Archives: Press Releases

Greenville, S.C., (Jan. 16, 2025) – Gran Fondo Hincapie has been creating cycling experiences for over 13 years and today announces the official courses for their Merced, Calif. event, the only West Coast and gravel event of the Gran Fondo series. Taking place on March 15, and in partnership with El Capitan Hotel Merced and the City of Merced, this is the second year the Hincapie team will host its event in Merced. The event brings a multi-day cycling celebration with scenic and epic rides delivering stunning views, challenging climbs, fast descents, and a post-ride Family Fun Festival. Registration is now open.

Riders will experience an abundance of rolling hills through California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. See below for the course specifics:

• Gran – 81 miles, 4945 ft of elevation, 3 rest stops, 3 timed Speed Zones, 49% gravel
• Medio – 61 miles, 2305 ft of elevation, 2 rest stops, 2 timed Speed Zones, 45% gravel
• Piccolo – 6.5 miles out-and-back loop on the bike path

“The courses in Merced are what gravel dreams are made of,” said Joe Coddington, Technical Director for Gran Fondo Hincapie. “Wide open roads rolling through some of the most beautiful ranch lands the West has to offer paired with views of the Sierra Nevada mountains make this one impossible to forget.”

The Gran Fondo Hincapie offers more than just a big ride—it’s a multi-day cycling celebration. By registering for a Hincapie event, you’re signing up for an unforgettable experience that includes an epic ride and a Family Fun Festival, all included in the registration fee. After Saturday’s ride, enjoy the post-ride festival, featuring gourmet food, live entertainment, podium awards, giveaways, sponsor activations, and drinks alongside hundreds of other riders including cycling pros, celebrities, weekend warriors, and first-time riders. Retired pros, including Olympian and former American professional road cyclist George Hincapie (the event’s namesake), and Iván Domínguez, former Cuban/USA professional road cyclist will be among the Merced event participants.

Riders also receive an event jersey, chip timing, on-course SAG support, fully stocked rest stops, and complimentary participant photography. To pick up your event jersey on-site (rather than having it shipped later), be sure to register by January 20.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Hincapie event back and to once again serve as the hotel sponsor. The El Capitan Hotel truly stands at the heart of the event weekend,” said Robin Donovan, Managing Director at El Capitan Hotel Merced. “Last year, the event brought significant community impact, with downtown businesses thriving and many local vendors actively participating. This event not only creates a fantastic economic opportunity for our community but also serves as a vibrant platform to showcase all that Merced has to offer.”

Gran Fondo Merced kicks off the 2025 Hincapie season. There are four additional world-class events on the calendar for this year; the next taking place in Chattanooga, Tenn. (May 3), then Lehigh Valley, Pa. (May 31), Bentonville, Ark. (Sept. 7-8), and finally Greenville, S.C. (Oct. 18), which is where it all started back in 2012. Registration is now open for the 2025 events.

To learn more about Gran Fondo Hincapie please visit https://hincapie.com/ or follow along on social media on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

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Photos from Hincapie Gran Fondo Merced 2024 HERE (Credit: Hincapie)

General Hincapie Gran Fondo photos HERE (Credit: Hincapie)

About Hincapie

Cycling is our life. It’s what we know, and it’s who we are. But we are not a bike company. We’re a people-who-ride-bikes company. We are cyclists, and we are makers. We are master craftsmen of custom-made, high-performance cycling apparel. Our team is our family. Not only do we design our cycling apparel, but we also make it in our family-run factory. We also create and run upscale cycling events. We have a restaurant and hotel that hosts visiting cyclists from all over the world. We manage a spring series of races. Cycling inspires everything we do, and every day we work even harder to improve the sport, make it more accessible to others and build a strong community for future cyclists. Join us on our journey.

​​About George Hincapie

George Hincapie is a retired professional road cyclist who was one of the most accomplished American cyclists of his generation. Over his 19-year career, he competed in 17 Tours de France, the most of any American cyclist, participated in five Olympic Games and excelled in the Spring Classics, including winning Gent-Wevelgem in 2001 and securing multiple top-10 finishes in Paris-Roubaix. Since retiring from professional cycling in 2012, Hincapie has remained active in the sport as a co-founder of Hincapie Sportswear, which specializes in cycling apparel, and launching a professional cycling team. He is also the co-owner of Hotel Domestique, a luxury cycling destination in South Carolina, and hosts the Gran Fondo Hincapie series with his family.

BUFFALO, NY (January 16, 2025) – LEKI, a leader in innovative skiing, trekking, and trail running poles, announces the appointment of Scott Park as national sales manager. Park will oversee all sales operations for LEKI’s summer and winter collections in the U.S., working closely with General Manager Chris O’Donoghue and Marketing Director Sven Brunso.

“We’re really excited to have Scott join the team, as his industry experience, knowledge, and sales network will be of paramount importance as we continue to navigate the changing landscape of the retail space in the outdoor industry,” said Sven Brunso, marketing director for LEKI, USA. “This business is more turbulent than ever, and the addition of a seasoned pro to the team will help us continue to build momentum.”

Park brings two decades of experience in the outdoor industry, having held key sales positions at Deuter USA where he most recently served as sales manager for the last 11 years. In that role, he managed the national sales budget and implemented aggressive sales targets for the U.S. market with a focused approach for national retail accounts, specialty brick-and-mortar, and e-commerce. In his free time, Park enjoys backcountry skiing, traveling, rock climbing, and backpacking.

“Throughout my career in the outdoor industry, LEKI has always been known as an industry leader in both product and service. I am excited and honored to be a part of the LEKI family and look forward to contributing to their continued success,” said Park.

For LEKI USA sales inquiries, Park can be reached at spark@leki.com.

ABOUT LEKI USA

Founded in 1948, LEKI is the leading manufacturer of Skiing, Trekking, and Trail Running poles and gloves that are German-engineered and mostly produced in the company’s Czech Republic factory. This in conjunction with extensive research and independent testing, makes the best

products featuring quality, value, and technology. LEKI equips over 1,000 of the world’s best athletes and brand ambassadors in the disciplines of alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, trail running, ski mountaineering, mountain guiding, and alpine climbing. Headquartered in Buffalo, NY, LEKI USA, Inc. is the sole distributor of LEKI brand products in the United States. For more information, visit lekiusa.com.

PORTLAND, Maine (January 15, 2025) –  Switchback Spring, the education and business gathering for the outdoor industry community, has received a wave of brand commitments ahead of registration opening next week. The initial agenda has also been released for the event taking place June 16-18, 2025, in Nashville, TN.

“What we’re hearing from the 70-plus brands already committed to Switchback is that while supporting a gathering for the outdoor community is important, specific business motives are also driving their decision to exhibit,” said Christina Henderson, Event Director, Switchback. “There’s a lot of optimism in the outdoor market as we head into 2025, and we’re ready to be the space where that momentum translates into business and new opportunities.”

The first day of Switchback Spring features educational programming including keynote presentations, leadership and executive insights, and various other informational sessions targeted to outdoor specialty retailers and their team. The following two days move to the exhibit hall where retailers, brands, media, and industry professionals can connect to discover new products, share trends, and explore new brands. To see the schedule-at-a-glance visit this page.

In the coming months, Switchback will announce keynotes and featured speakers as well as a detailed schedule of the presentations taking place during the education day and on the exhibit floor.

To date, more than 70 brands have committed to exhibiting at Switchback Spring, including Altra, Arcteryx, Biolite, Birkenstock, Cotopaxi, Helinox, Liberty Mountain, LifeStraw, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Rumpl, Scarpa, Teva, The North Face, and Toad & Co., among others. A complete list of attending brands will be posted on the Switchback website in the coming weeks.

“We believe there is strong business value in gathering in real life, and Switchback Spring is a great opportunity for us to get reacquainted with many of our customers,” said Matt Burbach, VP of Marketing, Mountain Hardwear. “Simultaneously, Switchback Spring provides the opportunity to create new connections and relationships that will fuel our growth along with the industry’s as a whole.”

Registration for Switchback Spring will open the week of January 20, 2025. Those interested in attending will be able to register through the Switchback website: www.switchbackevent.com. Registration is open to retailers, media, and outdoor industry professionals; for details about available passes and pricing, visit this page.

Switchback Spring will be hosted within a dedicated portion of the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, a spacious venue with 12 restaurants and an attached premium hotel. With all attendees staying and meeting in a single location, the focused environment will enable both private planned meetings as well as organic meetups and run-ins.

For more information about Switchback, please visit www.switchbackevent.com/switchback-spring/.

Brands interested in exploring exhibiting opportunities can contact Christina Henderson at chenderson@divcom.com.

About Switchback

Switchback is the twice-a-year business and education gathering for the outdoor industry owned and operated by Diversified Communications, a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities, and digital and print publications. Scheduled at optimal times for discovery and buying conversations, Switchback is held each fall in conjunction with The Running Event and each spring as a standalone event. Blending an accessible format with a schedule of education, peer connection opportunities, and business meetings, Switchback is a dedicated gathering place for all sectors of the outdoor industry community. Upcoming dates for the event include Switchback Spring (Nashville, TN; June 16-18, 2025) and Switchback at TRE (Dec. 2-4, 2025; San Antonio, TX). To learn more about Switchback, please contact Michael Collin (michael@palemorning.com) or visit www.switchbackevent.com.

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Lake Oswego, OR (January 14, 2025) – May we have your attention, please? Yakima is thrilled to stand up with the rebranding of its revamped vehicle awning line, introducing the new name OverNOut as replacement for its previous “SlimShady” and “MajorShady.” titles. This change not only reflects Yakima’s dedication to collectively enhancing outdoor experiences with innovative, high-quality products, but under a unifying moniker and sizing that makes it easy for consumers to differentiate between models.

It’s never been said, but Yakima sets precedents: As pioneers, innovators, and envelope pushers in the outdoor space, it isn’t surprising that upon release of the MajorShady 270, there are a number of brands trying to act like Yakima, dress like Yakima, cuss like Yakima and just don’t give a [pluck] like Yakima. At such a time for a list, (and there’s a list, and here’s the order of the list that it’s in), Yakima’s awnings look as such:

• OverNOut SM: Either-side and universal vehicle fit; compact and lightweight for quick setups. OverNOut SM provides 30 sq. ft. of coverage for smaller vehicles
• OverNOut MD: A mid-size option offering ample coverage for a wide variety of vehicles, while offering an industry-leading 42 sq. ft. protection from the elements
• OverNOut 180: Ideal for those needing expansive (94 sq. ft.), one-sided shade, OverNOut 180 offers tough, backcountry-tested waterproof materials from an awning that needs only one person to deploy, is available in either left- or right-handed deployment, and is compatible with the OverNOut 180 Wall Kit
• OverNOut 270 LG: 270º of protection and 80 sq. ft. of coverage, but this isn’t a geometry class. The LG offers Incredible protection from the elements and helps make OverNOut 270 LG an ideal fit for any outdoor adventure
• OverNOut 270 XL: Features a massive 132 sq. ft. of coverage, and still only a one person deployment – that’s Taking It Easy. OverNOut 270 XL provides maximum coverage with a full 270-degree extension, is freestanding, and is compatible with Wall Kits to create the ultimate base camp.

Each model is designed for easy installation and deployment, ensuring that outdoor enthusiasts can quickly create a comfortable shaded space wherever their adventures take them. Now that’s worthy of an encore.

Key Features of OverNOut awnings include:

• Durable Materials: Constructed with high-quality, weather-resistant fabrics to withstand various conditions. Our favorite artist might not give an “eff” about a Grammy, but Yakima holds a deep commitment to quality, durability, and how its products keep consumers comfortable.
• User-Friendly Setup: Tool-free installation allows for quick assembly and disassembly, even if there’s a screw up in your head loose.
• Versatile Mounting Options: Compatible with a wide range of vehicles and roof racks. That’s right. We aren’t sugarcoating it at all.

“We are excited to launch OverNOut as a fresh identity for our vehicle awnings,” said Joel Grabenstein, VP; Sales, Brand, Product Marketing at Yakima. “These awnings are designed to provide reliable shade, protection, and enhance the outdoor experience for adventurers everywhere, and we’re happy to have the entire collection under one unifying moniker that collectively is the easiest to deploy, easiest on the wallet, and best buy in the outdoor market.”

The complete, revitalized OverNOut line will be available for purchase on Yakima’s official website and through authorized retailers starting February, 2025. For more information on the complete line of Yakima products, please visit yakima.com

I guess there’s some Shade(y) in all of us.

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About Yakima

Based in the Pacific NW, Yakima Products Inc. has been a pioneer of cargo and gear management solutions since 1979.  We connect people with their passions to bring them closer to nature with our innovative, rugged and dependable products.  Yakima Products, Inc. is headquartered outside of Portland, Oregon. For more information about Yakima products, visit yakima.com.

Innovative Ultralight Tent Fabric Delivers Superior Waterproofing and Sustainability Without Harmful Chemicals

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO – Big Agnes, a leader in innovative outdoor equipment, today announced its next evolution in sustainable ultralight equipment with the launch of its revolutionary HyperBead™ fabric technology. Embodying the brand’s commitment to performance, sustainability and adventurer-first design, HyperBead represents the next step in outdoor gear innovation, elevating some of the brand’s most popular tents.

Redefining Ultralight: Lighter, Stronger and Built for Every Adventure

Since its conception, Big Agnes has been obsessed with a simple mission: design equipment that makes outdoor adventures more comfortable, accessible and sustainable. The introduction of HyperBead fabric continues this legacy of innovation, changing how campers think about comfort, performance and weight. The technology addresses core challenges faced by outdoor enthusiasts while setting a new standard for tent fabric innovation.

Breakthrough Performance Highlights:

• 25% More Waterproof: Exceeding traditional ultralight fabric performance without relying on harmful chemicals – offering permanent water repellency that doesn’t degrade over time
• 6% Lighter: Reducing weight with enhanced durability, so adventurers can focus on their journey, not their load
• Environmentally Conscious: No intentionally added PFAS. No DWR or WR treatments

“We’ve spent two years sweating over every ounce and every detail of this process and technology,” said Michael Thompson, director of design and development at Big Agnes. “HyperBead is a complete reimagining of ultralight gear – a technology that performs better, weighs less and is easier on the environment. This fabric is the culmination of that vision.”

HyperBead Debuts Across Flagship Tent Lines:

Big Agnes is thrilled to introduce its HyperBead fabric technology across some of its most highly acclaimed tent lines:

• Copper Spur UL Tents
• Copper Spur UL XL Tents
• Tiger Wall UL Tents
• Fly Creek UL Tents
• Tiger Wall Platinum Tents

Commitment to Continuous Innovation

This launch underscores Big Agnes’ ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of outdoor equipment design and innovation. By prioritizing performance, weight reduction and environmental responsibility, the brand continues to empower adventurers to explore further, lighter and more sustainably.

Download product information and hi-res images: HERE

About Big Agnes: Named for a peak in the nearby Mt. Zirkel Wilderness, Big Agnes®, Inc. is located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and was founded there in 2001. The company produces award-winning sleeping bags, pads, tents, packs, insulated apparel, camp furniture and backpacks. For more information, visit www.bigagnes.com or call 1-877-554-8975.

For more information, contact:

Brandon Martinez

brandon.martinez@backbone.media