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Men's Journal May/June 2021 (Digital)

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46 Articles

Letter From the Editor

Everyone at Men’s Journal is still working remotely. The pluses of that situation are obvious: work from home or anywhere, no commuting, avoiding COVID, nap whenever. The big downside is that office camaraderie is no more. Discussing stories, face-to-face collaborations, figuring out where to get lunch, and keeping an eye on the ever-growing pile of junk on that one guy’s desk have been replaced with Zoom calls and an avalanche of emails. As a result, I’ve found myself living vicariously through some of the events and people featured in these pages, who are doing all kinds of exciting, interesting, and challenging things with their lives. The Olympics kick off July 23 in Japan after a year’s delay. Once again the USA is sending lots of top talent, including swimmer Caeleb Dressel. Heralded…

Letter From the Editor

E-MOUNTAIN BIKES TAKE OFF

Barely a year ago, e-mountain bikes were a curiosity on backcountry trails—now they’re here to stay. Twenty-five percent of all dollars spent on mountain bikes in 2020 went to models equipped with a motor and battery that boost pedaling power. That’s because pedal-assisted bikes offer indisputable advantages: They lessen the gut-punch of harsh, relentless uphills, and help riders crank over blocky rocks and other muscle-sapping technical features. Consequently, e-mountain bikes (e-MTBs) let cyclists of varying abilities and fitness levels ridetogether compatibly, with badasses on regular bikes and less-aggro types using pedal-assist. Action photographers are increasingly using e-MTBs to chase pros into Gnarville—while hauling loads of camera gear with far less pain. Riders in scorching climates love how e-MTBs let them dodge heatstroke in temperatures that typically make cyclists hang up…

E-MOUNTAIN BIKES TAKE OFF

SLAUGHTER PEN AND BLOWING SPRINGS Bentonville, Arkansas The Slaughter Pen system includes rollicking downhill flow lines (Boo Boo and Choo Choo) and chundery Schroen Train. The Razorback Regional Greenway to the Blowing Springs network has cliffy drops and waterfalls. SOUTH MOUNTAIN PARK AND PRESERVE Phoenix Towering saguaro cacti surround these 70 miles of blocky-rocky singletrack where Pivot Cycles developed and tested its Shuttle e-MTB. THE WHITE RIM Moab, Utah This 100-mile route showcases scenery in Canyonlands National Park. On e-MTBs, cyclists can complete it over three days (rather than the usual four) and float up the final 1,500-foot climb. GREENHORN GULCH Ketchum, Idaho Smooth, flowy ribbons of decomposed granite wind through thickets of wildflowers, grasses, and ghost forests scorched by wildfires. E-MTBs let you see it all on the 23-mile loop combining the Cow Creek/Mahoney/Greenhorn/Imperial trails. BIG BEAR LAKE San Bernardino, California You can…

BREWPUBS WITH A VIEW

Think beer plants are ugly? There’s more to marvel at than stainless steel vats at these microbreweries with big flavors and bold settings. FULL SAIL BREWING CO. Location: Hood River, Oregon The view: Columbia River Gorge The beer: Session Premium Lager—winner of 28 gold medals Full Sail was declared Oregon’s Brewery of the Year at 2020’s New York International Beer Competition. As impressive is the brewery’s outdoor deck, which has sweeping views across the Columbia River Gorge into Washington state, complete with Columbia River wind- and kite-surfing entertainment. DIRT FARM BREWING Location: Bluemont, Virginia The view: Blue Ridge Mountains The beer: Tart 31 Cherry Ale—with farm-picked Montmorency cherries In prime Blue Ridge country, the lofty patio of this brewhouse and family farm known for its fresh “plow to pint” seasonals hovers 1,000 feet above the bucolic Loudoun Valley. Arrive early…

BREWPUBS WITH A VIEW

CAN THIS NEW EV REALLY DRIVE US OFF THE GRID? WE’RE ABOUT to get hit with a surge of burly electric adventure vehicles, from a plug-in pickup from Rivian to the electrified rebirth of Hummer. Each of these rigs will be powerful—and heavy. What if there were another way? Such is the question posed by Aptera and its eponymous three-wheel electric vehicle with solar assist, which the San Diego company aims to roll out in 2022. Aptera is a featherweight—it should weigh between 1,800 and 2,200 pounds. Along with an absurdly low drag coefficient, that spry makeup will enable the solar panels on its shell to create enough power to send it 45 miles daily—meaning some owners might not have to plug it in at all, though when they do they’ll gain…

SHOULD WILDLIFE BE PRIVATE PROPERTY?

EACH FALL thousands of people from around the country flock to Montana to hunt. They come for the state’s wilderness, abundant game, and the mythology that imbues its vast, open landscape. And because it’s one of the few Lower 48 states where wildlife—and access to it—is still a public trust. Montana’s free and fair wildlife access sets it apart in the West. In New Mexico, for example, nearly half of all hunting tags go to private landowners, who can sell them to the highest bidder. In Colorado, up to 25 percent of tags are given to landowners to sell. In Wyoming, hunters can’t hunt in wilderness areas without paying an outfitter to guide them. In Texas, most land has been privatized. That’s why when Montana’s state government moved to privatize most hunting,…

SHOULD WILDLIFE BE PRIVATE PROPERTY?

L.A.’S WILDEST WALK

“PRISTINE BACKCOUNTRY” isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions Los Angeles. But the nearby Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offers a surprisingly easy escape from potholes and population density. Hiding in plain view above (insert your least favorite L.A. freeway), the 153,000 acres of sage-covered slopes and oaky canyons are laced with over 500 miles of hiking trails stretching from central L.A.’s Griffith Park to outer Malibu. Home to more than 1,000 plant and 500 animal species, it’s been called the world’s largest urban national park. Winding through it all is the Backbone Trail, one of the longest continuous trails in Southern California. At 67 miles, it threads through one of the largest Mediterranean-type ecosystems on Earth. It doesn’t take long to completely forget you’re near…

L.A.’S WILDEST WALK

ONCE UPON A TIME, a film reaching theaters and your home at the same time sounded crazy, like having to personally educate your kids because they couldn’t go to school for an entire year. Now it’s a reality. Here are a handful of movies hitting big screens and streaming simultaneously this summer, letting you keep up with the new blockbusters, even if it means making your own popcorn. SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY Expected Release Date: July 16 Benefits of being a LeBron teammate: You get to win a title and appear in a Space Jam reboot! (Get him something nice, Anthony Davis and Kyle Kuzma.) In reviving Michael Jordan’s original, King James brings together Don Cheadle, Foghorn Leghorn, and lots more actors, athletes, and animated characters. IN THE HEIGHTS Expected Release Date: June 18 Aka…

WE’RE WITH HER JENNIFER CONNELLY

You star in one of the most anticipated sequels ever, Top Gun: Maverick, which hits theaters on Nov. 19. What was it like to be part of a blockbuster film franchise? High octane. I experienced things I never had before—motorcycles and sailboats. And I flew in a vintage World War II fighter plane with Tom Cruise that he piloted. Tom asked if I’d ever done any aerobatic flying. I said, “No … am I going to?” He said we’re just going to do some easy rolls and ignited the engine. Flames burst out, which evidently is normal, but I certainly wasn’t expecting that. After the original Top Gun came out in 1986, the Navy claimed enlistment went up 500 percent. Did flying with Cruise peak an interest in naval aviation for you? No.…

WE’RE WITH HER JENNIFER CONNELLY

1. Flashbomb Heat Seeker 3/2 Chest Zip E6 Rip Curl This revolutionary suit covers you during extra-crisp predawn missions by retaining heat—and creating it, courtesy of Flex Energy neoprene, which activates to generate added warmth as you paddle. Stretchy mesh panels help absorb solar heat while matte panels on arms and chest reflect wind chill. $460; ripcurl.com 2. R1 Lite Yulex Front-Zip (Short-Sleeve) Patagonia This redesigned winner’s stretchier pattern allows effortless freedom of movement, and a reconfigured front zip makes entries and exits hassle-free. It also remains one of the most sustainable wetsuits, utilizing natural rubber on the exterior fabric and a noticeably softer arm and leg lining that are both 100 percent recycled. $299; patagonia.com 3. Modulator 3/2 Chest Zip Volcom Don’t let this suit’s smooth and simple look fool you. The premium details are…

BEST EVERYDAY SUP The longboard-inspired NSP SLX DC Super X has a wider tail that offers a loose, playful feel, with a subtle swallow notch that still hooks turns. Flax rails deflect paddle strikes, and bevel at the nose, to encourage toe-hanging off this speed machine. And the 2+1 fin setup is just asking for some overhead waves. $1,000; nspsurfboards.com BEST PERFORMANCE LONGBOARD The gorgeous Stewart Ripster is a contest-ready single fin that makes crappy surf easier—progressing from a sharp-railed tail to a more forgiving chest and popped-up nose that swings fast on glassy faces, accelerates around chop, and nose-rides for days. From $1,095; stewartsurfboards.com BEST DO-IT-ALL The Channel Islands CI Mid epitomizes the mid-length board renaissance that enables smooth and stylish surfing, relying on extra volume in the front half to provide speed through…

RECYCLED LAYERS

1. The sustainably built COALATREE EVOLUTION HOODIE is made partly from spent coffee grounds mixed with melteddown plastic bottles to create a soft, water-repellent fabric. Nice details include thumbholes and a kangaroo pouch that turns it into a pillow. $109; coalatree.com 2. Beyond the solid eco bona fides of APPALACHIAN GEAR COMPANY’S ALLPACA CREW, made from 100 percent alpaca yarn responsibly sourced from Peru, the fabric makes a superb insulator—lightweight, packable, breathable, and extremely fast-drying. $153; appalachiangearcompany.com 3. The carbon-conscious JACK WOLFSKIN JWP SHELL is built with 90 percent Bluesign-approved textiles, uses a 100 percent recycled waterproof and stretchy membrane, and is completely PFC-free. It’s also ultralight, weighing a mere 14 ounces. $130; us.jackwolfskin.com 4. Casual cool that’s ready for adventure plus a build from recycled nylon called ReZion make these PRANA ALAMEDA…

RECYCLED LAYERS

OVERNIGHT LIGHT

1. Yes, non-canvas tents can be eco-friendly, too. The BIG AGNES SOLUTION DYE collection uses fabrics produced with 50 percent less water and an 80 percent reduction in overall energy and chemical use, but retains excellent UV protection. The TIGER WALL UL2 MTNGLO ups the ante with integrated LED lighting and elevated storage inside a 2-pound, 5-ounce package. $450; bigagnes.com 2. MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR’S LAMINA ECO AF sleeping bag line eliminates manufacturing dyes to produce bone-white bags that roll back water and chemical usage. They’re also made from all-recycled components as well: Shell and lining are 100 percent; insulation is 70 percent (available in 30-or 15-degree). Even the lowly hood-drawstring lock is made entirely from recycled ocean plastic. $240; mountainhardwear.com 3. Solar-powered LEDs are a logical choice for lighting up your sustainable campsite.…

OVERNIGHT LIGHT

BACKCOUNTRY BARISTA

1. WACACO’S NANOPRESSO takes the countertop espresso maker and shrinks it to the size of a sunglasses case. It’s slick: Grinds go in one end, hot water in the other. Then a few pumps of the piston produce up to 261 psi for one 2.7-ounce shot of super-smooth go-go juice (crema froth included). $65; wacaco.com 2. The stainless steel plunger on PLANETARY DESIGN’S BRUTREK FRENCH PRESS creates a physical barrier between 32 ounces of liquid coffee and grounds. With an insulated aluminum shell and spill-proof lid, nurse every precious drop without over-extraction bitterness or gritty final sips. $60; planetarydesign.com 3. Dump a single 20g serving of choice beans into one side of the minimalist VSSL JAVA cylinder, twist the grinder screw to adjust up to 50 settings of coarseness, and crank away. Seconds of…

BACKCOUNTRY BARISTA

GREENER PASTURES

M18 Fuel Blower Milwaukee Don’t call this beast a leaf blower. Yeah, it’ll clear downed oak and maple leaves, but it can also blast debris out of the garage or snow off a windshield. The massive 8 amp-hour battery can crank out a 120-mph windstorm that reaches 15 feet away. At full power, expect 20 minutes of run time; adjust the throttle to dial back power and preserve the battery for lighter tasks. $300; milwaukeetool.com 40V HP Brushless Carbon Fiber String Trimmer Ryobi This versatile whacker’s brushless motor helps eke more run time from the battery—so you’ll likely need a lemonade break before it needs a recharge. Beyond weed trimming, a few twists of a shaft knob allow the addition of other (not included) chore-adapted attachments like a sweeper, snowblower or polesaw. $230;…

GREENER PASTURES

1. Though it also piggybacks off of your smartphone (and pairs with other GARMIN devices, like its smartwatch), the scant INREACH MINI sets itself apart with an ultra-low-power LCD screen, which is easy to use when your phone dies. Included is Garmin’s GPS navigation Earthmate app with unlimited North American topo maps. Activate: $30; fees from $12/month (annual contract) or $15/month (no contract). Battery: 90 hours for the 10-minute tracking mode. $350; garmin.com 2. Upgrades to the newest version of SOMEWEAR allow the shockproof-rated waterproof device (it floats) to cache data from prior tracking—meaning, folks back home can track your location from a smartphone. Activate: $25; fees from $8.33/month (contract) or $15/month (no contract). Battery: 240 hours for 10-minute tracking. $280; somewearlabs.com 3. The slim and simple BIVY STICK BLUE uses an…

DAY OF THE DAVE

CROWDS DIG DAVE BAUTISTA. During his run as a WWE pro wrestler, the six-time champion got pretty hooked on hearing the roar of 70,000 fans. His ears are still ringing. “Nothing will replace that electricity,” says Bautista, who stepped away from the sport (aside from some cameos) in 2012. In his unlikely second act, Bautista has found himself a Hollywood heavyweight — literally — a 6'6", 270-pound star known for playing the soulfully deadpan Drax the Destroyer in Marvel films like Guardians of the Galaxy and The Avengers: Infinity War. Between the wrestling and Comic-Con crowds, Bautista is now recognized instantly in airports and health food stores across the planet. So you might think that after a pandemic year lying low in his Tampa, Florida, home, the dude might be…

DAY OF THE DAVE

“WE DON’T SEE ANOTHER SOUL UNTIL THE END OF OUR FIRST DAY.” When the DHC-2 Beaver pontoon plane lifts off Lake Laberge and quickly shrinks in the Canadian sky, there’s no avoiding the realization of just how isolated our party, disgorged onto shore, now finds itself, days distant from the nearest town. So attention purposely swivels to our massive pile of gear. First up, we set to the task of unrolling and inflating the rugged standup paddleboards that will be our life support for the next four days. Guide Stu Knaack provides lessons in Zen and the art of bungee-cord maintenance (hint: use lots), demonstrating the finer points of hooking, stretching, wrestling, and wrapping them to the board’s nose and tail attachments to rig dry bags, air pumps, and food barrels. As…

OUTFIT YOUR FLOAT

There’s little difference between most inflatable touring SUPs—and then there’s Red Paddle Co., the British import that’s cracked the length-to-rigidity code with fused double-layer coating and fiberglass stiffening battens that slide in along the rails of its 12'6" Voyager [1]. Updates for 2021 include shorter twin fins that make loading down this unexpectedly lightweight (24.2-lb) board’s dozen rigging points easier on shore. They also provide better rear stability on the water, paired with an innovative V-hull that keeps the narrower nose breaking water, tracking straight across current. $1,649; redpaddleco.com Keeping feet comfy and connected is key. I paired a .5mm neoprene NRS HydroSkin Wetsock [2] with the snug and capable Chaco Torrent Pro water shoe [3] to quickly combat any cold and wet immersion. $29; nrs.com / $100; chacos.com The stretchy yet…

OUTFIT YOUR FLOAT

GO WITH THE FLOW

Upper Missouri River Breaks Lewis and Clark come alive on 149 miles of designated Wild and Scenic River, with painted sandstone cliffs and knife-edge box canyons, highlighted by the 65-mile White Cliffs section of this national monument. Ask Missouri River Outfitters (mroutfitters.com). Lower Mississippi River Live the classic Huck Finn dream with surprisingly still-wild overnight escapes like the 98-mile float from Memphis, TN, to Helena, AR, through hidden backwaters, wooded islands, and side channels to silent, sandy campsites. Load up with Quapaw Canoe Co., near the blues-country “Crossroads” in Clarksdale, MS (island63.com). Columbia River Paddle an off-theradar 51-mile section through the Hanford Reach National Monument, which protects the mighty Columbia’s last nontidal, free-flowing stretch—and plenty of wildlife, too—between Priest Rapids Dam and Richland, WA, where Northwest Paddle-boarding can point you to legal campsites outside the…

GO WITH THE FLOW

Michael Phelps is a tough act to follow, but Caeleb Dressel has fairly earned comparisons to the retired GSOAT (greatest swimmer of all time). While Phelps was soaking up the media glare, the decade younger Dressel was quietly carving his own place in the U.S. record books. In 2012, he became the first swimmer younger than 16 to beat 20 seconds in the 200-yard freestyle relay, then broke a 100-yard freestyle under-16 record that had stood for 22 years. After bringing two relay golds home from Rio in 2016, he has only gotten faster. At the 2019 World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju, he won eight medals, and—gasp!—broke Phelps’ record in the 100-meter butterfly. Unlike many top swimmers, Dressel wasn’t born in the water, playing football as a kid until he switched…

How does Nevin Harrison feel about packing her bags for Tokyo? “I’m really scared,” she readily admits. “The Olympics are such a big deal.” The 19-year-old has cause for some pre-Games jitters: The U.S. has never won gold in sprint canoe, a compellingly watchable event in which solo racers kneel in sleek, improbably skinny canoes and paddle as if being chased by rabid alligators. (Then, again, women have never before even been allowed to compete in the event, despite handling kayaks since 1948.) Plus, she managed to compete exactly one time during the international crapstorm that was 2020. “I’m worried about how much I’ve improved in my training—I know all the other athletes have improved,” she says. Harrison twice now has postponed plans to study premed at the University of California,…

WELCOME TO THE COOL KID GAMES

SKATEBOARDING Venue: Ariake Urban Sports Park Know this: Five Olympics since its cold-weather cousin, snowboarding, debuted, skateboarding drops in with attitude intact. Expect USA, Brazil, and Japan to battle in both events: “Street” emphasizes freestyle use of stairs, handrails, curbs, and other grindables, while “park” plunges into deep bowls. USA’s Nyjah Huston is the male street skater to beat, and cameras will love Brazilian glam punk Leticia Bufoni. Final push: Will winners match their facial piercings to their medals? SPORT CLIMBING Venue: Aomi Urban Sports Park Know this: Don’t expect helicopter shots of mountain faces. Olympic climbers use man-made walls to defy physics in made-for-TV bursts. Single-discipline specialists need not apply; competitors must master speed, bouldering, and lead climbs. On the women’s side, sixtime champ Janja Garnbret of Slovenia will be hard to…

WELCOME TO THE COOL KID GAMES

A lot of people can get really discouraged in losing,” says Noah Lyles. “But losing is a great teacher.” Not that he has learned that lesson very often. A high school track phenom who declined a college scholarship to turn pro, he has been racking up wins since 2018 when he busted the 19.7-second mark in the 200-meter dash at four competitions—a feat previously accomplished only by legendary Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. This summer in Tokyo, he stands as good a chance as any of sweeping the 100-, 200-, and 4x100-meter races, another feat only ever logged by Bolt. Interestingly, Lyles thinks of sprinting—maybe the purest burst of physical power in sports—as a psychological battle. “If I have a strong mindset, even when my body’s down, I can make it do…

He has 18 career X Games medals, his own Nike shoe, and a video game with Tony Hawk. But right now, Nyjah Huston, the world’s top-ranked male skateboarder, is just another hopeful gunning for Olympic gold. “That is definitely one of my ultimate goals in life,” he says. “But at the same time, I try not to think about it too much, because when it comes down to it, I approach all these contests the same.” Born in California to a controlling Rastafarian father, Huston spent a childhood that consisted of little more than homeschool, a strict vegan diet and, starting at age 4, intensive skateboarding. By age 7, he had his first sponsorship; at 11, he was competing in his first X Games. “I was just trying not to get run…

FIRST, BUY QUALITY MEAT

AMERICAN WAGYU STEAKS from SNAKE RIVER FARMS Sure, you might need to remortgage to fund feeding a crowd with filets and strips from these Idaho-based sorceror ranchers. So get a load of that deep marbling and buttery tenderness and call the bank already! snakeriverfarms.com KING CRAB LEGS from PIKE PLACE FISH MARKET Yep, the Seattle seafood purveyor that famously tosses fish can also toss you (via Goldbelly, that is) the kaiju-size crab legs and claws you’ve seen hauled out of the deadly Bering Sea on TV. pikeplacefish.goldbelly.com PORK RIBS AND SHOULDERS from WHITE OAK PASTURES If you’re into pastured Old World pork breeds, such as Berkshire and Tamworth, then this hog-coddling Georgia family farm is for you. To put it another way, do you like pork that actually tastes like something? whiteoakpastures.com TURKEY…

FIRST, BUY QUALITY MEAT

HERB-MARINATED HANGING LEG OF LAMB Serves about 10 1 whole leg of lamb (bone-in)1 cup white wine1 small white onion, cubed2 Tbsp. sea salt1 Tbsp. black pepper10 garlic cloves2 tsp. red pepper flakes2 tsp. oregano2 tsp. thyme2 tsp. rosemary2 lemons, juiced2 Tbsp. oil SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: Campfire cooking tripod, preferably castiron, available at outdoors stores and online; butcher’s hook; meat thermometer. 1. Use sharp knife to score about a dozen slits all over outer fat layer of leg of lamb. 2. In blender, mix all other ingredients until smooth. Place lamb into foodsafe container and pour marinade over. Place in refrigerator at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. Rotate leg every few hours to marinate evenly. 3. Use an existing fire ring or construct a camping-style ring with large rocks. Start fire and let settle to medium-high blaze,…

BURN, PAELLA, BURN!

GRILLED SURF AND TURF PAELLA Serves 4 5 Tbsp. olive oil2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch chunks8 oz. chorizo, sliced into ¼-inch pieces1 yellow onion, roughly diced3 scallions, roughly chopped1 orange bell pepper, roughly diced5 cloves garlic, roughly diced½ cup sherry1½ cups paella rice (aka bomba rice)1 tsp. red pepper flakes1 (15 oz.) can crushed tomatoes3 cups chicken stock1 pinch saffron1 tsp. paprika12 clams, cleaned12 mussels, cleaned10 large shrimp, peeled and deveined1 bunch parsley, roughly chopped2 lemons SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: A standard 15-inch steel paella pan with handles. If you go bigger, make sure it still will sit flat on your grill. 1. Heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil in paella pan on medium-heat grill. Add chicken and cook about 5 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Add chorizo and brown, another few minutes. 2.…

BURN, PAELLA, BURN!

YES, YOU CAN SMOKE THAT!

EGGS Science alert: Eggshells are permeable, resulting in a mahogany, bacon-flavored hard egg fantastic for boosting the flavor of deviled eggs and potato salad. How: Place raw eggs (in the shell) directly on the grate of a 160°F smoker for 30 to 60 minutes. OLIVES Take your charcuterie board to the next level with some smoky-salty olives. How: Spread out a mix of pitted, brined olives, green and black, on a metal pan. Add to a 225°F smoker. Check for desired flavor after 30 minutes; leave up to 2 hours for max smokiness. BUTTER Awesome spread on toasted buns or grilled corn; one taste of smoky butter will cement your status as a smoker savant. How: Cut up good butter and place in a metal bowl. Add to a 225°F smoker for 3 minutes at…

STOP OVERCOOKING YOUR RIBS…

There’s your neighbor who grills ribs on Memorial Day, and then there’s John Vergos, whose family runs the Rendezvous in Memphis, the BBQ institution that invented dry rub in the 1950s and is regarded by many ’cue nerds as serving the best damn pork ribs in the country. We asked Vergos for some rib-cooking pointers, and, surprisingly in a culture obsessed with secrecy, he didn’t hold back. You can apply his advice to a full recipe available on mensjournal.com. 1. STAY SANE ABOUT THE MEMBRANE Tongs duels erupt over whether peeling away the white membrane before grilling flavors or dries out meat. Vergos says it really doesn’t matter. The Rendezvous leaves it be, as would you if you cooked 1,000 slabs a day. 2. GRILL BONE-SIDE DOWN FIRST Keeps the meatier side from sticking…

STOP OVERCOOKING YOUR RIBS…

’CUE, COAST TO COAST

Don’t agree with these choices? Let us know about your favorite BBQ joint at editors@mens journal.com. PUERTO RICO Style: Whole hogs spit-roasted over charcoal and macheted into heaping, succulent portions. ▪ El Rancho Original ▪ Los Pinos ▪ El Mojito CALIFORNIA Style: Tri-tip beef cooked “Santa Maria” style on an Argentine grill over red oak embers for about 2 hours, sliced thin, and served with salsa. ▪ The Hitching Post II (Buellton) ▪ Shaw’s Steakhouse (Santa Maria) ▪ F. McLintocks (San Luis Obispo) TEXAS Style: Sliced brisket smoked over pecan or post oak, “hot gut” sausages, Flintstones-esque beef ribs. ▪ Smitty’s Market (Lockhart) ▪ Salt Lick (Driftwood) ▪ Louie Mueller (Taylor) KANSAS CITY, MO Style: You got it, they’ll smoke it over hickory, especially fatty brisket nubs turned into crunchy “burnt ends” splashed with thick tomatomolasses sauce. Arthur Bryant’s ▪ Gates ▪ Joe’s Kansas City ST. LOUIS Style: Distinctly trimmed rib racks…

’CUE, COAST TO COAST

So Long, Hong Kong

With a sizzling economy, trendsetting fashion scene and notorious nightlife, Hong Kong of the 1980s and ’90s was the most vibrant city in Asia, if not the world. When China took possession of the former British territory in 1997, it pledged to let the good times roll by granting the city semiautonomous status for 50 years. Its “one country, two systems” plan would allow Hong Kong to retain capitalism and personal freedoms unavailable to mainland Chinese. Unable to keep itself from seizing Asia’s most glittering prize, China soon began welching on the deal with incremental regulatory moves. In 2020, it passed a “national security” law giving the government new powers to punish critics, silence dissenters, and forever alter life for Hong Kongers. Overwhelming numbers of Hong Kong’s 7.5 million residents choked city…

So Long, Hong Kong

“FOREIGNERS COULD GET AWAY WITH ANYTHING.” TODAY the world bows before China’s economic might, but three decades ago, Hong Kong was one of Asia’s “little dragons.” In 1991, it was the world’s 11th largest trading power, with more total exports than China or India. Adjusted for purchasing power, its per capita income exceeded that of Japan and Great Britain. It was also a cultural makeweight. Riding the kung fu craze kicked off by favorite son Bruce Lee, Hong Kong cinema rose to peak influence, with actors like Jackie Chan and Chow Yun-fat and directors like John Woo energizing global audiences with action classics like Hard Boiled (1992) and Drunken Master II (1993), whose combat choreography informed films like The Matrix. The money, neon, and anything-goes vibe that blended the best of East and…

MAINLANDIZATION

BY THE 1990S, after 150 years of British rule, Hong Kong wasn’t just legally and systemically different from mainland China, it was an altogether different society. A recent poll found just 11 percent of people in Hong Kong identified as Chinese. Most identified as Hong Konger. The Chinese takeover in 1997 came with a deal that for 50 years Hong Kong would operate with democratic elections, its own legal system, and freedom of speech. But China began intervening in Hong Kong affairs early and often. Outcry over “mainlandization” exploded in 2014 when China preselected local election candidates. In November 2020, rancor between Beijing leaders and local lawmakers crescendoed when the national government “disqualified” four pro-democracy members of Hong Kong’s legislative council for being “unpatriotic.” The body’s remaining pro-democracy caucus resigned in protest. But…

MAINLANDIZATION

“THE CITY FEELS FOREIGN TO MANY HONG KONGERS NOW.” IN NOVEMBER 2019, DJ Clark left his home on a quiet street and headed for Hong Kong’s Polytechnic University. What he witnessed over the next few hours on the campus was like something out of a Hollywood blockbuster. Molotov cocktails coursed through the air; explosions shattered roadways; police vans engulfed in flames backed away from mobs; water cannon spray laced with chemicals singed flesh; tear gas canisters scattered smoke trails. Clark is a journalist, and the footage he recorded of the battle between protesters and the police won a 2020 World Press Photo Interactive of the Year Award. The moments he captured in the monthslong saga that thrust Hong Kong into international headlines would have been unthinkable just five years earlier when students…

THE 2020 recession was the worst in Hong Kong’s history—the economy shrank 6.1 percent. Property values—now stable and still among the highest in the world—have dropped 30 percent since mid-2019. The coronavirus pandemic was a factor, but analysts remain circumspect about Hong Kong’s economic footing. “Rediscounting of rents over the past two years has led to declines of close to 30 percent in some transactions,” says Harry Tan, head of Asia-Pacific real estate research for Nuveen, a Chicago-based global assets management firm. “Shops previously hosting luxury brands have in some cases been replaced by convenience stores or pharmacies—which was unheard-of in its heyday.” In March, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng stock market index was overhauled to reflect changes in Hong Kong’s role as a financial center. “Companies from China will now make up…

“HONG KONG REMAINS an important hub,” says Nuveen’s Tan. “We hold a marginally positive outlook for offices and retail.” “Hong Kong is resilient,” adds Adam Harper, former head of communications for Greater China at HSBC. “U.S. and European financial firms will continue to need expats in Hong Kong to help their global clients invest in mainland China.” That may be true, but many expats are reconsidering their futures in a shifting landscape in which the freedoms everyone once took for granted are skulking toward the shadows. A number of people who organized recent demonstrations or criticized China are now either in jail or self-imposed exile. In January, Hong Kong police arrested 53 pro-democracy activists for violating the new national security law. “Hong Kong could be seeing waves and waves of turmoil,” says…

GROOMING: MARK ALAN. MODEL IAN MCGONEGAL @ THE SOCIETY MANAGEMENT…

BEYOND THE BEARD

TACKLING our own hair and beard trims has taught us one thing: Drugstore clippers with countless attachments can take one only so far. To nail the details, whether faded beard, presentable crotchal region, or pruned nostrils and neckline, the right supporting cast of dedicated trimmers can tackle hirsute tasks beyond a clipper or basic shaver’s ability. BEST FOR: UNDERARMS, CHEST, LIMBS PANASONIC BODY TRIMMER Without any of its three guards, Panasonic’s waterproof trimmer hovers 0.1mm above the skin, closely and safely snipping body hair. Its V-contoured head makes for a seamless shear under arms and glutes. Or alternate between the bare minimum and any of the graduated guard attachments for a more tailored trim around the chest, legs, feet, and everywhere between. $70; shop.panasonic.com BEST FOR: THE DOWN-BELOW MERIDIAN GROIN TRIMMER Prevent the painful nicks and…

BEYOND THE BEARD

THE BIG MAN IS BACK

Manage Misfortune My sister passed away before Kobe, then I had 28 other people pass away; 2020 was a really bad year. When you don’t want to do anything, but need to stay out of trouble, there are two things you can do: Netf lix and eat. With everything going on, I couldn’t sleep. I’d wake up at 3 a.m. and make a sandwich, then 5 a.m. and make a sandwich. But I was starting to look old, and didn’t want to. Seek Inspiration I always need something to motivate me. I saw this 70-year-old guy on Instagram, and he had muscles everywhere. His caption said, “Age is nothing but a number.” I was actually jealous. I knew it was time for me to get back right. I wanted to take my shirt…

THE BIG MAN IS BACK

Abs are the centerpiece of your physique. Aesthetics aside, the stronger they are, the greater your athletic performance: You’ll run faster and lift heavier. To level up your core strength, add weighted abs exercises. Rather than a blitz, this workout prioritizes “control and time under tension,” says Chase Weber, celebrity trainer and founder of THR33 Active CBD cream. Your whole body is recruited for stability, but your abs will be screaming. 1. Weighted Hyperextensions Lock yourself into a hyperextension or glute-ham machine, feet anchored, hips over pad. Hug a weight plate at chest and bend at hips to lower and lift slowly for counts of 2, squeezing glutes to protect low back at top. You can also use a heavy resistance band: Strap it underneath the hyperextension machine, then wrap the top…

Health NewsThe Buleprint

HONEY, I SHRUNK MY BRAIN It’s ritual: You stumble into the kitchen at dawn, pour yourself a hot cup of coffee, and let the caffeine smooth your rough edges. It jump-starts your mental alertness, so it sounds paradoxical that it could also…shrink your brain? Scientists at the University of Basel took stock of the gray matter in people’s brains after 10 days of daily caffeine consumption versus none, and found the caffeinated group had measurably less gray matter in the part of the brain that controls things like memory. And it’s not due to sleep disturbances. Participants slept the same with or without caffeine. The good news: After 10 days of no caffeine, gray matter returned to higher levels. Can’t abstain? Stick to just two cups of coffee to lessen the…

Health NewsThe Buleprint

HOME GYM MADE SMARTER

USE AI FOR GAINS Sometimes lifting is all about quality, not quantity. Tonal has two extendable arms that generate up to 200 pounds of resistance, plus a motion-sensor camera hidden in its 42-inch screen to analyze form and offer cues to boost performance. An initial fitness assessment determines your baseline, then AI algorithms take over. “Spotter” mode drops weight if you struggle in the bottom of a chest press, while “Burnout” mode reduces weight one pound at a time at the end of a set of curls, so you can work your biceps to failure. $2,995 plus $49/month membership; tonal.com HIRE A VIRTUAL PERSONAL TRAINER The full-length reflective surface of Mirror hides an LCD screen controlled by an iOS app. Try a class in more than 50 disciplines, or connect with a personal…

HOME GYM MADE SMARTER

IT’S GETTING TOUGH to tell hard seltzers apart. Store shelves are teeming with carbonated carbon copies, the flavors and calorie counts awfully alike. Want this black cherry hard seltzer or that one? Not that it matters much. Most are just fermented sugar and lab-designed “natural” flavoring, branding being the main differentiator. To separate themselves from the 100-calorie herd, some brands are using real fruit juice, organic sugar, probiotics, and electrolytes to wrap happy hour in a healthful veneer. “People want to consume better these days,” says Brian Miesieski, CMO of SweetWater Brewing. The best wellness-focused hard seltzers deliver more than marketing angles. Sip these among friends—and toast to your health. MÁS AGAVE PREMIUM HARD SELTZER Founders Brewing Company brewmaster Jeremy Kosmicki channeled the brewery’s margaritainspired Más Agave imperial gose in this lower-alcohol…

When did you decide to start bombing from way behind the three-point line in games? In [2018] New Orleans swept us in the playoffs. It was an embarrassing series. I got with my trainer to address things I could improve. I’ve always been able to shoot deep, but we took it to another level. Our training was there’s the NBA three-point line, then we had a four-point line. We would do a whole workout from the four-point line. We just kept building it up, and over the years it’s become easier and easier. Here we are now. You and Stephen Curry have been called the most exciting guys in the NBA. Do you feel more rivalry or camaraderie with Curry? More camaraderie. This day and age everything is a comparison. If I shoot…

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