Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Interbike 2007

I have attended bicycle trades shows since I was a wee-lad. Some families have memories of road trips to the Grand Canyon or the annual trek to visit the Smithsonians. For me, it was bicycle trade shows. Year after year, I would file up and down the aisles, trudging through the endless maze of indoor/outdoor carpets, all while breathing in the noxious fumes of the countless rubber tires. As a kid, I loathed "the show," as a teen I embraced it, and as an adult I worked them.

Five years into my hiatus from the industry, I continue to feel its pull. So, with bindles packed, the staff at BKW is taking this show on the road and heading out into the arid vastness of Nevada to take on yet another year of Interbike. September is the time of year when the North American bicycle industry squeezes itself under one roof for three days to sell, buy, catch up, and burn out. BKW has managed to bamboozle some unassuming industry folk into providing us with legitimate credentials for the three-day, bike extravaganza. We plan to go deep into the thick of it to scout out the coolest gear for the coming season; hopefully, there will be more than just carbon fiber stuff. Along the way, we'll get the chance to hang with some PROs and leading figures of the industry.

Stay tuned... 'cause "when the soup is good, all is good."

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Freddy, going to have time to check out 'cross vegas? I got my flight bumped back to 11:30 that night so I'd have time to check it out! Business and pleasure in one trip. (and not in the usual vegas way)

gewilli said...

F'awesome... can't wait for the reports

pompier said...

hey Freddy,
say Hi to the guys at the Ox for me, just mention the fireman and they will know who you are talking about!
cheers

Radio Freddy said...

Jason - I would not miss it! Way to get the company to pay for you to see a cross race. Now that is a talent!

Gewilli - Stay tuned, we plan to wade through the crap in search of the proverbial needle in the haystack.

Pompier - Will do!

Anonymous said...

Excellent! Looking forward to your report.

Anonymous said...

Freddy, great to hear you're coming out to Vegas this year. Looking forward to reading your reports...

Rich
Interbike

Radio Freddy said...

ib Rich - Thanks for the welcoming invite. There is nothing like the per-Interbike jitters. - RF

Blair said...

Nice! Looking forward to the pics/reports...can't wait to see the Orbea and Mavic goodness

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to hear your report! As I am now an industry "outsider". I remember several years back I was in Vegas at the Sinclair party. The Sinclair parties were the best because you always got to hobnob with the PRO's. Most of us were standing on a balcony overlooking a dance floor when my friend/co-worker who was slightly inebriated began dancing below. It was quite a sight and the gentleman next to me remarked that " Your friend sure can cut a rug!" I turned and it was Phil Ligget, drink in hand, shirt unbuttoned and gold chains exposed. Phil was ready to paint the town. One of my more memorable interbike moments.

Anonymous said...

...guess i'm old school...i think the inclusion of the cross race is a great idea for interbike...it'll be a crazy party out there for everyone but the riders & their techs...

...i think it'll be both a shot in the arm for the show (oops, bad reference) & the talk of the floor on thursday...