Sep
28
110 Interbike news stories online
Filed Under Industry News, Interbike, Interbike's 25th Anniversary | Comments Off
Interbike 25 is catching the attention of press worldwide with more than 100 news articles currently posted online. If you’re not in Las Vegas for the greatest bicycle show in the Universe 
, you can read the thoughts of many others instead.
Interbike Trendspotting – Just Plain Cool – Bicycling.com
Interbike heads back to the great indoors – VeloNews
Interbike Tradeshow Day 1 – Dirt Rag
Interbike 2006 to be The Largest in its 25-year History – dirtworld.com
Interbike 2006: A hands-on start to the U.S.’s biggest bike show – VeloNews
All 110 Interbike News articles
Sep
22
Stay Classy, Interbike
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Starting at 8:30am on September 27th and on each successive morning of the expo, “Good Morning Interbike” will be broadcast live from the Media Center throughout the network screens in the upper and lower lobbies and on the show floor for 30 minutes. Hosted by industry veterens Mike Greehan and Richard Fries, GMI will be an informative and entertaining program for retailers, media and exhibitors waiting for the doors to open at 9am. Think “Today Show” or “Good Morning America” but more fun and about bikes.
Catch highlights of the upcoming day’s events, recaps of the OutDoor Demo and the previous day, footage from various after-hours industry happenings, interviews with celebrities, cycling advocates, other interesting show attendees and witty banter between these two entertaining hosts.
I’m really excited to see this take life on Wednesday morning. Mike and Richard are both great people and have the experience to make great hosts. Between the two them, they probably know all of the players in the industry and are creative, funny and down to earth at the same time.
You probably know Richard Fries from his stints as a commentator for OLN during recent Tours de France or – if you’re from the Northeast as I am, originally – as the former long-time editor and founder of Bike Culture (formerly The Ride) magazine. He’s also well known for his race announcing skills at cyclo-cross races, having MC’d them for years. He was recently named Marketing and Communications Manager for Pedro’s USA and has been a vital part of their recent campaigns to improve their company’s and our industry’s impact on the environment. Richard has kindly agreed to wake an hour earlier each day to do the show before spending a full day at his employer’s booth.
Mike Greehan, Interbike’s Advocacy Director, has posted here from time to time. While he’s based in Florida and we’re in California, I’ve had the pleasure of being able to spend some good time getting to know Mike this year at the Bicycle Leadership Conference in Phoenix and the National Bike Summit in DC. In prior lives he’s been the publisher of Bicycling Magazine, president of the League of American Bicyclists and the first president of Bikes Belong. He’s currently on the board of the LAB.
So wake a up little early, grab a cup of coffee try to make it to the Sands by 8:30 to catch the show. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. We have a good list of topics prepared, but if you have any great ideas for them to include in the show, let me know. Pedro’s is right at the front of the main hall, so stop by and say hi to Richard, Chris and the guys at Pedro’s on your way in.
Giant Bicycles is the presenting sponsor of Good Morning Interbike and our technology partner, Cycling.TV will be manning the studio for us.
As the immortal Ron Burgundy would say, Stay Classy, Interbike. See you in Vegas next week.
Sep
20
Retro Wool Jersey for Bikes Belong
Filed Under Advocacy, Interbike, Interbike's 25th Anniversary | 1 Comment
I wasn’t into cycling yet when all there was to wear was wool jerseys and shorts. I think that the wool bike clothing that was around back then is the kind of thing that can get the “rose-colored glasses” treatment and seem better than it was after many years have passed. Regardless, I know I’ve wanted one for a while, so when Alex from Woolistic called me earlier this year about exhibiting at Interbike, I saw an opportunity.
That’s an illustration of the jersey – “Trainer”, actually, since it is long sleeved – above. I think it looks awesome. We went for a real vintage logo with the retro-script “Interbike”. Inspiration came from some old Merckx-era Molteni and Faema jerseys that are just classic and evoke romantic images of an earlier time. Sort of the same effect as an old Joe DiMaggio flannel Yankees shirt. They’re just cool. And now they’re comfortable, too, right Alex?. We chose long sleeve since that way they can be worn off the bike in the shop or around town. Feel free to ride in it, too.
At Interbike we’ve always had a strong relationship with the Bike Belong Coalition, so Alex and I started talking about doing a commemorative 25th Anniversary Interbike jersey that would benefit the BBC. The jerseys that he sent us as samples are gorgeous and super soft to the touch since they’re made of the latest Merino wool fabrics. You can even machine wash them. Nothing like what I remember my old wool sweaters were like growing up in New England.
The Trainers will be a part of our silent auction at the show to benefit the BBC and League of American Bicyclists. Since the retail price of these would be over $200 if they were made for sale, we only have 25 available in the auction. We’ve already had inquiries about reserving them, so make sure you get your bids in soon!
Make sure you check out the advocacy auction display case in the lobby that features some great stuff like the trainer, 2 custom Fender Stratocaster guitars, celebrity-signed Interbike jersey (another great, but contemporary, design made by Hincapie Sports) and many other unique items. The trainers will also be on display in the BBC booth and in the registration lobby.
Thanks to Ray Kang, Interbike’s art director for a great job desigining the shirt and Alex at Woolistic for helping make this happen. Make sure you check out the other great wool bike wear in the Woolistic booth at the show.
Sep
20
Culture, Ping Pong and Bear Hugs @ Interbike
Filed Under Interbike, Interbike's 25th Anniversary | 2 Comments
While there are an almost unlimited number of great events happening throught Interbike, here are a few that caught my eye while going through the big list today. I’ll try to post more of these “booth events” that we’ve been hearing about over the next few days.
Day 1
Taliah Lempert, bicycle portrait artist, paints and sketches the bikes of Gary Fisher and Davis Phinney for raffle to benefit Davis Phinney Foundation. Accelerade Booth 2425
Nothing like a little culture to class up the bike industry’s big gathering.
9 a.m.: Hangover Helper Giveaway (100 packets, while supplies last); product raffle. Honey Stinger Booth 4410.
You guys aren’t planning on drinking while you’re in Vegas, are you? Just remember: Liquor before beer, never fear. Beer before liquor, never sicker…
Sweet 16 Invitational Ping Pong Tournament; playoffs Wednesday and Thursday, final event noon Friday. Planet Bike Booth 1225.
Now, now. I think the proper name is Table Tennis.
All Day: Enter drawing for Thor Hushovd’s Look Dura Ace 585 race bike, autographed by Hushovd. Winner notified after show. Look Booth 4425.
Are Interbike staff members eligible to win?
Day 2
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Bring a photo of yourself bear-hugging a Bicycle Retailer & Industry News staff member, receive free sunglasses. Smith Optics Booth 3345.
Do Megan and the guys at BRAIN know about this?
Aug
31
Eddy Merckx Confirmed for Vegas Again!
Filed Under Industry News, Interbike, Interbike's 25th Anniversary | 1 Comment
Just saw the happy news that the great Eddy Merckx will be making the trip to Las Vegas for the 25th Anniversary Interbike Expo this year. Bicycle Retailer confirmed that Eddy will again be in the Eddy Merckx/Gita booth (#2775) to greet attendees and sign autographs. This is always a highlight of the show for everyone.
He’ll be available from 11am to noon on Day One, and from 2–3 pm on Day Two.
For those that are familiar with Gita, they are a prominent importer and distributer of high end bikes and accesories such as Merckx, Pinarello, Pegoretti, Giordana and Deda Elementi.
And for those of you not familiar with Eddy, are you sure you’re at the right website?
Aug
30
Free Registration Ends Thursday, Aug 31!
Filed Under Interbike, Interbike's 25th Anniversary | 3 Comments
Have you registered for Interbike 2006 yet?
Interbike 25 is just a short few weeks away and free retailer registration ends today.
Retailers register online here.
Working Media (writers, editors, editorial photographers) register here.
Media Advertising Sales personnel register here.
Aug
4
The Early Days: Chants, Bo Diddley, and Ms. Efficiency
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If you didn’t know it, our team that puts on Interbike also produces another trade show for the retail fitness industry every year, the Health+Fitness Business Expo and Conference. Instead of bikes, the booths are filled with fitness gear like treadmills, stationary bikes and barbells. There’s actually alot of crossover with the bike industry. I actually saw Chris Kegel of the Wheel & Sprocket shops in Wisconsin sitting in on some seminars and walking the aisles yesterday. It was good to see a familiar face while here at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. HFB has kept me from posting for a little while, so I’ll try to make up for it with a good one. Read more
Jul
18
Interbike Hockey Tournaments
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I was reviewing my emails today and noticed an email I received from Scott Wallenberg, publisher of Racer X/Road Racer X, about his memories of the Hockey Tournaments he and Jake Heilbron of Kona used to put on. At the time Scott was the ad director for Mountain Bike Action. Here’s what he had to say…
“Some great memories about Interbike were the Ice Hockey Tournaments. It started back in 1994 as an idea Jake and I had while talking about our love for hockey and wouldn’t it be fun to have a game. I arranged for the ice time and we had our first game at 6:30 AM at Glacial Gardens Ice Rink in Anaheim, CA back when Interbike was in SoCal. There were 2 teams…Canada vs. the World with about 20 guys total.
“The next few years in Anaheim saw the tournament expanding to four teams and over 60 players with Team Shimano, Team Canada, Team West Coast, and Team East Coast. Easton helped sponsor with aluminum sticks and other great prizes. When Interbike moved to Las Vegas we kept the tournament alive by finding ice at various local rinks in the area. My switch to Racer X magazine in 2000 did not stop my involvement, as there are so many bicycle companies involved in Motocross products.
“The Tournament lasted for 10 years with the final game in 2003. It was a wonderful 10-year run!
“The photo is Team Canada in red and Team USA in White. Ironically the last game we had ended in a tie!”
Does this bring back any memories for anyone? Kozo?
Jul
5
Jim Langley Remembers Shows Past
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Just thought I’d highlight a great comment to one of our Interbike Memories posts from Jim Langley. As his personal website states, Jim is a “Bicycle Aficionado”. Jim is probably most well known for his 10 years as the Technical Editor of Bicycling Magazine and currently works for SmartEtailing. I remember learning alot about bike maintenance from his regular column and Tech Q&A features. I still have the folder at home by my work bench with tech articles of his that I pulled out for future reference when I was getting started in the sport. Thanks, Jim!
Like everybody else, I have lots of fun Interbike memories, too. Here are a few in no particular order that people might enjoy: –I recall Giro founder/inventor Jim Gentes telling me that on the drive down to Anaheim he was actually spray painting one of the important show-sample helmets in the back of his car. I found and find that image pretty funny and a great example of how hard everyone works to make the show a success. –GT & RockShox threw quite a party one year. It was held in a huge industrial building and the place was absolutely packed with people. Suddenly, the guys from RockShox opened a roll-up garage door on one side of the building and idled slowly in on a classic flat-bed truck piled high with one-off RockShox beer in boxes, which they started handing to the crowd. But, they couldn’t drive too far into the crowd so they started throwing the beers and people were catching these 20-ounce beers flying through the air. –Allenax’s lever-drive bicycle booth s howing up year after year after year. –All the wonderful and amazing Robert Egger of Specialized concept bikes. –The incredible Tour de Sewer group rides we used to have at the Anaheim show in the mornings; sometimes over 100 riders strong and some of the top pros, riding a double paceline with Swiss-like precision on the winding bike path toward Huntington Beach. –Bruce Gordon’s SOPWMTOS awards were/are always a kick. –Discovering the secret “kitchen” in the Italian pavilion and sitting down for a plate of delectable pasta. –Taking a wide berth around the Taiwan pavilion to avoid the cigarette smoke billowing out from above their hidden smoking chamber. –Test riding the latest and greatest at the Outdoor Demo and elsewhere. –Getting by by eating the Hershey’s Kisses Bike’alog gives away every year in that huge glass bowl and munching the free Clif Bars and PowerBars.. and sipping the free java. –Discovering back at the hotel on the last night that we had so much pro duct literature, we had to get boxes to ship the stuff back to the office. –Getting to discuss the products with all the ingenious product managers, too numerous to mention, who don’t mind explaining in detail how their stuff is designed and why. –Listening to Ernesto Colnago introduce his 50th Anniversary line-up. –Watching the mechanics trying to win Park Tool’s Fastest Mechanic contest. –And, finally, experiencing Interbike first as a bike shop grunt, then as a bike shop manager, a journalist, an editor, and now as an exhibitor. I could go on, but suffice to say that I’m sure this year’s show will be full of fun memories, too!
Jun
30
The Founder of Interbike
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I just got off the phone with Steve Ready, the now retired founder of Interbike 25 years ago. He currently lives in Washington State enjoying his passion for vintage motorcycles. The other day he read Rich Kelly’s post “Interbike as a Cultural Event”where Rich attributed the the following quote to Steve – “Interbike is a cultural event as well as a business event. At the close of each show, we want people to return home feeling a little better about the business they’ve chosen to be in.” Steve told me that quote was actually Kathy Newkirk’s, Interbike’s sales manager from 1987 to 1999. Steve said Kathy has a knack for boiling things down to what’s important and he was just repeating her vision for the show.
Steve is very flattered that Interbike is still thriving after 25 years. He has lots of fond memories he would like to share. Currently, he writes regularly for vintage motorcycle magazines, and true to his newfound craft, he would like to take some time to gather his thoughts and share some of his Interbike memories on InterbikeTimes. So, in about a week we will post Steve’s Interbike reminisces.
Enjoy the 4th of July!