TEAM TOPEAK-ERGON EXPANDS FOR 2009

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Eddie & Namrita O’dea - Atlanta, GA

This husband and wife combo is a powerhouse on and off the bike. Along with a full schedule of racing, these athletes also run and promote two of the largest races in the Southeast: Fools Gold 100 and the BURN 24 Hour Challenge. With podium finishes at major 24 hour and 100 mile races across the USA, you can expect more of the same in 2009. You can keep track of the O’dea’s on their personal websites.

Eddie O’dea
Namrita O’dea

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Sonya Looney - Boulder, CO

Sonya brings her “Don’t give up” attitude to the team in 2009. This technical savvy & power rider has proven she can excel at all formats of racing. Her goals for 2009 include top finishes at the Leadville 100, Marathon Nationals, and cross-country races in the Mountain States Cup Series. With a large outreach on and off the bike, you can also expect to see Sonya heading up “Women Only Group Rides” and getting her hands dirty in IMBA organized events.

Sonya Looney

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Yuki Saito - Denver, CO

Hailing from Japan, Yuki Saito comes to the USA to further his college education and development on the bike. Known as an endurance racer and a specialist on power and technical courses, Yuki is sure to turn some heads amongst fans and fellow competitors. With a strong finish at the 2008 Leadville 100 and a solo win at the 12 Hours of Snowmass, Yuki has proven himself as an up & comer in the long distance format. Keep an eye out for Yuki at cross-country, marathon, and endurance races across the Mountain West.

Yuki Saito more >>

5 QUESTIONS WITH OVER THE EDGE SPORTS IN FRUITA, CO

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ERGON:
What originally turned you on to, or how did you first hear about Ergon products?

OTE:
Bike Week 2006; on the rim of the Grand Canyon, PR guru Steve Boehmke asked if I would like to try these “strange looking” grips? He didn’t hesitate to actually put them on my bike as I waited to ride. I remember that I asked for my old grips as I was sure that I would take them off as soon as I had ridden them for a while… They have never come off and are still on that bicycle as well as on every bike I ride now.

ERGON:
What Ergon products do you stock? What tends to be the “hot” Ergon product for riding in the Fruita area?

OTE:
The grip that I started with remains our best seller; the basic flared grip in the large size (GP1). But the more traditional grip (GE1) is coming on strong and is my most common grip on my bigger travel bikes that I ride. We are also seeing the interest in the hydration systems (BD1 & BD2) growing rapidly.

ERGON:
You mentioned that customers that come into Fruita and rent mountain bikes at OTE request Ergon grips on their bikes. Is this true!? Are you now including Ergon grips on your rental fleet?

OTE:
The experience that led me to embrace the Ergon product is the base for the idea of putting them “in the hands” of other people who might think the idea is a little “strange” but as soon as they ride them they will easily become customers and advocates for the product. It allows us to help with Ergons Sales, our shop sales and the over all “Over the Edge Experience” that we are famous for providing. We want to be known as a shop that does more than just sell “stuff”; we are in business to enhance a persons life experience via their time on a bike and in our shop.

ERGON:
What is the feedback from riders on Ergon product? Any ride changing experiences?

OTE:
As I write this I am having a discussion with Fabian; a friend and BMC rep here in Switzerland. As he said “just put on an Ergon pack and its amazing”. This is the same story that I told with the grips; what Ergon is becoming know for is your ability to address simple cyclist needs in an effective yet simple way that creates a trust in Ergon’s approach to design and it’s perfect match with the riding experience. “Experience”; maybe that’s where Ergon and Over the Edge align so perfectly, providing a product that enhances a cyclists experience.

ERGON:
Fruita is one of the top ride destinations in the USA. Just because it is November, it does not mean the riding is slowing. Any tips for those heading your way in the coming months?

OTE:
The riding season in Fruita can go all year around with the awareness of this rule; when there is mud we do NOT ride. It is nearly impossible to do so at all and is certainly not possible to do without wrecking the trails and your bike and your “experience”. So always check in with us via website or even a phone call and we’ll tell you when things are wet and/or melting off. Thats when we all ride in Moab, sand is sometimes a good thing.

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Huge thanks to Troy and the folks at Over The Edge Sports in Fruita, CO for the quick Q and A. Make sure to stop in to say “Hi” and scope out the latest Ergon products!

Over the Edge Sports
202 E Aspen Ave
Fruita, CO 81521

www.otesports.com
1-970-858-7220

If you know of a shop in your area that bleeds Ergon green, please send an email and shop contact info to jeff.kerkove@ergon-bike.com to have it become the next featured shop.

GIVE THE GIFT OF ERGON THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

With the Holiday season upon us, it is time to start thinking about gifts for the cyclist in you life. It doesn’t matter if your rider loves relaxed mountain biking, is seeking to improve that endurance race time, or just hitting the bike park for a speed fix. At Ergon we have got just the right grips for the hand of that cyclist on your list. more >>

HANS REY: BROKEN BONES, THE GIFT OF MOBILITY, AND CITIZENSHIP

Hans:
Many big news this year, besides getting married last week to my beautiful soulmate Carmen, I have also received my US citizenship in October, and was able to vote at the recent elections.

Ergon:
The sport is very cyclic (pardon the pun!). Is it coming around stronger again in the US? Anything you feel making a difference?

Hans:
I think cycling is constant. Certain aspects come and go, but since there are so many benefits for riding a bike it will always be strong. The financial crisis, oil prices, and environmental issues we are facing currently only helps more people to discover some of those benefits.

Ergon:
The new GT looks very good, whose leading the charge at GT?

Hans:
Yes, I”m very happy and proud of the new GT line up. GT has gone through some major changes since the death of co-founder Richard Long in 1996, the current owners have worked hard to bring the brand back, its a team effort, everybody contributes their part and the bikes speak for themselves, if not, one just has to try one.

Ergon:
Do you feel the big bike companies are doing a very good job in bringing new riders, particularly kids into our sport??

Hans:
I think the bike companies are doing their part fairly good, I wouldn’t say they are doing a great job - it could be done so much bigger and cooler. One can not forget their is only so much a bike company can do, those companies are not as big and powerful than some might think. Its all good.

Ergon:
2008 did not start off exactly how you would have liked. Shattering bones in your leg and foot was your first major injury in a lifetime of taking chances…what have you learned about yourself and your body?

Hans:
Well you can say so, luckily I did get a big trip to Tanzania in, before I had a crash on my hometown downhill course in Laguna Beach. I had a very complicated pileon fracture on my left leg. It took almost 4 month to get back in the dirt and it might never be the same again. I got lots of metal in my leg, I still feel some stiffness and numbness from the nerve damage. The good news is, when I’m on my bike I feel and ride almost normal, but off the bike I feel it a bit more, especially when hiking up hills. One sure doesn’t heal as easy and fast with age, I’m glad I didn’t have to go through this injury earlier in my career. I also learned that it doesn’t take much to do much damage.

Ergon:
Along with riding, you have been heavily involved with your organization Wheels4Life. For those who are not aware of Wheels4Life, can you provide a quick run down of the benefits it provides to Third World countries.

Hans:
Wheels 4 Life (Wheels4Life) is a non profit charity that provides bicycles to people in Third World countries in need of transportation. Transportation is often unavailable or unaffordable in those places; having the gift of mobility can make all the different in a persons and their families life. The folks at Ergon have experienced the impact of this first hand by their involvement and support of W4L and our current film project in Tanzania.

Ergon:
This is your first year using Ergon products. Is there any one product that stands out and has enhanced your riding experience? How has it effected your riding style?

Hans:
On my adventure trips I have to often carry heavy loads in my backpack, that combined with riding technical demanding trails can be challenging and dangerous. The load distribution feels much better in those situations, the pack on my back feels actually lighter than it is, thanks to the flink link and the unique frame design.

Ergon:
Without a doubt, you have ridden in some of the most exotic places on the planet. If you could recommend one place that every mountain bike rider must ride during their lifetime, where would it be an why?

Hans:
It seems like the Alps have MOUNTAIN biking written all over them, I’ve been spending a lot of time in the Italian village of Livigno, its a mountain bike “el dorado” with lots of flowy trails.

Ergon:
Any big adventures or trips planned for 2009? Are you still climbing the big volcano in the Phillipines? Any worries about the ankle on these epic journeys?

Hans:
I have several trips in my plans, I’m not sure if all of them will work out, due to many factors from weather, permits, political situation, etc. I would still like to climb Mount Mayon in the Philippines, if its not spitting lava at the time. I’m also planning a trip with my friend and mentor Rick Ridgeway to Patagonia. We will also finish up our W4L movie project in Tanzania and I want to build the first official Flow Country Trail in Livigno. I will try to plan trips with less hiking sections due to my leg, its more fun on top of the bike anyways.

Ergon:
More news and updates can be found on hansrey.com more >>

WEBSITE UPDATED WITH NEW 2009 PRODUCTS

New 2009 Products

BC3 - A fully waterproof pack with capacity for commuting and all day adventures.

GC3 - Our basic GP1 grip with a full ‘L’ shaped barend added.

GX3 - The lightweight GX grip with the addition of a full size barend.

GA1 - A more traditional grip with a hint of ergonomic shape & form.

TP1 - A revolutionary tool to assist with cleat placement. more >>

LAST CALL FOR 2009 SPONSORSHIP REQUESTS

You only have until December 12th to get in your requests for Ergon sponsorship. Are you an individual athlete? A team manager? A voice in the cycling community? Putting on a race? These are all reasons to apply in 2009 to fly the Ergon colors. more >>

ERGON LAUNCHES BLOG