Mar
30
Video: RVCA X Cinelli present Pressure
Filed Under Cycling, Industry News, Interbike, Video | Comments Off
I referenced the RVCA-Cinelli partnership in a post last year, but Leanne, my counterpart in marketing for our sister-show ASR, just let me know that RVCA just posted a video about the their collaboration. It’s rare that our two worlds (bikes and surf/skate/swimwear/snow) intersect like this.
I find the partnership interesting not just because of the beautiful bikes that the art project created, but because it is a community that’s celebrating the bike outside of the traditional bike industry community. Am I wrong? BRAIN even had an article commenting on what channels are servicing these new bike categories, since it apparently was not the IBD. At the time, at least. Have things changed since last summer?
Enjoy the video, anyway. Antonio Colombo of Cinelli is featured as a long-time supporter of art-bike collaboration going way back the Cinelli Lazer days in the 80’s. (As an aside, I remember when I was working in Manhattan back in the early 90’s, I loved heading over to Conrad’s Bike Shop near the United Nations (around 41st St) during lunch breaks. It was a small old-school high end road shop that had a ’shrine’ to the Lazer in the back of the shop. They had one of the few Lazers made hanging from fishing wire, floating above a set of ancient wood rollers. If I remember correctly, the Cinelli Lazer is significant because it was one of the first modern aero bikes).
Cinelli x RVCA Presents: Pressure from RVCA on Vimeo.
Mar
27
Courtesy of our friend Mike Geraci of Base Camp Communications is this video from Alex Bogusky of advertising agency titans Crispin, Porter + Bogusky. Good stuff. It’s short. Watch it.
Mar
26
Taking to the streets of Brooklyn this Saturday the 28th is the 2009 Red Hook Criterium. In their own words, this track bike-only event will be “an unsanctioned race through a desolate post-industrial part of Brooklyn.” How’s that for painting a mental picture of the venue?
You won’t have to rely on your imagination, though, to visualize the race since there are some pretty awesome plans to film the race in an extensive way. Again, from their press release on BikeBlog NYC:
Multiple HD cameras will be set up to film the race. At least one helmet cam will follow race action firsthand. Additionally, a surprise helmet cam shooter may be in town to cover the race. We will have a camera at the podium presentation immediately following the race.
The race starts at 11pm, but “bus and automobile traffic on the course, even if kept to a minimum, is a near-certainty.”
I can’t wait to see the film since the production is in the very capable hands of Kalim Armstrong who filmed the “Orange Bikes Take Manhattan” film from last year (below) among others. Should be some great footage of the fast and colorful action. It’s hard to beat NYC bike racing – no matter the format or discipline. Prospect Park and the Mengoni GP in Central Park were two of my favorite races before I moved out West in ‘01.
ORANGE BIKES TAKE MANHATTAN from Kalim Armstrong on Vimeo.
Mar
20
Another missing ‘celebrity’ bike: have you seen me?
Filed Under Cycling, Industry News, Interbike, Racing | Comments Off
Since wide public attention through the use of social media seemed to help Lance’s TT bike reappear at the Tour of California last month, I thought I’d do my part to help turn up another unique bike that’s gone missing recently.
This blingy GT Golden Zaskar went missing while en route to a video shoot from Madison, Wisconsin to Pennsylvania in a Thule box labeled “ZASKAR.” The shipping label arrived ok, apparently, but not attached to a box with a bike in it. With its custom gold-finished Shimano XTR drivetrain, Mavic Crossmax SLR wheels, and Ritchey bar and stem, it shouldn’t be too hard to spot this one.
GT’s new Golden Race Series is to kick off at the Sea Otter Classic next month and the missing bike is one of the “trophies” awarded in the series. The winner of the first race would win their choice of golden bike – either the Zaskar or the fully-suspended Marathon. To keep the bike, they would need to defend their win at the following race or give up the bike to the next winner. Learn more about the bike and the series at www.gtisgolden.com.
If you see the bike or have any information regarding its whereabouts, email goldenbike@gtbicycles.com
Oh… almost forgot: GT is offering a $3,000 reward for the return of the bike.
Mar
16
National Bike Summit Trip Thoughts
Filed Under Advocacy, Cycling, Industry News, Interbike | 2 Comments
I’m not much of a blogger, actually I’ve never offered a thought to digital space before, but I was so impressed by the recent National Bike Summit that I decided to write my first Interbike Times post this morning.
While I have been to other lobbying events in DC before, this was first my first experience with the bike industry. From the moment the Summit opened on Wednesday with inspiring words from House representatives Earl Blumenauer, Dan Lipinski and Doris Matsui, it was easy to see that cycling is getting a lot of government attention. This theme continued as several politicians made personal appearances over the Summit to thank the industry for its efforts and to outline new cycling-related legislation. At a Bikes Belong Coalition reception, Republican Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania was so close he actually grabbed my badge lanyard – now that’s personal interest from Washington’s elite. This slew of celebrity sightings really caught my attention, as my previous trips to Washington haven’t provided as many photo opps – most of the meetings and parties I had been to in the past were attended by aides and staff members, with only polite invitation declines from major leaders.
The cycling industry, though, seems to be able to attract the Hill’s firepower – which is an exciting position to help direct change. From California’s Diane Feinstein to Utah Oregon’s Jeff Merkley, it seemed that everyone was eager to put a bright bicycle pin on their lapel. I think this suggests two critical success factors for the industry – we have excellent advocacy leadership in Tim Blumenthal and Andy Clarke, and they have led Bikes Belong and The League of American Bicyclists to be at the forefront of cycling policy and have forged numerous relationships with key policy makers. Congratulations to both and all that supported them to produce such a world class event.
Furthermor, the political attention suggests that the cycling industry has an amazing opportunity – with all of the modern problems of traffic congestion, pollution, obesity and more – the bicycle really has an opportunity to be a tool that is used to literally change the world. Many prominent leaders already have the bicycle in mind to help drive agendas toward a more positive tomorrow with expanded bike paths and road infrastructure, less carbon emissions and children riding to school once again.
Next time the Summit rolls around, I highly encourage you to join the crusade. The more solidarity the industry can show Washington, the more chances we have to influence change. I think you’ll be proud to join industry colleagues and you really have the opportunity to be part of the legislative process – our timing couldn’t be any better to ensure that the bicycle continues to play a critical role in American history.
[Editor's Note: Andy is Interbike's Show Director]