FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 3, 2022
Contact: Brendon Cameron brendon@westernspirit.com
Western Spirit Cycling Announces Outerbike Changes for 2022
Moab, UT– Today, Western Spirit Cycling, the producer of Outerbike, announced final Outerbike dates for the 2022 season and an expanded expo component planned for this year’s events.
In line with current projections related to bike availability, Outerbike events in Killington VT, Duluth MN, and Crested Butte, CO will not run in 2022. Western Spirit’s Mark Sevenoff said, “We absolutely love riding in Killington, Duluth, and Crested Butte and can’t wait to share these great places with Outerbike riders. We have heard from cyclists in these regions and they are already looking forward to these events in 2023.”
For this year Outerbike Moab Sept 30-Oct 2 and Outerbike Bentonville Oct 21-23 will take place as demo fleets fill in and availability improves. The number of full demo tickets will be calibrated to the fleets available. Many prospective shoppers are anxiously awaiting the opening of ticket sales on April 15, 2022.
In addition, new for 2022 will be an expanded array of bike accessories and outdoor products. With less Full Demo packages available more attendees then ever will choose the BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike) pass and we want to give them plenty to #seetrybuy at our events. Brendon Cameron, Western Spirit’s General Manager said, “Outerbikers are looking for more info on every imaginable outdoor product, from tires and helmets to tents and camp chairs. An expanded Outerbike expo will give the creators of these products a great opportunity to connect with, and sell to, core outdoor consumers.”
"Since its creation, Specialized has always been a part of Outerbike. Watching hundreds of people run to demo our newest products is amazing. We're excited to be part of this year's Outerbike and all future events."
Mike Hall- Brand Experience Manager Specialized Bicycle Components
About Outerbike
Outerbike is the premier provider of multi-day, off-road experiential consumer cycling events from the owners of Western Spirit Cycling. Celebrating its twelfth year in 2022, Outerbike is a unique collaboration between bike and outdoor brands, bike-focused cities and towns, and cycling enthusiasts from around the world to create ‘see, try and buy’ opportunities for the growing community of enthusiast cyclists looking to find their perfect bike and gear. Outerbike’s platform offers both a community hub and resources – both online and at physical event locations – that enable specialty brands to support the consumer decision journey from research to purchase through authentic, shareable experiences in iconic outdoor locations.
About Western Spirit
Founded in 1990, Western Spirit Cycling is an adventure bike touring company headquartered in Moab, Utah, which runs multi-day bicycle tours and outdoor events on public lands throughout the country. Western Spirit works closely with Public Lands Solutions, a non-profit recreation economy consultant.
Media Contact:
Alexa McRoberts
Verde Brand Communications
#717-808-9653
Outerbike Announces New Online Bike Finder Connecting Riders with Exhibiting Bike Brands & Releases 2021 In-Person Event Dates and Locations
Introducing “Your Friend in the Bike Business,” Outerbike’s new website quiz designed to support new and existing riders on their path to purchase a new bike.
MOAB, Utah (November 12, 2020) – Outerbike, the premier three-day experiential consumer event dedicated to helping mountain bikers find their perfect bike, today launches an exciting new website feature that will help riders determine which bikes best meet their needs, during a time when it’s difficult to do so in person. This bike finder quiz called “Your Friend in the Bike Business” serves as an interactive guide leading consumers to the bike category that’s best for them.
“About 10 years ago we started Outerbike to help every cyclist find their perfect bike. Outerbike brings bike manufacturers and their demo fleets to amazing trail locations where riders can test bikes on real trails,” said Ashley Korenblat, co-founder of Outerbike. “With the huge influx of new cyclists to our community, we want to make them feel welcome. We want to demystify choosing a bike and be their friend in the bike business. The bike finder is designed to help both new and experienced cyclists find the right category and begin their purchasing journey.”
In order to support the increase in new cyclists (according to NPD Group via Bicycle Retailer, bike sales saw a 63% growth year-over-year in June), the Outerbike bike finder aims to welcome newcomers into the sport in a neutral, helpful and purely educational way. This tool will help people hone in on their bike match by asking a series of targeted questions regarding their needs, hopes and riding plans. From there, the quiz will lead them to a group of bikes from Outerbike exhibitors that are the best match based on the rider’s answers and send them directly to the manufacturer’s website to learn more, ask additional questions and make a purchase.
“Amidst the pandemic, we’ve seen an influx of new riders entering the bike community and we’re so excited for the opportunity to help them along their journey to purchasing a bike, which we know is a huge deal and investment,” said Mark Sevenoff, co-founder of Outerbike. “‘Your Friend in the Bike Business’ was designed to do just that -- be an approachable and unbiased resource for new and seasoned riders alike. We are working to educate riders in a quick and easy way through the quiz, so they can get out there, on the bike that’s right for them. After all, each bike model is designed with a certain rider in mind and this online tool works to bridge that gap and make those connections.”
"This is a great tool for people looking to buy a new bike. There are so many excellent choices available — it’s hard to find a bad bike at this point — but we, the bike industry, tend to make it harder than it needs to be,” said Joe Parkin of Boneshaker Cycles in Buena Vista, CO. “I see it in the shop all the time; people come in and they are the victims of information overload. When we ask them who they are as a rider, where they ride, and what their riding goals are, we are able to point them in a general category direction. I like to tell them that, once they find that category, they’re free to pick the bike they like the looks of — maybe from a company whose ethos they like. I see them relax and smile, and the bike-buying process becomes fun again. This tool from Outerbike does exactly that."
‘Your Friend in the Bike Business’ will connect consumers of all abilities and experience levels to bikes brands like Yeti, Ibis, Canyon, Specialized, Pivot, Rocky Mountain, Alchemy, Fezzari, Esker and many more.
“Bike shopping can be overwhelming, but 'Your Friend in the Bike Business’ is a great starting place to find your first or your next bike,” said Brian Curran of Outspokin’ Cycles in Columbia, SC.
The Outerbike team is also excited to officially announce its 2021 in-person event dates starting in the third quarter of next year. Below are the 2021 Outerbike event dates and locations:
Killington, VT July 23 - 25
Crested Butte, CO August 13 - 15
Duluth, MN August 27-29
South Lake Tahoe, CA September 17 - 19
Moab, UT October 1 - 3
Bentonville, AR October 22 - 24
Mark your calendars, keep wearing your masks, and we look forward to riding with you next year! For more information and to try out the Your Friend in the Bike Business Bike Finder, please visit https://www.outerbike.com/your-friend-in-the-bike-business.
Outerbike Adds Four New Experiential Event Destinations, Activating ‘See Try Buy’ in Seven Iconic Riding Locations in 2020
New venues bridge core qualified consumers to more specialty brands + retailers nationwide
MOAB, Utah (Feb. 6, 2020) – Outerbike, the premier three-day experiential consumer event dedicated to helping mountain bikers find their perfect bike and gear, celebrates a decade of successful partnership connecting specialty bike brands with qualified, enthusiast riders in 2020.
To mark the anniversary, Mark Sevenoff and Ashley Korenblat, founders of Outerbike, are launching four new venues to the 2020 lineup: Deer Valley, UT; Duluth, MN; South Lake Tahoe, CA; and Killington, VT. The four new locations will supplement perennial Outerbike favorites Crested Butte, CO; Bentonville, AR; and Moab, UT.
The expanded 2020 events will connect more consumers to bikes brands like Yeti, Ibis, Canyon, Specialized, Pivot, Rocky Mountain, Alchemy, Fezzari, Esker and more.
Along with the seven total venues, Outerbike will also debut new marketing tools for brand exhibitors created to power connection between brands and the qualified, enthusiast consumers Outerbike counts in its expanding audience. The new marketing programs will bolster ROI for exhibitors by enabling them to connect with consumers before, during, and after the events. These programs will deliver brand experiences to riders, create shareable brand content, and obtain IRL (In Real Life) brand and product feedback.
“Outerbike is trusted to bring together the best mountain bike brands in the world with qualified, avid riders, early adopters and devoted cyclists who are intent on finding their next bike,” said co-founder Ashley Korenblat. “We want each Outerbike event to be a unique and authentic platform for brands to serve consumers as they navigate their purchase decision. Outerbike works with our venues to host a VIP experience for consumers, while our brand partners enable them to try the best bikes available on the most thrilling and iconic riding terrain.”
Yeti Cycles President, Chris Conroy, committed to six out of seven of the 2020 Outerbike events, and views Outerbike as a way to stay close to the brand’s target rider.
“Outerbike riders are all about seeking out great riding experiences and immersing themselves in the culture of mountain biking – they share the same DNA as we do at Yeti, and that’s why Outerbike gives us a great opportunity to grow our Tribe,” Conroy said.
Outerbike events give consumers an opportunity to explore, progress, and experience mountain biking from an insider's perspective, taking the “see, try, buy” from a concept to reality.
“The goal when Outerbike was founded 10 years ago was to create a consumer experience that melded incredible brands and products with best-in-class riding destinations,” said Outerbike CEO Ken Meidell. “Our goal is still centered on hosting and serving qualified consumers to a completely unique on-dirt ‘shopping experience,’ and our additional venues increase accessibility for more riders to find their ideal bike while connecting directly and more deeply with the brands they’re considering.”
The dates for 2020 Outerbike events are:
Deer Valley, UT – June 19-21, 2020
Killington, VT – July 24-26, 2020
Crested Butte, CO – August 14-16, 2020
Duluth, MN – August 28-30, 2020
South Lake Tahoe, CA – September 18-20, 2020
Moab, UT – October 2-4, 2020
Bentonville, AR – October 23-25, 2020
“I always go right before it’s time for me to buy a new bike,” said Bryce Randle, a veteran of multiple Outerbike events. “But whether I’m actively looking or just want to be surrounded by others that share the same passion, Outerbike is where it’s at.”
“Outerbike isn’t just about being able to demo different bikes,” said first-time attendee of last year’s Crested Butte, CO, Outerbike event, Grace Guryan. “There is a communal vibe: Everyone is there to ride, and it makes for a truly unique three-day destination event. But the sheer range of bikes I was able to demo for what it would cost to demo 2-3 at my local shop definitely made me feel like a kid in a candy store.”
For more information on each of Outerbike’s destinations, pass types, and to register, please visit www.outerbike.com.
About Outerbike
Outerbike is the premier provider of multi-day, off-road experiential consumer cycling events from the owners of Western Spirit Cycling. Celebrating its tenth year in 2020, Outerbike is a unique collaboration between bike and outdoor brands, bike-focused cities and towns, and cycling enthusiasts from around the world to create ‘see, try and buy’ opportunities for the growing community of enthusiast cyclists looking to find their perfect bike and gear. Outerbike’s platform offers both a community hub and resources – both online and at physical event locations – that enable specialty brands to support the consumer decision journey from research to purchase through authentic, shareable experiences in iconic outdoor locations.
About Western Spirit
Founded in 1990, Western Spirit Cycling is an adventure bike touring company headquartered in Moab, Utah, which runs multi-day bicycle tours and outdoor events on public lands throughout the country. Western Spirit works closely with Public Lands Solutions, a non-profit that supports effective and sustainable public land solutions through outreach and planning.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Kevin Nicol-Lints
Verde Brand Communications
