Buzz: Outdoors News Briefs for Summer

Updated from our “Print” Buzz previously published in our May/June 2013 issue of Outdoors NW magazine.

Gear Up!

A new consumer trade show rolled into Everett on June 1-2. The show, called Gear Up!, focused on outdoor adventure equipment and unique destination travel. The keynote speaker was Jim Whittaker, the first American to summit Mt. Everest. Other highlights included a used gear sale, a 30-foot climbing wall with specialized clinics, photography workshops, a SCUBA pavilion, and of course, a beer garden. However, the best exhibitor at the show was Outdoors NW magazine – where you could come by our booth and pick up a copy of our latest issue and say hello! www.gearupexpo.com

Celebrate the Water Trail Festival with a kayak trip. Photo courtesy of Olympic Outdoors Center.

Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails Festival

Outdoors enthusiasts from all over the Pacific Northwest celebrated the newly established Kitsap Peninsula Water Trail on June 1! The annual Water Trails Festival is a great way to get out on the water with the whole family. There’s a seven-mile paddle starting at Evergreen Park in Bremerton on the new Kitsap Peninsula Water Trail – a “poker run” with stops along the way and prizes at the end. A shuttle at the end will bring you back to Evergreen Park. There will also be many kayaks, stand up paddleboards, and other paddling equipment available for demo.

The paddle has a suggested donation of $10 per person, which will be donated to the North Kitsap Trails Association. The shuttle is $5 per person.

This event is a partnership between the Olympic Outdoors Center, the Silverdale Port and the Kitsap Peninsula Visitor and Convention Bureau. www.olympicoutdoorcenter.com

Hucking it at Duthie Hill. Photo courtesy of the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance.

Evergreen Mountain Bike Festival

Mountain bikers in the Seattle area are spoiled: they’ve got both the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance AND Duthie Hill Bike Park in Issaquah. On June 8, they could celebrate both as the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance put on its annual Evergreen Mountain Bike Festival.

It’s a great time to demo a new bike as all the top brands will be there with their 2013 models. There are also a slew of competitions, from a dual slalom to a poker race, not to mention clinics, guided rides, games, and music. A BBQ in the evening is a perfect way to round out the day. This festival is a must for any Northwest mountain biker.  www.evergreenmtb.org

Triathlon Science

Any triathlete needs to have this one in their library. Joe Friel, one of the most recognized and respected names in triathlon, and Jim Vance, USA Triathlon certified coach and former elite triathlete, have assembled many of the world’s leading triathlon experts to author the most comprehensive and detailed resource on the sport, Triathlon Science. This book, the latest in tri research from Human Kinetics, gives the reader a deeper understanding of the science underlying a triathlon training program. www.humankinetics.com

 

 

Mary and Lisa

Cycling jerseys for REAL women

Mary Dettrich and Lisa McDermott have been working hard for the last two years. They’re the founders behind Tonik, a new women’s cycling jersey company based on Whidbey Island. Their goal is to create a new line based on superior fit for the real woman.

“Our target market is for Real Women with real bodies,” says Dettrich. “There are a lot of options for elite competitive cyclists. Tonik is creating jerseys for women who are passionate about cycling and want to feel good on their bikes.”

Working with a pattern maker, they’ve come up with a design that flatters a woman’s shape and is incredibly comfortable when riding. No more jersey creep in the back!

The jerseys caused quite a stir at their debut at the Portland and Seattle bike shows this spring, where cyclists bought them up by the score.

Their website launched in March as well, where you can order one for yourself. We expect to hear more from this terrific business. tonikcycling.com

Ski Dazzle

In what is expected to energize Seattle snow enthusiasts, longtime Ski Dazzle® snow-show promoters have recently purchased the existing Seattle Ski Fever Show from promoters Dan and Rebecca Schindler. The Schindlers will continue to operate their Portland Ski Fever Show.

New dates for Seattle Ski Dazzle are Nov. 8–10 at Century Link Pavilion.

Ski Dazzle promoters, Judy Gray and Jim Foster, have produced the Los Angeles Ski Dazzle for 35 of the show’s 50 years and look forward to expanding on the legacy success of the long-running Seattle show. Some of those ideas, said Gray, are to bring in activities and ideas that will better engage show attendees.

The Taste of Winter is one of those ideas where local executive chefs will hold cooking demonstrations and share recipes. Wine and craft beer tasting might be another addition and perhaps even a Nordic and backcountry pavilion. Of course, the popular sales and swap and travel and snow resort exhibitors will continue to be staples of the show.

“We love the fact that Seattle is on the West Coast,” said Gray. “We know Seattle skiers love to travel and that is right down our alley!” www.skidazzle.com

Islabikes fitting studio opens in Portland

Parents who want a quality bike and a premium fit for their kids can rejoice. Islabikes, the U.K.-based children’s bicycle manufacturer, has opened its first North American showroom and fitting studio in Portland. At the studio, which opened April 15, kids can get measured for a quality fit—in about a week, the bike is ready to roll.

Islabikes are fully customizable—and unlike other bikes, you can adjust down the road as your child’s needs change.

“An adult might have five different bikes for different purposes, but a child does not,” says Tim Goodall, President of Islabikes. “The child may be mountain biking in the summer, but then need fenders added to ride to school in the fall.”

What distinguishes Islabikes from other kid-specific cycles? According to Goodall, there are three main distinctions. First, the bikes are extremely lightweight, which is important for children learning to ride, and for maneuverability and hill-climbing. Second, the bikes have a child-specific ergonomic fit, which is unusual. For example, the brake levers are designed for a child’s smaller hand. Third, the quality of components is just superior, allowing bikes to last longer and be passed down in a family.

Parents’ biggest mistake? Buying a bike that fits in six months rather than now.

“We often see parents wanting to get a size bigger, thinking the bike will last longer,” says Goodall. “For the child, it’s uncomfortable. It’s also unsafe. That goes for any bike, not just ours. The child will get far more enjoyment out of a bike that fits.”
Stop by the new studio at 2113 SE 7th Ave, Portland.  www.islabikes.com

Richard Luetkenhaus

Flower power bike winner!

Congratulations to Richard Luetkenhaus who was the lucky winner of the hippy-dippy flower power Electra cruiser bike featured on the cover of the 2013 NW Cyclist!

Richard, who lives in Ridgefield, Wash., signed up for the contest at the Outdoors NW booth at the Seattle Bike Expo. He recently claimed his prize at the Outdoors NW headquarters office. He’s an avid cyclist, who has cycled in multiple Seattle-to-Portland rides, usually as a one-day rider. While he loves the bike, (an Electra Amsterdam Forget-Me-Not cruiser) he might have to compete with his daughters to get a ride on it. He even has a little granddaughter who will need a few years before she’s ready to ride it. Meanwhile, thank you Richard, for entering to win.

Stay tuned for more great contests from Outdoors NW! Next time, it could be YOU!

Endura Hummvee cycling jersey

We’re continually impressed with the quality of the Endura line of cycling apparel. For springtime and year-round use in the Northwest, we recommend the long-sleeved Hummvee L/S jersey. The loose fit allows for a base layer to be worn underneath, so you can also wear it in winter in combination with a jacket. There’s also a zipped reflective pocket with media port. Clever detail: a microfiber glasses wipe is integrated into the side seam. Retail price: $79.99.  www.endura.co.uk

 

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