Park Tool takes Tech Summits to D.C. and Portland • CSG to open new R&D facility this summer • USA BMX announces free racing on Olympic Day • Advocacy groups in Mississippi and Arizona get $25,000 in grants • Peaks Coaching adds to veteran coaching roster
ST. PAUL, MN (BRAIN)—Park Tool is taking its popular hands-on mechanic training to Washington, D.C. and Portland, Oregon, in 2013. The Tech Summits are scheduled for Jan. 28-29 at the Hyatt Dulles Hotel and Feb. 11-12 at the Sheraton Portland Airport.
Both hotels provide free shuttles from the airport and discount rates for attendees.
The cost to attend is $200 and includes the two-day course, manual, breakfast and lunch, and drinks and appetizers during a reception on one of the nights. Classes are limited to 30.
Park Tool’s Bill Armas said the Tech Summits sell out quickly. More than 450 mechanics attended the two sold-out clinics earlier this year in Atlanta and Minneapolis.
“More than 50 percent of our attendees were first timers,” said Armas. “They brought a real energy to the program and were very appreciative for the opportunity to attend. We want to capture some of that same vibe with the two new cities we have chosen to host the 2013 Tech Summits.”
Professional mechanics can register at Park Tool’s website.
CSG to open new R&D facility this summer
BETHEL, CT (BRAIN)—Cycling Sports Group will open a new research and development facility in the university town of Freiburg, Germany, this summer to be led by Peter Denk, who has collaborated with CSG over the past four years.
“CSG continues to build our research and development team in Bethel, Connecticut, Taichung, Taiwan and now Freiburg, Germany,” said Jeff McGuane, president of CSG, in a press release. “With our newest facility in Freiburg, the research and development team will benefit from a diverse location close to the pulse of the European cycling market while still operating as one global unit.”
The 6,500-square-foot facility is within the Ganter brewery campus and near the Black Forest, which will serve as the testing grounds for new product. Ganter, a family owned business since 1865, developed a new campus on their grounds for educational facilities and businesses that promote active and environmentally sustainable lifestyles.
Cycling Sports Group includes Cannondale, Schwinn, GT and Mongoose and is part of Dorel Industries’ recreational/leisure segment.
USA BMX announces free racing on Olympic Day
GILBERT, AZ (BRAIN)—USA BMX will allow free use of several racing tracks around the U.S. to celebrate Olympic Day (June 23), a worldwide commemoration of the first International Olympic Committee meeting and the founding of the modern Olympic Games.
Nearly 300 BMX tracks will participate beginning June 22 through Sunday, July 1.
“BMX racing is a great activity and sport for kids and kids at heart,” said BA Anderson, CEO of USA BMX, the race sanctioning body of BMX with more than 70,000 members and 350 racing facilities. “We are excited about this opportunity to introduce new people to our sport and hope that thousands will take advantage of this opportunity.”
USA BMX formed last year following the merger of the American Bicycle Association and the National Bicycle League and is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona.
For locations of participating tracks, go to USA BMX’s website.
Advocacy groups in Mississippi, Arizona get $25,000 in grant money
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Bike Walk Mississippi and Living Streets Alliance in Tucson, Arizona, are the recipients of the latest round of grants from Advocacy Advance, an initiative of the Alliance for Biking & Walking and the League of American Bicyclists.
Bike Walk Mississippi will receive a $10,000 grant to hire a campaign manager to work with communities to become bike-friendly. Living Streets Alliance (LSA) will put its $15,000 grant toward the hire of its first full-time executive director. A top priority for the LSA is addressing pedestrian safety given the 23 ped fatalities in Tucson last year. It will address this issue through grassroots efforts to gain support for its 2012-2013 Pedestrian Safety & Comfort campaign. It will also supplement bike programs and events with Tucson’s first open-streets event, Cyclovia.
Since 2009, Advocacy Advance has awarded more than $750,000 in grants to 40 state and local advocacy groups to improve biking and walking in their communities.
In 2012, the grants specifically target capacity building efforts. Advocacy Advance received 47 applications with proposals requesting a total of $560,000. The grants were made possible with funding by Planet Bike.
Peaks Coaching adds to veteran coaching roster
BEDFORD, VA—Peaks Coaching Group is adding two prominent cycling coaches to its roster, Omer Kem and Len Pettyjohn, bringing its coaching staff to more than 40.
“The addition of Len Pettyjohn to focus on Peaks’ masters athletes will enhance our coaching staff immensely,” said Peaks’ Kathy Watts. “And Omer Kem will do the same for budding new cycling talent.”
Pettyjohn is a 30-year veteran to cycling, involved in riding, racing, cycling team management and event organization. He organized and coached many teams to world-class results including the Coors Light Pro team, Crest Amateur Team, and Lowery’s women’s team. Kem is a seven-year U.S. pro and now race director for the U.S. Bissell team. He will work to develop young racers and move them up the ranks.
“Len and Omer are coaches that have unique cycling experiences,” said Hunter Allen, owner of Peaks Coaching Group. “Both have been through my extensive Peaks Power Training Certification and are now available for athletes.”
