. what you can take in lounging on a beach or a mountain. For me, I want to experience people, food, music, style, culture, for me that best done in a city. After a day of laying out on a beach, I am ready to get back to business.
R: How do you take your coffee?
CC: Two creams, two sugars, a touch of cinnamon, and a little honey. I have a bit of a sweet tooth.
R: Best place to grab pizza in D.C.?
CC: Best place? I have place(s)!
We The Pizza on Penn. Ave SE is the best to get a great slice and garlic knots. My favorite is the Butcher’s Block with a side of 2 garlic knots. &Pizza is a great option if you are feeling creative and want to eat everything, especially after a night out on H street or where ever in D.C. You pretty much build your own pizza.
If you want to get together with friends, have drinks, and catch up, All Purpose is a great sit down establishment. They just opened one across for Nats Stadium on the Riverfront.
R: What are 5 things you can’t live without right now?
CC: 1. Electric toothbrush
2. iPhone - got to stay productive and get that daily photo for the Gram!
3. My CHRiS CARDi Brookland Bag. You can rock it as a tote or a weekender. Versatile AF!
4. My Puma all white Match sneakers. Damn things go with everything. Can't take them off.
5. My Harper. My best memories in D.C. have been experienced on my bike. Gives me the freedom to explore.
Cruise around your city's cultural hub from AM to PM.
We are devastated by the wildfires ravaging Southern California. Los Angeles is our home and it saddens us to see tragedy strike our neighbors, friends, and community. In response, we have set up a GoFundMe to donate to United Way of Greater Los Angeles' Disaster Relief Fund.
Through Cyber Monday, we'll be donating 20% of all Alameda sales. The money we raise will go directly to our local United Way chapter and help low-income families affected by these fires get back on their feet.
We are kindly asking for donations to help us reach our goal.
The clouds are hanging low in the sky, casting a layer of fog cradling and dimming any nearby artificial light attempting to leak through your windows. A thick mound of blankets is pulled up to your nose, conserving any heat you can before starting the day. You can feel the cold before even stepping outside. You quickly dress to avoid any unwanted chill. First warm base layers, then waterproof pants, a jacket, gloves, and boots. The temperature hovers below 32°F when you finally pack up and head out.
Outside, breath materializes in front of you. The sun quickly illuminates what will be an overcast day, likely keeping the temperatures at bay. The warmth of the sun is fleeting. Instead, it casts measured light through the clouds, slowly creeping its way above as you drive. You’ve stocked your car with all the necessities. Flashlight, rope, lifejacket, hat, scarf, hand warmers; the works. You stop to pick up a friend who has all that, plus coffee for two.
A few winding dirt roads and about 10 minutes of walking opens to a clearing exposing why you braved the cold. The lake is glass this morning. A translucent blanket of fog, slowly dissipating, is suspended above the water like a thousand ghosts. You’ve come prepared with your board already inflated. Just a few more preparations before you cut through the water.
Paddleboarding in colder weather requires a certain level of planning. Winter paddling has garnered some additional attention outside its cult following, as of late. Paddling on a smooth lake, surrounded by a serene, snowy wonderland is undeniably appealing. Its tranquility met with the solitude and silence of winter echoes volumes to our desire to disconnect from the intensity of the world. There’s no need to sugar coat the sport, though. Paddleboarding in the winter is not for the faint-hearted. Even with proper gear, the cold can cut through layers and exhaust paddlers. Preparation is important, but setting expectations is key.
About an hour and 30-minute drive outside of Calgary, Alberta is Canada’s oldest national park. Banff is a daydream actualized for outdoor lovers and a favorite spot of Canadian photographer Kevin Biskaborn and his wife. The couple is well versed in winter paddleboarding. They hail from Ontario, Canada, and are unquestionably familiar with the demands of winter.
“You need to ensure you have the appropriate safety equipment and clothing that corresponds with the weather, water temperature, length of the trip, and other considerations specific to the location,” Kevin notes. The Biskaborns include whistles, towing lines, even flashlights. Wearing a lifejacket in these conditions should be second nature. “In colder water, wearing the lifejacket is the best approach. It helps keep you warm by acting as an additional layer and gives you peace of mind in case you fall in - even strong swimmers are affected by cold water.”
The snow begins to fall softly as you paddle. There’s nearly no wind, making it easier for you to maneuver the board to the furthest point. You cling to the edges of the lake - that’s where some of the best views are. Most avid winter paddlers encourage staying as close to shore as possible in the event you fall into the water.
“Being able to paddle along the shore’s edge is one of the best parts of [owning] a SUP - you can typically get very close without worry of running aground,” Kevin says.
It’s true. Paddleboards barely scrape the surface of the water. Compared to kayaks or canoes, paddleboards allow you to easily glide over and through rocky areas and navigate shallows. Staying toward the edges gives a full view of the lake on top of closeup scenery from the water’s edge. Plus, keeping a close proximity can make all the difference if you need to quickly go ashore.
Dressing for the weather is one thing, dressing for the weather while on the water is another. Lots of winter paddlers choose to go in neoprene boots and a wetsuit for an added layer of warmth and protection if you fall in. Keeping in mind that wetsuits are designed to get wet, many paddlers feel they don’t provide enough protection from winds that can be accompanied with winter paddles and prefer drysuits instead. It’s a matter of preference, however, comfort and practicality go hand in hand. Keep things flexible, easy to move in, and always dress in layers so you can add on or take off depending on the weather.
The wind begins to pick up as you maneuver your way around the lake. It’s starting to get harder to paddle forward, but you push through knowing that you’re in for a smooth ride back if the wind stays in its current direction. “It's always easiest to start off with the difficult leg into the wind first rather than going too far downwind and having to paddle back against strong wind and waves,” Kevin recommends. “It's also important to recognize conditions that are above your comfort level and paddling abilities.”
Kevin’s last point is extremely important. Cold can have unexpected effects on your body. A shift of the wind, a drop in temperature, or falling in could completely shift a beautiful, serene experience into a frightening one. Be prepared and always paddle with a friend in any sort of water-related activity. Heading out with a friend is not only safe but provides an extra set of eyes to keep track of the tides and time spent on the water.
The sound of water subtly beating against the edges of your board, your own breath, and the rustling of the trees wrap together into one all-encompassing chorus. The sounds are organic, peaceful, and primal. It’s easy to avoid getting outside, to make excuses for how time-consuming it can be. This though, this makes it all worth it.
Special thanks to Kevin Biskaborn for providing us the knowledge and tips on winter paddleboarding. Plus the photos! Check out his beautiful work on his website and both of his Instagrams, @lifebywater, and @kevinbiskaborn.
Our anytime, any place iSUP. Its 10’ length and rounded hull make paddle boarding easy on calm water as well as in surf for people of all skill levels.
We are hyped to introduce Morissa Trunzo. Brooklyn-based actress, musician, artist, and chalked full of great "New York" stories. She and her Harper zip around Prospect Park and onto the next meeting, coffee shop, or cool new food joint to check out. Her killer band Misty Mtn can be found wherever you listen to music.
R: Describe yourself, who you are, and what you do!
MT: I’m Morissa! Like “more”-issa than “less”-issa. I’m originally from Missoula, Montana but now live in NYC where I’m an actress/musician!
R: New York has a personality all its own. Is there a specific experience that comes to mind that feels especially “New York” when you reflect on it?
MT: Oh yeah.. So the other day I had an unbelievably important meeting and I decided that since it was so hot and I didn’t want to be sweaty for the meeting, I would treat myself to a Lyft. I left an hour and 45 minutes early just to be safe even though it would only take me 20 minutes to get there. Quickly into the ride I realized this was a mistake. Traffic was beyond horrible and once we got over the Manhattan Bridge we were at a standstill there for almost 20 minutes.
As we drove through Soho I was LITERALLY running out of time. My meeting was in about 12 minutes and we were 20 minutes away. When my map app said that we were both a 15 minute drive (but still stuck in standstill traffic) and a 15 minute walk away from my meeting which was in 10 minutes, I took a deep breath and said.. “I’m running.” I ran a 15 minute walk in 7 minutes, and got there with 3 minutes to spare, just enough time to catch my breath. If that isn’t a “New York moment”, I don’t know what is.
R: Where are your favorite places to bike to in your neighborhood? (i.e. favorite coffee shops, restaurants, museums, shops, etc?)
MT: I live near Prospect Park so I usually bike through the park to Prospect Heights to get to my favorite coffee shop, Seven Point Espresso (shout out to their cappuccino) or my favorite burrito place, Maya Taqueria.
R: We’d argue that the best memories are made while adventuring outside. Is there a certain outdoor experience that stands out as the greatest memory for you?
MT: Growing up in Montana I spent most of my time in the outdoors, which is why I was so drawn to [my Harper], seeing as Retrospec makes all of my favorite outdoor products. One of my greatest outdoor memories was skiing at Big Sky in Montana and taking the tram all the way up to the peak of the mountain. It was windy and visibility was little to none, I did the whole run so slowly, one turn at a time, but when I got to the bottom I looked up at where I had started and I thought, “Wow! I did it.”
R: If you could choose anywhere in the world to live, where would it be and why?
MT: That’s a tough one! I love my life in NYC, I’m also really intrigued by California (L.A. specifically) just because you can get sea, snow, and mountains all in one state. If I could live in Montana, but still work as a successful actress and musician part of the time somewhere else, THAT would be the dream. Montana [is] just the best, simple as that.
R: You’re clearly a very artistic person, where do you draw your inspiration from?
MT: I think I draw most of my inspiration from the way I was brought up. I was born in New York City to two former news anchors/journalists and soon thereafter moved to a mountaintop in Missoula, Montana. I grew up surrounded by thousands of records, listening to them daily; Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Sade, Joni Mitchell… the list goes on and on. And at the same time was constantly being surrounded by the outdoors; horseback riding, skiing, rafting, biking, swimming, and people who truly loved the simple life vs. the hustle and bustle of a city. That has really given me a balance in my life, but also in the way I create and like to storytell, whether that be in a tv show, a musical, or with my music.
R: Vacation or staycation?
MT: Vacation. There’s nothing better than exploring a new place, and seeing it from the eyes of the people in it.
R: How do you like your coffee?
MT: Cream ft. coffee
R: Best pizza in New York?
MT: Ooooooooh…. I change my mind everyday but I’m gonna say Speedy Romeo on Classon Ave in Brooklyn.
R: What are 5 things you couldn’t live without right now?
MT: Seltzer, this "sweatpants material" jumpsuit I bought at a store in Tacoma, Washington called Satori (cute but comfortable is my rule of thumb), my Critical Cycles bike - Harper in Sage Green (this is the absolute truth, I bike 8 miles everyday on it), Partly Tartly Brooklyn Bel Air Sour by Brooklyn Brewery, my band Misty Mtn (check out Misty Mtn on all social platforms!)
Gear up with exactly what you need to have your own "wow, I just did that," moment.
This is the next generation of commuter bikes - designed for you and all your city adventures.
This concern still echoes 42 years later, but a different number has garnered our recent attention: 12. That’s how many years the UN reports we have to slow the effects of climate change before it’s out of our hands. If you haven’t read, let alone heard of this newest report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it’s possible you’re living under a rock. Which, frankly, amid these blaring statistics, is starting to become more and more appealing. We’ve seen the direct impact climate change has had on our parks, waterways, seasons, and communities. Hurricanes have significantly increased in strength, wildfires in California are more powerful and widespread than ever, oceans are suffocating with plastic, winters are colder and more extreme, and summers have become oppressively hot in many parts of the world. Our response to the UN report needs to be greater than the collective and motionless awe we’ve adopted. We have the ability to change our course and preserve our planet’s beauty and wonder for generations to come. It may read like a cliche, but the call of the wild is louder than ever.
Lauren and Ross from Universe Driven have captured our attention with their stunning, vibrant photos across the U.S. We first learned about the couple after they tagged us on Instagram during a trip to North Carolina. To complement their mobile lifestyle, the couple uses our Judd folding bikes for their convenience and space-saving design. Earlier this year, Lauren and Ross found themselves in a position that warranted a major life change. Rents in their Colorado city, as most of the country, had gone up astronomically. The couple was faced with a predicament of maintaining their lives or taking a risk to pursue a daydream. Amid word that their landlords were selling, Ross and Lauren’s hushed conversations about simplifying, pursuing their creative endeavors, and exploring the backcountry began to inadvertently cement. A Craigslist listing for a 2004 Chevy Astro in central Washington resolved a number of unanswered questions and soon served as the couple’s new home. Ross, finally pursuing his passion for photography, and Lauren, working remotely out of Colorado, began their uncharted chapter.
Ross and Lauren have been devoted to the road long enough to see the seasons change. Cities skylines, condos, cement sidewalks, and paved roads no longer camouflaged the effects of climate change. Ross is an adventure, landscape, and outdoor lifestyle photographer - a category of photography that is in a position to best tell the story and expose the reality of earth’s state.
“One thing that Ross wanted to work on this summer was astrophotography,” Lauren notes. Astrophotography relies on long exposures to capture the disorienting, yet magnificent vastness of the night sky. The plans, however, were quickly rerouted. “Due to the large number of forest fires across the country,” Lauren continues, "it was incredibly hard to find clear skies. We couldn’t have a campfire all summer because there were so many fire bans across the country.”
As of October, there have been roughly 49,658 wildfires across the United States. Since 1980, wildfires have notably increased in frequency and severity.
According to the Center for Climate Change and Energy Solutions (C2ES), the average wildfire season is 78 days longer than it was in 1970, burning more than twice what it did in the past. Warmer temperatures and drier years cause wildfires to spread at rates faster than ever before. Statistical evidence of gradual temperature increases fails to adequately exemplify the severity of what is really happening. It’s difficult for us to grasp 1-2 degree changes as having any major changes on our environment. For humans, we perceive those influxes as minutiae and overlook the reality in exchange for a comfortable, but problematic ignorance.
Over time, these shifts alter habitats that rely enormously on equanimity; or at least seasonal predictability. To adapt, many species relocate to entirely new areas to preserve their kind. With these bizarre, climate change-related migrations, certain species can inadvertently have a negative impact, causing changes to their new environments that increase the detriments of global warming. (see: the mountain pine beetle's significance in regards to wildfires).
So, why should we care? The “why” in that statement is what commits us; our personal and collective environmental responsibility to our planet and to each other. Ross puts this sentiment simply:
“Yes, climate change is not something we can stop, but we can help to minimize and slow the negative impact we are having on the planet. Why bother? The short answer is so that we can enjoy it longer. The longer answer is that it is our duty to protect the land that gives us life.”
If the planet isn’t healthy, neither are we. The CDC reports that ground-level ozone (smog, in large part), is related to decreased lung function, asthma, increased hospital and ER visits, and early deaths. Additionally, those same wildfires that blocked the night sky for Ross contribute to reduced air quality and cause multiple health and lung-related issues. Everything is connected.
Ross and Lauren’s work is, without exaggeration, stunning. Ross captures the emotion of a single moment and stretches it across an entire landscape. His photography embodies the “why” we strive to find and feed. Universe Driven is creating something special while exhibiting a life that often feels unattainable. Finding a place to start with your own “why” can be challenging, but Ross and Lauren offer an accessible place. “Never say no to an experience. If you’ve never done something, the only way you’re going to find out if you like is by doing it.”
Indicating a love for our planet is the first step in helping to save it. Step two is deciding how to change. Ross suggests that "the most important thing is to focus on yourself. What are YOU doing, how can YOU be better." Ross and Lauren have gone to further lengths than most to decrease their carbon footprint. Even with gas in the tank, living life on the road still leaves a smaller environmental impact than living in an apartment building year 'round (use the EPA's carbon footprint calculator to learn yours). Ross and Lauren take additional strides, like working to eliminate single-use plastic from their lives, in commitment to the earth. "It can be weird walking into a restaurant with your own silverware, but who cares," Lauren says."You're never going to see any of those people again. [But maybe], someone seeing you do that convinces them to do the same."
A cool breeze, the smell of ocean salt, and fog receding from the mountains. Morning dew clinging to the grass, the sound of a fish jumping on a lake smooth as glass, the smell of rotting leaves on the forest floor. That familiar crunch below your feet, the blinding white of a fresh snow, the recognizable numbness after a deep breath of frozen air. All these things could be lost to us if we don’t act now.
“We weren’t placed here to use everything up and destroy it,” Ross concludes, “We were put here to fall in love with it. To discover it. To live with the land, not to live in spite of it.”
Judd is perfect for the rider that is big on convenience but low on space. Whether you’re pedaling your way across campus, heading in to the office, or packing up the RV for a quick getaway (or a new chapter!) the convenience of this folding bike is unmatched.
Will Costa began his career in architectural design. His love for creativity led him to open his own business and start traveling the world with his wife. His passion for nature, travel, and beautiful aerial photos have consistently drawn us to his work. Learn more about his travels, how he balances technology, and how his Weekender integrates into his life.
R: Describe yourself, who you are, and what you do
WC: I am an architectural designer first and foremost but I have expanded my creative skills to branding, web design, and most recently photography and video production.
R: What made you decide to start traveling so frequently? Was this a goal you always had, or something that you felt compelled to do later on?
WC: When I was younger my family traveled quite frequently. I was fascinated by the architecture, landscapes and different cultures. I knew once I established my career I would continue exploring different countries. It’s always humbling to see how little some people have and how happy they are.
R: You're a true Jack of All Trades! How did you first get into so many facets of design and digital arts?
WC: Growing up I had an overwhelming desire to create. You could always find me drawing, painting and making my own toys. I also enjoyed storytelling and would often borrow my dads’ camera to make my own videos.
With that creative desire, I began to study architecture. I worked in the architectural industry for about 5 years before realizing it wasn’t creatively stimulating enough for me and I began to look for other ways to fill that void. That’s when I began teaching myself graphic and web design. From there I opened a side business which has now expanded into photography and video.
R: We’d argue that the best memories are made while adventuring outside. Is there a certain outdoor experience that stands out as the greatest memory to you?
WC: A few years back my wife and I decided to leave everything behind and get married in Italy. We explored the northern coast by hiking Cinque Terre and sailed the southern coast on a yacht. The views were breathtaking.
R: How did you first get into paddleboarding?
WC: When we aren’t traveling, you can find us spending our weekends at the cottage. We live in Canada so our summers are quite short. Between the Kayaks and canoes, a paddleboard seemed like the perfect addition.
R: Do you have any favorite spots to take your boards?
WC: The number one place to use our boards is at the cottage. The lake is very calm and quiet there. It’s a form of adventure and meditation for us.
R: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
WC: I often ask myself, "would I prefer to live in a big lively city or out in the country?" As I explored different countries I found myself much happier around water and mountains. I still haven’t found that place I would drop everything for but I do know it needs to be by the water.
R: We experience a lot of stimulation from screens, social media, TV, and the internet in general. What do you do to disconnect from all that noise? Are you someone who feels the need to disconnect from time to time?
WC: Technology and social media are definitely addicting. Disconnecting is part of my weekly routine. Either we put our phones on airplane mode while at the cottage, or we temporarily delete all social media from our phones for a few days. It is important to live your life and stop caring about what others are doing.
R: Describe your perfect weekend?
WC: Waking up to no alarm, sipping on a warm cup of coffee and looking out at the water or mountains. Followed by a hike or an activity on the water.
R: How do you take your coffee?
WC: With cream and sugar, or preferably with a shot of Irish cream.
R: Best pizza in your town?
Whichever place my wife is craving that week!
R: What are 5 things you can't live without?
WC: 1. Sun
2. Coffee
3. Phone
4. Passport
5. And, unfortunately, the internet
Follow Will on Instagram to his next incredible destination.
Grab the gear to help disconnect to reconnect.
Blogger, digital marketer, and photographer Shelby Revis is deeply rooted in the Central Florida sun, theme parks, design, and style. A quick glance at her blog or Instagram brings an instant smile to your face. Her bright, rosy colored photos are perfect "pick-me-ups." Read about how she got into fashion and blogging, her love for Disney, and closing out her days longboarding on palm tree-lined streets in Central Florida.
R: Describe yourself, who you are, and what you do
SR: I’m Shelby, a lifestyle blogger and social media influencer based in Orlando, Florida. I was born and raised here, and wouldn’t have it any other way! I’d describe myself as ambitious, witty and creative - I’m a driven individual who likes to do things differently. And, have a little fun, too. :)
R: Your aesthetic makes us feel like we're living in a rosy Disney movie! Where do you draw your inspiration from with your style, blog, and Instagram?
SR: Aw, well thanks! It’s taken me years (read: 10 years exactly), to develop. I’ve been all over the map with my style, but over the years, I’ve allowed myself to grow and am drawn to things that are in line with what I’m feeling at the moment. I draw inspiration from anywhere - movies, perfume ads, Pinterest, my adventures - but the one thing that’s remained the same is that I’m true to my Central Florida background.
R: How did you first get interested in fashion?
SR: I wore school uniforms growing up, and being a creative little butterfly, I felt hindered in what I could do with them. I found a website called Polyvore (which just recently shut down, RIP), and from there, I found my creative outlet and would spend hours creating digital outfits. Shortly after joining that site, I started my own blog using my digital camera and self-timer to capture my outfits on the weekends, since no one else was seeing them. From there, I started connecting with people who shared my love for fashion and art, and the rest is history…
R: Where are your favorite places to longboard to or around in your city?
SR: Truthfully, I’m not the best at it, so I like to goof-off with my boyfriend Jesse around town. We have this gorgeous palm tree-lined sidewalk stretch that I love to longboard on in the evenings since it’s way too hot during the day!
R: We'd argue that the best memories are made while adventuring outside. Is there a certain outdoor experience that stands out as the greatest memory to you?
SR: Does Disney World count? :) But honestly, growing up in Florida, I always loved being on the water. My family would take a trip to The Keys every year, and I think those were my favorite memories of being out on the boat, snorkeling, seeing all the fish and turtles, and just spending time with my family. It’s hard to beat!
R: Sweet tooth? Where are your favorite places to grab a little dessert in Orlando?
SR: 100%. I love Sprinkles Cupcakes at Disney Springs (and I totally maxed out the Cupcake ATM one time…). I also love Voodoo Doughnut at Universal’s CityWalk!
R: Describe your perfect weekend?
SR: Brunch at my favorite spot Holler and Dash, followed by a theme park or two. And then hitting up Park Ave CDs (the best record store), shopping vintage at The Lovely Collection, and grabbing a coffee at Lineage or Foxtail.
R: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
SR: Orlando. :) I love it here, not only for the theme parks but my family is all here, too. And, there’s just so much to do. I get so spoiled here because we have access to almost anything! I could do without the humidity, though.
R: How do you take your coffee?
SR: With lots of vanilla creamer! I’m a sucker for a classic vanilla latte. I also love Lineage’s white cold brew… and so do a lot of other people, because it’s prone to selling out.
R: What are 5 things you can’t live without right now?
SR: 1. Coffee
2. My iPhone (long overdue for an upgrade!)
3. My camera - it goes everywhere with me!
4. Spotify - either listening to Lana or Drake, depends on my mood.
5. My Disney Annual Pass (and a pair of Minnie ears)
Follow Shelby on Instagram for more rosy Disney shots and her Orlando adventures.
Your next evening ride should look a little more like this.
Retrospec is committed to spreading the word about prevention and early detection, so no adventure is ever out of reach.
This October, we are thrilled to partner with the Keep A Breast Foundation™ for the very first time. KAB is committed to empowering young people to know the effects and risks of breast cancer, and check, detect, and protect themselves with early screenings and awareness. Through Breast Cancer Prevention Month, Retrospec is proudly donating $25 of every sale on pink products to the Keep A Breast Foundation.
Keep A Breast began in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Their creative efforts to raise awareness quickly caught the attention of the art, skateboarding, and music worlds with the mantra “Art. Education. Awareness. Action.” Founder Shaney Jo realized that despite the huge strides the organization was making, reaching teens and young adults was still posing an issue. KAB’s most notable efforts were born from this challenge. Innovative and interactive educational methods were used to spread awareness about self-checks and early detection. KAB gained attention for their “I Love Boobies” bracelets, encouraging young people to check themselves and spread awareness about the reality of breast cancer. Additionally, KAB’s Fit 4 Prevention’s movement is aimed at promoting healthy and active lifestyles as a means for reducing the risk of some cancers.
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Retrospec is elated to be teaming up with such a revolutionary organization to further awareness and promote active, adventurous, creative, and most importantly healthy, longer lives.
We’ve explored the little nooks and crannies of our nearby lakes. We’ve paddled out to the open ocean, and more. While we can’t say we’ve seen it all, sometimes paddleboarding can make you feel like we’ve done it all.
For a multitude of reasons, mixing up a hobby, workout, or activity can make it a lot more fun in the long run. Paddleboard fishing isn’t new to the scene. There are paddleboards specifically designed for the sport with built-in tackle and rod racks for extended time spent on the water. Paddleboard fishing doesn’t have to be a lifestyle, or a $2,000 custom paddleboard. iSUP fishing is gaining popularity because of its flexibility, convenience, and affordability. We reached out to Retrospec paddleboard fisherman Sawyer Martin for his tips for fly fishing on his Weekender.
**Fly fishing in and of itself requires specific gear to get going. If you’re not familiar with fly fishing, but are still curious about using your paddleboard to fish, start small. Ensure you have the proper licensing for your area, and begin with worms to catch small fish like perch or sunfish. Begin seated, and transition to your knees, and then to your feet when you feel comfortable maintaining a balance and reeling in.
Sawyer Martin lives in Pensacola, Florida. If you’re unsure of where that is, think as far west as you can get in Florida before hitting Alabama. Martin’s recount of paddleboard fishing is a dreamy, dewey sequence. As he describes it, the best time to head out on his Weekender is when the “sun falls below the horizon and the lights that litter docks along the bays and canals of Pensacola turn on.”
Martin participates in dock light fishing, a popular year ‘round pastime in Florida. Fish are attracted to the ghost-like glow of dock lights, making fly fishing at night a possibility. Martin suggests keeping what you bring on your board as streamlined as possible. One rod, a cooler (doubling as a seat), a half pound anchor, and extra supplies like flies, pliers, and a net. “Limiting areas where line & lures can get snagged up on and keeping the board clutter-free is crucial, especially when fly casting, as your extra line will constantly be coming in contact with the deck of the board.”
Using a paddleboard to fish has its advantages. “Anyone who has ever targeted fish that inhabit dock lights knows how wary these species can be once they become aware of an intruder, whether that be a fisherman on a boat, kayak, or board” Sawyer says. ”The board, when positioned correctly, allows for the angler to make casts in (and around) the light, without spooking the fish.” For tackle, he recommends using something small and flashy, to catch the attention of the fish and reflect off the light.
Where you position your board matters. “I always approach lights slowly and try to position myself as far away as possible, while still maintaining a distance that I can cast from. If it’s calm, I’ll sometimes skip deploying the anchor” Martin suggests. On windier nights, he’ll drop the anchor, tying it to the D-ring on the board. Choosing not to anchor can cause the fish to drag you toward the lights when you finally hook one. Fish can quickly become wary of their environment and suspicious of movement outside of their own. “Once this happens, the fish hanging out at that light generally shut off and refuse to eat for a while,” Martin says, “so try to keep out of the light once hooked up, and use your anchor if you continually have trouble with getting dragged into the light.”
While it’s certainly discouraging if fish get scared away, Martin recommends moving to another light or separate area all together. Using a paddleboard makes it easy to switch from one spot to another. Staying mobile prevents the fish from catching on, and can lead to more catches of your own!
Be aware of your board at all times “Snagging up on the dock is another concern,” Martin warns, “many dock owners do not take kindly to this sort of thing.” Be respectful of the docks, boats, and other fishermen and women around you. On top of that, if you have to clip line make sure to clean it out of the water to avoid littering. Enjoy the stillness of the water, the slowness of fishing, and the relaxation that fishing can bring.
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