BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
The Outdoors Show (15-17th March) has hands-on features such as: the Tyolean Traverse, the Arctic Temperature Chamber, the Virtual Hang Glider and the Ordnance Survey Virtual Flying Machine. There’s also the Ruddles-sponsored County Arms pub area.
Orbit, the ACT and CTC have all booked bike-related stands.
Also launching at the show are on and off-road rides in the countryside that are free to enter. These are part of the National Outdoor Welcome campaign to be launched at the show and includes many of the 200 Sustrans’ ‘Pedalling Picnics’ and hundreds of club rides that take place during Bike Week (details from Nick Harvey, Bike Week Co-ordinator, tel: 01243 543888, email nick@bikeweek.org.uk).
Then, the weekend after, there’s Bike Show 2002.
There’s a bigger hall this year (last year’s was too small and many disgruntled ticket holders couldn’t gain access) so, says Haymarket/Future there are "bigger areas for testing, more top-flight riders, extra audience seating and an extended retail village."
35 000 bargain hunting youths will be able to see 100 trade stands as well as three days of BSX racing, street riding comps, Vert ramp action and trials displays. International stars competing include current world champions Phil Dolan, Dale Holmes plus Greg Minaar and Jamie Bestwick.
Exhibitors include Orange, Muddy Fox and Hot Wheels (the Merry clan are showcasing Mongoose and flying in the top-notch Mongoose team too).
Mike Poyzer’s Onza is sponsoring the Trials Arena.
Saracen, in conjunction with the brown-shirt wearing MAD display team, is again sponsoring the interactive Trials area.
The American Bicycle Group will be display Tomac bikes and other goodies from its portfolio. Extra UK are there with Felt bikes and Ripping Motos are there with Alpine Stars respectively. Two Wheel Trading will be displaying Atomic and Intense products. Pashley will be there with the new TV Series bikes and frames.
"As well as the established names, many first-time exhibitors are seeing The
Bike Show as the perfect way to introduce themselves to the UK market,"
said Haymarket’s Louise Houston, the show manager.
"With 35 000 enthusiastic bike fans packing out the NEC over the three days, The Bike Show offers a perfect opportunity to achieve instant brand recognition amongst a core biking audience."
The Bike Show Circuit Cup races on the NEC grounds during the Saturday of the event are organised by British Cycling and include First and Elite categories.
