Val is BRAIN’s newest staff writer. She comes to the magazine with a varied background including stints as a bike shop manager, bicycle tour guide, and race and event director. She also worked as a freelance writer in the outdoor and travel industries. Most recently, she taught women’s clinics and drove a demo van, working with Giant retailers all over the west. An Idaho native who has lived all over the northwest, Val is excited about her recent relocation to sunny southern California, where she can mountain bike, trail run, and garden year round. She lives in Silverado canyon with her boyfriend Brian and their two dogs.
Val Vanderpool
All articles by Val Vanderpool
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN) — In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Yeti Cycles has added a new model to its lineup.
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN) — As Demo Day was in full swing outside, FSA and Gravity gave the media a sneak peek of new products consumers can expect to see as soon as spring 2016.
FERNDALE, Wash. (BRAIN) — Kona unveiled its expanded 2016 road and mountain line to a select group of retailers at its sixth annual Kona Ride product launch, held at its U.S. headquarters in northwestern Washington this week.
VICTOR, Idaho (BRAIN) — When it came time to list their store, Fitzgerald's Bicycles, for sale earlier this year, retailers Scott and Janine Fitzgerald took an unconventional approach.
BELLINGHAM, Wash. (BRAIN) — Following an extensive remodel, longtime Pacific Northwest retailer Jack’s Bicycle Center has reopened as a Giant Partner Store.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (BRAIN) — After taking a year off from his job as a schoolteacher and moving to Italy with his wife, Cam McRae returned to Canada speaking another foreign language and thinking about a career change. His idea included writing and bikes, and ultimately spawned North Shore Mountain Biking
GOLDEN, Colo. (BRAIN) — Under a bluebird Colorado sky, Yeti Cycles quietly showed two women's bikes for the first time to racers and spectators attending the 6th annual Beti Bike Bash, held June 14th.
DETROIT (BRAIN) – Bike maker Detroit Bikes has announced plans to open its first retail location, named Detroit Bikes 1216 after its address on Griswold Street, Detroit.
ORANGE, Calif. (BRAIN) – Southern California retailer Mark Smits has announced his partnership with Sho-Air Cyclery and Ridebiker Alliance, marking the first expansion into Orange County for Smits' Incycle Bicycles.
SEATTLE (BRAIN) – Outdoor retailer REI has reported record revenue of $2.2 billion dollars for 2014, up 9.9 percent from 2013. It also reported the highest ever dividend payout, returning $168 million to its 5.5 million active co-op members last year.