PHILOMATH, Ore. (BRAIN) — Softstar Shoes, a maker of handcrafted minimal footwear, has released a new model for athletic and casual wear, the Primal. The Primal includes a toe box protector made from used bike inner tubes reclaimed by the Corvallis (Oregon) Bicycle Collective. 

The Primal is part of the brand's RunAmocs collection. It has an anatomically correct sole meant to allow natural foot movement, including a wide toe box that allows for toe splay and flexible materials to encourage feet to move freely while building strength and balance.

"This shoe is revolutionary in the healthy footwear market because of its sole shape," said Softstar's CEO, Tricia Salcido. "There is a growing movement of people 're-wilding' their feet — spending more time barefoot and correcting years of debilitating and deformative effects of ill-fitting footwear. The Primal is a direct response to their feedback requesting the ultimate in natural footbed design."

The Primal has leather uppers that mold to the foot and a flexible, zero-drop Vibram rubber sole. The shoe comes in three colors: all black, gray with blue details, and maroon with brown and sage green details. The Primal is handmade and hand-stitched in the company's Oregon workshop. They retail for $140.

Softstar has been making minimalist footwear since 1985. More information: softstarshoes.com. More information on the Corvallis Bicycle Collective at corvallisbikes.org.

VENTURA, Calif. (BRAIN) — Zeitbike is now distributing the entire range of Panaracer tires, including models for gravel, cyclocross, fat biking, mountain bike, road, recumbent, BMX, city and touring bicycles.

"Panaracer makes one of the best tires in all the cool new categories," said Fritz Bohl, the founder of Zeitbike. "Their componentry and tires have always generated a tremendous following. We can offer free shipping (on orders) over $129, which is a deal maker." 

Shipping takes 1-3 days nationwide. In addition to tier price discounts, dealers will also get Zeitbike reward points and plus-keystone margins, the company said.

More information at zeitbike.com or call 877-612-2212.

FRUITA, Colo. (BRAIN) — The Fruita Fat Tire Festival has reached a preliminary agreement with the Bureau of Land Management to stage a bike demo and expo on-site at the Bookcliffs/18 Road trail system north of the Colorado town.

Previously, the demo and expo have been located in downtown Fruita, with festival attendees transporting bikes out to trail centers like Bookcliffs/18 Road or the Kokopelli Trails west of Fruita. The Bookcliffs/18 Road area is home to such iconic Fruita trails as Zippity Do Da, Joe's Ridge and Kessel Run.

The move means demos will go out directly next to trails for the first time in the Fruita fest's 23-year history. The change should reduce damage to suppliers' demo bikes since riders won't have to load them on car racks, and will allow consumers to sample more bikes over the festival's three days, said FFTF organizer George Gatseos, who also owns destination shop Over the Edge Sports in downtown Fruita.

"We are very excited by the opportunity put forth to us by the BLM. This change to the event along with moving the event back one weekend to May 4-6, 2018, is a big advancement for the Fruita Fat Tire Festival, its bicycle demo vendors and participants," Gatseos said.

"I am excited to work together with the BLM and get all the permits finalized to allow for this vendor area near trails for the Fruita Fat TIre Festival."

Brands and vendors interested in participating in the expo or demo can contact Over the Edge Fruita at (970) 858-7220 or email Gatseos at george@otesports.com. Organizers will update the festival website soon with 2018 event information at fruitafattirefestival.com.

AMSTERDAM (BRAIN) — Beginning Jan.1, NuVinci Cycling, a division of Fallbrook Technologies Inc., will be operating under a new name: enviolo.

The division will be operating more independently from Fallbrook, the company said.

"Our journey since 2007 has been incredible! Our stepless and automatic products have captured OEMs, dealers, and consumers by offering a riding experience like no other. We have grown into a very relevant business with many more opportunities to explore. Now, we are ready to embark on our next chapter - as enviolo," said David Hancock, the managing director of NuVinci Cycling.

The brand's stepless and automatic shifting technology has been licensed to other companies and is currently in commercial development for automotive applications, scooters, micro-mobility solutions, and off-road utility vehicles.

The company said the new division name aims to better differentiate between the technology brand, which remains NuVinci by Fallbrook, and the products using that technology, now offered by enviolo. Starting with model year 2019 groupsets, enviolo will also use the new brand name in the product names.

"Enviolo is not just about a new name and logo: the division's next chapter, marked by the new name, is going to bring a great deal of additional value to manufacturers, dealers, and consumers. We aim to become the 'The Moving Standard' for bicycles and e-bikes today - with a new, needs-based product portfolio, increased service capabilities, retailer support programs, and direct-to-consumer marketing initiatives," said Anne Guethoff, the marketing director at NuVinci Cycling.

The division recently launched its new 2019 product portfolio, which includes five new group sets designed specifically for the needs of the individual rider and their respective bicycle use cases. The groups are specific for city, trekking, cargo, sportive, and commercial applications.

The company said its retailer support has been increased significantly across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland as well as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg markets with the introduction of an extensive retailer training series, online training, and the recent launch of the exclusive "Experience Partner Program." The division is investing substantially in its service capability as well with new markets such as France, Switzerland, and Germany now being managed directly by the company's international service center in the Netherlands.

More information at enviolo.com.

HOLSTEBRO, Denmark (BRAIN) — High-end component brand CeramicSpeed has responded to Muc-Off's claims about its recently introduced specially treated low-friction chain. In launching its Nanotube chain this month, Muc-Off specifically claimed that it offered lower friction than CeramicSpeed's competing product over longer race distances. 

Both companies offer chains from major manufacturers that have been cleaned and then treated with a special low friction lubricant. 

Last year, CeramicSpeed acquired Friction Facts, a Boulder, Colorado, company founded by engineer Jason Smith. Smith had developed his own friction testing machinery and procedures and developed a wax-based chain treatment procedure that CeramicSpeed took over after the acquisition. 

Smith said that Muc-Off's claims about its new chain's superiority to CeramicSpeed's UFO chains was based on faulty testing. In particular, he took issue with Muc-Off's characterizing a CeramicSpeed chain as measuring increasing friction, of more than 14 watts' drag, at a standard wattage level over longer distances. Smith's own testing puts the chain's friction at about 4 watts and finds that friction remains low for at least 600 kilometers of use.

CeramicSpeed has released a 7-page paper written by Smith that describes why he concluded Muc-Off's testing procedure was incorrect. Smith surmised that Muc-Off uses a chain friction-measuring machine that keeps constant tension on the chain, and runs the chain for long periods on the same machine to measure friction after significant use. But Smith said that constant-tension machines — while necessary to precisely measure friction — do not simulate real world use. He said in actual use, a chain is de-tensioned as it runs through the derailleur pulleys. The de-tensioning allows lubricants to redistribute. Chains that are run through a machine that allows de-tensioning, or that are run on an actual bike, maintain their low friction properties for a much longer period, he said. 

Smith's paper does not make direct comparison between Muc-Off's chain friction and CeramicSpeeds'. Instead it focuses on making the case that Muc-Off's claims about CeramicSpeed chains were based on faulty testing. Smith's paper is here. 

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (BRAIN) — Brandale Randolph's goals for the bike brand he founded last year would be unfamiliar to some entrepreneurs.

"If we can employ at least 20 people at a living wage making bikes here, we'll be doing great," Randolph told BRAIN this week. "If three or four years from now, our employees can see one of our bikes out on the road being used, and say, 'I built that bike,' that would a success ... if we can go into bike shops around the country and see our bikes on display, that's a win."

Randolph, who calls himself a social entrepreneur, founded 1854 Cycling Company specifically to employ formerly incarcerated people, as well as those on work release from jails and prisons. The company is named for the year that the Anti-Slavery Society met for the first time, on July 4 in Framingham, marking the start of the abolitionist movement. The company is a for-profit business that donates a portion of all proceeds to charities and organizations that provide support to the formerly incarcerated.

The brand, which is seeking IBD distribution, will display at the upcoming Philly Bike Expo, where Randolph also will present a seminar titled "Bicycles and Social Justice" on Saturday Nov. 4, the first day of the show.

1854 has been shipping bikes, apparel and leather goods since earlier this year. Currently, it brings in steel frames from Asia that are powder coated nearby and assembled in a leased factory in Framingham. Workers are also being trained in making leather goods. Its model line includes fixies and city bikes, and it will launch three e-bike models at the Philly show, including an e-cargo bike, and a track-style e-bike. The company also offers T-shirts, hoodies and a line of merino wool cycling-inspired clothing, made by a clothing manufacturer in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Besides being the location of the famed 1854 meeting, Framingham is currently home to MCI Framingham, a state prison for female offenders. The city is home to a disproportionate number of formerly incarcerated people, as well as the children of incarcerated mothers. Randolph's goal is to train and employ the formerly incarcerated and to pay a living wage to the company's workers.

The company is hoping to buy its own warehouse space in Framingham with proceeds from a $1.5 million seed round of financing later this fall. Randolph said fellow tenants at the company's current leased warehouse space are uneasy about its plans to employ formerly incarcerated and work release men and women at the warehouse.

The brand's models include the Craft Racer and Craft City, both $600 steel singlespeed bikes named for abolitionists Ellen and William Craft. The $2,200 Garrison model is named for abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, a leader of the 1854 meeting. One of the new e-bikes being introduced at the Philly show is named after Henry David Thoreau, who was also at that meeting.

Randolph is a graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a former broker at a major hedge fund company. He has since devoted his energies to social entrepreneurism.

While 1854 currently sells its bikes through its website, Randolph said he wants to transition to sales through bike shops. The brand is displaying at the Philly show primarily to meet retailers, he said.

"The goal is to build a network of independent bicycle dealers where our bikes can be shown and displayed. We believe the independent dealers are the lifeblood of the industry and that's where we want our stuff to be. The dealer can explain what makes our bikes different, and why they might cost a little more than the bikes at WalMart or on Amazon."

"It would be easy to go to China and get a bike we could sell for a couple hundred dollars, but we didn't want to do that. We wanted to do something my employees can be proud of, and make bikes that will continue to be used because they are quality bikes. They cost a little more. But if we are going to live in a capitalist society, why not use that to do some good?"

Randolph said the brand's clothing line was developed in part for people who want to support 1854's mission but who aren't cyclists. "There are some people who want to help us but who aren't really part of that cycling demographic," he said. The clothing will continue to be available consumer direct on the website.

Recent media coverage, including a Bloomberg.com article, has brought the brand international attention. 1854 recently shipped about 20 bikes to Italy for a distributor there who is interested in carrying the brand. A nearby company that produces carbon fiber products saw an article about the brand and contacted Randolph about starting a program to teach formerly incarcerated workers carbon fiber lay up skills.

AUSTIN, Texas (BRAIN) — Rocket Electrics, an all-e-bike retailer that's operated in Austin since 2011, is opening a second location devoted to Riese & Müller e-bikes. 

Co-founder Nicole Zinn said the new Riese & Müller concept store is a result of an increased demand for commuter solutions into and around downtown Austin. The retailer's current location on East Riverside Drive will rebrand as Pedego Austin.

"We opened Rocket Electrics to provide a truly viable and convenient commuter solution to people concerned about their contribution to the growing traffic problem," said Zinn. "We've seen firsthand how e-bikes can transform a once-hesitant bike commuter into a passionate active transportation advocate. We're excited to introduce the e-bike experience to downtown businesses and people of all cycling-confidence levels."

The Riese & Müller e-bikes use Bosch eBike System components. Bosch announced the new store with a statement released Wednesday. "E-bikes have helped transform European cities once dominated by vehicles to more livable, bike and pedestrian friendly communities," said Claudia Wasko, the GM for Bosch eBike Systems. "Austin is ripe for a similar transformation."

Rocket Electrics will open to the public on Nov. 2. The store is at 408 West 2nd Street. More information at rocketelectrics.com.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (BRAIN) — BicycleBlueBook.com was named eBay's 2017 Sporting Goods Seller of the Year at eBay's recent Top Seller Summit in San Jose.

BicycleBlueBook.com was recognized for its rapid growth in selling used bicycles on eBay.

"BicyleBlueBook.com has been selling on eBay for just 2 years, but in that time they have grown exponentially each year. With a focus on used bicycle trade-in, they have an inventory set that our cycling enthusiasts love. They are a great partner and we are excited to see where they can go from here," said Alyssa Steele, eBay's general manager for sporting goods.

BicycleBlueBook said its trade-in program through bike shops also has experienced explosive growth in 2017. Over 1,400 U.S. IBDs now offer the program.

"Our growth this year is directly attributed to the upswing we've seen in consumers trading their bikes in at their local IBD through our authorized trade-in program," said Steve Parke, the company's national business development manager. "Considering each trade-in we sell on eBay represents a new bike sale at the IBD level, we believe our program is redefining and reinvigorating the cycling industry."

HELSINKI, Finland (BRAIN) — Sales in Amer Sports' cycling division, which comprises Mavic and Enve, were down 10 percent through the first nine months of the company's fiscal year, and down 8 percent in the third quarter. The company said its bike-related sales were hurt by high OEM and retail inventories.  

Amer's cycling division racked up sales of 100.6 million euros ($118 million) in the nine-month period, down from 112 million euros in the same period in 2016. The company does not release separate sales performance data for the two brands.

Amer had slightly better news to report in most of its other categories. Net sales were up 3 percent in local currencies in the outdoor division, which includes cycling, sports instruments (Suunto), outdoor clothing (Arc’teryx) and outdoor footwear. Net sales in Amer's ball sports division were down 1 percent. Net sales in its fitness division were up 3 percent.

Across all its categories, Amer recorded net sales of 1.882 billion euros, a net increase of 2 percent in local currencies.

In a statement Thursday, Heikki Takala, Amer's president and CEO, said the growth, though small, was "broad-based, and in line with our strategy, driven again by apparel, own retail, e-commerce and China. Encouragingly, we continued to gain speed in fitness, and we laid foundation for a rebound in sports instruments as we rolled out the complete (Suunto) Spartan product family. We made again significant progress in the company omni-channel transformation to win in the changing market place. We executed the announced restructuring, and we are already delivering significant cost efficiencies, ahead of schedule."

COTATI, Calif. (BRAIN) — Employees at Yuba Bikes are donating one day's worth of wages to the North Bay Fire Relief Fund and the company is matching the donations.

The Fund is supporting the immediate needs of community members affected by the North Bay fires, including fire victims in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake Counties who have lost homes. The fund also assists first responders who lost homes while fighting fires and kids and schools in the four counties affected by the fires.

Yuba is located in Cotati just outside Santa Rosa. Yuba staff and families are in the process of returning to homes and assessing any damage. The Yuba Bikes headquarters and warehouse both escaped evacuation and did not suffer any structural damage. However, shipping to and from the Yuba warehouse was delayed due to UPS delivery service being halted. 

"This area where we all call home was tragically affected by the fires that raged through Sonoma County," said Benjamin Sarrazin, the founder of Yuba Bikes. "This is the least we can do to help our community start to recover and rebuild what was lost."

Yuba Bikes is working with the Redwood Credit Union North Bay Fire Relief, which is accepting donations online. Donations made can be directed toward any of the four counties affected by the fires. For more information on how to donate, visit redwoodcu.org/northbayfirerelief.

VENTURA, Calif. (BRAIN) — Balance Cycle Wear will donate $25 to the American Red Cross's hurricane relief fund for each sale of its new jersey.

The $65 Hurricane Relief jerseys can be purchased at BikeReg.com. The donations will be made for each sale until Dec. 31.

The company said all proceeds over manufacturing, materials, and shipping costs will be donated to help bike business employees and families who have been displaced by hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

"We plan to support The Texas Bicycle Coalition's 'Cycling Towards Relief' fund, and to work with Florida bike businesses to determine who needs the most help there," the company said.

The jersey design was recently approved by the Red Cross. It includes a John Muir quote across the back: "the sun SHINES not on us, but in US." 

The jersey can be purchased on BikeReg.com.

PHOENIX (BRAIN) — The Valley of the Sun has weathered a lot of turmoil since Bicycle Retailer paid visit to a dozen shops back in 2010. Of the retailers the BRAIN Dealer Tour visited in February of that year, three have closed, two have moved, one expanded, one downsized and at least three are now operating under new owners.

Meanwhile other stores that weren't part of our Dealer Tour have come and gone. Some, like Global Bikes, have grown from two to four stores over that same period.

"We're the only true growth story that's out there," said Alan Lepak, co-owner of Global Bikes. "The last two years we've seen 25 stores close. Five new stores have opened bringing it down to about 20 closures.

"In the last three years we have been seeing double-digit growth. Is that growth because of all the shops that have gone out of business? Are we benefitting from the sales of the hopes and dreams of other retailers?" Lepak asked.

Among the stores that shuttered were Specialized concept retailer DNA Cycles, Cactus Bikes, which at one point operated five stores and a touring business and Tempe Bicycle, a longstanding retailer which at its peak grew to 10 stores. Longtime owner Bud Morrison retired and sold the business, which closed in the summer of 2015.

Several Sport Chalet and Sport Authority stores have also shuttered.

Since our visit in 2010, retailers point to the advent of e-bikes and the growth of the gravel category. Phoenix has a canal system that crosses the entire metro area and provides safe off-street riding and these nine canals are a mix of paved and dirt/gravel paths.

Service has also gone through the roof at shops. And though Phoenix is a dessert, stores specializing and selling beach cruisers have popped up in droves.

BRAIN visited dealers soon after the market crash of 2008 and retailers then noted how sales had been impacted by the housing bubble bust, especially at the high end. But Phoenix appears to have worked itself out of that and is in another boom with lots of new construction and low unemployment.

"I would say the market has recovered," said Kale Keltz, co-owner of Bicycle Haus, one of the dealers BRAIN toured in 2010. "If you look from a real estate standpoint, it's high right now. We couldn't do what we did with the store four years ago now because of what values have done."

Bicycle Haus moved into a new location in old town Scottsdale in November 2013, expanding from 1,840 square feet to 7,000 square feet. Keltz said the opportunity to acquire a property presented itself and he and his wife thought it would be a good financial move. So they bought it, tore down the old building and built a new store with showers and a locker room for staff.

Previously focusing on high-end road, the Keltz's have also moved into high-end mountain and gravel now.

"I think there's the internet, then there's the big guys who are getting bigger and the little guys like me who have their niche," said Keltz about how the market has changed.

BRAIN editor Lynette Carpiet is writing an update story about the 2010 Phoenix Dealer Tour, which will be part of a look back at several key markets the magazine has visited since it launched its first Dealer Tour in fall of 2008.

Retailers, area reps and others familiar with this region should feel free to comment below or email Carpiet at lcarpiet@bicycleretailer.com with any tips or information.

The look back at BRAIN Dealer Tours of the past will be featured in our December 1 issue, hitting mailboxes in late November.

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (BRAIN) — Four Bay Area Trek stores are working with Trek Travel to produce a group ride on Saturday to support relief efforts following the North Bay wild fires.

The four stores, in Santa Rosa, Berkeley, Marin and San Francisco, are coordinating the 30-mile ride, which leaves from Trek Bicycle Santa Rosa. Trek-Segafredo team pro Peter Stetina and mountain bike legend Gary Fisher will participate. The ride starts at 10 am at the store, at 512 Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa.

The ride will head through the heart of wine country, and will be supported by Trek Travel with guides, tech support, and a gourmet picnic lunch hosted at La Crema Estate. The ride is open to the public with a cost of $25 per person, and additional donations will be accepted. All proceeds raised from the event will benefit the Redwood Empire Mountain Bike Alliance to get people affected by the fire back on bikes. Trek Bicycle will match the donation of all rider entry fees.

Stetina, who lives in the area, said, "The need right now is so great and cyclists in this area are some of the best people in the world. Cycling brings people together and I'm excited to support any relief efforts. I'm really looking forward to seeing my fellow Santa Rosans and going for an awesome ride. It's going to be a great event."

Registration for the event is available through Eventbrite. 

STOCKHOLM (BRAIN) — Thule Group announced Friday that its net sales were up 6.9 percent in its third quarter, the period from July through September. Adjusted for exchange rate fluctuations, sales rose 8.5 percent, to 1,385 million Swedish Krona ($165 million).

For the year to date, January through September, sales were up 12.5 percent.

The company's "Active with Kids" product category, which includes bike trailers, strollers and bike seats, is its fastest growing category. Thule's RV Products category has also grown strongly in Europe, although it has little presence in North America. 

In the Americas, the company saw growth of 3.4 percent in the quarter, with much growth coming from the Active with Kids category and its luggage line. The company noted that in the U.S., "market conditions are generally tougher for retail chains with physical stores in shopping malls." 

In September, the company announced that it had rearranged its product categories. The company now has four categories: 

• Sport & Cargo Carriers (unchanged) — including roof racks, roof boxes, bike racks and racks for water- and winter sports transported by car
• Packs, Bags & Luggage (a combination of the previous product category Bags for Electronic Devices and parts of Other Outdoor & Bags) — including computer- and camera bags, hiking backpacks and luggage
• Active with Kids (previously part of Other Outdoor & Bags) —including bicycle trailers, strollers and child bike seats
• RV Products (previously part of Other Outdoor & Bags) — including awnings, bike racks and tents for mobile homes and caravans.

Thule said it will only break out sales trends for the four categories in its full-year report. 

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (BRAIN) — Utah's Sen. Orrin Hatch said Friday that President Trump told him in a phone call that he plans to take action to shrink Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. Many cyclists and other outdoor recreationalists nationally have opinions on the monument status; but it's not clear if changes for Bears Ears would have direct impact on cycling activity or the bike business.

President Obama established the monument in the final weeks of his presidency. Efforts to reverse or modify the designation have been opposed by many in the outdoor industry, and the issue was central to Outdoor Retailer's decision to move its trade show out of Utah. Interbike also ruled out holding its show in Utah over the same issue.

Trump asked for a review of the status of several national monuments, including Bears Ears and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah. Several groups have already said they plan lawsuits to oppose any move by Trump to reverse or modify the monument designations made under the Antiquities Act.

Opponents of removing the status or reducing the size of the monuments cite concerns about the protection of natural and cultural resources. Several tribal groups say Bears Ears protects sacred sites. However some local groups say the monument designation could restrict some traditional uses and curtail economic development and some elected state and local officials say they prefer local management over federal. They say Bears Ears, in particular, is larger than necessary and say Obama rushed through the designation in his final days in office to avoid a public hearing process. 

Impact to bike business?

Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante are remote but are occasionally destinations for road and gravel cyclists, and several bike tour companies have permits to run tours through each area. A northern wing of the Bears Ears Monument extends to just south of the mountain bike destination of Moab, bordering Dead Horse State Park, although the bulk of the monument is far south and west of Moab. Last year, Bicycle Retailer participated in a ride that went through Grand Staircase-Escalante on dirt and paved roads. Those road trips are unlikely to change regardless of Trump's decision.

Currently there are few singletrack mountain bike trails inside either monument and with few population centers nearby, that is unlikely to change. Each monument develops its own management plan, which may or may not include mountain bike access or other uses. There are several national monuments with singletrack trail systems open to mountain bikes, including Fort Ord National Monument, which is used for part of the Sea Otter Classic. Probably because of the uncertainty in Washington, Bears Ears managers have not even started the process of developing a plan.

More information: Salt Lake Tribune article.

SEDONA, Ariz. (BRAIN) — Well over 100 women from all corners of the country and Canada gathered in this red rock mountain biking mecca for the first-annual Roam Bike Fest. The three-day event, which took place at Red Agave Resort in the Village of Oak Creek, just south of Sedona, was conceived and hosted by Roam Events, a company that also hosts women's mountain biking retreats and collaborates with Seattle's Sturdy Bitch race team to put on the Sturdy Dirty all-women's enduro race series.

Roam Events founder Ash Bocast said that while she didn't set out to create the first multi-day women's mountain bike festival in the U.S., Roam Bike Fest is the first of its kind.

"It's not focused solely on racing or clinics — it's about bringing together a bunch of brands to interact with female consumers in a welcoming environment," said Bocast, who previously worked as a retail trainer and event coordinator for Liv Cycling and guided bike trips for Backroads. "I really wanted to provide an opportunity for consumers to really spend time with a brand and get to know and really interact with their products."

Several brands sponsored Roam Bike Fest, including Pivot, Specialized, Yeti Cycles, Liv Cycling, Juliana, Shredly, Zoic and SRAM. Besides riding the Slim Shady trail right from the Red Agave resort, women could opt for a shuttle to other area trails, provided by Hermosa Tours. Specialized hosted group rides, and a number of clinics were offered by Liv, Yeti, SRAM and others. On Saturday evening, an Industry Influencers panel, co-hosted by Camber Outdoors, was held at the venue. Seven women from differing backgrounds shared with festival attendees how they got into the industry, insights into their roles at various brands, and tips and tricks to help more women find a career in the bike and outdoor industries. The panel included Shredly founder Ashley Rankin, SRAM women's program coordinator Sara Jarell, Liv Cycling marketing manager Jen Audia, Specialized USA women's category manager Victoria Hunt, Lauria Tewksbury, COO of the Outdoor Women's Alliance, Yeti Cycles and Vida MTB series' Sarah Rawley, and Pivot marketing managerCarla McCord.

Brand ambassadors, including several from Bell's Joyride program, were also on-site assisting with demos and group rides.

"We have four ambassadors here and we're demoing helmets. We kind of used it as a hub to meet up, interact with other brands we partner with, as well as all of the ladies here at the festival," said Kristin Michal, senior brand manager at Bell. "It's so amazing to see more events like this just for women. We know there is momentum and the movement is growing, and it's neat to see."

Bocast said all the bike shops in Sedona, including Over the Edge, Absolute Bikes, Sedona Bike and Bean and Trailsport, also supported Roam Bike Fest.

"We want to support these local bike shops. They've been so insanely supportive of us, helping us navigate permits and put out fires," she said. "They're all involved in the event in some way."

Bocast and her team at Roam Events announced they will hold a Roam Bike Fest at Reeb Ranch in Brevard, North Carolina, from May 11-13, 2018, and that the event will also return to Sedona the last weekend in October next year.

Look for more about Roam Bike Fest in the December 1 issue of Bicycle Retailer.

KEMPELE, Finland (BRAIN) —Polar has opened an application programming interface for developers who want to create links between Polar's devices and platforms and other systems.

Polar said the AccessLink API "offers unique opportunities for organizations such as health insurance companies, fitness club chains, corporate wellness service providers and platform providers."

Developers can access basic information such as weight and height of Polar users. The AccessLink also offers developers more specific data such as training sessions and daily activities that originate from Polar products.

Any registered Polar Flow user can now create their own API client via the admin wizard and start developing. Polar Open AccessLink is free to use, and now open to all developers. More information at polar.com/accesslink.

CARLSBAD, Calif. (BRAIN) — Campagnolo North America has announced dates and locations of its 2017-2018 Technical Training Seminar Tour.

The seminars will cover:

• Frame geometry and compatibility with Campagnolo.
• Installation of Campagnolo Mechanical, and Electronic Power Shift Gruppos, theories, procedures, and compatibilities.
• Technology of Campagnolo bearing systems and service.
• Ultra Torque Crank system service.
• Proper measurement, installation, and service of Campagnolo 11 speed chains.
• Servicing of Campagnolo Wheels.
• The MyCampy App. Features for the end users and for the mechanics to utilize in the troubleshooting of the Version 3 Campagnolo Record and Super Record EPS.
• Campagnolo H11 Disc Brake installation and System Bleeding.

The dates and cities are as follows:

• Austin Texas. November 12
• Dallas Texas November 13
• Albuquerque New Mexico November 15
• Tucson Arizona November 17
• Phoenix Arizona November 18
• Louisville Kentucky December 7
• New York, New York December 9
• Boston Mass. December 11
• Montreal Quebec CA. December 13
• Toronto Ontario CA December 15
• Chicago Illinois December 17
• Seattle Washington January 13 2018
• Vancouver British Columbia CA January 15 2018
• San Francisco California January 18 2018
• San Jose California January 19 2018
• Los Angeles California January 21 2018
• Orange County California January 22 2018
• San Diego California January 23 2018
• Charlotte North Carolina February 4 2018
• Philadelphia Pennsylvania February 10 2018

For more information on the Campy clinics, email Daniel Large, Large@campagnolona.com. 

Campagnolo North America also is partnering in the three-day PBMA Mechanics Certification clinics in Denver, Portland and the Washington, D.C., area.