Aug
29
Pacific Cycle and Saris Throw Down the Gauntlet
Filed Under Attendee News, Exhibitor News, Interbike, Racing | 4 Comments
Saw a press release posted at the Bicycle Retailer & Industry News site this morning from Pacific Cycle and Saris about the Industry Cup race at Interbike.
Pacific and Saris have formed a joint team called “SchwycleOps” (from their respective brands Schwinn and CycleOps). Their mission? “Ass whupping.” Looks like somebody is taking this race pretty seriously:
Though little is known about SchwycleOps, lore of the team’s epic training rides has spread. Tales of team SchwycleOps team doing 800+ mile lunch rides have become legend. The team’s virility and stamina is coveted, feared and studied–can it be bottled somehow? Are these men indeed mere mortals? The Industry Cup will decide.
I think this is awesome. I hope some of the other companies and teams that are participating are getting into the friendly competitive spirit like Pacific and Saris. While I’m certain that somebody will be taking this race a bit too seriously ( I won’t name any names here), I expect most of us will keep things fun and remember that there will still be another day of Interbike on Friday morning after the race.
Another way that Pacific and Saris could inspire other companies is by their decision to make a donation in the name of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers’ companies to Bikes Belong. They’ve committed to giving $1,500, $750 and $250, respectively, to the coalition. How cool is that?
Well, I’ve got to get back to working on 2008(!) budgets – they’re due by close of business today. Craziness. No lunch ride today…
Aug
24
Tech Clinics and Seminars at Interbike 2007
Filed Under Attendee News, Exhibitor News, Gear, Interbike | Comments Off
Since I am having some technical difficulties with the main Interbike site’s Tech Clinic schedule page, I thought that I’d help promote them here at InterbikeTimes. I really wish I had time to sit in on all of these. Especially the Cervelo/FSA seminar on “Shop issues with carbon fiber. Maybe we will finally and definitively learn whether to grease carbon seatposts or not…
Here’s hoping you find the time to attend some of these great sessions organized by some of the best manufacturers in the industry. From what I hear over the cube walls here at the office, there may still be more in the works…
TECH SEMINARS
American Classic Hub and Wheel Technical Seminar
Casanova Room 607
Thursday: 10:30 – 12:00
SRAM, Rockshox, Avid, and Truvativ Technical Seminar
Casanova Room 601
Thursday: 8:00 – 9:30
Friday: 10:30 – 12:00
Hayes Disc Brake Technical Seminar
Casanova Room 505
Thursday: 10:30 – 12:00
Friday: 8:00 – 9:30
Manitou Technical Seminar
Casanova Room 505
Wednesday: 10:30 – 12:00
Thursday: 8:00 – 9:30
Friday: 10:30 – 12:00
Cervelo and Full Speed Ahead: Shop Issues with Carbon Fiber Frames and Components
Casanova Room 504
Wednesday: 10:30- 12:00
Thursday: 10:30 – 12:00
Friday: 10:30 – 12:00
Full Speed Ahead: Care and Feeding of FSA Components
Casanova Room 503
Wednesday: 10:30 – 12:00
Thursday: 10:30 – 12:00
Friday: 10:30 – 12:00
Fox Racing Shox 2008 Technical Overview
Casanova Room 606
Wednesday: 10:30 – 12:00
Thursday: 10:30 – 12:00
Shimano Technical Seminar
Casanova Room 603-605
Wednesday: 1:00 – 2:30, 4:00 – 5:30
Thursday: 8:00 – 9:30, 11:00 – 12:30, 3:00 – 4:30
Friday: 8:00 – 9:30, 11:00 – 12:30
Aug
24
31 Days Days Till Interbike…
Filed Under Attendee News, Exhibitor News, Interbike | Comments Off
Here’s one of my few blatant marketing efforts on the blog. Since we all love Interbike, it’s more like a friendly reminder, right?
Have you registered yet for this year’s Interbike and OutDoor Demo? Free registration for buyers and exhibitors ends on August 31. Save time and money – register online now!
BUYERS:
EXHIBITORS:
Also, don’t forget about your hotel and travel needs. There are special Interbike-only rates at some great hotels through our travel desk along with discount programs for airfare and rental cars. Many of these hotel deals expire on Wednesday of next week, the 29th of August. They added two hotels to the list recently to accommodate a few more people. Why wait – time’s running out? Book here.
(While you’re there, check out our new Carbon Neutral Travel program.)
OK. End of the marketing speak…
Aug
14
Vegas Bike Race Fever – Catch It!
Filed Under Attendee News, Cycling, Exhibitor News, Interbike, Racing | 7 Comments
Ok. Maybe you noticed already, but the crit in Vegas is now called the “World Championship Sports Network USA Crits Finals – presented by Interbike.” It’s a mouthful, but all those words should mean that we’ll have an awesome night of racing on Thursday night of Interbike.
Here’s a little update to fill you in on what’s happening with the Industry Cup race that’s happening between the pro men’s and women’s races. Judging by the quality of some of the “industry” racers, there shouldn’t be that much difference in speed from the pro’s.
The teams that are signed up so far to compete (as of Aug 13, 2007):
Cyclesafe.com
Bike Hugger
Fuji Bicycles
Clifbar
J&B Importers
Orbea (2 teams)
Pacific Cycles/Schwinn/Saris (2 teams)
Pearl Izumi
Carmichael Training Systems
Road Magazine
Descente
Shimano
Bicycling Magazine
Giant Bicycles
Training Peaks
Baby Jogger
Defeet
Check out some of the interesting individuals within those teams that should make for a great race:
Gary Erickson, the founder of Clifbar will be racing on the Clifbar Team. Any other CEO’s out there wanna mix it up?
My former New England ride guide at Pedro’s Fest, Mark McCormack (a former US PRO Champion) will be racing on his employer Fuji’s Team. Ready for some speed?
You may not know it, but Bicycling Magazine’s publisher, João Correia, is a former – Portugal National Team Member and Worlds Participant. He’ll be defending Bicycling’s honor in Vegas.
Surprise, surprise: Wayne Stetina, former multiple-time US Champion and member of the US Bicycling Hall of Fame has to be one of the favorites with the Shimano team.
Erik Saunders – A former professional who heads up the cyclesafe.com program will be racing in their kit. I roomed with Erik and team mates at the old Killington Stage Race, oh, 7 or 8 years ago now? A good guy and a great racer. One of the top crit racers out there. Watch out.
And, as if there weren’t enough former pro racers already, seems like Gord Fraser might be lining up that evening to put some hurt on the field. He really should need no introduction, but, basically, he’s a former winner of everything. Rumor has it that the newest CTS coach will be racing in the Carmichael Training Systems colors. Looking forward to my lesson in pain that night, Mr. Fraser.
If you haven’t already signed up for the Cup race and are thinking about it, I’d get my application in pronto. Should one be a heck of a race.
BTW, I had a nice long chat with a certain ‘G.L.’ at our Health+Fitness Business trade show 2 weeks ago, and he expressed some serious interest in racing. He did ask if there would be doping controls, though. 
I’ll keep you posted on what’s going on behind the scenes with the crit – and the Cross race: Don’t forget about Cross Vegas, baby! Heard form the promoter a couple of days ago that there are some big CX guns lined up for that one, too.
And with this post done, I’m going to try to squeeze in a lunch time ride so that I can, at least, not get dropped by the field…