SANTA FE, NM (BRAIN)—Outside magazine unveiled its best places to work in its May issue that hit newsstands yesterday.
The magazine’s criteria looked for companies that make it easy for employees to balance productivity with an active eco-conscious lifestyle. Outside partnered with the Outdoor Industry Association and the Best Companies Group, an independent research firm.
Only four bike companies made the cut including Clif Bar & Co. (No. 1 in the 50-249 employees group), Smith Optics (No. 4 in the 50-249 employees group), Western Spirit Cycling (No. 7 in the 15-49 employees group) and Adventure Cycling Association (No. 9 in the 15-49 employees group.
It’s no real surprise Clif Bar heads up the list. Among the reasons why the Berkeley, California company was chosen, according to Outside: employees have the option to log their 80 hours in nine days and can work out anytime in a health facility packed with fitness machines and two climbing walls. If that’s not enough, how about a full schedule of free yoga, martial arts, dance and Spinning classes.
“It’s a great honor,” said Dean Mayer, communications manager at Clif Bar & Co. “We just have an array of fun offerings where people want to come to work.”
Clif’s not the only fun place to work. Get your work done at Smith Optics and you can establish your own hours, which means a lot when you live in the ski-town of Ketchum, Idaho, with world-class mountain biking and fishing at your fingertips.
“I think they chose us because it’s real unique place to work, and they looked at how fun of a place it is to work here,” said Greg “Chopper” Randolph, public relations/communications manager at Smith Optics.
Western Spirit Cycling in Moab, Utah, an outfitter that offers guided cycling trips everywhere from California redwood country to Costa Rica, lives by owner Ashley Korenblat’s anthem: “Save the world through cycling.” Employees at Western Spirit Cycling get discounts on their guiding gear, bikes for the entire family at cost and one free trip each year—with a friend.
Missoula, Montana’s Adventure Cycling Association rewards its loyal employees with Friday-afternoon staff rides and a free spot—with a friend—on one of more than 40 cycling trips.
—Jason Norman
