Kona Clump Rider Agassiz Steals Third

- Newest Member Of Team Goes Big At

Bearclaw Invitational -

KONAWORLD (August 25, 2008) - Battling rain and challenging riding conditions at the third annual Bearclaw Invitational at Mount Washington Alpine Resort, British Columbia, the newest member of the Kona Clump team, Graham Agassiz, reeled in a third-place finish at the high-profile event.

Going big and holding nothing back, Agassiz dialed in the Slopestyle course by launching a Superman seat grab Indian air that was by far one of the highest jumps of the competition. Fellow Clump riders Grant “Chopper” Fielder and brothers Andreu and Lluis Lacondeguy competed as well, but it was the newcomer Agassiz who stole the show. Agassiz competed with the Clump team recently at the Crankworx events in Colorado and Whistler and plans to continue with the team. Host Darren Bearclaw took second in the event.

Agassiz earned $3,000 for his podium placement.

For more information check http://bearclawinvitational.com/.

Photo Credit: Ian Hylands

source: The Kona Bicycle Co

	August 25, 2008 MSC NO. SOL SQUARED WRAPS UP GRAVITY SERIES FOR 2008 Golden, Colo.—The Mountain States Cup 2008 Gravity Finale is about to get underway for Sol Squared on August 29 - September 1 at SolVista Bike Park in Granby, Colo. The big-bike, super-suspended, gravity-ridden super freaks of the MSC will be going head-to-head on three different downhill courses. The bike park crew at SolVista have been busy little beavers, building new trails for this last event. We here at Bigfoot Production are keeping the courses under wraps until Friday morning in fairness to all those who are participating. We will have awards for each course after each days racing. In addition on Monday afternoon we will have the series gravity awards for both individuals and teams. Registration is only on Friday and Saturday, so make sure you’re there to get registered for all three events. Camping will be adjacent to the base area, $10 per car for the entire weekend with limited amenities. While the gravity riders were taking it easy this past weekend, the endurance crowd of the MSC battled it out at the Eldora Escape in Nederland, Colo. August 23-24, in a multi-event weekend. The full-throttle Energizer Short Track race took riders through the base area, and packed the intensity of a full-length cross country course into a mere 20-25 minutes. Jay Henry (Avon, Colo.- Tokyo Joes) and McConnell Franklin (Taos, NM- Team Devo) battled it out for the Colorado Short Track State Championship for the pro men. They carried this competition out onto the Indian Peaks Cross Country Race on Sunday with Henry sprinting for the win. On the women’s side, Erin Huck (Boulder, Colo.-Tokyo Joes) won the short track race and state championship with Judy Freeman (Tough Girl/Contessa) only nine seconds behind. Gretchen Reeves (Edwards, Colo.-Tokyo Joes) and Kelley Mattingly (New Castle, Colo.-Rocky Mountain Racing) displayed their strengths of endurance and technical skills taking first and second in the cross country race. The courses touted 6.5 miles of steep fire road climbs, power rollers, technical rooty climbs, loose rocky descents- pretty much anything and everything to challenge XC riders, but two to four times over (depending on race category). Although the series is wrapping up, there is still more to come! All you gravity folks keep in mind on September 20 Angel Fire resort in conjunction with Red Bull will be hosting the Red Bull Burner—a 12 hour downhill endurance race. Check out www.angelfireburner.com. The MSC Endurance Series Finale, the Fall Classic, will be held September 6-7 in Breckenridge, Colo. Check out www.racemsc.com for full details.   If you have any questions about any of the event don’t hesitate to call either Keith Darner at (719) 221-1251 or Sarah Rawley at (720) 407-6142 or email info@racemsc.com. All photographs courtesy of Shawn Spomer, Dirt Agency.   Bigfoot Production info@bigfootproduction.comwww.yeticycles.com www.racemsc.com www.g3gravityseries.com

source: Sarah Rawley

Trek World 2009, a mini-interbike for Trek brands to introduce local bike shop owners and managers to their new offerings is underway in Waterloo this week. At an event called “Backstage” began, where Trek flew in regular shop guys to get a sneak preview of what’s to come in 2009. RoadBikeReview was lucky to have a friend who sent back these photos of a new line of Gary Fisher road bikes that will be debuting in 2009.

The line looks to include several road bikes, a fixed/SS gear model, and a cross model for 2009. Word is that the line is very limited this year, but plans are already underway for 2010 and 2011 models. Models that may include new OCLV offerings.

Check out the bikes here…

source: RoadbikeReview

CALIFORNIA’S CODY WARREN & KATHY PRUITT CAPTURE TITLES AT FIRST LEG OF JEEP 48STRAIGHT MOUNTAIN BIKE SERIES AT DIABLO FREERIDE PARK IN VERNON, N.J.

VERNON, New Jersey – August 23, 2008 – Youth and experience may be the most fitting descriptors to explain the separate paths Cody Warren of Alpine, Calif., and Kathy Pruitt of Santa Cruz, Calif., took in snaring titles at the first leg of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series today at Diablo Freeride Park in Vernon, N.J.

It was the first Jeep mountain biking win for both athletes, including past Jeep King of the Mountain mountain-cross events and this inaugural Jeep 48STRAIGHT dual slalom event, earning the pair a $5,000 cash payout and valuable standings points toward the season championship, where a new 2008 Jeep Grande Cherokee awaits.

Warren, 22, needed a fast start, some fortuitous crashes and a strong finish to bring home the win, especially considering the match-ups he faced in each round of the competition. He began the day against U.S. National Champion Gerrit Beytagh of Fletcher, N.C., winning two straight runs before meeting Chris Van Dine of Park City, Utah, a rider with over 20 titles spanning all disciplines of mountain bike racing. Warren, himself a 2005 U.S. National Champion, swept both races and moved into the semi-finals, where he faced off against current National Mountain Bike Series leader, Petr Hanak of Winter Park, Colo. After dismissing Hanak in both races, he earned a spot in the Championship Heat against young standout J.D. Swanguen of San Diego. Swanguen, only 19 but coming off an impressive win at Crankworx in Whistler, B.C., won the first race of the finals, but in the last race of the afternoon, suffered a crash that opened the door for Warren to coast home with the victory.

“The biggest difference for me from last year to this year has been learning to save my strength, maintaining consistency in each round, and being careful not to push so hard that you get sloppy and crash,” said Warren, who last year finished just off the podium in fourth place at each of the three Jeep mountain bike races. “When I saw Brian Lopes go down early, I knew it was open for everyone in the field. This win is definitely among the best in my career, and I’m happy to be going home with some good money.”

One of the most shocking developments of the day was the crash that knocked Laguna Beach, Calif.’s, Lopes out of the event. The four-time World Champion and nine-time U.S. National Champion breezed by Open Qualifier and 16th seed Lars Tribus of Milford, N.J. in the first race, and it appeared to be just another warm-up round for the veteran. In the second race, however, Lopes took a spill off his bike that allowed Tribus to ease down the racecourse for the win, perhaps impacting the outcome of the entire day’s competition.

Pruitt’s advantage heading into the day was clearly experience, and the 10-year veteran and 2007 U.S. National Champion, used every ounce of it to earn the title. In the first race of the day, she matched up against three-time World Cup winner Fionn Griffiths of Great Britain and advanced with back-to-back wins. In the semi-finals against former U.S. Open Champion Lisa Myklak of Boulder, Colo., Pruitt won the first race but lost the second by a slight margin, moving into the finals thanks to the time differential advantage. There she faced prohibitive favorite Melissa Buhl of Chandler, Ariz., the reigning World Champion and U.S. National Champion who reached the Championship Heat having not lost a single race. Pruitt stormed to a win in a tight first race, and took advantage of a spill by Buhl in the second race to secure the victory.

“I didn’t come here with the intention of winning, but I’m really proud of myself for earning this title,” said Pruitt. “I’m really sorry that Melissa fell, but I’m glad I had a chance to go up against her in the final. We have all had our falls, and that’s the way it is sometimes. She is my buddy and my first reaction was to stop, but I reminded myself that there was $5,000 waiting for me at the bottom of the hill. This is my biggest achievement to date, and now I want to take this momentum to the World Cup circuit and see what I can do.”

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event at Mountain Creek will air on CBS Sports on September 28.

Jeep 48STRAIGHT now heads to The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah, on September 19-20 for the second leg of the summer tour, with the season finale set for October 24-25 at The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

About JeepÒ 48STRAIGHT
JeepÒ 48STRAIGHT, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Ketchum, Idaho, is a multi-media, consumer-driven platform designed to empower individuals who aspire to connect to the outdoor lifestyle through sport, music and ‘green’ awareness and consciousness. Its unique capabilities have established Jeep 48STRAIGHT as the premiere organizers of world-class high-end summer and winter sporting competitions, as well as a top promoter of concerts that have included some of the world’s best-known musicians. The company’s global reach is made possible through 16 hours of CBS network specials highlighting year-round initiatives such as the Jeep 48STRAIGHT mountain sports/music/culture festivals; sports performance training programs; green education symposiums and a virtual outdoor lifestyle information network. In addition to Jeep, marketing partners include John Paul Mitchell Systems, Michelin, Beyond Coastal, Trikke, Rossignol, Crux Event Management & Production, Diablo Freeride Park at Mountain Creek Resort (N.J.), The Canyons Resort (Utah) and The Madonna Inn (Calif.). For more information on Jeep 48STRAIGHT media, event and merchandise offerings, visit www.48STRAIGHT.com.

source: Al Sommers

Jamis Rider Kathy Pruitt WINS GOLD at Jeep 48Straight - Vernon, NJ

For Immediate Release: Northvale, NJ, August 25, 2008 - Factory Jamis racer Kathy Pruitt captures victory at the opening round of the JEEP 48Straight series. Held in Vernon, NJ at Diablo Freeride Park and in front of CBS Sports TV cameras, Kathy and her Jamis Parker were able to out sprint and outride the competition to take the win. Kathy started out the day on a high note being the fastest qualifier and riding a smart strong race. With a stacked field including World and National Champions as well as World Cup winners, Kathy prevailed. My Jamis Parker is the perfect bike for this kind of race and course. Its fast, stiff and can handle the jumps!, said Pruitt. Look for the Vernon event to air on CBS Sports September 28th. And the next round of the series will take place in Park City, Utah on September 19-20. Kathy is the 2000 Jr. Womens Downhill Champion and multi-time National Downhill Champion. For more info on Team Jamis riders please visit www.jamisbikes.com For more info on the 48Straight Series please visit www.jeepmtnbiking.com

source: JAMIS MEDIA

OPEN QUALIFER COMPETITION AT DIABLO FREERIDE PARK IN VERNON, NJ

18 Mountain Bike Racers from New Jersey and Across the U.S. to Face Off Against World’s

Elite Athletes During Saturday, Aug. 23 Jeep 48STRAIGHT Dual Slalom Championships

VERNON, New Jersey – August 22, 2008 – With a healthy cash payout and exposure in front of thousands of race fans in person and on national broadcast television at stake, it was little surprise that Diablo Freeride Park in Vernon, N.J. was a hotbed of activity for professional and semi-professional mountain bike racers on Friday.

Vying for a coveted spot in Saturday’s

Mountain Bike Series against the top-ranked athletes from across the globe, men and women arrived from all parts of New Jersey and other states including California, Colorado, Georgia, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Vermont, to take part in the event’s Open Qualifier.

At the end of the day, the 18 riders (12 men and 6 women) with the fastest times made it through. Among them include four U.S. National Champions in Cole Bangert, Geritt Beytagh, Eric Carter and Kathy Pruitt. The full list include:

MEN

Cole Bangert – Twin Lakes, Colo.
Geritt Beytagh – Fletcher, N.C.
Blake Carney – Camarillo, Calif.
Eric Carter – Temecula, Calif.
Mike Haderer – Concord, Calif.
Joseph Haley – Raleigh, N.C.
Petr Hanak – Winter Park, Colo.
Christopher Herndon – Etowah, N.C.
Phillip Kmetz – Keene, N.H.
J.D. Swanguen – San Diego, Calif.
Lars Tribus – Milford, N.J.
Chris VanDine – Park City, Utah

WOMEN

Dawn Bourque – Campton, N.H.
Allie Burch – Patterson, N.Y.
Karen Eagen – Lowell, Mass.
Lisa Myklak – Boulder, Colo.
Stephanie Nychka – Gresham, Ore.
Kathy Pruitt – Santa Cruz, Calif

The reward for these Open Qualifiers is a dual slalom date against the top-ranked mountain bike riders from across the globe, with a wealth of World Champion, National Champion and World Cup credentials. Early favorites include four-time World Champion Brian Lopes, four-time Australian National Champion Jared Rando and U.S. National Champions Cody Warren, Rich Houseman, Banger, Beytagh and Carter. And on the women’s side, all eyes will be on Melissa Buhl, the reigning World Champion and U.S. National Champion, three-time World Cup winner Fionn Griffiths, and Pruitt.

The racers will be competing for the richest prize purse in professional mountain bike racing, topping $100,000 with additional bonuses from sponsor Paul Mitchell. The winner in New Jersey will pocket $5,000, with cash earnings for each finisher through 16th place. Points are awarded during each race, and the overall series champion will receive the keys to a new Jeep vehicle.

In addition to the dual slalom, plenty of other action will be taking place on Saturday for race fans at Diablo Freeride Park. Non-elite amateurs and club riders can take part in the Indy-Cross event, where they’ll test their mettle on the racecourse while trying to beat a time set by one of the top racers in the sport. Off the dirt, the guests are invited to tour the Sponsor Expo and pick up some great free gear from partners including Jeep, Paul Mitchell, Trikke, Michelin, Rossignol, Cycleworks Bike Shop and adidas Eyewear, among others. Jeep will host simulator rides, while Paul Mitchell’s professional stylists offer $15 haircuts with proceeds benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation. Visitors may also test drive Trikke scooters and receive free safety checks for their bikes, courtesy of Cycleworks Bike Shop. The day will wrap up with an awards ceremony for the winners and a dynamic free concert by none other than Hell’s Belles, a world-renowned all-female AC/DC tribute band.

Full event information may be found at www.48STRAIGHT.com.

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event at Mountain Creek will air on CBS Sports on September 28.

In addition to the first stop at Mountain Creek, the 48STRAIGHT schedule also includes stops on September 19-20 at The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah, and October 24-25 at The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
About Jeep 48STRAIGHT

Jeep 48STRAIGHT, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Ketchum, Idaho, is a multi-media, consumer-driven platform designed to empower individuals who aspire to connect to the outdoor lifestyle through sport, music and ‘green’ awareness and consciousness. Its unique capabilities have established Jeep 48STRAIGHT as the premiere organizers of world-class high-end summer and winter sporting competitions, as well as a top promoter of concerts that have included some of the world’s best-known musicians. The company’s global reach is made possible through 16 hours of CBS network specials highlighting year-round initiatives such as the Jeep 48STRAIGHT mountain sports/music/culture festivals; sports performance training programs; green education symposiums and a virtual outdoor lifestyle information network. In addition to Jeep, marketing partners include John Paul Mitchell Systems, Michelin, Beyond Coastal, Trikke, Rossignol, Crux Event Management & Production, Diablo Freeride Park at Mountain Creek Resort (N.J.), The Canyons Resort (Utah) and The Madonna Inn (Calif.). For more information on Jeep 48STRAIGHT media, event and merchandise offerings, visit www.48STRAIGHT.com.

source: Al Sommers

INAUGURAL ‘ARENA MOUNTAIN X’ RACE TO BE HELD DURING INTERBIKE!

Fontana, California (August 11, 2008) - Don Jackson & Southridge USA are proud to announce the inaugural ‘Arena Mountain X’ race, presented by Subaru. This action packed event will showcase world renowned racers in a head-to-head competition within the ‘South Point Equestrian & Event Center’ in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 24, 2008 – during InterBike!

This “invitational only” event will feature an elite selection of the world’s most talented gravity mountain bike racers, including former world champions Eric Carter & Brian Lopes, US national champion Rich Houseman, as well as Chris Kovarik, Cody Warren, Jared Rando, Kirt Voreis, Nathan Rennie & many more! Legendary commentator Larry “Super Mouth” Huffman will bring fans to their feet as racers will vie for an enormous cash purse! With the support of industry leading sponsors Subaru, ODI, Kenda, IceToolz, THE, Mountain Bike Action & TLD, we’re bringing the exciting, fast paced world of 4 Cross racing to the indoor arena for the first time ever!

“It’s an excellent opportunity to bring the exciting world of 4 Cross racing to the masses,” said Don Jackson. “By ‘brining the mountain to the people,’ we can give the public a chance to watch this breathtaking sport without the need to drive hours away from the city!”

Held in a “Speedway Format”, racers will battle down a spectacular man-made mountain cross track built specifically for this event! We’re talking huge custom scaffolding, truckloads of dirt for an intense racing track, and a stadium full of seats for optimal viewing. Southridge USA will brings you the mountain inside! The “Speedway” format will pit each of the 20 top riders against one another at least once throughout the night! There are no team tactics! There are no early knock outs! Only the best will win!

Doors Open at 7pm / Races at 8pm

Tickets on Sale Now! Call 866-796-7111 or visit www.southpointeventscenter.com.

After-Party with Autograph Signing

First 1000 people in attendance will receive a free Multi-Tool from IceToolz.

For more information visit www.arenamtn-x.com

source: Quinton Spaulding/Kenda USA

WILMINGTON, N.Y. – Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington, among the most challenging ski and ride mountains in the nation, will host the Third Annual 5 Kilometer Downhill Mountain Bike Race, presented by High Peaks Cyclery, on Sunday, August 31. Race time is 12 p.m.

This NORBA-sanctioned event (National Off-Road Bicycle Association), part of the Gravity East series, will carry a $5,000 pro purse, with the top men and women receiving equal pay. There will be several thousand dollars additionally in bike-related merchandise for the top three finishers in each amateur class. Category 1 points on the USA Cycling calendar will be awarded.

The Whiteface Third Annual 5 Kilometer Downhill, presented by High Peaks Cyclery, offers the longest mountain bike competition in the east, with 2,476 vertical feet from the top of Little Whiteface.

James Ford of Chappaqua, N.Y., needed over six and a half minutes to conquer Whiteface in 2006. Most downhill events require less than three minutes.

Derrick Nobman of Oyster Bay, N.Y. required over seven and a half minutes to win the 2007 event on a longer course, while only seven racers broke eight minutes.

Whiteface hosted the alpine skiing events during the 1980 Winter Olympics as well as the ski and ride competitions in the 2000 Winter Goodwill Games. The site remains a yearly stop for World Cup freestyle skiing and World Cup snowboarding.

“This race course starts off at over 40 miles per hour and then disappears into some of the best, naturally challenging downhill single-track anywhere,” said race director “Downhill” Mike Scheur. “With no race conflicts in Quebec and Ontario, we are expecting a large contingent of Canadian riders which we haven’t had the previous two years. The size of this year’s field should be much bigger.”

The race course will be marked five days prior to the event, and available for training seven days a week including race day.

Participants can register at www.active.com until August 30 at 9 p.m. for just $28. Racers can also sign-in at Whiteface from August 29 until 11 a.m. on August 31 for $35.

The competition will be timed by All Sports Events.

Interested participants can check out bike and stay packages, beginning at $69 per person including lift ticket and hot breakfast, at www.downhillmike.com. The website also offers specific race info, videos and photos.

Cross country and advanced downhill mountain biking will be available to the general public on August 31 as some trails will be closed for the race. Normal operating hours from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. will be in effect. The mountain shuttle bus will be running to transport beginner bikers to the trails.

An awards ceremony will be held after 3 p.m..

Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) concessionaire, Centerplate, will serve food and beverages throughout the day.

source: MIKE SCHEUR

Bethel, Conn. – August 21, 2008 – Cannondale Sports Group (CSG) Europe, today announced the beginning of distribution of GT Bicycles and SUGOI performance apparel throughout Italy and France beginning in September 2008. This new distribution model will help to re-launch the GT Bicycles brand into these important markets and officially introduce SUGOI into France for the first time. Cannondale Sports Group is a Division of Dorel Industries (TSX: DII.B, DII.A).

“France and Italy are both leading performance brand oriented markets and consumer product expectations are high,” said Jeff Frehner, CSG President and CEO. “Historically, demand for GT has been very strong. Now as part of the Cannondale Sports Group, we will be using the Cannondale distribution center in the Netherlands to distribute our GT and SUGOI brands in new and more effective ways to these countries.”

GT Bicycles, which just held an international media camp in Livigno, Italy, has received excellent product reviews and is currently experiencing increased momentum in Europe. The GT range includes a line of carbon road bikes, mountain bikes that use the patented Independent Drivetrain (ID )system, city bikes and BMX bikes. The GT brand, established in 1973, has a long and distinguished history ranging from the roots of BMX and mountain biking to being used by athletes from around the world in the 2008 Olympic Games.

SUGOI, established in 1987, offers hundreds of technical garments and accessories, including underlayers, jackets, shorts, swimsuits, socks, and hats. Known for high quality performance apparel, SUGOI has been worn by Ironman winners, World Champions and Olympians

“In Italy and France the GT and SUGOI brands will be managed separately from the Cannondale brand. However, the development goals, and what we aspire to achieve are the same,” said Jeff McGuane, President of CSG Europe. “We will be product driven and focused on developing a selected specialty retailer network.”

Moving forward, GT and SUGOI will have four dedicated brand development representatives for these markets. Across Europe, current and new distributors will instantly see the benefits that strengthen the services provided to all distributors. This includes inside sales support, creative services, technical service support and an integrated work style with the USA team.

About Cannondale Sports Group

The Cannondale Sports Group was established in February of this year after the acquisition of Cannondale Bicycles and SUGOi by Dorel Industries Inc. This specialty division encompasses the Cannondale, SUGOi, GT, Schwinn and Mongoose brands.

About GT Bicycles

Built on its race-proven performance products, GT Bicycles has been designing technologically advanced bikes in the road, mountain and BMX categories since 1973. For more information about GT Bicycles, please visit www.gtbicycles.com

About SUGOI

For years, hard-core endurance athletes have known SUGOI as making the most incredible, and incredibly hard-working, apparel in endurance sports. In fact, “incredible” is exactly what SUGOI means in Japanese. For over 20 years, SUGOi has been working diligently to make sure the products live up to the name. Today, SUGOI has expansive catalogs that offer hundreds of technical garments and accessories, including underlayers, jackets, shorts, swimsuits, socks, and hats. With distribution throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, SUGOI is truly an international brand. For more information about SUGOI, please visit www.sugoi.ca

About Dorel

Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.B, DII.A) is a world class juvenile products and bicycle company. Established in 1962, Dorel creates style and excitement in equal measure to safety, quality and value. The Company’s lifestyle leadership position is pronounced in both its Juvenile and bicycle categories with an array of trend-setting products. In the Juvenile segment, Dorel’s powerfully branded products such as Quinny, Maxi-Cosi, Safety 1^st and Bébé Confort have shown the way to safety, originality and fashion. Similarly, its highly popular brands such as Cannondale, Schwinn, GT, Mongoose and SUGOI have made Dorel a principal player with both independent bicycle dealers and mass merchants. Dorel’s Home Furnishings segment markets a wide assortment of furniture products, both domestically produced and imported. The Company exerts relentless innovation and marketing flair across all of its divisions. Dorel is a $2 billion company with forty-six hundred employees, facilities in seventeen countries, and sales worldwide.

US operations include Dorel Juvenile Group USA; the Cannondale Sports Group; Pacific Cycle; Ameriwood Industries which produces ready-to-assemble furniture; Altra Furniture; and Cosco Home & Office. In Canada, Dorel operates Dorel Distribution Canada, Dorel Home Products and SUGOI. Abroad, operations include Dorel Europe and IGC in Australia, a manufacturer and distributor of juvenile products. Dorel Asia sources and imports home furnishings products. Dorel China has eight offices which oversee the sourcing, engineering and logistics of the Company’s Asian supplier chain.

source: Michael De Leon

Interbike International Bicycle Expo 2008 Pre Show Numbers
on Schedule to Match or Exceed Last Year’s Show

Bicycle industry optimistic about the future, as indicated by increases in
Interbike exhibit space and pre-registration attendance

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. - August 21, 2008 - Interbike today announced pre-show numbers for the indoor portion of the industry’s annual gathering, the International Bicycle Expo, are expected to match or exceed the numbers from last year’s show.

An indication the industry is feeling positive about the future, despite uncertain economic times, the 2008 International Bicycle Expo already includes close to 312,000 of net-sold, square-feet of exhibit space, not including the thousands of square-feet given to industry non-profit and advocacy organizations. As of the release date, the reported figure represents close to 800 exhibiting companies and more than 1,100 brands.

The final net-sold, square-foot figure is expected to be close to or higher than last year’s record show. The trade-only event will be held at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, September 24-26.

With recent increases in the price of gasoline, bicycles are gaining momentum as a viable alternative mode of transportation. Bicycle retailers report increases in new bike sales and in repair orders of older bikes as well. Capitalizing on the momentum, bicycle and accessory manufacturers are planning on launching a broad range of new products at Interbike.

“With sales greatly increasing in the commuting category, and other categories as well, we are looking forward to introducing several new products at the show,” said Steve Flagg, President of QBP. “As QBP has grown with the market, Interbike has been and will continue to be the best venue for us to launch new products.”

Another indication of the industry’s optimism is in planned Interbike attendance. More than 13,000 individual buyers, representing close to 3,000 storefronts plan on attending the Interbike International Bicycle Expo, an increase of 21 percent for both figures, compared to the same time last year.

“The bicycle industry is in a very exciting position,” said Andy Tompkins, Interbike’s show director. “Consumers are looking for ways to save money, and they are looking to bikes to help them do that, both in their daily life and for recreation. Interbike is a direct reflection of the marketplace, and the increase in the number of exhibiting companies, both international and domestic, suggests the industry is very healthy and has opportunities for growth.”

The first two days of the industry only bicycle and accessory trade show start with the OutDoor Demo in Bootleg Canyon, Nevada, September 22-23, where bicycle retailers and members of the media will be able to test products from close to 140 bicycle and accessory manufacturers and counting. Immediately following the OutDoor Demo will be the indoor portion of the show, the Interbike International Bicycle Expo, September 24-26.

Interbike promises to be a great show for exhibitors, retailers and members of the media. For more information about exhibiting at Interbike and other events and marketing opportunities surrounding the show visit www.interbike.com.

About Interbike
Interbike (a business unit of Nielsen Business Media, the parent company of the Outdoor Retailer (OR), Action Sports Retailer (ASR), Health+Fitness Business, and Fly Fishing Retailer trade shows) is a full-service trade show company that creates, markets and produces high-quality expos and educational conferences. Producers of the OutDoor Demo and Interbike International Bicycle Expo, Interbike is the leading bicycle industry business-to-business event management company, bringing together top manufacturers, retailers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of cycling. Now celebrating more than 25 years of successful events, Interbike (www.interbike.com) gathers more than 1,100 cycling-related brands and close to 23,000 total attendees annually.

The 2008 Interbike trade-only events begin with OutDoor Demo (September 22-23, 2008 in Boulder City), followed by the Interbike Expo, September 24-26 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, and OutDoor Demo East, October 21-22 at Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island.

source: Chip Smith