Minnesota retailers partner with high school league • Wingflyer ads California sales reps • Bicycling blogger to host panel discussion with NAHBS builders • Downeast Bicycle Specialists plans open house • Alliance announces photo contest winners • Golden, Colorado, celebrates its bike industry
BLOOMINGTON, MN (BRAIN) Mar 1, 13:22 MT—Erik's Bike and Board Shop and Penn Cycle are the "Founding Retailers" for the newly formed Minnesota League, which will produce its first season of high school mountain bike racing this year.
The retailers will provide financial assistance, product and event participation for the league, which is part of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association.
"I’m excited about the new Minnesota high school mountain bike league. It’s going to get kids on bikes, improve their health, and lead them into a lifelong sport," said Pat Sorenson, Penn Cycle's president.
High school teams will begin forming this spring; skills camps and coaches training will begin in the summer and racing will start in September.
The league is hosting a Kick Off Open House at Quality Bicycle Products in Bloomington, on March 11 from 6 to 8 pm.
Wingflyer ads California sales reps
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL (BRAIN) Mar 1, 12:51 MT—Step-bike brand Wingflyer is hiring dedicated territory managers in key markets.
The company has already hired two salesmen in Southern California, and has plans for other markets as well, said Dan Catalfumo, Wingflyer's CEO.
Chris McIntyre was hired to manage the San Diego and Orange County markets. He has more than 10 years of outside sales experience and started his career working for a Supergo retail location in Southern California.
Demarius Carmichael has been brought on to manage the Los Angeles Metro region. His experience spans several industries in both sales management and buyer roles.
Both territory managers will be driving new graphics-wrapped vans with product for demos. The company is looking to hire in other areas of the country, including Texas and Atlanta.
Alliance announces photo contest winners
WASHINGTON, DC (BRAIN) Mar 1, 12:56 MT—The Alliance for Biking & Walking has announced the winners of its 2011 People Powered Movement Photo Contest.
More than 1,700 photos were submitted. After a public voting period, finalists and winners were selected by a diverse panel of judges and Alliance staff.
Rachel Schell, a photographer from Spokane, Washington, won the overall grand prize for "Flying" and will receive an all-expenses-paid, 10-day bike trip to Tuscany, Italy, from VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations. Liv Ames from San Jose, California, won second place overall for her photo "Vancouver Foot Traffic," and Russell Roca of Corvallis, Oregon, took third place overall for his "Biking Family" image.
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Grand Prize- Flying, Rachel Schell -
Second Place- Vancouver Foot Traffic, Liv Ames -
Third Place- Biking Family, Russell Roca
Golden, Colorado, celebrates its bike industry
GOLDEN, CO (BRAIN) Mar 1, 13:06 MT—City officials here held a special evening Tuesday, with guests invited from the local bike industry to brainstorm ideas for the city and the industry to work together.
Golden is home to the Yeti, Spot and Gangle bike brands, workstand maker Feedback Sports and VC Graphix, a company that creates graphics for race team vehicles. The city hosted the start of the final stage of the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge stage race, and will host the start of the penultimate stage this year.
Yeti Cycles president Chis Conroy said his company chose to stay in Golden because of access to mountain bike trails. "We do our lunch rides there and often that will translate directly to our product," he said. "The city has been great to work with and its a great place to do business."
City Councilor Bob Vermeulen, who hosted the event, said he'd like to see more bike companies relocate to Golden. "It's an amazing cluster of bike-related businesses for such a small town," he said. "It has become a major economic force for Golden and the surrounding communities and we would like to see it grow even bigger."
Bicycling blogger to host panel discussion with NAHBS builders
SACRAMENTO, CA (BRAIN) Mar 1, 13:16 MT—Bicycling magazine contributing editor and blogger Joe Lindsey will host a panel discussion Friday at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show.
The discussion is titled "The Present and Future of Handmade Bikes" and will be held from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Participants include Richard Sachs, Mike DeSalvo, Craig Calfee, Gary Smith of Independent Fabrication and Diane Lees of HubBub Custom Bicycles. A brief audience Q&A will follow the discussion.
Downeast Bicycle Specialists open house planned for March 10-11
FRYEBURG, ME (BRAIN) Mar 1, 13:29 MT—Maine distributor Downeast Bicycle Specialists will be holding its annual open house the weekend of March 10 and 11.
March 10 is the dealer product presentation day to be held at the Green Granite Inn in North Conway, New Hampshire. Presentations will be made by Shimano, SRAM, FSA, Cane Creek, Clif Bar and Kuat. After the presentations, Kinetic will conduct a trainer class (dealers must bring their own bikes). Downeast will provide lunch and dinner to all dealers who attend.
March 11 is the booth day to be held at Downeast's warehouse in Fryeburg, Maine. Downeast suppliers will exhibit their new products and will be available to answer technical and product questions. Show specials, door prizes and a free lunch will be featured for all attendees. All orders placed at the show receive 5 percent off and ship free freight, while many vendors, including Shimano and SRAM, are matching the discount, for a total of 10 percent off.
