Val is BRAIN’s newest staff writer. She comes to the magazine with a varied background including stints as a bike shop manager, bicycle tour guide, and race and event director. She also worked as a freelance writer in the outdoor and travel industries. Most recently, she taught women’s clinics and drove a demo van, working with Giant retailers all over the west. An Idaho native who has lived all over the northwest, Val is excited about her recent relocation to sunny southern California, where she can mountain bike, trail run, and garden year round. She lives in Silverado canyon with her boyfriend Brian and their two dogs.
Val Vanderpool
All articles by Val Vanderpool
PITLOCHRY, Scotland (BRAIN) — Under uncharacteristically clear blue skies, Giant unveiled its all new range of Defy road bikes to editors who attended the 2015 on-road media event set in the Scotland Highlands last week.
PARK CITY, Utah (BRAIN) — Utah's characteristic summer bluebird skies returned on Thursday, and almost the only evidence of the snow that fell earlier in the week was the hero dirt it left behind.
PARK CITY, Utah (BRAIN) — It wasn't until late morning on day two of Summer PressCamp that the snow started melting at Deer Valley Resort, but by midafternoon Wednesday, the ski runs were green again and the sun had brought temperatures out of the high 30s.
PARK CITY, Utah (BRAIN) — With cold, wet and snowy weather canceling afternoon demo rides, the editors attending Summer PressCamp could only admire but not test the plethora of products unveiled as the event kicked off this week at Deer Valley Resort.
IRVINE, Calif (BRAIN) — Shimano gave the go ahead for media to publish details of its first electronic-shifting off-road group — XTR Di2 — at 8:01 am. PT Friday.
OGDEN, Utah (BRAIN) — Any city set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and hemmed in by two rivers is bound to be an outdoor recreation mecca — even only if by proxy.
IRVINE, Calif. (BRAIN) – Shimano has unveiled its newest XTR mountain bike component line, including an 11-speed drivetrain with 1x11 capability. Billing the line as its most advanced XTR line yet, the group features Race and Trail "Rider Tuned" products that are more tunable than previous generations.
MONTEREY, Calif. (BRAIN) – Retailers and industry professionals gathered Tuesday night for the start of this year's IBD Summit in its new venue at the Museum of Monterey.
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (BRAIN) — Time Sport USA has announced that it will resume distribution of its pedals, cleats and composite frames in the U.S. QBP will continue to distribute Time pedals and cleats.
FORT MADISON, Iowa (BRAIN) — When Slipstream Cycling owner Mike Winnike began serving smoothies to customers in his shop, he had no idea how far the food side of his business would ultimately take him.