by editors on November 30, 2016
We always hoped the next major advance at Strava would be better, easier ways to message and communicate with people we follow (Strava Messenger?), instead Strava is rolling out what they are calling Beta Clubs. On the surface these “clubs” appears to be nothing more than a news providers. Here’s how Strava is over pitching it:
The Beta Clubs mark the first time that content other than an activity could show up in your feed, which is a big step toward serving every need of the athlete. That’s an ambitious goal, and no doubt we’ll be learning and iterating along the way. But we’re up for the challenge, and these Beta Clubs will help lead the way. Only these clubs can post for now because we trust them to be awesome — they are going to show us and the rest of the Strava community what it means to run a great club. They’ll set the standard, and it won’t be long before we open the ability to post content to all clubs and athletes.
The Beta Clubs include popular media, retailers, and product brands Like Bicycling Magazine, Bike Radar, Canyon Bicycles, USA Cycling, Rapha, Clif, and Competitive Cyclist (that’s just seven of the twenty-seven brands listed). Users can “join” the clubs they want to get news from. Then each time the companies blast out “news” it will show up in the feed between rides.
While getting news from brands we care about might be interesting, this really looks more like a revenue generation play by Strava that will eventually lead to feeds clogged with irrelevant advertising. We sincerely hope this doesn’t happen, because we really like Strava. It is our Facebook. And if it becomes as annoying as Facebook we’ll be forced to purge it from our lives and that would be a serious bummer.
How do you feel about the new Beta Clubs? Let us know in the comments.
[Link: Strava Beta Clubs]
by editors on September 16, 2016
University bike sharing company Zagster and teamed up with Zipcar to launch the first national, sponsored bike-share program for the campuses of higher education called, Zipbike.
Zagster, which operates 140 bike-share programs across North America — including nearly two dozen on college campuses — will manage the Zipbike systems at all participating universities. Zipcar, which is the largest and most longstanding campus car sharing provider with operations on more than 500 college and university campuses, will launch at participating Zipbike campuses if they don’t already have Zipcar programs. . . “We know that today’s mobile-first, app-centric students value on-demand access over ownership,” said David Piperno, vice president of finance and strategy at Zipcar. “Zipcar programs on campuses improve the quality of life for students, faculty and staff alike by making it easy to access a car only when they need one, and our partnership with Zagster will allow us to offer that same access to bikes.”
Ride on, ride on, ride on. . . For the all the details on the new Zipbike systems and where you can find one, follow the jump.
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by editors on May 12, 2016
On Tuesday May 10, 2016 Strava held their first ever Global Bike to Work Day. Members who signed up recorded 79,879 cycling commute activities in 180 countries that day.
Strava commuters logged a total of 835,094 miles on Global Bike to Work Day, averaging 10.45 miles per ride. . . In total, 71,107 hours were spent commuting on the day, with the average commute time per rider being 53 minutes and 41 seconds.
These rides produced a total carbon offset of 514.51 tons. Just think if everyone rode to work every day? To see what it looked like, click here for an animated bike to work Strava heat map. To see how the countries ranked, follow the jump.
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by editors on March 18, 2016
In an email sent out to all members today (Friday, March 18, 2016) USA Cycling outlined a hack that had reportedly breached the organization’s website two days ago compromising the security of critical member information.
USA Cycling learned two days ago of a data security incident within USA Cycling’s IT systems that could include some personal information associated with online accounts, including names, mailing addresses, email addresses, dates of birth, emergency contacts, and USA Cycling passwords. It does NOT include any drivers’ license or state ID numbers, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, or medical or health insurance information, as we do not store such information.
In other words, every bit of info they had on us is likely out there. Had they stored info like credit cards numbers, it would be gone as well. In the email USA Cycling provided a link requiring that memberschange their passwords before getting access to the site again. Then, those links got so overloaded that the system no longer function. Finally, by 7:45 PM EDT they were able to get the password changing system back in working order. They also encouraged users who may have used the same passwords on other sites or services to change those passwords as well. Thanks, USAC!
For the official word from USA Cycling, please follow the jump.
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by editors on February 23, 2016
The Utah-based cult carbon bicycle accessories manufacture Enve has been snapped up by global sporting goods giant Amer Sport for $50 million, according to story on Bicycle Retailer.
“The acquisition accelerates Amer Sports’ cycling business especially in the United States and provides further expansion opportunities internationally. Enve brings capabilities in carbon technology, and it offers operational scale and synergy benefits complementing Amer Sports’ cycling category,” the company said.
Nice exit, Evne. The brand will be lumped in with Amer Sport’s portfolio that already includes: Mavic, Wilson, Salomon, Atomic, Arc’teryx, Suunto, Precor, DeMarini, and Louisville Slugger. More evidence suggesting that sales and technology are much easier to buy than to build.
[Link: Bicycle Retailer]
by editors on February 23, 2016
Surf journalist and writer Kimball Taylor’s new book The Coyote’s Bicycle, follows the flow of bicycles across the border between Mexico and the United States and makes the interesting case that bicycles are becoming one of the least tracked forms of illegal currency used to build illicit border businesses.
In an interview with The San Diego Union-Tribune, Taylor explains:
. . . bicycles are fungible, like a dollar. Once a bicycle leaves your hand, it joins the idea of a bike just the way a dollar would. That was shocking to me. Another journalist, Patrick Symmes, described it this way: “In America’s rough streets, there are four forms of currency — cash, sex, drugs, and bicycles. Of those, only one is routinely left outside unattended . . . I guess the most dramatic thing I learned on the trail of these bicycles was the story of El Indio, how this kid from an impoverished area who was abandoned with an elderly grandfather in his Oaxacan village was able to come to the border and see the value not in crossing but in becoming part of that underground economy, becoming a millionaire and losing everything dear to him in the process.”
We’re looking forward to reading this one. To purchase your own copy, please click here.
[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune]
by editors on October 25, 2015
On July 3, 2015 when Rob Roskopp and Rich Novak announced that they had sold Santa Cruz Bicycles to Dutch automobile importing company Pon Holding Group we all took a deep breath and hoped for the best. Neither Roskopp nor Novak are known for the patience while suffering fools, so we knew it would have to be a pretty bad day if they simply off-loaded the brand and walked away. Luckily, that didn’t happen.
In an interview with Bike Magazine’s Nicole Formosa, Roskopp outlines the ideas behind the sale, how it’s currently working, and what they have planned for the future. As always, he lays it down straight up. Here’s a bit on the sale:
Timing is everything. There are a lot of people throwing a lot of money around from private equity groups; we spoke to a number of them. I was getting calls from two different groups every week. Their whole model is to heavily leverage the company out and then sell it off in five years. I didn’t want that. I wanted a strategic partner, which Pon is. Like I said, we started talking three years ago. It was the former CEO for bike who’s not there anymore, and he came in right after we moved into our new building in Santa Cruz. And we just kept in touch, then I went over there (to the Netherlands, where Pon is based) a while later. We started talking more in-depth and seriously. At that time, it didn’t seem like it was going to work, so we just agreed to keep in communication and focus on building and growing the company. It got to the point when it was time to start moving on expanding in Europe. It’s funny, we contacted each other at the same time. We were getting ready to talk to a few other people, but I always thought they were the best fit for us.
For the rest of the interview, click the link.
[Link: Bike Magazine]
by editors on October 8, 2015
Folsom, California’s Bicycles Plus, like many bike shops, has gone through a couple iterations over the past five years. First as an independent, then as a “Trek store,” and now as the twelfth link in the Mike’s Bikes chain.
The good news is that through all this Folsom cyclists still have a good bike shop. The fact that it’s right around the corner from Karen’s Bakery is just cream in the coffee.
Mike’s Bikes Folsom, located at 705 Gold Lake Dr #320 in Folsom, California, will host their grand opening is this Saturday, October 10, 2015 beginning at 10 AM.
by editors on September 14, 2015
Last month, when news spread that Michael Marckx was stepping down as CEO of Spy eyewear the big question on Southern California competitive cyclists mind was “what will happen to the Spy Ride Giant cycling team?” Well, now we know.
According to a press release sent out today (September 14, 2015) the Spy Giant Ride team has merged with Monster Media Racing to become. . . well, Monster Media Racing. But there’s more: the Monster Media Racing Team will now be owned by and operated by MMR Sports Group, LLC which is, in turn, owned by Chris DeMarchi, Derric Swinfard, Phil Tinstman, and Michael Marckx.
Here’s what they’re saying:
The unification not only marks the most significant cycling team development in the region—the most competitive cycling arena in the country—it also paves the way for the strengthened team to both own the leader boards in all men’s and women’s road categories. In addition, and more importantly, the new team will serve as a marketing and distribution agency for the team’s sponsors across the country, where MMR has plans to launch with seven chapters in 2015 and grow to fifteen chapters by 2016.
“MMR will create opportunities for all stakeholders to enjoy the services and pursuits of the team as a marketing agency,” said Michael Marckx, former president/CEO of SPY and MMR Team Partner. “Our unique program is for both cyclists in pursuit of their athletic dreams and brands seeking new ways of communicating their brand messages while competing in the increasingly challenging cycling marketplace.”
For the official word from Monster Media Racing, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by editors on May 5, 2015
Big box outdoor retailer REI has reportedly given PeopleForBikes $100,000 in support of their Green Lane Project to help US cities build better bike lines and makes streets safer. Work is currently going down in six cities: Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and Seattle.
The grants are designed to help the cities advance their protected bike lane infrastructure and build public support and ridership for low-stress networks. Grant recipients will engage their local REI store in the project and provide a clear plan for measuring success. . . “Thanks to REI’s support, we will be able to demonstrate the many benefits that come to a city when it invests in safe, accessible places to ride,” said Martha Roskowski, PeopleForBikes vice president of local innovation. “These grants will help our focus cities become better places to live, work and play. ”
For the official word from PeopleForBikes, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
