The motto for the town of Fernie, British Columbia, “In Montibus ad flumen,” translates to “In the Mountains by the River”—a fairly exact description of the Ktunaxa people’s land that the town is now located on. Tucked in the Elk Valley, Fernie is hugged from the south by the Lizard Range in the Canadian Rockies and the Crowsnest Range to the east. The Elk River …
Factory Visit: Arc’teryx
A sneak peek at new products, testing sites and more at the brand's North Vancouver HQ
When we arrive at Arc’teryx headquarters, moody weather—a calling card of North Vancouver—has darkened the sky. Lush trees adorn the parking lot, blurring the light in the lobby with shadowy leaves. Inside the building, black steel beams frame the windows and hallways, like the darting lines on Arc’teryx clothing. It is nearly inescapable—this brand aesthetic—and it’s only the dozen or so dogs who come to …
100+ Miles on Norco’s Optic C2 Mountain Bike
Test riding an understated bicycle that's ready for anything
Founded in 1964 in Northern Vancouver (aka The North Shore), Norco is a humble Canadian brand that makes mountain bikes that are up to the challenge. The North Shore is thought to be the birthplace of free-ride mountain biking and is, without question, home to some of the gnarliest trails in the world, giving Norco a leg up in testing. It should be no surprise …
Specialized’s New Super-Fast S-Works Venge Bike
Aerodynamics, handling and the ideal weight create a trifecta for riders
Humankind and the bicycle have long had a symbiotic relationship. As Olympic cyclist John Howard once said, “The bicycle is a curious vehicle. Its passenger is its engine.” Part-human and part-machine, the two must synch into perfect harmony—and, as humans change, so does bike design. The most recent evidence of all this is Specialized’s new Venge. Super-fast, it has been designed partly by a supercomputer …
Studio Visit: Neal Feay Designer, Alex Rasmussen
A master of the beauty and utility of high-end anodized aluminum
Not many individuals consider or work with one sole material, but this is precisely what high-end fabricator Alex Rasmussen—of Neal Feay Studio—does with anodized aluminum. Growing up in his grandfather’s aluminum factory (located in a coastline alcove near the Santa Barbara airport) Rasmussen is a lifelong acolyte. He has dedicated himself to exploring the potential in the finer side of aluminum as a design medium, …