Hi. I'm Charlotte. I work at Garneau, and I have a problem: I can't stop signing up for races. 

Swim. Bike. Run. Repeat. That's the triathlon part. Then there's the ultramarathons, because apparently a marathon wasn't far enough. Spartan races, because sometimes running needs barbed wire. Hyrox, because who doesn't love burpees when their legs are already gone. Ultraswim (haven't completed/survived that one yet) in Montenegro...

And when I'm not doing any of that, you'll find me on a squash court, either playing or coaching. 

Oh, and Ironman. Did I mention Ironman? 3.8 km of swimming, 180 km of cycling, and a full marathon to finish it off. On purpose. 

I've also been fortunate enough to ride in some incredible places around the world. On one trip through Norway, I climbed Trollstigen expecting summer and found myself descending through cold rain and snow without enough gear. By the time I reached the bottom, I was shivering uncontrollably and crying on the descent. Another time, I was riding along the Danube in Austria during a heat wave, jumping into the river at every stop to cool off, only to be completely dry again by the time I got back on the bike. Between freezing on a mountain in Norway and baking beside the Danube in Austria, I've learned that weather forecasts are suggestions. But more importantly... 

Comfort isn't a luxury. It's performance. 

At Garneau, I help tell the stories behind our products. Outside of work, I'm the person putting those products to the test. 

The more I train, the more I realize the small details matter. Not the flashy marketing claims. The things riders actually feel after four hours in the saddle. 

The chamois that disappears beneath you. The jersey pocket that's easy to reach when you're tired. The layer you packed before the weather turned. 

An Ironman teaches patience. 

Hyrox teaches suffering. 

An ultramarathon teaches humility. 

Together, they make you very picky about apparel. 

That's why I'm starting this series. 

I'll be sharing lessons from training, racing, gear testing, and the occasional mistake that seemed much smarter at the time. We'll talk about cycling, triathlon, endurance sports, comfort, performance, and the details that can make or break a day outdoors. 

And we'll start with a question I've heard more times than I can count: 

Does Your Triathlon Distance Change the Chamois You Need?

We'll dive into that next time. 

See you on the road, 

Charlotte