Everyday Epics

Episode 5: Xavier Gorloo -- Part 2 -- “One Bite Brownie and The Bolt"

“One Bite Brownie and The Bolt" In this episode, Xavier Gorloo returns to share the creation story of a future classic: a bolted multipitch route in the Ya Ha Tinda area, west of Sundre, Alberta. The route was given the name “One Bite Brownie,” and those of you who have brought Two Bite Brownies along on any adventure can probably relate to that title. Once again, Xavier captivates us with his enchanting storytelling style, reminiscent of pioneer climbers in the Bow Valley who have inspired him and even acted as his mentors. Now, it’s quite evident that it’s Xavier’s turn to forge his way up unexplored crags and leave his mark on climbing history in the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies.

Episode 4: Nick Edwards and Race to the Rock

Nick is one of those people who make you feel like you’ve known them for a lifetime even if you’ve only spent a video chat together. Nick’s storytelling is captivating and his stories are as unique and quirky as the bikes he rides for work on a daily basis. Nick has a particular way of turning every ordinary thing in his life into some kind of extraordinary adventure. In this episode we listen to Nick recount his experience getting in touch with his Australian roots while completing one of the most absurd bikepacking races on the planet. The Race to the Rock is a 3700+ kilometer race from the coast of Australia to Uluru (the big rock in the middle of the Outback). The course is different every year and the year Nick raced, he departed from the Iconic Sydney Opera House. He placed second overall in what was a truly magnificent monster of a ride. So, buckle up, this is a crazy story.

Episode 3: Dave Waugh & Julia Halwa -- "It Goes, But You Shouldn't"

Dave Waugh and Julia Halwa are both highly accomplished cyclists, outdoor enthusiasts, and adventurers. Each has a seemingly never-ending library of epic, glory-filled adventure stories. In this episode, however, they dive into one of their lesser-known feats of human endurance. What was once a notable ride highlighted in Doug Eastcott’s book, Backcountry Biking in the Canadian Rockies, has since turned into a bushwhacking purgatory for a single hiker—let alone two humans pushing their bicycles. Prior to Dave and Julia’s “ride,” there was little to no documentation of this route being completed by bike for decades. As a great leader once said, “You have to go to know.” Well, Dave and Julia went—and they learned that the route does “go,” so you never have to.

Episode 2: Alex and Brian -- Finding Bikepacking

This episode, we are diving into how we discovered our most favouritest way to spend time ever. From mosquito induced mental breakdowns to getting tossed in the back of a Croatian police van, this episode dives into two of our first bikepacking/cycletouring adventures. It's essentially just a conversation we had trying to put some of the pieces of how we fell in love with cycling together. As we re-listened to it, we realized we forgot some pretty hilarious stories and details, but on the other hand, we remembered some things that we haven't thought about since they happened. So, enjoy! Or, whatever... :)

Episode 1: Xavier Gorloo -- Part 1 -- "Jerry is a State of Mind"

For our first official episode, we're talking with someone who's one of our favourite humans and our best friend. We've learnt the basics on rock and ice with him, shared countless summits, crawled up endless scrambles together, and have spent long days learning how to move through different terrain. He's the person who's shaped how we move through wild spaces, who never says no to a crazy idea, and whose relentless ambition makes us reconsider what pushing limits means. Today we're finally recording just a small fraction of the stories that have fascinated and intrigued us whenever we have the opportunity to catch up with him. This conversation is our way of honouring someone whose presence in our lives has changed everything about how we experience the mountains. This is Xavier Gorloo.