Archives: Press Releases

PORT COQUITLAM, British Columbia (July 16, 2024) – For 60 years, Live to Play Sports Group, the manufacturer of Norco Bicycles and Canada’s largest wholesale distributor of premium bicycles, parts and accessories, has been independently owned and operated in a partnership of the Lewis and the Zalkow families. As of July 1, the Lewis family has assumed full ownership of LTP Sports Group Inc.

Founded in 1964 by Bert Lewis in Vancouver, British Columbia, Northern Cycle Industries began as a partnership between the two families. Over the decades, the company evolved, becoming Norco Bicycles before incorporating as Live to Play Sports Group in 2011.

“This transition represents a pivotal moment in our history, solidifying our family’s commitment to uphold Bert’s legacy of integrity, honesty and innovation,” said Alan Lewis.  “We want to thank the Zalkow family for their involvement and support throughout the company’s history. There are few partnerships that last this long and see as much success. Our company remains resilient amidst the current challenges facing the bike industry and we look forward to building on the rich heritage of our brand while upholding the standards of excellence that define us.”

“This is an amazing time for Live to Play Sports and for the Norco brand–we are celebrating our 60^th anniversary and with the Lewis family as sole owners, we are excited for the future,” said Norco CEO, Sean Sullivan. “We are confident about where we’re headed and the incredible work of the entire LTP team.”

About Norco Bicycles

Norco is a global leader in high-performance mountain bikes, known for its commitment to innovation, quality craftsmanship, and the pursuit of trail-blazing excellence. Founded as Northern Cycle Industries in 1964, the brand has evolved over the years, but hard work, passion, and commitment to innovation have always been at the forefront. The mountains and trails of British Columbia are hard-wired into the DNA at Norco, and they will always be the ultimate inspiration for the character and performance of every Norco bike. Norco.com

 

REDMOND, Ore. (July 16, 2024) – Overland Expo Pacific Northwest, the second in the series of premier U.S. consumer events, continued its momentum with the recent Overland Expo Pacific Northwest, attracting over 16,000 attendees from 45 states and 10 countries. Four hundred exhibitors participated including: Goose Gear, premium vehicle-based storage solutions since 1952, GRID RACK™, known for unique locking grid system for trucks, INEOS Grenadier, a new overland-specific vehicle making its debut from the U.K.; and Rhino-Rack, hailing from Australia,  specializing in durable roof racks, bike carriers, kayak carriers, and cargo boxes. The show reflected the steady growth in participation of adventure travel putting emerging trends front and center including: tech-focused and feature-reach vehicles and motorcycles; accessories bringing the comforts of home to camping on the go; forward-thinking designs for sleeping; and cooking solutions for discerning chefs.

“We are truly an international stage ushering in new brands, providing compelling, inclusive experiences for those new to the overlanding experience while enabling overlanding devotees to share best practices and spend time with friends and family,” said Jessica Kirchner, vice president of consumer events for Emerald, owners of Overland Expo. “Overland Expo not only is a distinct event fostering a passionate community, this event provides an escape from today’s busy, chaotic headlines. It truly is a venue where guests can let their hair down, enjoy the beautiful surroundings, go for a test drive or camp to their heart’s content. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, educators and partners for making this event a tremendous success.”

Statistics from Overland Expo Pacific Northwest 2024 included:

• 16,000 attendees from 45 states, visitors from Canada, Panama, Japan, Great Britain, Australia, Belgium, Argentina, Guam, Austria, and South Africa.
• An impressive exhibitor presence including Bushwakka (Australia’s largest range of freestanding awnings), GOSO Cookware, Four Wheel Campers, Maxxis (high quality tires), Shelby (performance vehicles and related products) and Toyota.
• Over 300 classes, seminars, demos, activities, slideshows, and films; totaling 300 session hours of instruction
• Nearly 100 presenters, trainers, and VIPs and 50 journalists

Highlights included:

• Debut of “Women Who Wander” Fireside Chats Validating Surge in Female Participation: Over 70+ attendees including Patty Upton, Connie Redman, Azure Oneil, Cara McClellan and other legends shared stories and experiences amplifying the fact that females are one of the fastest growing participation categories in the overlanding community.
• Overland Expo Film Festival Showcasing Newly Announced Northern California Backcountry Discovery Route: Sponsored by GOAT BOXCO, known for premium packaging solutions, this event showcased inspiring films with the feature film taking viewers along as the Backcountry Discovery Route team explored the newly announced Northern California Backcountry Discovery Route.
• Overland Expo Foundation Raffle Generating $16,000: The Overland Expo Foundation charity raffle raised over $16,000 supporting scholarships for overlanders and organizations dedicated to maintaining access to public land and promoting responsible outdoor exploration.

Overland Expo Pacific Northwest cemented its leadership as a venue for where trends are born. This year, key trends included:

• Overlanding Cooking Becomes State of the Art: Cooking and food preparation bring families and friends together, showcasing one of the best benefits of overlanding. Brands are responding with advanced technology and sustainability features. GOSO Cookware debuted its made-in-USA carbon steel cookware with natural non-stick seasoning.
• Do-It-All Vehicle Designs and Innovations Are Happening at Warp Speed: Goose Gear debuted its new plate system and camp kitchen kit for the INEOS Grenadier, transforming this popular platform into a complete backcountry living space. Rhino-Rack displayed a 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser outfitted with a rack, tent, and awning, along with gear from other Overland Expo exhibitors.
• Options for Comfortable Sleeping Have Never Been Better: Sleeping comfort doesn’t need to be sacrificed with brands introducing a wide range of best in class sleeping technologies. Pacific Adventure Work debuted hideaway cots available in three widths and adjustable height and length. Their products accommodate nearly every vehicle, even with backseats that don’t fold flat.

“We’ve been attending all of the Overland Expo events since 2015 and it’s the foundation to our business,” said Brian Fulton, CEO of Goose Gear. “This is the overland show for us period, there’s nothing else like it and that’s why we keep coming back.”

The Overland Expo series continues next month with the Overland Expo Mountain West event, August 23-25, at the Ranch in Loveland, Colorado. For more information, visit overlandexpo.com and follow Overland Expo and #overlandexpo on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

About Overland Expo 

Founded in 2009, Overland Expo is the world’s premier event series for do-it-yourself adventure travel enthusiasts. Hundreds of vendors of adventure travel equipment, camping gear, bikes, vehicles, and services convene at every Overland Expo event. Each Expo hosts hundreds of session-hours of classes, including for off-road driving techniques, adventure motorcycling, inspirational programs, roundtable discussions, demonstrations, as well as the Overland Film Festival. Overland Expo is owned and produced by Emerald.

About Emerald

Emerald’s talented and experienced team grows our customers’ businesses 365 days a year through connections, content, and commerce. We expand connections that drive new business opportunities, product discovery, and relationships with over 140 annual events, matchmaking, and lead-gen services. We create content to ensure that our customers are on the cutting edge of their industries and are continually developing their skills. And we power commerce through efficient year-round buying and selling. We do all this by seamlessly integrating in-person and digital platforms and channels. Emerald is immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. As true partners, we create experiences that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. For more information, please visit www.emeraldx.com

Media Contact:

Marni Illman, CGPR
marni@cgprpublicrelations.com

978-844-3513

 

 

BOULDER, Colo. (July 15, 2024) – deuter, a global leader in backpacks and outdoor equipment, is thrilled to unveil its groundbreaking 3D printed back system, featured in its new Hiline 8L (MSRP $350) and 14L (MSRP $375) mountain bike-specific backpacks. Set to launch in Spring 2025, the Hiline series is designed to meet the demands of endurance enthusiasts seeking maximum airflow, protection, and innovation on challenging trails.

“Our new 3D printed back system marks a significant leap forward in backpack technology. The Hiline series embodies our commitment to sustainability and innovation, ensuring mountain bikers can push their limits with comfort and ease,” said Scott Park, Product Line Manager at deuter USA.

The Hiline pack is feature rich for ease of use when out on the trail. Features include:

• The Vest-Style Carrying System ensures a secure, snug fit, adapting perfectly to the rider’s body shape for optimal performance on the most technically demanding trails
• Full-Face Helmet Attachment
• Hydration Compatibility for up to 3L
• The SAS-TEC Multi-Impact Spine Protector provides reliable protection for the spine
• Bicycle Pump Attachment and Bike Tool Organizer
• Glasses Stow System

The Hiline series not only sets a new standard for performance, but it also reflects deuter’s unwavering commitment to sustainability. The backpacks are PFAS-free, bluesign® certified, Green Button certified, and ClimatePartner certified, ensuring they are as environmentally friendly as they are functional.

For media inquiries, please contact Andrea Green at andrea.green@rygr.us.

About deuter: From backpacking to mountain biking, alpinism, and travel, to child-carrying and family adventures, deuter crafts highly functional, comfortable, and environmentally friendly packs for everyone and everywhere. With over 125+ years of experience, deuter has played a vital role in shaping the culture of mountain adventure since its 1898 founding in Germany. deuter inspires every new generation to get outside and experience mountain adventures the way they want to. www.deuter.com

Contact:

Andrea Green

Senior PR Account Manager andrea.green@rygr.us

 

###

Seattle, Wash. (July 15, 2024) – Therm-a-Rest, a pioneer in outdoor comfort and innovation for more than 50 years, redefines backpacking comfort and warmth in spring 2025 with its new sleeping bag, Boost 650™. The innovative new design provides unparalleled warmth, comfort, and versatility in the backcountry – for better sleep guaranteed.

After years of research and engineering, the Boost 650 addresses two of the biggest concerns backpackers have with their sleep systems – comfort and warmth. Addressing comfort, the semi-rectangular shape provides additional space for various natural sleeping positions without compromising thermal efficiency. Addressing warmth, Therm-a-Rest’s new WarmZip™ technology, a patent-pending center zipper, reduces the bag’s internal space and tucks insulation around the sleeper to warm the bag up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit – empowering users to control the temperature and their sleep experience.

“For more than 50 years, we’ve been the experts on sleep and thermal efficiency at camp,” said Justin McGregor, Product Line Manager at Therm-a-Rest. “The Boost 650 is a direct result of that. We’ve spent the last few years working to create a product that excites backpackers, and create the next generation of backpacking comfort – because backpacking shouldn’t mean compromised sleep. Boost 650 combines the industry’s most comfortable fit, first to market adjustable temperature, and all in a light-weight and packable-size. Reluctant backpackers shouldn’t be reluctant anymore!”

In addition to the WarmZip technology, the Boost 650 features multi-use armholes for ventilation or to read a book or play cards in the warmth of

your sleeping bag. The 650-fill, RDS-certified hydrophobic down is allocated to key areas with Zoned Insulation to maximize heat retention and weight. The hydrophobic down absorbs 90% less water and dries three times faster than untreated down.

The shell and lining are made with a GRS-certified 100% recycled nylon, and coated with a PFAS-free DWR. Inclusive sizing includes short, short wide, regular, regular wide, long, and long wide. The Boost 650 is available in 32 and 20 degrees and starts at one pound and nine ounces (32 degrees, size short).

To learn more about Therm-a-Rest’s new Boost 650 sleeping bags, check out a product video HERE.

Therm-a-Rest’s spring 2025 lineup will be available at select REI locations starting September 2024, and everywhere else, including Thermarest.com, starting January 2025. To learn more about Therm-a-Rest and its award-winning collection of camp comfort gear, visit thermarest.com.

About Therm-a-Rest®

Since 1971, Therm-a-Rest has been dedicated to providing outdoor enthusiasts with

high-quality, innovative gear designed for comfort and performance. From sleeping pads to sleeping bags and camp furniture, Therm-a-Rest products are engineered to enhance outdoor experiences and help adventurers get the best night’s sleep possible. For more information, visit www.thermarest.com.

About Cascade Designs, Inc.®

For over 50 years, Cascade Designs, Inc. and its brands, Therm-a-Rest®, Mountain Safety Research® (MSR), Platypus®, SealLine®, and PackTowl®, have led the outdoor industry in designing innovative, useful, and long-lasting equipment, manufacturing the majority of its products in its Reno, Nev., U.S.A. and Cork, Ireland facilities, and with offices in Seattle, Wash. From the original self-inflating Therm-a-Rest® camping mattress to the first multi-fuel stove from MSR®, Cascade Designs has developed leading products that explorers, travelers, adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts, and weekend campers can rely on to deliver optimum performance in the outdoors through exceptional engineering and quality. For more information, please visit www.cascadedesigns.com.

##

DOWNLOADABLE IMAGES HERE (Credit: Therm-a-Rest)

SEATTLE, Wash. (July 15, 2024) — PackTowl®, a leading innovator in outdoor and travel towels, is thrilled to announce the launch of its spring 2025 Personal Towel: Artist Series, the brand’s best-selling, ultra-versatile, and eco-conscious adventure towel. The Artist Series collection will feature three new captivating prints: Desert Aire, Flow, and Orca. In addition, the company is proud to welcome contemporary artist Gianna Andrews to its esteemed roster of creatives.

The latest additions to the Packtowl Artist Series showcase the brand’s commitment to merging functionality with artistic expression, providing outdoor enthusiasts with gear that not only performs but also inspires. Each design is carefully crafted to reflect and celebrate the beauty of the natural world.

“Each print in the Artist Series is an original work by a professional artist that can only be found on a PackTowl Personal Towel,” said Karen Lamerick, Senior Marketing Director at Cascade Designs. “The prints look amazing and highlight PackTowl’s peerless quality amongst the competition.”

Desert Aire, designed by Andrews, evokes the vibrancy of arid landscapes. Flow, by Kristina Wayte Bakke, captures the dynamic essence of outdoor exploration. Orca, by Shogo Ota, draws inspiration from the ocean’s majestic apex predators.

These new prints add to the current lineup of Artist Series collection prints, including Balance, designed by Emily Kelley, Mystic Moose, designed by Ota, and Daydream designed by Wayte Bakke.

PackTowl Personal Towels are sustainably made of 50% recycled fabric, capable of absorbing 4x its weight in water and drying 70% faster than comparable cotton towels while taking up a fraction of the space. These Body-sized PackTowls also feature Polygiene®, an eco-friendly silver-ion odor control that keeps towels fresher for longer.

The new PackTowl Personal Towel Artist Series prints (MSRP: $34.95 USD) will be available starting January 2025. For more information about PackTowl and its full collection of lightweight adventure towels, please visit www.packtowl.com.

About PackTowl®

PackTowl is the original manufacturer of exceptional quick-drying, super-absorbent and highly-packable technical towels. Using its microfiber expertise to develop high-performance fabrics, PackTowl has evolved the simple idea of a towel into a go-anywhere companion.

Features like eco-friendly, odor-control protection and convenient hang loops keep adventurers reaching for PackTowls while soaking up life. For more information, visit packtowl.com.

About Cascade Designs, Inc.®

For over 50 years, Cascade Designs, Inc. and its brands, Therm-a-Rest®, Mountain Safety Research® (MSR), Platypus®, SealLine®, and PackTowl®, have led the outdoor industry in designing innovative, useful, and long-lasting equipment, manufacturing the majority of its products in its Reno, Nev., U.S.A. and Cork, Ireland facilities, and with offices in Seattle, Wash. From the original self-inflating Therm-a-Rest® camping mattress to the first multi-fuel stove from MSR®, Cascade Designs has developed leading products that explorers, travelers, adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts, and weekend campers can rely on to deliver optimum performance in the outdoors through exceptional engineering and quality. For more information, please visit www.cascadedesigns.com