Archives: Press Releases

DURANGO, Colo. (Sept. 29, 2023) — Durango Devo is hosting 2023 Vuelta a España winner, Sepp Kuss, for a homecoming celebration and bike parade. Kuss, a Devo alumn, will join the Durango community on Oct. 19 at Buckley Park for a speech, meet & greet, and more.

All members of the public are invited to attend this special appearance of Kuss, known worldwide as The Eagle of Durango. The event will kick off at 3:30 with speeches from Kuss and special guests and a Q&A with Kuss. At 4:30, there will be a bike parade down Main Avenue and returning to Buckley Park via East 2nd Avenue. The evening will end back at Buckley Park with autograph signings, live music, food, drink, and Sepp Kuss merchandise sales.

Sepp Kuss Celebration Schedule of Events – Thursday, October 19, 2023

Parking is limited: all attendees are encouraged to ride their bikes to the event

• 3:30 p.m. – Speeches and Q&A at Buckley
• 4:30 p.m. – Bike Parade: South on Main Avenue to the train station, left, then left on East 2nd Avenue, and north on East 2nd Avenue back to Buckley Park.
• 5:15 p.m. – Post Parade Celebration/Autographs/Live Music
• 7:00 – Buckley Park Closed

“Durango Devo is proud of all our alumni, and we’re certainly proud of Sepp Kuss! He is a great example of what makes Durango Devo and the Durango cycling community special,” says Levi Kurlander, executive director of Durango Devo. “We are honored to host the Vuelta a España champion and Tour de France stage winner and celebrate his achievements in his hometown.”

The Sepp Kuss homecoming celebration takes place during Spoketober, a month of bike-themed events during the entire month of October. Spoketober celebrates the cycling community that produced Kuss, as well as highlights the diverse and inclusive nature of cycling in Durango.

Special thanks for this event is owed to these community partners: Durango Devo staff and sponsors; the City of Durango; Visit Durango and Spoketober; Verde PR; Ska Brewing; the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic; Durango Trails; and Fort Lewis College Cycling.

In case of bad weather, the event will take place at the La Plata Fairground Exhibit Hall, and the parade will take place on the Animas River Trail. Necessary updates on a possible venue change will be made the week of the event and posted to social media.

About Durango Devo

Established in 2006, Durango Devo is a Colorado 501[c][3] youth non-profit organization Devo’s mission is to develop lifelong cyclists, and in practice, this means a lot more than just being great at riding bikes. Devo aims to foster a safe, respectful, and conscientious appreciation and stewardship for the environment by engaging Durango’s youth with the outdoors on their bikes. Devo strives to develop and better the lives of Durango’s youth through the power of the bicycle. Bikes provide a consistent and positive outlet for kids (and adults!) to hone and focus their energy. With Devo, kids learn the power of effective goal setting, experience the thrill of tangible improvement, and are inspired and empowered to translate these lessons to other aspects of their lives. Devo’s goals in the Durango community, in practice, incorporate Devo’s belief that bikes are an incredible tool for enacting positive, tangible change in the lives of the people who ride them. This, at the end of the day, is the guiding force that inspires all of us working with Devo. Today, there are over 600 kids in the program, 90 certified and trained coaches, and a group for every age, ability level, and interest. Thank you for your support! https://durangodevo.com

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TRUCKEE, CA (September 25, 2023) — The High Fives Foundation, a nonprofit committed to empowering adaptive athletes, is excited to announce a partnership with Offshore Greens, a leading provider of plant-based functional powder drinks. This alliance was catalyzed through a personal connection between Offshore Greens’ founder and High Fives athlete Tim Brown, host of the Unexpected Journey podcast.

As a “Five for Fives” partner and a 1% For the Planet member, Offshore Greens will donate a portion of proceeds to support the High Fives Foundation’s initiatives in athlete recovery and reintegration into active lifestyles. Offshore Greens will integrate High Fives Foundation branding into its product packaging, reinforcing its dedication to community service and enhancing the nonprofit’s visibility.

Roy Tuscany, CEO of the High Fives Foundation, commented, “This partnership not only amplifies our impact but also exemplifies the power of community connections in supporting our athletes.”

Willis Brown, Founder of Offshore Greens, added, “High Fives has been instrumental in Tim’s journey. This partnership is our way of giving back and aligning with an organization that shares our values, including the therapeutic benefits of the ocean.”

For more information about the High Fives Foundation, visit highfivesfoundation.org. For details on Offshore Greens, visit offshoregreens.com.

About High Fives Foundation: About High Fives Foundation High Fives Non-Profit Foundation focuses on preventing life-changing injuries and provides resources and hope if they happen. It was formed as a way to “pay-it-forward” by the founder, Roy Tuscany, after his own recovery from a spinal cord injury. The Foundation has expanded to help  670 Athletes from 46 States & Canada since its inception in 2009. The High Fives Foundation is a California-based, national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. https://highfivesfoundation.org/

About Offshore Greens: Pioneered in 2021, Offshore Greens stands as a leader in the sustainable organic nutrition landscape.

 

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Sep. 28, 2023) — Moultrie Mobile, a leading pioneer in cellular trail cameras that also offers an all-in-one remote monitoring app for hunters and property owners, is proud to announce noted outdoor conservation advocates and renowned hunting enthusiasts Jason Matzinger, Sam Soholt and Lindsey Browne Davis as its latest brand ambassadors.

The partnership represents the natural alignment of like-minded innovators and supporters of the hunting and outdoor conservation industries. It also unifies their efforts in enhancing the experience of wildlife enthusiasts in the field while promoting safe and responsible hunting practices.

“Jason, Sam, and Lindsey are prime examples of how avid hunters can respectfully pursue game while also committing themselves to preserving the great outdoors for future generations,” said Daniel Wilson, General Manager for Moultrie Mobile. “Their collective mission and values align closely with our own and we look forward to working together to advance each other’s efforts in serving the outdoor and hunting communities.”

Born and raised in Bozeman, Matzinger was introduced to the challenging terrain and wildlife of Montana’s backcountry as a child and grew eager to share his experiences. He began taking a camera on his adventures and is now the producer and host of the hit television series Into High Country with Jason Matzinger. He’s also produced highly acclaimed conservation-focused films and recently released his latest and highly regarded film, Chasing A Ghost.

Sam Soholt, a passionate conservationist, joins the Moultrie Mobile team bringing his unique perspective and dedication to wildlife preservation. Sam has been a professional photographer and videographer in the hunting industry for more than 10 years and has traveled the world to capture unique stories along the way. He also strongly advocates for public land access and conservation while using his platform and co-owned company Public Land Tees to raise awareness and money for public lands.

Lindsey Browne Davis is a passionate outdoorswoman who connects with nature through gardening, foraging, hunting and fishing. She is a fervent steward of ecosystem health and the well-being of wildlands and wildlife. In addition to her role as a brand ambassador for Moultrie Mobile, she works as the Director of Conservation and Advocacy at SITKA Gear where she actively promotes sustainable practices and conservation initiatives. Davis also serves on the board of directors for the Outdoor Alliance, The Conservation Alliance, and is a founding board member of the Utah Wildlife Federation.

To learn more about Moultrie Mobile, its conservation efforts, or its products, visit www.MoultrieMobile.com or download and demo the Moultrie Mobile app from the App Store or Google Play for free today.

About Moultrie Mobile
Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Moultrie Mobile is a rapidly-scaling software and connected hardware platform used by hunters, property owners, and others for real-time remote monitoring. Moultrie Mobile is a business unit of PRADCO Outdoor Brands. PRADCO’s hunting brands include Moultrie, Whitetail Institute, Texas Hunter, Summit, Knight & Hale and Code Blue. PRADCO Fishing manufactures and markets products for freshwater and saltwater anglers under 20+ brands including Rebel, YUM, Booyah, War Eagle Custom Lures, Lindy and Bomber.

ANNECY, FRANCE (September 28, 2023) — Salomon is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Doolan as President of the Americas. In his new role, Doolan will lead the company’s Americas business from its regional headquarters in Ogden, Utah, driving strategy, operations and growth within the region and serving as a key member of the Executive Board for the brand that is the global leader in trail running and winter sports.

“Salomon’s long heritage of product advancement and commitment to serving athletes and outdoor enthusiasts is inspiring and a huge motivating factor in my joining the team at this pivotal time,” Doolan said. “I have a lifelong history of using Salomon’s game changing products, from the S/LAB Shift ski touring binding and industry-altering skis like the Teneighty on the hardgoods side to Salomon soft shell fleeces on the apparel side. Now, I’m looking forward to spending more time in Salomon footwear on the trails near my home in the Rockies.”

Currently based in Utah, Doolan joins Salomon from Hoka, where he held a variety of strategic commercial, business development, and sports marketing roles over the past five years. Most recently, he served as Vice President & General Manager of Hoka US. A passionate trail runner, hiker, and resort and backcountry skier, Doolan was born in the French Alps and lived there for a total of eight years during his childhood.

“The Americas Region represents a large opportunity and a company priority,” said Franco Fogliato, President and CEO of Salomon. “Steve’s experience, knowledge and passion for the business will be an incredible asset to our team and our company. We are looking forward to him joining the Salomon Board and accelerating our growth path in the Americas.”

Since its inception in 1947, Salomon has pioneered a litany of innovative products in the outdoor industry, and Doolan joins the brand at a key moment its 76-year history. Today, Salomon creates high-performance footwear, apparel, gear and winter sports equipment that is used by a loyal community of followers from the high peaks of the Alps and the Rockies to urban environments around the world. Its Sportstyle footwear can even be found on fashion runways in Milan, Paris, Tokyo and beyond.

In the US, athletes like ultra-runner Courtney Dauwalter and Nordic skier Jessie Diggins have become sports icons during their time with Salomon. In 2023, Dauwalter became the first person to win the “triple crown” of 100-mile races in one season, winning the Western States 100, Hardrock 100 and UTMB® in Chamonix in a 70 day-span. Diggins has won Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals on Salomon equipment and, in 2021, became the first American woman to win the Nordic World Cup overall title. In 2023, she won gold at the World Championships.

Doolan will begin his new role with Salomon on October 23^rd.

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Salomon is the modern mountain sports lifestyle brand creating innovative, premium and authentic footwear, apparel and winter sports equipment in the French Alps. At the Annecy Design Center, designers, engineers and athletes intersect to shape the future of sports and culture. At Salomon, we exist to unleash the best in people through mountain sports.

 

MORRISVILLE, Vt. – (September 27, 2023) — Turtle Fur, the leading cold-weather headwear and accessories brand for over four decades, has selected Backbone to lead its integrated public relations and affiliate marketing strategy. As Turtle Fur expands its product offerings across all seasons and weather conditions, Backbone will build national awareness and support sales for the brand.

Turtle Fur founder, Millie Merrill, designed the first fleece neck warmer in the basement of a children’s apparel store in 1982. Her innovation, affectionately dubbed The Turtle’s Neck®, freed once scarf-bound skiers from their tangled and burdensome accessories. Today, Turtle Fur is a global household name with a product line that has evolved to include hats, gloves, and balaclavas – perfect not just for skiing but running, hiking, and everyday wear.

“With Backbone’s proven success reaching the outdoor and active lifestyle consumer, we look forward to strengthening Turtle Fur’s presence in the market,” said Erika Canfield, Vice President of Marketing and E-commerce at Turtle Fur. “This partnership is especially exciting as we share a strong commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and fostering diversity in the outdoors.”

In late 2022, Turtle Fur proudly announced its B Corp™ certification, reaffirming the commitment to use its business to drive positive impacts on people and the planet.

“Many of our team members grew up wearing Turtle Fur hats and neck warmers,” said Ian Anderson, Vice President of Public Relations at Backbone. “We’re excited to collaborate with their team to help the brand grow and introduce their exceptional products to a wider audience.”

About Turtle Fur

Since 1982 Turtle Fur has been a leading headwear and accessories brand in the outdoor, snow sports, and lifestyle markets. Their mission is to inspire an outdoor lifestyle by promoting socially and environmentally conscious living and creating comfortable products for every adventure(r).

Turtle Fur prides itself on holding true to its pillars of adventure, community, comfort, and quality. For more information, visit www.turtlefur.com and follow them on social media @turtlefur.

 

 

 

 

DURANGO, Colo. (Sept. 27, 2023) — Visit Durango is bringing back Spoketober for its second consecutive year of celebrating Durango’s tight-knit and passionate cycling community.  The month-long calendar of events highlights the dedication and sweat equity its residents have committed to making Durango one of the top cycling destinations in the nation, featuring over 300 miles of singletrack trails and being home to numerous Olympians. The community cycling event will take place throughout Durango and La Plata County, Colo. for the entire month of October 2023.

After a successful inaugural edition in 2022, this year Spoketober aims to solidify its position as an annual cycling event that attracts locals and holds national sway, akin to Crankworx Whistler or the Sea Otter Classic. The initiative bolsters Durango’s cycling legacy and celebrates its diversity beyond the elite athletes the town is known for. Spoketober features a wide variety of inclusive cycling-centric events for all levels and disciplines, organized by local organizations, cycling teams, and retailers.

Spoketober is designed to be inclusive of all members of the cycling community and will include events such as a community group ride, a bicycle recycle and upcycle event, a costume bike parade with DEVO, a jump clinic and contest, and a chainless race on the BMX track. Additional activities to participate in throughout the month include various concerts, contests, clinics, and cycling celebrations. There will be prize giveaways, free stickers, and free posters at every Spoketober event. Local artist and cycling enthusiast Jon Bailey created the 2023 Spoketober collectible poster.

“We are amazed and elated by the local support Spoketober received since its launch in 2022,” says Rachel Welsh, PR and Communications Manager for Visit Durango. “This 2nd annual celebration is already proving to be bigger than the last, with many local organizations stepping up with new events and passionate support. Durango is one of the best places to be on a bike and the fall colors just add to the cycling magic.”

Spoketober 2023 Schedule of Events

• 4 – Anthony D’Amato performs at the Durango Hot Springs
• Oct 5 – Bike-In Movie Night featuring The Nightmare Before Christmas outside at the Durango Community Recreation Center
• 6-7 – iAM Music Festival Block Party
• 7 – Durango Fire Presents: Street Smarts, an educational event with a focus on being a safe driver, cyclist, and pedestrian
• 7 – Team Segment 28 and FLC Cycling Present: Durango Fall Blaze
• 8 – Spoketober Jump Clinic & Contest at Chapman Hill with Influencers Lain Van Ogle and Sean Kingsbury
• 12 – Segment 28 Zia Social No Drop Group Ride from Zia to the Starwars Trails
• 13-14 – Share the Love Cycle upcycle and recycle event at Buckley Park
• 14 – Solar Eclipse Viewing at the Durango Public Library
• 14 – Bike Prom Group Ride and Party at the Powerhouse Museum
• 15 – Spoketober Group Ride from FLC to Buckley Park
• 15 – Cycling Culture Celebration at Buckley Park (after the group ride)
• 18 – Bicycle Karaoke at 8th Ave Tavern
• 20 – Durango Slaydies Female Empowerment Group Ride
• 21 – Chainless Bike Race at the Durango BMX Track at Cundiff Park
• 23 – Adaptive Sports Association Community Ride
• 26 – Durango DEVO Halloween Costume Bike Parade & Party at the Powerhouse Museum
• 26 – Holy Cow Group Ride to Ska Brewing HQ
• 28 – EsoTerra Cidery Slowest Bike Race & Cycling Celebration
• 29 – Holy Cow Advanced Group Ride

* There are still several pending events and promotions for Spoketober 2023 to be announced soon.

Participating organizations include Durango Trails, the Adaptive Sports Association, Fort Lewis College Cycling Team, Team Segment 28, Bike Durango, Durango DEVO, Durango Hot Springs, iAM Music Festival, Animas City Theater, City of Durango, Durango Fire Protection District, Silver Stallion Bicycle & Coffee Works, Durango Public Library, 8th Ave Tavern, Durango Slaydies, Durango BMX, EsoTerra Cidery, VNTR Birds, and Holy Cow Racing.

Be sure to follow Spoketober @SpoketoberDurango and use the #SpoketoberDurango hashtag to keep up to date with the latest events and giveaways.

Media assets can be downloaded here.

To learn more and see the full schedule visit: SpoketoberDurango.com. Spoketober promotions will be listed on the Durango Deals page, and stay tuned to the Sweepstakes page for a chance to win a trip to Durango.

About Spoketober Durango

Spoketober Durango is an annual cycling celebration created by Visit Durango in 2022 with the mission to showcase the local community and commemorate their dedication and passion that made Durango, Colorado one of the top cycling destinations in the nation. Spoketober takes place the entire month of October and features a wide variety of cycling-centric events organized by local organizations, cycling teams, and retailers. To learn more and see the full schedule visit: SpoketoberDurango.com.

About Visit Durango

Visit Durango is an independent nonprofit organization operating with the mission to promote Durango and La Plata County’s multitude of tourism attractions, events, and services. The unbeatable combination of the iconic San Juan Mountains, art galleries, culinary fare, cultural, and historic sites make it the perfect base of operations to explore Southwest Colorado. Experience Visit Durango’s full-service visitor center at the Durango Welcome Center, located at Main Avenue and 8th Street in the heart of historic downtown Durango, or online at durango.org. Follow @visitdurango on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

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[Seattle, WA, Sept 27, 2023]— Nikwax, the international leader in technical cleaners and waterproofing products for outdoor gear and apparel, has developed a high-powered deodorizing cleaner designed to eliminate odors and help prevent their build-up in athletic and fitness clothing. Offered in a 1-liter bottle, Sports Refresh is now available in the US and Canada.

Sports Refresh supports a variety of retail channels with a product that cares for all types of active clothing and sports uniforms. Running, cycling, sporting goods, team sports, and outdoor retailers all carry a huge amount of synthetic active clothing that benefits from proper care. Additionally, the average family is wearing more performance fabric than ever. From soccer uniforms, to cycling jerseys, to leggings and other activewear, Sports Refresh helps to extend the useful life of these items by ensuring they perform their best and stay smelling fresh.

“With the rise in popularity of activewear in the outdoor industry, coupled with increased participation in high-endurance activities like running and cycling, we developed a product to support our retailers and their customers,” said Nikwax Global CEO, Brian Davidson. “Most activewear is made with synthetic fabrics designed to wick moisture away from the body. These materials benefit from regular washing in a specialty cleaner as typical household detergents and fabric softeners can inhibit the fabric’s ability to breathe and wick moisture.”

Sports Refresh:

• Effectively cleans and deodorizes activewear, gym clothes, sports uniforms.
• Enhances fabric wicking, allowing clothes to dry faster.
• Recommended for synthetic pieces that need to be washed after each use, ie. bike chamois, running shorts, sports bras, socks, leggings, etc.

About Nikwax

Founded in 1977, Nikwax is the trusted global leader in environmentally safe cleaning and waterproofing solutions that extend the performance life of outdoor clothing, footwear, and equipment. The brand also supplies top-performing PFAS-free hydrophobic down and DWR applications for outdoor brands. Nikwax’s 45-year commitment to clean chemistry means never using PFAS or aerosols, and not testing on animals. Its product line is water-based and non-persistent, and all product bottles and lids are made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic that can also be recycled. Nikwax has carbon balanced all 45 years of its operations and became an employee-owned trust in 2022. For media inquiries and more information, please contact Kate Ketschek at Revolution House Media, kate@revolutionhousemedia.com.