Most of us are guilty of it — using headphones on a training ride. The music not only offers a pleasant distraction from the pain of training, but can also serve as a means of motivation, or simply, as an aid to pass the time while out on a long solo jaunt. Unfortunately, most of us are also unaware of the health and safety issues associated with headphones or ear buds use when riding or worse yet, we simply choose to ignore them.

Noise-induced hearing loss has been well documented with long term use of a personal audio device, and the safety issues associated with headphones or earphones use has prompted more and more states, like California, Ohio, and Virginia to now enforce transportation codes making the use of them illegal while cycling.

But, with the debut of the cy•fi wireless sports speaker at Interbike last year, cyclists now have a safer and healthier alternative. The brainchild of Los Angeles entrepreneur and cycling enthusiast, Jeff Lotman, cy•fi is more than an extremely portable reinvention of the classic boombox.

Sleek and stylish designed, cy•fi is slightly larger than a deck of cards, weighs less than four ounces, and features Kleer(TM) wireless technology, a unique wireless audio technology that combines CD-quality digital wireless audio, best-in-class 2.4 GHz band co-existence, ultra-low power consumption, point-to-multipoint functionality, and interoperability with other Kleer-based wireless products.

The cy•fi can be easily mounted on any bicycle mainframe, backpack, boat or as a travel speaker and it is able to broadcast digital sound without the hassle of wires or an electrical outlet, allowing users the freedom to enjoy their favorite activities and music while keeping full awareness of their surroundings. Convenient and easy-to-use, cy•fi enables tracks to be changed, volume adjusted, and playlists selected with only one hand. Users simply charge the speaker before heading to the trails or streets to enjoy more than six hours of non-stop digital sound.

The cy•fi is available in three color schemes (red/black, silver/black, and black/black), and now comes in two models – one is compatible with the iPhone3G/3GS and iPod (classic, nano, and touch), which was introduced at this year’s show. The second model is compatible with all A2DP Bluetooth cell phones, PDA’s and MP3 players. With this feature, users can enable a hands-free speaker to command voice-activated calls as well as receive incoming calls while listening to music. The speaker can also be remotely controlled when adjusting the volume, skipping tracks or turning the device on and off.

The cy•fi wireless sports speaker is not exactly a new product on the market, nor is the concept of a wireless speaker. Yet, the cy•fi is revolutionary simply because of its practical significance.

Extremely portable, safe and simple to use, and ever evolving (a small digital display with simple cycling metrics is in the works), the cy•fi brings hours of CD quality sounding music to your ears as well as for those within 30 feet of broadcast range. Considering the alternatives, the cy•fi should be required gear for any active outdoor enthusiasts.

For more information, visit www.mycyfi.com.

Too often, whether in life or in business, we are guilty of trying to find the next big idea; “a solution that is so elegant, so profound that it stuns by virtue of its brilliance.” But sometimes, just sometimes, big results come from the simplest or smallest ideas. Such was the case with Nicole DeBoom, who went on to found SkirtSports, a fitness-skirt specialty company, simply because she did not recognize her feminine self in the reflection of a store window she ran by while training.

What is in a name?

If Nicole’s last name is recognizable, chances are you are familiar with the athletic exploits of her husband, endurance athlete and two-time Ironman World Champion, Tim DeBoom. But regardless of her identifiable last name, Nicole is just as exceptional an athlete as her husband, and as dynamic and vivacious a person as I have ever met.

“Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Nicole became an accomplished runner and swimmer by high school, qualifying for the 1988 Olympic Swimming Trials in the 100m breaststroke when she was 16. From high school she went on to earn a degree in sociology at Yale University, where she swam varsity for the Yale swim team.

Nicole's triathlon career began in 1999 with a remarkable and quick climb to the upper echelon of elite racers, as she made her pro triathlon debut in 1999. The next year Nicole took her game to the next level as she competed in her first Ironman distance event, finishing third in the California Ironman and 12th at the Hawaii Ironman World Championship.

In 2002 she began focusing mainly on short distance triathlon racing, with great success, including first-place wins in major events in Boulder, Chicago, and Memphis. In 2004 she made a return to Ironman racing and won Ironman Wisconsin."

“Convert to Skirt”

The inception of SkirtSport may sound like some contrived story; a pleasant anecdote that Nicole shares to connect with her customers or would be merchandisers, but it is not.  While training one day Nicole glanced at her reflection in a store window and realized something was missing. Her apparel had no sass or femininity. Although her athletic prowess had allowed her to compete with the boys throughout her career, she did not necessarily care to look like one.

"In 2005, she founded the fitness-skirt specialty company, which featured pink-based fitness skirts, designed by a female athlete, for female athletes. The line launched under “TRIKS” and was designed for use in marathons, triathlons, during gym workouts, or post workout. Since the company launch, SkirtSports has made national and international headlines, growing from an online catalog to selling in specialty retail shops both nationally and within Canada under the SkirtSports name.”

And for all her insight and hard work, Nicole was chosen as a winner of the second annual, Sporting Goods Business (SGB) 40-Under-40 Award, from a pool of over 500 industry nominees earlier this year. She was one of only three women chosen in the top 40 nominated for this year’s award.

New for 2010

At Interbike, Nicole took the time to take me through the paces of their current line and the upcoming Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

Although some of the 2010 designs were not readily available at the time of the show, the new collection combines the same technical fabrics with stylish designs for which  SkirtSports has become known.  The 2010 line includes the addition of the Tri Tank and Tri Bottoms to the Tri Collection and the new Breezer BikeGirl and FreeRide ShortSleeve Jersey to the Cycling Collection.

“The Spring/Summer line incorporates lightweight fabrics and bright colors perfect for warmer weather and sunshine. Most importantly, these pieces perform whether you’re training for your tenth triathlon or out on a picnic with your family,” said Nicole.

Two staples of the Tri Collection, the Tri Tank and Tri Bottoms, have been revamped for 2010. The Tri Bottoms are now available in a longer, 8-inch inseam as well as the standard 5-inch inseam, and feature the 4-way stretch mini Chamois and silicone grippers at the waistband and leg openings. With a new sash of color across the front, the Tri Tank contains a built-in bra with the convenient cleavage alley pocket and UV protection.

The newest additions to the Cycle Collection are the Breezer BikeGirl and FreeRide ShortSleeve Jersey. Featuring a looser skirt over compression shorts, the new Breezer BikeGirl (2009 Cruiser BikeGirl shown above) is perfect for the bike commuter or gym spin class. The shorts contain mini Chamois and an all-mesh skirt with a small slit that allows for movement. The new FreeRide ShortSleeve Jersey (2009 FreeRide Sleeveless Jersey shown above) presents a longer sleeve length, reflective half zipper and long torso.

These certainly are exciting times for the Ironman Champion and entrepreneur. Four years into actualizing her feminine intuition, Nicole has revolutionized the athletic apparel industry.  "SkirtSports continues to expand through a variety of avenues as they continue to push their “Convert to Skirt” campaign, where more and more women discover the power that comes from the Skirt!"

Photos: Courtesy of SkirtSports (first and second): Leonard Basobas (third - fifth)

Las Vegas, NV - If Outdoor Demo Days is the "heart" of Interbike, then the Expo is its dolled up exterior that draws your attention like a shiny new penny. 

In my third year of attending the annual bicycle trade show, it would be easy to presume that I might have an inkling as to how to cover it. But in truth, the task is just as complex as ever. While my past experiences have made the expansiveness of the show less daunting, I am still like that child who has just discovered, and then been let loose, in his first toy store. There is always something new to see, someone new to meet, and something new to experience. In that respect, Las Vegas is perhaps the perfect playground to hold the event.

This year's expo was no less flashy and was just as well attended as in years past. However, several of the larger bicycle manufacturers were noticeably absent from the showroom floor; no doubt a by-product of the sagging economy.

Component maker, SRAM, in contrast, was well represented at the show. As a former Chicagoan, I could not help but revel in the sheer size of their booth and the bevy of onlookers in it. Despite what seemed to be a fairly cornered components market, SRAM has slowly established itself as one of the industry's leaders. Their components are seemingly as ubiquitous as Campagnolo's and Shimano's in the professional peloton these days. And with the recent news that the Chicago based company has signed on as the component sponsor of Lance Armstrong's Team RadioShack, it can be argued that SRAM is now the foremost component manufacturer in the sport.

It certainly is a far cry from their Pentasport 5-speed hub and their original downtown office/factory, but it just goes to show how far "narrow minded yet forward thinking" can take you.

MORE: Code Red - Team TIBCO's Amber Rais reviews SRAM's Red components for the Triple Crankset

Boulder City, NV - Since its reappearance on the Interbike exposition floor in 2007, the Delta 7 Sports' IsoTruss frame has been a personal fascination, bordering on an obsession.  It is a startlingly visual oddity in the solid tubing world of cycling, and one that instantly appealed to my scientific and analytical senses.

Developed at BYU under the direction of Civil Engineering Professor David W. Jensen, Director of the Center for Advanced Structural Composites, the IsoTruss open lattice structures are made up of three-dimensional (3-D) pyramid-shaped trusses formed by combining two-dimensional (2-D) trusses, such as the kind commonly used in architectural design. The pyramid-like structure of an IsoTruss lattice utilizes the well-known geometry of a triangle with two equal sides (an Isosceles Triangle) to create a form with a superior weight-to-strength ratio. Hence, the name IsoTruss comes from the "iso" in isosceles, while "truss" comes from the architectural design known as trusses.

The fusion of 2-D trusses into the 3-D pyramid-shaped forms found within an IsoTruss structure has enabled Delta 7 Sports to build bicycle frames that bend less, twist less (torsion) and flex less (axial stiffness) than metal bike frames of comparable weight.

I had the good fortune to test ride Delta 7 Sports' Arantix at Bootleg Canyon during last year's Outdoor Demo Days. The ride was what I had anticipated, if not more. This year, it was time to try out their road offering, the Ascend.

I saddled up with a few hundred other Outdoor Demo Days attendees for the annual Tour de Lake Mead, a 24-mile round trip ride from Bootleg Canyon to Lake Mead, which has become known more as a speed fest rather than a tour these days.

The Ascend that I rode was kitted out with SRAM's Red components, a Reynolds' MV32C wheelset, an Alpha Q carbon fork, Ritchey's WCS carbon stem and handlebars, and a Specialized saddle. And although I regularly ride a 52 cm bicycle, I ended up riding their 54.

As soon as the tour started, I quickly garnered the reason as to why so many people had labeled the ride to Lake Mead a speed fest; the first few miles were all downhill. The rest of the tour was an up and down affair, and the trip back afforded me the opportunity to get a good sense of how the bicycle would, well, ascend.

Similar to its mountain cousin, the Arantix, the Ascend descended fast and stably.  Even though I had only been on the bike for a few minutes, I had no qualms turning it loose downward toward Lake Mead.  On the climb back, the lightweight Ascend did as its namesake intended.  Like many boutique carbon bicycles, the Ascend made the act of climbing less arduous.  The ride was comfortable and the bike responsive while in the saddle and the frame did not display any noticeable flex while out of it.

In comparison to other racing rigs, the Ascend is not the stiffest frame on the market. This fact may dissuade the hard core racer from even considering the Ascend, but that approach may prove to be a bit shortsighted. After the ride, I spoke to Delta 7 Sports' Marketing Director, Lester Muranaka, about the frame's stiffness, or the perceived lack thereof.

While preliminary data does show that the frame is not as stiff as some others on the market, the Ascend is a pleasantly contrived conundrum.  The frame may not be as stiff but it allows its riders to work more efficiently; exerting less energy while generating the same amount of power.

If you are one that requires more "proof in your pudding" then you need not look any further than the results of sprinters Rahsaan Bahati or Theresa Cliff Ryan, whose Verducci Breakaway team used the Ascend during this year's USA Cycling NRC, as each used the frame to ascend their respective podiums.

Additionally, one of the distinct advantages of the Ascend's web-like open lattice tubes, which may or may not be readily apparent, is its remarkable performance in windy conditions.  While solid tube bikes, and their riders, are often times left to the wind's devices, the open lattice tubes of the Ascend allowed me to put all my focus and effort forward rather than using any of it laterally; an attribute which would benefit any rider who deals with crosswinds on a daily basis.

Overall, the Ascend is one of the strongest frames in its weight class, at an estimated weight of less than 1000 grams. It is available as frame set only or as a complete bike with SRAM Red or Campy Super Record. Suggested retail: $5,995 (frame only), $10,995-$16,995 (complete bike).

Photos: Leonard Basobas

Boulder City, NV -  "From the Heart of the Pyrenees" to the dust of Bootleg Canyon. Surprisingly, Orbea is still a relatively new name in the North American cycling market despite its long heritage of bicycle manufacturing. The Spanish based company has been doing so since 1930, and it can actually trace its cycling roots all the way back to “1847 when the Orbea brothers began their metal tubing business in the Basque region of northern Spain.”

At this year’s Interbike Outdoor Demo Days, Orbea’s flagship bicycle, the Orca, was made available for testing. Vetted on the Pro Tour by the Basque region’s own Euskatel-Euskadi team, the Orca is full carbon frame made up of a combination of 70% high modulus Toray M40J and 30% high-strength M30S carbon fibers. The layup makes the Orca not only aesthetically pleasing, but provides it with exceptional performance qualities as well as.

The Orca that I tested was a hodgepodge of various components: Zeus C2 alloy stem and handlebar, Reynolds’ Solitude wheelset, Selle Italia’s SLK SE saddle, and Shimano’s brand new Di2 gruppo.

The first and most notable quality of the Orca is its stability. It is a well balanced bicycle, front to back, and comes off feeling like a very sturdy and comfortable ride, both attributes that may make it seems like a heavy and even stodgy frame. But when asked to respond or when attacking uphill, the Orca seemed as stiff, light and responsive as any other carbon frame in the high-end category.

In regard to Shimano’s Di2 gruppo, even though it was widely tested at the Tour de France, I was still skeptical of the electronic shifters. My preconceived notion was that electronic shifting is a bit like having electronically adjustable seats in your car; merely a luxury item. But with the whirling sound of the Di2’s motor, it was easy to see why so many high-end bikes will soon be sporting the gruppo. During the short time frame that I rode the Orca, I tried to make the Di2 skip or even sound clunky, but all I felt, and heard, was a smooth and exceptionally quiet transition from gear to gear.

As a frameset, the Orca weighs in at $2,999. If you choose the full carbon option, with Zeus carbon components, a pair of Zipp 404’s, and Shimano's Di2, the Orca will run you close to $10,000.  Orbea; however,  provides enough build options to help you stay within your budget.  If you are in the market for a sturdy, high performance machine, then Orbea’s Orca should definitely be on your short list.

Photos: Leonard Basobas (second-fourth)

Boulder City, NV - When BMC first unveiled what has now become their signature integrated skeletal frameset, the brand easily became the most provocative on the market, if not for the oddity of its design but in the fact that the distinctive frame performed as well if not better than anything on the market.

With their Racemaster SLX01, BMC seems to have once again broken the proverbial mold. The Swiss bicycle manufacturer’s unique engineering and design craftsmanship have created what is perhaps the perfect combination of carbon and aluminum, which won them the prestigious red dot design award in the "best of the best" category and also the design award of the 2009 International Design Forum in Hanover.

Visually similar to their high end full carbon Pro Machine SLC 01, the Racemaster SLX01 combines the rigidity of aluminum and the comfort of carbon using a lay up of materials in what they refer to as their “aluminum trident,” shown in silver below, and their “carbon arc,” shown in black.

The “aluminum trident” employs 7005 Aluminum alloy, hydro-formed and triple butted tubing to create a stiff, light, and highly power efficient bottom bracket area, whereas the overlaying Easton CNT “carbon arc” provides the Racemaster SLX01 with superior comfort and stability usually expected from a full carbon frame.

The aerodynamic integrated Streampost 73.5, with its tear-dropped cross section that continues along the airfoil down tube and its intelligent angle lock clamping system, which allows for a maximum degree of adjustability, is simply icing on a well-designed cake.

Having arrived to Bootleg Canyon rather late on the first day of Interbike’s Outdoor Demo Days, I took the BMC Racemaster SLX01 out on fairly deserted road demo course; the increased winds and dust most likely having taken its toll on most of the day’s attendees. The tester was kitted out with Fulcrum’s Racing 1 wheelset, Shimano's Ultegra components, FSA stem and handlebar, and Selle Italia’s Flite saddle.

Without the knowledge of its material makeup, the Racemaster SLX01 was just as plush, light, stiff, and responsive as any full carbon bike I had ever tested. I was honestly surprised to find out that it was a composite bicycle. I was even more impressed with the ride quality because the frameset was not masked by a pair of unusually deep-dished carbon wheels, which is sometimes the case with some other bicycle manufacturers out at Demo Days. As with any super light bicycle, I did get thrown around a bit by what I would later find out were 20-30mph winds, but as soon as I picked up the speed the ride smoothed considerably.

The SLX 01 is available in 6 sizes: 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, and 61, and in two colors, Blue and Yellow. It comes standard with an Easton carbon fiber fork built with an aluminum crown and steerer. At a price point of $1999 for the frameset, the Racemaster SLX01 should be the only alternative if you are not solely and completely enamored with attaining a full carbon monocoque machine.

Photos: Leonard Basobas (first, third - fifth)

Boulder City, NV – Interbike, the largest bicycle industry trade show in North America, is many things to many people. At the heart of the trade show, and perhaps in its purest form, is its Outdoor Demo Days. The two day event, partly trade show and mostly bicycle festival, was once again held at Bootleg Canyon, which lost its regular trail caretaker, Brent Thomson, earlier this year to complications from a heart bypass.

This year's event was a true testament to not only Mr. Thomson's years of meticulous work, but also to the bicycle industry as a whole as more people made their way to Boulder City for the event than in the previous year, and this was accomplished in spite of the sagging US economy.  The normal staple of mountain and road bikes were made available for demonstration, and the usual unusual effects of the event, such as Mongoose's Dunk Tank, were present.  But this year's Demo Days also reflected a shift in the industry. Because of the ever increasing number of Americans who have recently discovered the practicality of using two wheels, a great number of foldable commuter and electric bike manufacturers, such as Brompton and Ultra Motor, were readily apparent.

In many respects, Interbike's Outdoor Demo Days is a Woodstockian utopia, where mud is replaced by swirling dust, propped up on two wheels. It is microcosm of America where the various cross-sections of the cycling community converge to share in the experience, and joy, of turning a simple crank.  It may not be as glamorous or as glitzy as the exposition, but Demo Days is bound to leave you with a lasting impression, both good and sometimes bad.

Photos: Leonard Basobas

Interbike features urban cycling by expanding the Urban Legend Fashion and Art Show and moving it from the ballroom to a larger space on the main show floor

San Juan Capistrano, Calif. - Interbike, producers of North America's largest bicycle industry trade shows, will host the second annual Urban Legend Fashion and Art Show, presented by Giant Bicycles, at Interbike 2009 on the show floor, Thursday, September 24 at 5:00 p.m.

"Interbike uses the Urban Legend Fashion Show to showcase the industry's growing enthusiasm for urban cycling and the exciting products that the segment supports," said Rich Kelly, Interbike marketing manager. "As with all of the products exhibited at Interbike, urban cycling gear and apparel is best appreciated in action."

Instead of a traditional catwalk, a road loop surrounded by bicycle-inspired art will be laid out on the main show floor in hall D of the Sands Expo Center. The Urban Legend audience will gather in and around the loop while models ride through it. The innovative layout allows attendees "front-row seats" to watch the models show off the function and fashion of urban bikes and cycling apparel.

"We loved what Interbike did with the fashion show last year and thought sponsoring it this year would be a great way for Giant to highlight its new lifestyle products," said Elysa Walk, general manager of Giant Bicycles. "There is a lifestyle boom taking place in the consumer market and Giant wants to be part of it."

Inspired and styled by Momentum magazine, the Urban Legend Fashion and Art Show will be a celebration of urban sustainability, culture and style. Highlights will include stylish, smart, sexy and professional clothing for every season that fits into everyday life and works great on a bike. Instead of typical athletic shorts and jerseys, models will sport practical urban and casual cycling wear while riding urban, folding, utilitarian and commuting bikes.

To complement the cycling fashion on the runway, cycling-inspired art by a variety of artists will be on display at the fashion show venue.

Product submissions for possible inclusion in the Urban Legend Fashion and Art Show are due no later than September 9. To make a submission, send a completed product submission form and lo-res photo to Mia Kohout at mia@momentumplanet.com. For art submissions, please send an email to at Thomas Prehn at thomasprehn@me.com.

For schedule information about the Urban Legend Fashion and Art Show and other events at the 2009 Interbike International Bicycle Expo, please go to http://www.interbike.com/eventsseminars/master-schedule.

With many category-specific events and show features, Interbike continues to serve as the annual gathering place for the cycling industry

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. - Interbike continues to be the place for gathering members of the bike industry at the 2009 Interbike International Expo and Outdoor Demo in Las Vegas the week of September 21-25. While at the five-day event, attendees and media will see the latest products and technologies from every major bicycle, component and accessory manufacturer in the cycling industry.

"This year's Interbike is shaping up to be among our strongest shows," said Andy Tompkins, Interbike's show director. "Just as in years past, attendees will have the opportunity to meet with all their key suppliers along with enjoying the comradery and networking the show naturally provides. Regardless of individual sales and marketing strategies, manufacturers recognize the value of participating in the week-long industry event. We are looking forward to another successful show."

Advanced Sports Inc. is one of the 1,100 brands preparing to participate in next month's industry event.

"Interbike provides us the opportunity to tell our complete brand story and meet new and existing customers, especially with our Breezer, SE and Kestrel lines," said Pat Cunnane, president of Advanced Sports, Inc., parent company of Breezer, Fuji, Kestrel and SE Bicycles. "Even with a tough economy, Interbike is the place to be. Last year at Interbike we successfully launched the Breezer line of commuter bikes, and this year we are looking forward to a successful relaunching of Breezer mountain bikes as well."

Interbike will also host 65 new exhibitors including SANYO, a major electronics company that chose Interbike to launch one of its first electric bikes for the North America consumer bike market.

"While SANYO is exhibiting at Interbike for the first time, we are not newcomers to the cycling industry," said David Cabanban, business development manager for SANYO North America Corporation. "Our first product was a bicycle lamp, and Interbike offers us the perfect stage to place our latest innovations in electric bike technology in front of top industry influencers and allow retailers and the media to ride the future."

Kicking off with the only industry demo event of its kind, the Interbike Outdoor Demo gives attendees the chance to put the latest bikes and accessories through real-to-life testing. Amid the backdrop of Bootleg Canyon, home to one of International Mountain Bicycling Association's (IMBA) "Epic Rides," Outdoor Demo will provide an extensive groomed trail network, downhill-specific trails and dirt-jumping section. Returning features will also include a closed-cyclocross course set up and managed by CrossVegas LLC.

For road bike dealers and enthusiasts, Outdoor Demo will also include a closed road loop for demos and the annual Tour de Lake Mead. The 24-mile ride to Lake Mead and back continues to be a fun networking opportunity and a great way to give retailers and journalists an extended demo on vendor's latest bikes and gear.

Once inside the expo at the Sands Convention Center, Interbike will host a number of product launches, business meetings and events tied to recent growth in the commuter and electric bike categories.

After positive feedback from attendees and exhibitors alike, the Urban Legend Fashion Show will highlight a range of stylish, smart, sexy and professional clothing that fit into everyday life and work great on a bike. Instead of a traditional catwalk, a road loop will be laid out in the main exhibit hall. Urban Legend attendees will gather in and around the loop, while models ride among the audience. The innovative layout, inspired by Momentum magazine, allows the models to display urban cycling apparel and bikes in action and allows each attendee a front row seat.

The Light Electric Vehicle Association (LEVA) will be hosting two seminars during the Interbike Expo aimed at helping retailers sell more electric bikes (e-bikes) and how to trouble shoot repairs for e-bikes.

BMX, a vibrant category that is also an important gateway for youth into many of the other cycling categories, will be prominently displayed at Interbike with a professionally built BMX track at Outdoor Demo, the BMX Zone, Rail Jam and a special BMX editorial section in the Interbike Event Guide produced by RideBMX magazine. For more information please see Interbike's recent press release.

Once the tradeshow workday is done, Interbike participants are invited to attend the third annual CrossVegas and USA CRITS Finals on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, respectively.

CrossVegas competitors will include both Elite Women's and Men's races along with the Wheelers and Dealers race for industry members. Interbike will provide complimentary shuttle service for attendees from The Sands to the race location from 6:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m., shuttles leaving every 15 minutes.

The USA CRITS Finals are the grand finale to the 2009 USA CRITS National Series and will be held at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. The event will feature Pro Men, Pro Women and Amateur competitor categories along with an Industry Cup, all on a fast and technical 1-kilometer course.

For more information about the week-long Interbike Expo and Outdoor Demo event, please visit www.interbike.com.

The new design of Interbike.com highlights and expands on the site's most-used features, and includes resources to help attendees manage time at the show

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. - Interbike today announced the launch of its revamped website, which includes expanded exhibitor resources, enhanced attendee show planning features and resources for the entire cycling industry.

The website has been launched with three months to go before the bicycle industry's largest gathering in North America, the 2009 OutDoor Demo in Boulder City, Nev., September 21-22 followed by the Interbike International Bicycle Expo at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, September 23-25.

"The new Interbike website is much more than a needed face lift - it truly enhances the user experience," said Rich Kelly, Interbike marketing manager. "Primary goals of the redesign were to make the most widely used features easier to find and to provide richer and more in-depth exhibitor information and show planning tools so retailers can make the most of their time before, during and after Interbike. We also wanted to better integrate our social media efforts with our main website for a more interactive and community oriented experience."

Interbike's website now uses a contemporary design to highlight its most used features such as the newly enhanced exhibitor floorplan and directory, the events schedule and industry news. The homepage's Product Showcase gallery links directly to the searchable Product Showcase itself, which features details of innovative products exhibitors will be debuting at this year's show.

The Product Showcase and the enhanced exhibitor directory and floor mapping are part of the show's new "Interbike Planner" tool. Exhibitors will be able to upload and enter detailed information about their company and offerings including photos, video and show specials retailers will be able to view while preparing for the show.

In addition, the revamped Interbike.com expands the cycling industry's social networking with links to Interbike's Twitter feed, Facebook page, Flickr account and YouTube channel. The Interbike Times blog is also prominently integrated into its homepage, along with news content from Bicycle Retailer & Industry News and news feeds from online bicycle news sites and advocacy partners. These homepage features make Interbike.com a central location for key cycling industry news, information and social networking resources.

New planning features on the Interbike website include:

• A richer and more dynamic exhibitor directory
• Enhanced exhibitor profiles with capability to include more company information, product information, images and video
• Easier-to-use interactive floorplan map
• A mobile phone optimized version of the website to allow easy access to the exhibitor directory and schedule from the show floor

Interbike has also expanded its online attendee resources to include a:

• Password-protected area for attendees only
• Detailed show planner to schedule and keep track of appointments, seminars and other events
• Match-making system to help buyers find exhibitors offering products of interest to them.

Online retail attendee registration has been open since May. With today's re-launch of Interbike.com, online exhibitor registration for Interbike 2009 is officially open as well. To register, please go to the Interbike 2009 Registration page. Registration is free to qualified buyers through August 19, 2009.