Leaving the Olympic City

It was hard to leave all the energy of Vancouver behind and face the 10 hour drive back across the Rockies. Fortunately, we have DeFeet customers along the way and I was able to catch the 1000 meter speed skating event on the television at Runner's Sole in Kamloops. I had a pair of Share the Road socks with me so offered that as a fee - that seemed to be greatly appreciated. Canada won Gold which made it especially exciting.

The most daunting aspect of this drive is the dreaded Roger's Pass which is usually snow covered and icy at this time of year. But, as the whole world knows now, there is no snow in Canada this year or at least it is only in the very high alpine! But, even in the best of weather, the dark tunnels and roads of this pass terrify me. As I approached the pass, the sun was going down on the mountains so I took some photographs to divert my mind away from driving. It truly is beautiful country up here.

I will resume blogging when I do some traveling in the east in a few weeks......I have some serious office work to catch up on. Au revoir.....

Canadian Cross Country Olympic Ski Team

One of the biggest highlights of this Olympic visit was to meet the members of the Canadian Cross Country Ski Team at a reception held for sponsors and friends of the team at Canada Olympic House at Whistler this evening. DeFeet has been a sponsor of the team since 2008. This is a World Class organization with the warmth of a local club. This is not a sport for the faint of heart and Nordic skiers record some of the highest VO2 measurements in the world. We look forward to seeing them race more the coming days.

After a spectacular drive on the new Sea to Sky highway, we arrived at the Whistler venue and were greeted by the Team Director and an RCMP officer. We were also serenaded by two Swiss gentlemen who played Alpenhorns to the tune of Amazing Grace. The Swiss have had great success at these Olympics and they are celebrating!

Thanks to Mike for these great photographs.

Colbert Crowd

A crowd of thousands gathered in a mud soaked open air field to listen to Steven Colbert insult every possible stereotype of Canadian culture. Despite a long wait on a brisk morning, he did not disappoint the crowd. He was downright insulting including a risque question to a well liked Provincial Minister of East Indian descent about which Caste he belonged to? Nice. He seemed to struggle a little with his Canadian funnies and had to do a few retakes, but no doubt it will be hilarious when it airs on the Colbert Nation later this week or next.

Red Mittens

The official Olympic colors are green and turquoise, but it is a sea of red that dominates the landscape in this Olympic city. Russians, Brits, Austrians, Swiss (OK, they have matching flag colors) stand in long lines to buy crates of these Red Mittens.
These mittens are a good practical national symbol as it does get cold in Canada; that is, most years. Vancouver is experiencing the the warmest winter in 120 years! Actually, it seems it is the warmest Winter Olympics on record. This just might change Canada's reputation as the frozen tundra and may also add credibility to Al Gore's Hockey Stick theories about Global Warming. The mass of Olympic humanity here could also be raising CO2 levels???

MEC is a Happy Place

After a few hours of meetings at the MEC headquarters, a store visit was in order to see yet another sock rack.....but, this was no ordinary rack. MEC is known for their knowledgeable staff so I asked to photograph our sock wall and was not only granted permission but staff member Anna obliged. Got to love that enthusiasm!

To be surrounded by all the patriotism of the Olympics, it was fitting to have a scheduled meeting with MEC, arguably one of Canada's companies that best represent the essence of this country's values and where I have had the luxury of meeting so many good citizens passionate about their work and the preservation of our environment.

Vancouver Vibe

After Bode's bronze and a little work it was back on the Vespa into the downtown action. The energy from all over the world has lit up Vancouver. The Olympics unites us in such a positively charged environment.

The Hudson's Bay Company whose heritage is tied to the fur trade and part of Canada's early history, is the daily centre for frenzied shoppers looking for Olympic merchandise, especially those red mittens. We joined the madness this evening and then Mags and I strolled down to the harbor to photograph the Olympic cauldron. - lets hope those floating petrol stations aren't too close!

Creativity is everywhere. Native sculptures and totem poles are surrounded by modern art and giant murals with slogans that inspire. Its always good to see some black and yellow action shots too!

Syl is up at he crack of dawn to train, sometimes with Newman, her new little friend who loves to run with her. The rest of us are trying to keep up. She is gearing up to race the demo snowshoe race after the close of the Olympics. She is part of the team that treat such athletes as the Speed Skater Clara Hughes and Hayley Wickenheiser, the Captain of the Women's Hockey Team so we get lots of good reports from the front lines.

Thanks to Marg for her great shot of the snowboard art and the Cauldron.

Way to go Bode!!

Not only is Bode Miller one of the most exciting skiers to watch, he is a big fan of DeFeet socks and we sponsored him for a few years. And Bode calls it like it is. SO good to see him on the podium in the Men's Downhill.

My Olympic Ride

No better way to tour the city and Olympic sites than on a Vespa to get around the Olympic gridlock. Thanks to cousin MIke blasted around the city and took in Granvile Island, home to Swiss House, the inner harbor, and Stanley Park. Thanks to his energetic Marg who is driving some IOC folks around in official we have had the luxury of moving about with ease through the maze. Vancouver is so alive and today was a beautiful sun shiny day!

Mike and Marg's place gives us a full on view of Olympic City from their rooftop.

How about that Jennifer Heil? That is quintessential Canadian Class! Oooh and just heard the Canadians won Gold in the Men's Moguls!! Wicked!

La Suisse ou La Suede

Quand on a des grands amis des deux pays c'est difficile a decide pour quel pays??? Alors, j'etais pour les deux mais les Suedoise on domine!!

What a treat to see these women play. Actually, I liked it so much because it was clean hockey - no fighting! Sorry boys!

Alleluia

K.D. Lang - is there anyone else on this planet that can do that?

The Great One

We were sitting in the hotel and all of a sudden people started running out - Gretzky's motorcade on the way to the harbour were passing right in front of the hotel. We ran out, joined the mass of humanity running down the streets chasing the great one. It was Just mind blowing to experience the impact of the greatest athlete in Canadian history.

thanks to Melanie Thomson who managed to get this photo where we were standing.

Countdown Clock

Its Vancouver so it was raining but we didn't even notice with all the lights, color, energy, as we stood waiting for the clock to countdown to kick off the 21st Olympiad. Syl was in the stadium - lucky dog, and we watched from the outside and the Hotel Vancouver drinking wine and martinis to celebrate this incredible event. It was so great to have people from all over the world to celebrate with.

The 16 year-old songbird who sang Oh Canada in the most beautiful rendition in memory set the stage for the Opening Ceremony that blew us all away.

We sat in the the Beautiful old Hotel Vancouver until.........

Terry and the Torch

One of Canada's national heros, Terry Fox is immortalized in a statue overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Terry was a 20year old in 1980 when he embarked on a journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific running with one artificial leg the equivalent of a marathon a day. He ran a total of 3339 miles (5,373 km) before he had to abandon journey as his cancer had spread to his lungs. The Marathon of Hope lives on and Terry is one of this country's greatest heros.

On the eve of the Olympics, the local television station here wanted to do an interview with Rob Reid, who not only resembles Terry, but was instrumental in having this monument erected in Terry's memory. What great timing to be here for all of this.....and to hold an Olympic torch that was run in Victoria.

Debbie and Bianca, check out the message. For whatever reason, you both were the first that came to mind when I read it.

Volunteer Victoria

I came to Victoria to visit more bike shops and of course our long-time retailer, Frontrunners Footwear, owned by Rob Reid, the perpetual motion ideas man. He has not only run for Mayor, runs a few businesses but he also runs twice a week with Every Step Counts, a charity that helps individuals struggling with mental health issues or housing problems.

This is an organic West Coast city filled with artists, thinkers, runners and triathletes by the herds. Some of the Canada's biggest names in Canadian Running including Rob himself and such renowned triathletes as Simon Whitfield (two-time Olympic medallist) and Lori Bowden (Ironman winner) call this place home.

Frontrunners is host to the Royal Victoria Marathon and has welcomed some of the legends in running community. Some of these folks have donated their shoes for a display at the store. Bill Rodgers, Dick Beardsley, Lorraine Moller, Joe Hendersen, Bart Yasso are just a few of the greats whose worn out shoes are on display in this running museum of a store.

Good weather also brings in its share of down and out Canadians who can cope better living on the streets in this milder climate.

This mix of Art, Athleticism and Philanthropy does produce some rather unique initiatives. Although I am not sure it if it is art, the Running Shoe Tree more than met its goals for donations of cash and shoes for women in need.

Olympic Mountains

I am back on Canadian soil but the Olympic Mountains iof Washington State were in full view from Vancouver Island today, a spectacular site at Mile 0 on the Canadian West Coast. Everyone is anticipating the opening ceremonies of the Olympics tomorrow night. What a surreal experience to be here and actually going to the biggest sporting event in the world because of my work. Oh Yeah, I like my job a lot!!!

My Friend is the Koolest Kat

Seattle is a frequent stop on the Yellow Road and thanks to my dearest friends Dan, Heidi and Kat, it has also been a distribution center for sock samples, a home away from home, and occasionally I have even hired them as secret shoppers. Got enough Shambalas to last you a lifetime eh Heidi???

I have a Yoga buddy here too. Kat even invented a new move called the peek-a-boo downward dog and she maintains that warrior pose longer than I do. If we could only hook her up to a generator, we could light up a whole city with all her energy. Well, she certainly lights me up every time I visit.

Falling Water

The passage leading to the REI Flagship store in downtown Seattle is a little glimpse of the West Coast Trail and the serenity is reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater.

We are proud to do business with REI, a Co-operative national retailer with core values based on environmental preservation and encouraging people to enjoy and appreciate the Outdoors. DeFeet socks have found a home in the Cycling department of REI stores across the country.

The magnitude of the cycling industry in the Pacific Northwest is astounding. It is hard to imagine negotiating Seattle traffic to commute to work, but almost all city streets have designated lanes so bikes and cars can co-exist. Portland is considered one of the most bike friendly cities in the nation.

Riding is so much a part of life here that the major cities of this region are connected each year by STP (Seattle to Portland), an event that involves tens of thousands of riders and volunteers who participate in a two-day 200 mile ride that seems to celebrate this integral part of the culture.

Bike shops such as Gregg's, one of the largest independently owned bike shops in the country, are thriving despite tough economic times. Some recent encouraging statistics on bike commuting in the United States bode well for our industry and certainly Oregon and Washington are states that are setting the example.

Larger than Life

Every now and again we meet people that seem to affect the world around them so far beyond their own physical space. I had to stop and say hello to John Crews, owner of Bicycles Plus in Folsom, CA. He struck me as one of those people the first time I met him.

He takes the time for all those who walk through his doors. Not only has he founded the charity Ride for a Reason, supporting those living with Parkinson's and Cancer, his most recent project was to fundraise to supply the Pediatric Oncology ward of the local hospital with Notebooks (computers) for the kids. He gives back to the community on so many levels and maintains one of the top 100 bike shops in the country.

It's been a real privilege to meet John and spend some time talking with him.

Auburn, Art, and Sweat Equity

The Tour of California is due to come through Auburn, CA mid May and the town is gearing up for it to fly down main street. This quaint Sierra Foothills community is a cycling haven and the bike folks here will no doubt put this town permanently on the Pro-Tour map.

Linda and John Elgart, our NoCal DeFeet reps included me in a meeting to build a team kit for the Sierra Foothills Cycling Club headed by four gentlemen who are all Western States alumni - the 100 mile ultramarathon. So they ride hard and run long here. Impressive!

The Elgart Design team help to outfit Northern California cycling teams and clubs with fine quality Voler clothing and DeFeet socks. Linda has a Master's in Fine Arts and John an artistic flair that is a huge resource for the companies they work with. So, I gave them a sneak peak at our Fall Collection and once again, their feedback and ideas were an inspiration.

I connected with them the day of their return from two weeks in South America. Never mind jet lag, they were back out on the sales road the next morning. Their due diligence is evident in all bike shops we sell to in NoCal, with some of the best merchandising of DeFeet socks in the country - including in the new Folsom Bike shop with Cafe - Coffee, Tea, Socks?

One Stop Shop

The traffic from LA thins out, the mountains are green from weeks of rain and the next stop is San Luis Obispo (SLO), a College town tucked inside the mountains a few miles from spectacular coastline.

DeFeet has a fine presence in SLO through upscale retailers such as Art's Cyclery.

Art's is a traditional bike shop with long history in this town and also has a second location as part of a Warehouse group of companies that include The Running Warehouse, The Tennis Warehouse and the Tackle Warehouse on the south end of town. With retail space, showooms and a distribution center that ships all over the world, its architecturally appealing exterior and efficient and uniquely private yet open work spaces blend the resources of like-minded companies into a sort of one stop shop experience for consumers, vendors, visitors etc.

Art's meticulous and sparkling showroom features top of the line bike gear and features its partnership with Team Columbia High Road.

We met with the buyers at The Running Warehouse and Art's Cyclery. There is great karma in this building and it is evident that the buyers have a great depth of understanding in their products and passion for what they do. We look forward to Erik's feedback on our Run Collection! I was even fortunate enough to be invited to a Yoga class - much appreciated after weeks of solo Yoga in hotel rooms.

LA is all about Rudy

So I came to Los Angeles to meet with Brad, one of the top DeFeet reps in the country. Well, it turns out Brad has these two bulldogs, one of which rides a skateboard. I miss my dog so badly when I am on the road, that Rudy is a surrogate.

Oh yes, and we did visit many bike shops and one run shop today before going back to check in on Rudy and his sidekicks Humphrey and Rocky. We head north tomorrow up the coast to Santa Barbara and SLO to see more accounts.

Brad is meticulous about making sure DeFeet products are well merchandised so I have confidence we look good in LA. That's important.