GEAR SWAP Saturday September 26th
This swap is for summer gear including bikes, camping gear, tents, packs, canoes and kayaks. No skis or snowboards at this swap please!

If you have items you would like to sell, bring them in between Monday September 21st and Friday September 25th to register them. We can help you set a price if you wish. If it sells you can get 100% store credit or 80% cash back.

 

Please pick up any of the unsold items before October 10th or they will be donated as we see fit.

If you are in the market for a used mountain bike, road bike, camping gear or paddling gear drop by Saturday for the great deals.

Tour de Greenbelt 2009 Sept 12, 13, 26 & 27th

Paddler Co-op Gear Sale Sept 5th and 6th
Paul's Dirty Enduro Sept 19th
Lift Lock 10K  Sept 20th

 

We often see Kevin when he is rushing in to get that last minute item for his next trip but he always has enough time to tell us a quick, usually hillarious, story about something that happened on the last trip. Kevin's blog has stories and video clips from his canoe trips and other adventures. They are often funny and well worth the read/watch. We thought you might want to take a look and enjoy these stories, dreaming of your next adventure.

 

Fall is a great time to ride your bike, the roads and trails are less busy and autumn colours can make it a spectacular day out.  The only catch is the weather, no longer can you just don a pair of shorts and a jersey and set off.  Choosing the right cycling clothing can help you comfortably extend your season well into late fall.  The secret is to dress for success. 

This year Wild Rock has a great selection of men's and women's cool and cold weather cycling apparel from name brands you know and trust (Ibex, Pearl Izumi, Cannondale, Gore, and Race Face).  If you don't own a set of knee and arm warmers this is a great way to stave of the morning chill and are easily removed when the temperature warms up.  If it will be cool all day, a set of knickers or tights and a long sleeve jersey with a windproof front or a vest will keep you at the right internal temperature. 

As with all outdoor pursuits, layering is essential for moisture management and our staff swears by Icebreaker or Patagonia as a first or baselayer.  A set of long finger gloves and some cycling booties to cover your shoes will keep your extremities warm and cozy.  In case the weather changes a packable cycling specific jacket is a great way to stay dry and warm. Variable conditions will make you appreciate the pockets in a cycling jersey so you can store your spare clothing. 

Drop by soon and let our knowledgeable staff help you get the clothing you need to make this your best autumn cycling season yet.

Pearl Izumi Great clothing for road or mountain
Ibex Gorgeous wool cycling clothing
Cannondale Great bikes and some of the best clothing
Gore Bikeware Made by Gore for cyclists
Race Face  Hard core gear and clothing for mountain

 

Interested in Running?
Wild Rock's dedicated staff are runners of different varieties.  Some use it for cross training, some get some kilometers in before and during cyclocross season and some actually run and race for the joy of running.
As many of us explore this world we have come across and started to sell some running products that are hard to find.  

XTENEX laces are an example of a great product that make running and triathlons better.  Instead of the normal smooth speed laces that adjusts itself to whatever position it wishes, Xtenex laces have bumps so you can adjust the tension on each eyelet separately.  They increase the comfort of any running shoe and make your T2 transitions faster.

Several other products that really stand out are NEWTON Running Shoes.  These shoes have really helped a number of improve our running by making us more mindful of how we run.  Check out the LINK for the theory behind them.  They are not the least expensive shoe on the market at $189 but I am quite convinced they are a good investment.  They are light, comfortable and durable.

With long runs sometimes come blisters.   Injinji socks are the best at warding off blisters that happen between your toes.  Whether due to toenails or just moist skin on skin abrasion these socks beat the best of the rest.  Don't worry they take a little getting used to when putting on but you will soon forget about them when you slip them into your shoes.


 

 

When is enough enough?

Have you ever thought "Life would be perfect if I just had XYZ."  You squirrel away your pennies or rack up the credit card to acquire this much coveted item and before the big day the excitement in palpable.  After getting the item home, how did you feel after 2-3 weeks?.  Most people no matter how cool the item is and no matter how much you thought it would make your life better return to their normal level of life satisfaction in a couple of weeks. There is much written about this centered around a person's life satisfaction set point.  It never changes much unless the events are large and have impact beyond that of simply purchasing something.

As I make my living in retail you might think I am crazy to even bring up this as it goes against typical "retail therapy".   You might be right but we thrive on long term customers.  It makes me feel great to see customers develop happy, healthy lifestyles where purchasing items is in support of the lifestyle and not the end goal.  

These people have come to the conclusion that when they are on their death beds they are not likely to be looking back and be caught saying or thinking "I should have driven a fancier car or I should have had a bigger TV".   They have accepted it is the journey or everyday experiences that when tweaked can change your life satisfaction set point and not the accumulation of items.

Call an old friend and go out and do something fun together.  Set your goals on higher levels of life satisfaction and other than early smile lines you won't regret it.