SALT LAKE CITY (BRAIN) -- For the next two years, Scott Sports will support Ride 2 Recovery, a veterans program started in 2008 that promotes physical and mental rehabilitation through cycling. Aside from bikes, the company will support the program with sunglasses and helmets. 

Ride 2 Recovery president and founder John Wordin said, “We’re thrilled that Scott shares our vision of cycling not just as recreation, but also as a pathway to holistic health. All of us as committed cyclists see and enjoy the benefits of cycling for recreation, fitness, transportation, and competition. Our program is unique in that we promote the physical and mental benefits from riding to help veterans find their independence and feel that they are part of a team.”

By way of programs such as Project Hero, Honor Rides, and Challenges, Ride 2 Recovery introduces veterans to cycling at all levels. The therapeutic benefits of riding are made accessible to veterans at every stage of recovery. 

“We support cycling at every level,” said Nic Sims, marketing director at Scott Sports. “From world champion mountain bikers and triathletes, to Tour de France teams, to the NICA high school leagues, we all have the same passion for cycling. By working with R2R, we hope to also share our passion with these veterans.”

OAKLAND, Calif. (BRAIN) — Hydrapak  has selected Buffalo Brand Invigoration Group to lead a public relations program spurring awareness, affinity and sales in the United States.

"With great partners working alongside us, we're pushing the boundaries of design and innovation to redefine the future of hydration," said Matt Lyon, the CEO of Hydrapak. "By leveraging its deep network of contacts across the media landscape, Buffalo is ideally positioned to help shape and share our story."

"Hydrapak products are engineered to perform in even the harshest conditions," said Rich Katz, Buffalo's managing director. "The rise in awareness we will drive supports Hydrapak's retailer relationships, adds value to its OEM partners and boosts consumer purchases."

Besides its own branded hydration products, Hydrapak makes products on an OEM basis for Dakine, Salomon, Katadyn, GU and Ultimate Direction.

Buffalo, based near Washington, D.C., has many clients in the golf world. Its outdoor clients include the ECCO shoe brand.  

Last time we looked at how popular media turns cycling deaths into a thing of sound and fury, a blood-soaked circus sideshow of fear and hysteria. And how, by extension, the same media reports convince the public that riding a bike is the most dangerous thing you can do short of juggling live chain saws in front of an audience, naked.

This time, we're going to look at how the ghosts of those dead cyclists directly — or not so directly — haunt the bike business. Starting at the bottom line.

Note: a consumer-level version of some of the following material appeared in a slightly different form on the website Red Kite Prayer in the feature "Where Have All The Bike Shops Gone?"

Let's start by getting a couple of very important things straight.

Sales are flat, we say. "Flat is new Up," we joke.

Flat is not the new Up. If anything, Down is the new Flat.

No it isn't. If anything, Down is the new Flat. Because gross dollars in the bike business aren't flat. In fact, the notable success of some large suppliers and savvy retailers notwithstanding, gross sales have been in modest decline for at least 12 years. Let's take a look:

In the chart below, the blue line at bottom shows the actual NBDA numbers reported for bike shop revenues from 2002-2014. As you can see, the dotted trend line shows a business that's perking right along — slightly better than flat. From 2000 to 2012, sales rose from $5.3 to 6.1 billion, a net gain of just over 13 percent, or just about one percent per year, for a total gain of $700 million.

At least that's what we tell ourselves.

And that would be the case, too, except for the effects of inflation. A dollar in 2000 was worth about 24 cents more than a dollar in 2014. And that's where that ominous-looking orange line comes in. Measure the same industry sales numbers in constant (2014) dollars, and retail revenues went from $6.6 to 6.0 billion, a 9 percent loss, or an average of three-quarters of a point per year.

That's not exactly an industry death-knell, but it's not time to break out the champagne, either.

So, what does a $600 million loss over 14 years have to do with news accounts of cyclists dying, entirely too frequently and in various horrible ways?

Let's put it this way. All those lurid accounts of cycling deaths certainly aren't helping business. But they just might be one cause for the loss of more than half a billion dollars worth of revenues between 2000 and 2014.

Let's look at it from a different perspective:

One of the two ultimate drivers for the bike business is the number of cyclists. (The other, of course, is how much money those cyclists spend, which was the topic of the previous chart.) In 2000, according to the NSGA, just over 43 million Americans rode bikes on a regular (six or more days per year) basis, already a 23 percent drop from the peak year of 1995. Over the next 14 years, 2000-2014, that number dropped by another 17 percent — from 43 million in 2000 to just 36 million last year — an incremental loss of 37 percent in 14 years.

On a per capita basis, one-quarter of all American cyclists have quit riding in the last 20 years.

Or, to put it even more bluntly, seven and a half million Americans have stopped riding bikes since the start of the GW Bush administration.

As with sales dollars, the loss of cyclists has (until recently) only been shown as static numbers. However, just as the value of money continues to shrink over time, the U.S. population continues to grow.

When we correct for population growth, the percentage of Americans riding bikes in 1995 was more than one in five — 21 percent. By 2000 it had dropped significantly, to just 15 percent. From there to 2014, it continued to decline to 11 percent, or just more than one in ten. So it is absolutely correct to say that only three-quarters as many of us are riding bikes as 20 years ago. In other words, on a per capita basis, one-quarter of all American cyclists have quit riding in the last 20 years.

If declining sales and an eroding customer base aren't cause for concern in the bike business, I'd sure like to know what is.

Of course there are plenty of other elements impacting cycling participation, from video games to climate change to lower fuel prices. The difference is, as an industry we can do something about the perception that cycling is nothing other than death on two wheels.

Next time, Confronting the Ghosts: Banishment and Renewal

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — A new title published by VeloPress, "How Bad Do You Want It?" looks at new strategies for mental toughness in sport and features stories about top athletes including Steve Prefontaine, Greg LeMond, Siri Lindley, Cadel Evans, Paula Newby-Fraser, Ned Overend, and Jenny Simpson.

Author Matt Fitzgerald puts readers into the action of more than a dozen epic races from running, cycling, triathlon, and rowing with race reports and revealing post-race interviews with the elites. Their own words reinforce what the research has found: strong mental fitness lets athletes approach their true physical limits, giving them an edge over physically stronger competitors. Each chapter explores the how and why of an elite athlete's transformative moment, revealing powerful new psychobiological principles anyone can practice to flex their own mental fitness.

"How Bad Do You Want It? Mastering the Psychology of Mind over Muscle" is available now. The 240-page paperback retails for $18.95.

Media, marketing, and sales contact: Dave Trendler, VeloPress, dtrendler@competitorgroup.com. A sample chapter is available at velopress.com/books/how-bad-do-you-want-it.

ORANGE, Calif. (BRAIN) — The latest speaker to be confirmed for the Triathlon Business International Conference is U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, who represents Arizona's 9th District. Senema is  the first sitting member of Congress to complete an Ironman and currently serves on the Women for Tri Board of Advisors.

A self-described 'average athlete,' Sinema competed in her first full triathlon in 2013, the Ironnam Arizona, on a course that runs through the area she represents in Congress. In October this year, she completed the Ironman World Championships in Kona, and has competed in numerous sprint, Olympic and half-iron distance triathlons. In early 2015 she was invited to join the Women for Tri Board of Advisors.

"Triathlon is an incredible sport, challenging us to go beyond our perceived limits," said Sinema. "The sport has helped me grow stronger and braver in all aspects of my life, and I'm so honored to share the inspiration of our sport with women nationwide."

Balancing time to train, the fear of swimming, and having the financial resources to purchase equipment and race fees, are some of the key roadblocks Sinema perceives face women interested in triathlon.

The TBI Conference is Jan. 24-26 in Marina del Rey, California. More information at Triathlon Business International.

LOS ANGELES (BRAIN) — Time tables and a detailed itinerary went out the window Wednesday on Day 2 of Bicycle Retailer’s Dealer Tour Los Angeles as the group of editors and sponsors made the 37-mile journey from the coast at Marina Del Rey and headed across the City of Angels to its ultimate destination in Pasadena. (Huge apologies to Velo Pasadena for being two hours late to our final stop and missing owners Hrach and Nevrik Gevrikyan!)

Despite fantastic guiding from Steve Messer, president of the Concerned Off Road Bicyclists’ Association, and Jon Riddle, ride marshal for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, we grossly underestimated how much traffic signals would delay us reaching our appointed stops.

Still, the group got to witness the strides L.A. has made in cycling infrastructure as it rode along a host of bike lanes and cycling-friendly avenues through a cross-section of neighborhoods and districts spanning Venice, Culver City, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Highland Park and Pasadena.

Some of those victories for cycling in the city have been more difficult than others depending on City Council members’ individual stances on cycling, said Colin Bogart, education director for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. “Each council member has their own district and controls what goes on there,” he said.

For instance, a bike lane approved for a commuter artery along Figueroa Street into downtown was struck down after the council seat for the district changed hands, Bogart noted.

The challenges are even more daunting for creating a connected cycling network throughout Los Angeles County, which consists of 88 municipalities, each with their own distinct approval process and attitude toward cycling infrastructure. The result has been a patchwork of cycling facilities throughout the region.

“There’s more than one bike path to nowhere,” LACBC’s Riddle said.

Our first visit of the day took us to I. Martin Bicycles, which has operated on Beverly Boulevard since 1971. Founder Marty Feldberg started the shop as I. Martin Imports, bringing in European bikes and components — mostly Italian — on biannual trips overseas, then distributing them in the U.S.

Multi-store L.A. retailer Helen’s Cycles acquired the shop in 2003, but retained the I. Martin name to preserve its sense of history, manager Jaime Dela Cruz said.

Over the years, the shop has served a who’s who of celebrities, including  Jake Gyllenhaal, Orlando Bloom, Gerard Butler, Sheryl Crowe and frequent customer the late Robin Williams. Feldberg also supplied the Masis seen in the 1979 film “Breaking Away” and fit Kevin Costner, a little-known actor at the time, for his bike used in 1985’s “American Flyers.”

Since the change in ownership in 2003, Helen’s has brought Trek into the store, given the store two extensive remodels to open up the space and improve merchandising, and changed the offroad-heavy product mix in favor of road and city bikes.

“You really have to listen to your neighborhood,” Dela Cruz said.

InCycle Bicycles was founded in 1991 in the eastern San Gabriel Valley city of San Dimas by avid mountain bikers Mark Smits and Dominic Galenti. They’ve since expanded to five locations in Southern California, including a 12,000-square-foot store in Pasadena, their largest location.

InCycle floors more than 400 bikes in the massive but warmly merchandised space, a former train depot dating back to the early 1900s. A 12,000-square-foot central warehouse in San Dimas builds all of InCycle’s bikes and ships them out so stores, freeing up staff for repairs and service.

The store carries a broad selection of brands including Specialized, Cannondale, Santa Cruz and Pivot, and prides itself on being a rider-owned and -operated retailer that listens to its customers to meet all their needs.

“We try to stay on their wheel as much as possible,” Smits said. 

Velo Pasadena, our final stop of the day, was founded in 1988 by former pro road racer and Armenian national champion Hrach Gevrikyan. Since opening in just 600 square feet, the high-end road retailer has moved twice, finally settling in at its current 8,000-square-foot on Pasadena’s bustling Colorado Boulevard.

Visitors are immediately treated to a selection of vintage Colnago frames by the door and samples from Gevrikyan’s 100-plus vintage bike collection suspended from the ceiling.

Son Matthew Gevrikyan, a Cat 3 road racer, runs much of the day-to-day operation for his father, who takes care of the books and other back-end matters. But Hrach is still quick to help on the sales floor or turn a wrench when needed, Matthew noted.

“The best part is I get to spend 10 hours a day with my dad,” he said.

The shop carries more than a dozen bike brands, including Time, Felt, Pinarello, BMC, De Rosa, Cipollini, Torelli and Colnago. It’s also known for its deep stock of Campagnolo parts, including 25th and 50th anniversary editions.

“The most important thing is we’re a one-stop shop. We have everything in stock,” Matthew said.

EASTON, Pa. (BRAIN) — Genesis Bicycles will close its store on Black Friday, and the shop's employees have decided to donate their salaries for the day to a local charity.

Store owner Tomias Hinchcliff concedes it's a risky move to close his shop on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

"I feel the holidays should be a time spent at home with family, not fighting with strangers at the mall to get the latest electronic gadget," said Hinchcliff. "It's also a time to give to those less fortunate and help people in need."

Hinchcliff said he was extremely proud of his staff's decision to donate a day's pay to Safe Harbor Easton, a program-driven, transitional shelter for homeless single men and women. The shelter has the capacity to house 22 men and 14 women overnight. Safe Harbor residents have the opportunity to learn new problem-solving skills, stabilize their income, assess their job skills, find suitable, permanent housing and have medical exams.

Genesis Bicycles' donation will help support vital programs such as art therapy, purchasing shelter supplies, and providing daily meals. In addition to their donation, Genesis is encouraging its customers to make monetary or needed-item donations to Safe Harbor. A Wish List of items can be found on Safe Harbor Easton's website.

"For each of our customers who make a donation to Safe Harbor, we will reward them for their generosity by offering them a generous discount on any purchases made at Genesis Bicycles through Nov. 30," said Genesis marketing and events coordinator Rob McVeigh. "It's our way of saying thanks for supporting those in our community who need assistance."

Genesis Bicycles has been locally owned and operated by Hinchcliff since 1974. Genesis carries Trek, Cannondale, Cervélo, and Electra. More information on the store at genesisbicycles.com. 

VIENNA, Va. (BRAIN) — Northern Virginia-based Spokes, Etc. held a ribbon cutting this week for its new store in Leesburg, Virginia. Mayor Kristen C. Umstattd and other town officials attended the ceremony.

The 8,000-square-foot Leesburg store, which replaces Spokes, Etc.’s store in Ashburn, is in the Village of Leesburg, a town center that has such national businesses as Wegmans, Charming Charlie and Firebirds Wood Fired Grill among its 60-plus boutiques, entertainment spots and restaurants. The new store is 3.2 miles from Spokes’ former location in Ashburn.

The move to Leesburg enables Spokes, Etc. to have a new retail space that’s 30 percent larger and a presence in what’s becoming a popular shopping destination, said Jim Strang, the company’s president. 

“We’ve been pleased with the amount of walk-in traffic and the many customer events hosted by the center,” he added.

The new store has a full service center and a display floor dedicated to Spokes, Etc.’s bicycle lines, clothing and accessories. The architect was L2M in Baltimore. Morgan-Keller Construction of Frederick, Maryland, was the general contractor.

Spokes, Etc., based in Vienna, Va., and founded in 1985, is a full-service retailer with five stores in Northern Virginia. In addition to Leesburg, Spokes’ locations include two in Alexandria, one in Vienna and one in Fairfax.

Spokes, Etc. carries Trek, Specialized, Seven, Salsa, Surly, Gunnar, Waterford, Currie Technologies, Gore Bike Wear, and more. 

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Nick Martin, the founder of eBay seller The Pro's Closet, was mentioned by name in a letter about the Trans-Pacific Partnership that President Obama sent to members of eBay Main Street, an organization of small business people who use eBay as part of their operations.

In the letter, Obama urged the group to support the TPP, noting that it preserves an "open Internet," creates global rules for e-commerce, streamlines customs regulations and eliminates 18,000 taxes that other countries place on products that are made in the U.S. 

Obama noted that most eBay sellers do significant business overseas — much more than most small businesses in the U.S. Obama cited Martin as an example, saying Martin is "a Wisconsin native who traded living out of his van for running a successful eBay business that continues to grow because of his ability to reach customers around the globe."

"I’m confident you’ll see why this trade deal will level the playing field for entrepreneurs like you and open up opportunity to expand in some of the fastest-growing markets in the world," Obama said. 

Martin said 45 percent of The Pro's Closet transactions are cross-border. "The fact is that this deal can significantly impact the way we work and run our businesses," he told BRAIN Thursday.

Martin founded The Pro's Closet, based in Boulder, to sell racer's excess gear over eBay and supplement his income as a pro mountain bike racer. It's now the largest bike "store" on eBay and sells close-outs and excess inventory from suppliers and retailers as well as items on consignment from individuals.

More: Obama's letter to eBay Main Street. 

HOLSTEBRO, Denmark (BRAIN) — CeramicSpeed's UFO chains— which are standard chains from several manufacturers, specially treated with a wax-based lubricant — are now being sold with a 15 ml bottle of Squirt Lube for use after the original lubricant wears off.

The official collaboration between CeramicSpeed and Squirt Lube started in October at Ironman World Championships.

CeramicSpeed managing director Martin Banke said, "In order to keep our products performing to the highest standards, we need to find the best manufacturers to partner with. The Squirt lube is the fastest chain drip-lube on the market, therefore the match with the fastest chain in the world came naturally and we are eager to see what more this collaboration will bring for the future."

The original chain treatment wears off after about 200 miles. The company said Squirt Lube "stimulates" the traces of optimization treatment left on the chain, allowing further use of the chain for training.

More information: ceramicspeed.com/sport/products/Chains.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (BRAIN) — Organizers say they have registered exhibitors from more countries than ever for next year's North American Handmade Bicycle Show, which will be held here Feb. 26-28.

For the first time, exhibitors from Russia and Lithuania are expected to attend the show, along with bike makers from North America, the U.K., Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Australia, and Japan.

The Russian exhibitor is Triton, which makes titanium frames and components in Moscow. They'll join Tim Crossman Composites from Lithuania, a company that makes handmade carbon fiber tubes, frames, and full bikes, along with many other products, including drones and marine products.

"We usually get a great turnout from international brands, and we've become a model of this type of show around the world," said Don Walker, the founder and president of NAHBS. "We're especially fortunate to have brands from so far away as Russia and Lithuania this year! It's another sign that consumers all over the world appreciate the artistry, technological expertise, durability and craftsmanship that go into all these frames and bikes."

This will be the 12th annual NAHBS show. More information: 2016.handmadebicycleshow.com.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. (BRAIN — We traded palm trees, cityscape and Hollywood stars for the scenic and suburban Conejo Valley on Thursday, the third and final day of the L.A. Dealer Tour.

Bordered by the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles proper to the east, the Simi Hills to the north, the Oxnard plain to the west and the Santa Monica Mountains to the south, communities in the Conejo Valley are peppered along the 101 freeway, which runs northwest toward Santa Barbara. The valley is split between L.A. and Ventura counties, but the communities are considered part of Greater Los Angeles.

But the valley couldn't be more different than the metro area about 30 miles to the east. L.A.'s densely populated, bustling urban environment criss-crossed by massive freeways eventually gives way to rolling hills and rocky peaks as you travel West into the suburban valley.

An economy fueled by high-tech industry makes the Conejo Valley one of the most affluent communities in the Greater Los Angeles area. With a population of just under 100,000, the valley is sparsely populated — at least by Southern California standards. And because it's surrounded by mountains and country roads, the valley is one of the most popular cycling destinations for Los Angelenos and local residents.

"We are in the heart of the riding," said Robbie Schaeffer, owner of the destination restaurant, bar and bike shop, Pedaler's Fork, in Calabasas. "We decided to open out here because the area needed great food but it also has amazing riding."

And with just a handful of bike shops serving the communities of Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park, the valley's retail landscape is also very different from L.A.'s competitive market. Retailers are optimistic that cycling will only continue to grow in the Conejo Valley, with its quality trails, wide roads, ample bike lanes and more residents with plenty of disposable income becoming interested in riding bikes.

"There aren't really any big challenges or barriers specific to this area, not that are different from what the industry faces in general. We've got a community rich in cycling and more people are discovering it all the time," said Scott Johnson, owner of Serious Cycling in Agoura Hills.

"People visiting Santa Monica will come in here to rent one of our high-end road bikes and they ride up the canyons into the mountains. They come back saying, 'I had no idea L.A. was like this.'"

LAKEWOOD, Wash. (BRAIN) — Full Speed Ahead is inviting customers to stop by at this weekend's Subaru Cyclo Cup UCI race. The component brand will be hosting customers in its Dealer Appreciation tent, with hot beverages, pastries and an excellent view of the action. 

The race is at Lakewood at Ft. Steilacoom Saturday and Sunday. The FSA Sales team will be present both days to answer dealer questions, and show off the newest products from FSA and Vision Tech.

More information on the race: Subaru Cyclo Cup.

KENT, Wash. (BRAIN) -- Seattle Bike Supply will stop distributing Shimano components by the end of November. Accell North America, owner of SBS, has been narrowing its P&A assortment and consolidating warehouses. And this decision to eliminate inventory of components supports its future distribution strategy. Shimano remains a strategic OE partner for ANA bicycles and a key partner in ANA’s e-bike strategy, the company said. 

"We have an enormous amount of respect for the quality and engineering of Shimano components, and we have appreciated the opportunity to be a distributor of Shimano in the U.S. market,” said Chris Speyer, managing director of ANA. “Shimano has worked hard to establish a direct-to-dealer distribution network. We appreciate the opportunity that Shimano provided in allowing SBS to be one of the select group of distributors of their products, but in the long term it is clear to us that most dealers will focus their purchasing directly with Shimano. Therefore, based on our focused approach around P&A, we felt it was better to amicably discontinue distribution and focus on brands and categories that will be sustainable for SBS and ANA as a whole.”

“We have enjoyed a long-term, successful partnership with Seattle Bike Supply in the U.S. bicycle market that today comes to a close,” said Yutaka Taniyama, senior vice president of Shimano American Corporation’s bicycle component division. “Seattle Bike Supply has been one of just a handful of distributors in North America and we respect the company’s enduring support for Shimano’s products and overall business. Despite this move, however, Shimano American will continue to work with Accell North America supporting its OEM bicycle business. Shimano continues to provide superior products and excellent services to better support U.S. IBDs together with our remaining distribution partners.”

NORTHVALE, N.J. (BRAIN) — G Joannou Cycle has hired Jeffrey Young as executive vice president of sales. Young will start Nov. 16 and be responsible for GJC's Jamis and Nirve domestic sales operations.

Young comes to Jamis with more than two decades of experience in sales and sales management, including a 23-year tenure with Shimano America where his last role was VP of sales. Young left Shimano in July. He also serves on the board for the BPSA and will continue to do so while at Jamis.

"We are pleased to welcome Jeff to Jamis' executive management team," said Carine Joannou, CEO and president of Jamis Bicycles. "Jeff's achievements and credentials are outstanding. He's a consummate professional with exceptional leadership capabilities whose passion for cycling – both the sport and the business – is certain to inspire our retailers and our reps. We're confident Jeff will help us in further developing our business and brands with retailers across the United States."

Young said, "Both Jamis and Nirve are in a unique position to grow as valued brands in an industry that has become increasingly challenging and competitive. I've watched Carine and her team build a strong company during my tenure in the industry and I'm thrilled to be coming on board at a time when these brands and this company can aggressively grow to the next level."

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. (BRAIN) — Fox Factory Holding Corp. has closed on the previously announced acquisition of the assets of Marzocchi's mountain bike product lines.

"We are very pleased to have completed the acquisition and are excited to begin integrating Marzocchi mountain bike product lines into our legacy mountain bike product mix," said Larry L. Enterline, Fox's CEO. "This fits squarely into our strategic plan to further expand the penetration of our bike suspension products across more price points. When coupled with our existing legacy bike business, the Marzocchi product line will help drive improved sales and profitability over the long-term."

Marzocchi's parent company, Tenneco, announced in July that it was shutting down the brand. During a conference call earlier this month, Fox executives said its would buy assets including intellectual property, inventory and testing machines. Fox plans to move Marzocchi's operations from Italy to Taichung, Taiwan.

SAN DIEGO (BRAIN) — Speedplay is releasing a new version of its SYZR mountain bike pedal, with a chromoly spindle and a $165 retail price.

The new SYZR Chrome-Moly has all the same components and features as the SYZR pedals with stainless steel or titanium spindles.

Speedplay also is making available SYZR stainless steel spindles in four different lengths for riders who need to customize their pedal stance. The spindles are 50mm, 53mm, 59mm and 65mm and can be ordered as single pedals, individual spindles, or in sets of two.

In addition to the standard 55mm SYZR Pedal System, retailers can also special order stainless SYZR Pedal Systems in any combination of custom left and right pedals for a nominal custom-build upcharge. Contact Speedplay for details for all custom spindle options. 

More information: Speedplay.com.

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — The Outdoor Industry Association will host a webinar Thursday to help outdoor suppliers and retailers learn more about the Trans-Pacific Partnership and how it might affect their businesses. President Obama released text of the agreement to the public last week.

"The TPP is one of the most ambitious free trade agreements in history and it will have a significant impact on the bottom line of outdoor manufacturers, retailers and suppliers. President Obama will formally sign the agreement early in 2016 but it is not likely to come before Congress for a vote until after the November elections," the OIA said.

The TPP would eliminate U.S. tariffs on certain outdoor products not made in the United States, while securing long tariff phase-outs and strict trade rules on outdoor products that are made domestically. It would expand access to global markets for U.S. manufacturers, protect innovation on products designed, distributed or manufactured in the United States and protect environmental and labor rights in TPP countries.

The webinar is at 1 p.m. ET with OIA's Trade Policy Advisor Rich Harper and Ron Sorini from OIA's trade counsel Sorini Samet and Associates. More information and RSVP on the OIA website. 

CHICAGO (BRAIN) — Abus Mobile Security, Inc. has launched a new North American website that includes more product information, how-to videos and other features. It includes a Buy Local Now button on all bicycle product pages, directling consumers to a local retailer.

Abus marketing manager Joan Hanscom said, "We are excited to offer our customers a new degree of service through this site. Most notably we now offer key ordering and product registration. We strongly encourage customers to register their products on the site as soon as they purchase a lock — in doing so they can record their key code or lock combination, which can be easily retrieved in the event keys are lost or combos forgotten. Also, with registered products, reordering keys is as easy as pushing a button. For customers who choose not to register their products, key ordering is still available though it will require a few more steps."

She continued, "The new site also features only products available through North American retailers and Buy Local Now buttons on all bicycle product pages to help direct consumers to their local shops. The content of the product pages is designed to be descriptive, more user-friendly and help customers identify the best Abus product for them and to help them find it nearby."

The new site is at abus.com.

MISSOULA, Mont. (BRAIN) — Adventure Cycling Association will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2016, and is planning a weekend of overnight bike travel across the U.S. and Canada next June to mark the occasion.

The organization is asking bike tourists to take a tour on that weekend. They can start one of their own or find an existing tour through its National Bike Travel Weekend interactive map.

"Our goal is to inspire new and experienced bike travelers alike to enjoy an overnight bicycle trip with thousands of other people throughout North America on the same weekend," said Jim Sayer, the executive director of Adventure Cycling Association. "National Bike Travel Weekend is for big groups, small groups and solo bike enthusiasts. It can be one night or two nights, travelers can sleep outside or indoors, and the distance covered can be one to 100 miles — whatever works for you."

Everyone who registers a National Bike Travel Weekend trip at adventurecycling.org/biketravelweekend/ by May 16 will be entered into a drawing to win a commemorative Salsa Marrakesh touring bike and will receive a National Bike Travel Weekend sticker. The first 500 people to register will receive an Adventure Cycling key chain.

Adventure Cycling was founded as Bikecentennial and started as a 4,250-mile TransAmerica Trail bicycle ride with over 4,100 participants in the summer of 1976.

In addition to National Bike Travel Weekend, Adventure Cycling will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Bikecentennial with two other major events. The Montana Bicycle Celebration, July 15-17 and Bike to Your National Park Day / State Park Day on Sept. 24.

For more information about Adventure Cycling's 40th anniversary at adventurecycling.org/40th. Register your tour at: adventurecycling.org/about-us/40th-anniversary/national-bike-travel-weekend-june-3-5-2016/register-a-bike-overnight.