Outside's Cycling Issue 2011

Just in time for the warmer weather of spring, Outside Magazine has released the 2011 edition of their Cycling Issue, which takes a look at the hot new trends in bikes and gear for both on the road and on the trail. And if you're in the market for a new bike, they even off up some great suggestions on what to look for when you head to your favorite bike shop.

Amongst the online articles for this year's Cycling Issue are separate articles on the best new Road, Mountain, and Commuter bikes for 2011. These three articles offer up some very drool worthy rides, to say the least, but they don't come cheap. Outside's road bikes started at $2460 and the mountain bike selections began at $1500. Those prices don't sound like a lot for hardcore riders, but I think the "Cycling Issue" could have used some affordable suggestions for beginners and weekend warriors who don't want to drop a couple of paychecks on a bike they'll every few weeks.

That said, if you are a cyclist who finds riding is just part of your life, you'll be in heaven as you gaze longingly at some of the bikes on display. This is pure bike porn, and each of the mini-reviews that accompany the selections will have you wondering how soon you can upgrade your current ride for something new.

On a personal note, I've been doing a lot of riding myself the past week or so. I've got a bit of a foot injury that is keeping me from running at the moment, so I'm working out on the bike instead. Last week I had four hour-long rides on my road bike and over the weekend I hit the trail on my mountain bike. While I miss the running, at least for now, I'm having a blast battling the Texas winds on two wheels.

Outside Gives Us 10 Things To Watch On Everest This Year

The Outside Blog has an interesting list up today of 10 things to watch on Everest this season, featuring a brief run down of some of the fun, and crazy stories from the annual circus that surrounds the world's tallest mountain.

Amongst the items to make the list are Alan Arnette's Memories Are Everything expedition, in which he is climbing to raise funds for the Cure Alzheimer's Fund. Alan is a frequent contributor to the Outside Blog and I have been following his dispatches from the mountain closely as well. Other climbs of note include Edurne Pasaban's no-oxygen climb on the South Side and Nick Rice's attempt to do the same on the North.

A couple of the items on the list aren't actually on Everest, but its neighbor Lhotse instead. Spanish climber  Carlos Soria Fontan is attempting that peak at the age of 72 as his on going effort to climb all 14 of the world's  8000 meter peaks. Similarly, another team of climbers will attempt Lhotse and then ski down the West Face.

At the moment, most of the teams on the mountain are building their high camps and acclimatizing. Some have spent a night or two at Camp 2, and most are waiting for the Sherpa teams to fix the ropes up to C3, C4, and eventually the summit. This is all standard procedure on the mountain, and everything is on schedule for an expected mid-May summit window, weather permitting of course.

Outside's Top 10 (+2) Mountain Bike Videos

Outside Online has posted ten great mountain biking videos (plus two bonus clips) in a couple of posts to their blog. The clips include all kinds of different rides with action galore of course, including everything from big jumps, fast downhill, and craze wipeouts. Some of the videos have been seen on this blog before, but they're also worth a second look. Especially on a Friday!

You'll find the first five clips, plus bonus video, in Part 1 of the blog post, and the second group of five, plus one more bonus clip, in Part 2. While I'm not nearly in the same league as most of the riders in these clips, they sure do make me want to blow off the rest of the day, and go hop on my bike for a ride. Who's with me?

Outside Profiles Miss Elizabeth Hawley

In just a few short days, hundred of climbers will begin to descend on Kathmandu where they'll collect their gear, finish last minute preparations, and then depart for a variety of Himalayan peaks. Each of them will be focused on reaching their respective summits, often spending weeks toiling away on the mountain just to stand on top for a few minutes. But as Outside Magazine notes in their profile of Miss Elizabeth Hawley, the summit doesn't count until she says so.

For those that don't know, Miss Hawley is a fixture in the Himalayan climbing community. The 87-year old woman has been in Nepal for 60 years, documenting and recording every climb up every peak. Many climbers stop by to pay homage and discuss their climb before they set out, then again on their return to Kathmandu, where they are often quizzed about their expedition. To say she has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Himalaya is almost selling Miss Hawley short.

The Outside article talks about her meticulous record and how the are the definitive source for all climbs that take place in the Himalaya. They also quote climbers like Reinhold Messner who even defers to Hawley and her impressive stockpile of information. All told, she has conducted more than 15,000 interviews in her illustrious career, and it doesn't appear that she'll stop anytime soon.

As the 2011 Himalayan Season dawns, this article is a great place to kick off the coverage. After all, Miss Hawley remains the Queen of the Mountains, even though she has never climbed one herself.

Outside Investigates The Death Of Hendri Coetzee

Back in December, the outdoor adventure community was stunned by the news that paddling guide Hendri Coetzee was killed while guiding a team of professional kayakers down the Lukuga River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Coetzee, along with American paddlers Ben Stookesberry and Chris Korbulic, had just completed a tough section of whitewater, when a large crocodile approached them from behind. In an instant, the croc attacked, pulling Coetzee from his boat, and pulling him under the water, never to be seen again. It was a shocking and brutal reminder of how deadly Africa can be, but it still came as quite a shock.

In the latest issue of Outside magazine, the entire incident is explored in detail, and the article is quite a story to read. What we didn't know back in December was that Coetzee was planning on hanging up his paddle and bring an end to his very productive career as a guide and professional paddler with some very impressive first descents under his belt. But as the story says, a predator in the water had a different ending to the story.

The article is entitled Monster in the River, and the entire thing can be read online here. The story is more than just about the tragic end of Hendri's life, but it also about the way he lived it with a passion for what he did, exploring Africa's most spectacular rivers and finding adventure in many different ways. He was truly an inspirational person who just happened to have met an untimely end in a most unexpected way. I highly recommend this story, as it is well told and offers a lot of insight into the man himself.

Another great job from the staff at Outside.

22 Essential Adventure Skills We All Need

Outside Online has a great article on their website listing the bare essential skills that all adventurers should have in their arsenal, no matter where they are headed. They are designed to be a baseline for any outdoor enthusiast who finds themselves off the beaten path from time to time and on adventures, both planned and unexpected.

This list really does have a little of something for everyone, from the backpacker, long distance trekker, or adventure traveler. The skills vary greatly, but they all have one thing in common – making us all safe while we're on the go and making our journeys a lot easier.

In total, there are 22 skills listed on this "bare essentials" list and even if you already know most of them inside and out, it's nice to have a reminder. Most of the entires on the list include anecdotes or stories that explain when and why they are necessary, as well as some helpful tips on how to brush up your own skills in that particular area.

Examples of these essential skills include "Never Get Caught Empty-Pocketed" which means make sure you have the gear you need to survive on you at all times. The "Pack Like A Pro" section offers helpful hints on selecting the right clothing for your trip and packing it all properly, while the "Pull Off a Big Trip" section gives advice on how to organize that adventure you've always wanted to take.

Some of these things may seem elementary upon first glance, but as I said, reminders are always a good thing, and even if you're an old pro, you may find some new tips in this list. Apparently this is just part 1 of a four part series on "essentials" so we'll have plenty more to come it seems.

Nice tips from a great source and an especially helpful article for beginners or those just in the planning stages of their first big adventure.

Join the Outside Adventure Film School in Fiji

Aspiring filmmakers have a fantastic opportunity to join Outside Adventure Film School when it gets underway this April on the isle of Fiji in the South Pacific, where they'll spend ten days rafting, diving, kayaking and more. They'll also be joined by filmmaker Michael Brown who will teach them the art of making adventure films while capturing the not only the aquatic action but also the unique culture of the island.

The film school will run from April 9th through the 19th and begins with a rafting trip through the famous black lava canyons of the Upper Navua Gorge. From there, students, instructors, and Teva sponsored athletes will transfer to a 140-foot sailing vessel known as the Tui Tai, which will be their home and base of operations for the days ahead.

Over the past few years, the Outside film schools have earned themselves a reputation for providing excellent instruction for those looking to get into the business while also providing opportunities to have a little fun and adventure along the way. The 2011 edition looks to continue that legacy with plenty of things to see and due in that tropical paradise.

To learn more about the school and to view the full itinerary, click here. And to fill out the application form, click here.

Outside's Top Ten Adventure Stories For 2010

Yesterday we had an interesting little story on the Outside Blog that listed the Five Greatest Adventure Hoaxes of All Time. Today, they follow that up with their selection for the ten biggest stories in adventure for 2010.

Unlike the list of hoaxes, I won't give them all away here, but suffice as to say, you can predict what a number of those stories will be. Amongst the big adventure news items that made the cut were Alex Honnold's various climbing efforts, which included a new speed record on a couple of back-to-back climbs on El Cap, amongst other things. The continuing battle with performance enhancing drugs in the world of competitive cycling also gets a mention, as does the young kids who lit up climbing the world, like Jordan Romero, who topped out on Everest at the age of 13. Of course, my favorite story of the year, Ed Stafford's completion of his Source-to-Sea trek along the length of the Amazon, also gets a nod.

The top two stories on Outside's list don't rank as high with me simply because I don't follow surfing all that closely. I know in that world they are big stories, but I felt there were others that deserved higher mention, such as Roz Savage's completion of her solo row across the Pacific or Eric Larsen visiting all three "Poles' in a single year. Of course, that's what makes these lists so interesting, is that they are also highly subjective.

What makes your list of the top Adventure Stories for 2010?

Outside Examines The Tragic Death of Andy Irons

I don't do a lot of coverage of the surf scene here on the Adventure Blog, but even I was well aware of talented surfer Andy Irons and was surprised by his untimely death a few weeks back, something that shocked the surfing community and left many wondering what happened.

Outside Magazine has put together a great article about three-time world surfing champ and the demons he battled over the course of his career in the form of drug and alcohol abuse. Brad Melekian, the author of the article, spoke to many people who knew Andy, both in and out of surfing, to put together this compelling look at a true legend of his sport.

The article says that Irons battled addictions to both recreational and prescription drugs and was known to abuse alcohol as well. In one instance, he nearly drank himself to death while in Indonesia. Reportedly in that incident, he blacked out, and stopped breathing for as much as three minutes. It remains unclear at this time weather or not drugs or booze played a roll in his death, but the indications are that he continued to struggle with his addictions until the end.

The story is not an easy one to read, and it paints a picture of a talented athlete who struggled his entire adult life with his addictions. Sadly, when he died in Dallas at the beginning of November, he was on his way home to his wife, who is currently 8 months pregnant with their first child.

The surfing world has lost a legendary competitor, and my condolences go out to Andy's friends and family, who are surely still dealing with his tragic death.

Learn To Shoot Like The Pros At The Outside Workshop

One of the hallmarks of Outside Magazine over the years has been its great photos, and now, thanks to their upcoming photography workshops, you can learn to shoot like the pros from the pros themselves. For four days, beginning October 19th, and running through the 23rd, lucky amateur and pro photographers, will descend on Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they'll have the opportunity to get great tips and training from some of the best photographers in the business today.

Three great professionals will be on hand to help teach their craft, and each of them has a very different speciality. For instance, Jimmy Chin is perhaps the best outdoor/adventure photographer in the world, while Kurt Markus is known for his cultural and fashion photography. They'll be joined by Robert Maxwell, who has earned a reputation for exceptional portraits that are virtually unmatched by any other photographer.

The four day workshop includes lectures, demonstrations and round table discussions, as well as assignments and field work to help attendees get the full "hands-on" experience. There will also be seminars that focus on the digital workflow, as well as visits to local Santa Fe photo galleries, portfolio reviews, and a whole lot more. Outside editors and photographers will also be on hand to lend their expertise as well.

The workshop is limited to just 45 seats and registration is open now. Click here to get in on the fun.

(As a side note, as someone who is working on becoming a better photographer, I'd love to attend a workshop like this one and have the chance to learn from Jimmy Chin!)

Outside Searches For Their Reader of the Year!

Outside Magazine is on the hunt for their next Reader of the Year. Someone who is a subscriber, or fan, of the magazine, who lives and breathes adventure in all it's forms, and loves to be outdoors as often as possible.

Nominations are open now, and will be accepted through September 1, at OutsideReaderoftheYear.com, and yes you can nominate yourself! If your nominee is selected as this year's winner, you'll receive more than $1800 worth of free gear and a three year subscription to Outside. Meanwhile, the winner will become Outside's Chief Inspiration Officer for all of next year, and will be featured in the magazine on a regular basis to provide some of that inspiration for readers.

When considering who should win this prestigious award, think about a person who had been on an amazing, inspiring adventure that demonstrates their commitment to living an active lifestyle or a person who has gone to great lengths to change their own lifestyle, or inspire others to do so, in the fields of "travel, fitness, sport, environmental work, exploration, or innovation."

If that sounds like anyone you know, then you should head on over and fill out the nomination form immediately.  Who knows, you may win some great swag for yourself and gain fame and fortune for your nominee!

Outside's Gear of the Year (Summer Edition)

Outside Magazine has posted their selections for the 2010 Gear of the Year for summer items, and just in time for the weather to really start warming up. As usual, they pick some really amazing stuff that we'd all love to have, if our pocket books and gear closets could support it all.

Some of the gear that earned nods this year include the Ultra Light Super Spiral Down Hugger #1 from Montbell, which is a sleeping bag rated for 15 degree weather, which weighs in at just 2.3 pounds. Of course, you'll want to climb inside that bag while resting comfortably in a tent, and Outside recommends you go with the REI's Half Dome 2+ tent for your backpacking shelter needs. And when you're ready to hit the trail, pack all of your gear inside the Infinity 50 Backpack from Black Diamond.

If backpacking isn't your thing, perhaps you'd like to hit the road on the new Gary Fisher Cronus Road Bike or if you'd prefer the trail instead, than the Blur LT Carbon SPX Mountain Bike from Santa Cruz may be more to your liking.

Whether you're in the market for new light jackets, kayaks, or even luggage, you'll find a little of everything on this list. A word of warning though, it may induce a healthy dose of gear lust, from which the only cure involves your credit card and going shopping.

Running Big Falls in a Kayak... and an Inner Tube?

This video just came through the Outside Magazine Twitter feed, and I thought it was a fun one to share. What's scarier? Going over a big water fall in a kayak or an inner tube? Watch the video and see what you think! :)

Metlako Falls from Rolf Kelly on Vimeo.

Outside Magazine's Cycling Issue

Spring may still mean backcountry skiing for some, but for most of us it means it's time to get out our bikes and go for a ride. It is with that spirit in mind that Outside Magazine has published their Cycling Issue with all kinds of treats for those of us who have recently returned to the saddle.

Outside starts things off with a list of the top road bikes bikes for 2010, giving us a rundown of the most drool-worthy new machines to peddle this year. There are offerings from the usual suspects, including Trek, Specialized, Raleigh and more. These bikes are technological wonders, from the frames, gear systems, and breaks, down to the very design, and not only are they fun to ride, they look great too.

Next up, Outside has an article on preparing for a 24-hour race, one of the most demanding competitions in cycling. The story gives advice on training, nutrition, gear, and even the course for the upcoming 24-hours of Moab, one of the better known and most competitive of the 24-hour races. The Moab course is legendary for its challenges, but this article can help get you ready for the event, which takes place in October. Plenty of time to get ready!

To further help you prepare for a cycling race, or to just get back into shape for riding, there are a series of videos to help strength your core for both road and mountain biking. These exercises will no doubt prove useful in other outdoor activities as well, such as kayaking, hiking, and running, and they can form a good nucleus to help augment your existing workout.

Finally, Outside tops off the Cycling Issue with a cool photographic history of bikes. It is interesting to see how the machines that we peddle have evolved over the years, turning into the high tech wonders that we ride today.

After reading through all of this, I'm ready to head home and put on my biking shorts and helmet, pump up the tires in my Specialized, and hit the road for a nice long evening ride. Seems like a perfect way to end the week. Who wants to join me?

Outside Gives Us 20 Great Trips For 2010!

Just because we're three full months into 2010 doesn't mean that we still can't make a "Best of" for the year. That's exactly what Outside Magazine did when they put together there selection for the Best Adventure Trips for this year.

The article explains that they sorted through 763 new adventures to boil their list down do the ones that they chose. The idea was to find the overall best active vacations for the Outside readers, and since the economy remains in the tank, keeping them affordable was also a high priority. The results are some truly spectacular trips that will surely add a few items to your life list.

Some of the adventures that they recommend include sailing on a catamaran off the coast of Thailand, going in search of the elusive snow leopard in the Himalaya, and mountain biking for 600 miles through New Zealand backcountry. There is a little something for everyone here, whether you want a very challenging and busy adventure or something a bit more relaxed, but still amazingly original.

Personally, I'll recommend the Everest Trek that visits both sides of the mountain that is guided by legendary filmmaker David Breashears. Talk about an amazing opportunity!

Teen Adventurers: How Young Is Too Young?

Yesterday we had an interesting article, courtesy of Alan Arnette, on the right age to be climbing Everest. In that story, Alan talks about the youngest and oldest to make that climb, and mentioned two people going for the opposite ends of that spectrum this Spring.

One of those climbers, Jordan Romero, is the subject of an article from Outside Magazine entitled "Into Teen Air", that not only looks at the exploits of the 13-year old mountaineer, but also asks some tough questions, such as at what age is it too young for these kids to be making these these high altitude climbs?

The story mainly focuses on Jordan and his plans to summit Everest this spring, following his successful climb of six of the other Seven Summits. But it also takes a look at Johnny Strange and Johnny Collinson. Strange is the current record holder for the Seven Summits, at the age of 17, but Collinson also made those climbs at the same age, and was bested by just a few months. Both of them faced similar criticisms as Jordan while they were planning their expeditions. Still, Strange says that he wanted to climb Everest at 13, and now admits that it wouldn't have been a good idea.

All in all, the article reads more like a profile of Jordan, but does try to tell both sides of the story. It's hard not to be impressed by the kid, and it seems his father is taking great strides to make sure everything remains safe. Jordan is a cool customer, with lots of experience at altitude now, and he seems to be humble and well grounded. Still, I can't help but feel that 13 is just too young to be on Everest, or any other 8000 meter peak. I also think it is a bit ridiculous to be chasing records for the "youngest" to accomplish something. Those kinds of records are dubious and dangerous in my opinion, and if it isn't about those records, whey can't he wait until he's older to fulfill his quest? It should be noted that I fell very similarly about other kids going for circumnavigation records and similar adventurous pursuits.

I do wish Jordan luck of course. I hope that the climb goes well and that he not only reaches the summit, but makes it back down in one piece. I just happen to fear the ten year old who will follow him.

Help Pick The Greatest Post-1900 Adventurer!

Outside Magazine is running a pretty interesting poll today on their Outside Blog, asking us to help pick the Top 10 Adventurers since 1900. The magazine itself has already made their selections, and they'll appear in the April issue which hits newsstands on March 13th, but they're giving us a chance to weigh in on the topic as well.

The actual online poll can be found by clicking here. We're asked to select our own ten adventurers from a list of 30+ names, or write in our own candidates. The list includes explorers, climbers, mountaineers, and a host of others from a variety of areas.

The list is fairly distinguished, although it's a bit too heavy with more recent names if you ask me. Not that some of those candidates shouldn't be on the list, but perhaps an expansion to include more names should be necessary. I also wonder why someone like Robert Falcon Scott doesn't make the cut, nor Percy Harrison Fawcett, while some of the others were included. Why have Amelia Earhart for instance, but no Charles Lindbergh? The blank text box helps to rectify some of these issues, but we can only write in a single choice.

As for Outside's on selections, their top ten looks like this:
10. Loic Jean-Albert
9. Robyn Davidson
8. Greg Noll
7. Doug Ammons
6. Yvon Chouinard
5. Lynn Hill
4. Thor Heyerdahl
3. Beryl Markham
2. Reinhold Messner
1. Roald Amundsen

Overall, not a bad list, and it's hard to argue with most of them. Who would you add, both to the top ten and the options on the poll?

Outside Coming To The iPad!

There aren't a lot of details on this yet, but there is an interesting post today on the Outside Blog that proclaims that Outside Magazine is headed to the iPad, the latest wonder gadget from Apple.

Last night during the Oscars, the first iPad commercial debuted (watch it below), and last week it was announced that it would begin appearing in stores on April 3rd. The thin, lightweight device has a 10" screen and will run a multitude of apps, while also serving as an e-book reader. Since it was announced at the end of January, a number of publishers have declared their intentions of having their magazines and books published on the device, some with very interesting "enhanced" versions. While there is no word as to when the iPad edition of Outside will appear, or if it will differ from the print version in any way, we are told that we'll soon be able to "read the magazine anywhere, without having to worry about where you left your paper copy."

The first commercial for the iPad offers a quick look at some of the things the device is capable of. But for a better idea, check out the second video below. It show off some books that are coming soon from Penguin Books, and just how they will be enhanced on the platform. It gives you a small glimpse as to why people are very excited about these new devices, which are so much more than just a "bigger iPhone". Personally, I can't wait to use an iPad when I travel. I think it has huge potential as a multi-use device.

Outside Magazine's Editor's Choice For 2010!

Outside Magazine has published their Editor's Choice Awards for 2010, listing 51 great "items" that have caught the attention of the Outside staff in the past year. I say "items" in quotations because this is a very eclectic mix of everything from gear to people to activities and a whole lot more.

The wide ranging list of things to earn a spot on the list is part of what makes it so fun. For instance, one of the editor's choices is Nepal (yes, the whole country!) which comes in at #47. They love it because it is a trekkers paradise filled with unique experiences and cultural wonders, not to mention some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. Other wonderful things to earn a spot on the list include "Empty Trailheads" (#41 - and we can all appreciate this one!), utilitarian bikes (#22), and Rob Machado's Hair, which reaches as high as #15 on the countdown. These examples give you an idea of the fun that they had while making the list, while still reminding us of a lot of really cool stuff that is just plain awesome.

The Outside staff didn't stop with just their list of good stuff though. They also came up with a list of ten items that weren't on the editor's choice. Those items include $100 lift tickets, zip-off pants, and the one I agree with the most, an empty passport.

Both of these lists are meant to be equal parts serious and tongue in cheek, but with a good all around message. Perfect reading for a Monday in February. Enjoy!

Outside's Top Ten Adventure Stories of the Decade

With the end of 2009 now just a couple of days away, I'm sure we'll see a few more of these "Best of the Year" and "Best of the Decade" lists. The Outside Blog gets things started today with their selection of the Top 10 Adventure Stories of the Decade.

The list spans a lot of different and unique stories ranging from the likes of Aron Ralston's dramatic and controversial survival tale to Lance Armstrong making Yellow a cool color. You may recall that back in 2003, Ralston rose to fame after being trapped in the wilderness under a boulder for several days, and then cutting his own arm off to escape, and while Lance spent many days in the Yellow Jersey of the Tour de France, his iconic "Live Strong" bracelets may have been the real reason the color became so popular.

Other stories that make their list include Dean Potter's literal rise to top rock climber to BASE jumper, the continued debate in mountaineering circles about a number of issues surrounding Everest, and Kelly Slater's 41 ASP victories in surfing. The list is far reaching and covers a multitude of areas, most of which were front and center in the pages of Outside over the past ten years.

So, what do you think of their choices? A number of those wouldn't make my list, but they are interesting selections none the less, and very fitting with the magazine's audience.