SANTA ANA, Calif. (BRAIN) — Longtime bike journalist Roy Wallack has been commissioned to write a book about Richard Long, the co-founder of GT Bicycles.
Long died in 1996 in a motorcycle accident while driving to Big Bear, California for a NORBA National. He was 46.
The book project was driven by Richard's wife Wanda and son Chris, and is designed to cover the era and circumstances that led to the first meeting between Long and Gary Turner (the "GT" in GT), through the brand's rise in BMX and mountain biking, and eventually as suppliers to the U.S. Olympic team.
Wallack is best known for his longtime work with the Los Angeles Times. He was editor of Bicycle Guide magazine in the 1990s and has been a freelancer for many titles and author of "Bike for Life: How to Ride To 100."
Wallack has already begun his preliminary research; currently the book is targeted for completion by fall of 2019.
"Richard's story has been a goal of ours for some time," says Wanda Long, "and we are thrilled to see it finally in motion. He was so remarkable and being able to share his backstory, and that of GT's humble beginnings all the way through the soaring growth years of the '80's and '90s is something our family is thrilled about. We expect this to be much more than just a bicycle company story and believe Roy (Wallack) will be able to capture all of the magic that went into this very special time and place."
Wallack said, "I was around during GT's rise to greatness and I am aware of its impact on the sport, business and industry.
"Even still, after meeting with the Long family and several longtime employees, including Todd Huffman and Doug Martin, both of whom worked directly with Richard, it is evident what a special man Richard was and how so much of what GT accomplished boiled down to his ability to inspire others and will things to happen. Having spent my career writing mainly about the bike world, this project is hugely inspirational to me, and it is our collective goal to give Richard, the company he built and the bike industry the attention it deserves."
