Val Vanderpool

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. 

All articles by Val Vanderpool

April 15, 2016

MONTEREY, Calif. (BRAIN) — When Pure Cycles' co-founder Michael Fishman took the podium at the Bicycle Leadership Conference this afternoon, he apologized for fumbling with the mouse. "I'm a Millennial. This is a PC," he said, laughing. "I don't know how to use these things."

Posted in Industry News
April 7, 2016

LONGMONT, Colo. (BRAIN) — Retailers Rick and Jill Emerson, who own Bike-n-Hike in Longmont, are welcoming Colorado's spring season with open arms this year. As recipients of BRAIN's second Retail Remodel Project, the Emersons are already seeing positive results all around.

Posted in Retail News
April 7, 2016

PORTLAND, Ore. (BRAIN) — When Park Chambers, owner of three shops in Portland and Hood River, Oregon, was considering opening a fourth brick-and-mortar location, he wanted to mix it up. The shop would be service oriented, focusing on suspension overhaul and tuning with fast turnaround times.

Posted in Retail News
March 2, 2016

TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN) — The principals of major companies from around the world shared the stage on the opening day of the Taipei Cycle Show for the first-ever advocacy Leaders' Panel.

Posted in International
February 19, 2016
Ozone Bike Dept. closed after 23 years in business.

AUSTIN, Texas (BRAIN) — In a space of one month, three Austin retailers will close their doors.

Weather woes, low oil prices, high real estate costs and market saturation are among factors that have put the squeeze on the city’s retail landscape.

Posted in Retail News
February 18, 2016

KENNEWICK, Wash. (BRAIN) — When self-proclaimed recovering workaholic Heather Henderson left her job at Cervélo last year, she traveled the long way to her hometown in southeast Washington state.

Posted in Retail News
February 17, 2016

MOORPARK, Calif. (BRAIN) — Christopher Rubin’s interest in bikes started when Speedplay founder Richard Bryne moved into his childhood San Diego neighborhood.

“When Richard moved next door, he got all of us kids interested in cycling,” Rubin said. “I was the only one who stayed with it.”

Posted in Retail News
February 12, 2016

IRVINE, Calif. (BRAIN) — When Andy Lightle's wife asked him what he wanted for his birthday eight years ago, he couldn't think of anything he really needed.

Posted in Industry News
January 28, 2016

LONGMONT, Colo. (BRAIN) — The planning phase of Bicycle Retailer's second Retail Remodel Project is well underway at Bike-n-Hike in Longmont.

Posted in Retail News
January 26, 2016

MARINA DEL REY, Calif. (BRAIN) — Around 185 retailers, event organizers, suppliers and media gathered for Triathlon Business International's annual conference, held in Los Angeles this week.

Posted in Industry News

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