Wednesday, February 25, 2009

A "Quality" Time!

by Don Warren, Category Manager

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Quality Bicycle Products' winter dealer event called Frostbike. The opportunity to attend came up for me because Eric Anastasia, our bicycle sales manager, and his wife had just taken delivery of a new family member : the 2009 Ethan Paul edition. So I thought I would share with you a few bits from the show.

This being my first Frostbike, initially I worried about how cold Minnesota could be, but delighted that the temperature was above my threshold of 0 F degrees sans wind for each the 3 days there. We even got 5" of soft fluffy white stuff (Rivaled Utah powder) on Friday night to make the theme FROSTBIKE match the event.

Eric told me just a few things about the event, but I did know I was to talk with bicycle dealers about our line of security products we have to offer. During the 3 days, I had the pleasure to meet a lot of people who run shops from across the country. We had tons of interest in the Kryptonite products. I was able to advise the dealers of the improvements we made in our New York chain series and NEW New York Liberty chain. I also previewed a new product we will be launching soon. The atmosphere was charged, even with the tuff economic times we're in; Dealers felt they were doing ok, considering, which is a good sign.

Ok, enough about product, now the little things you think about when traveling to an event... how to I get from here to there, where should I stay, go to eat and all that. Well, from the minute I landed to the last minute before being dropped of at the airport I was so impressed with the way the event was organized! The hospitality was awesome. I think almost every QBP employee was working to support the show so I knew quickly that if I needed something I could just ask for help.

The food there was spot on and the after-show time Micro-beer(s,s,s,..) offerings were well received. They also had a nighttime event for the dealers to try which was an obstacle course set up to test-ride a Surly Pugsley’s. This bike had 3.7” wide tires. What an off-road piece of art and I’m told it rides well too...I obviously thought it would be poor taste on my part to climb over some visiting dealer to get my turn on the bike.

The office/distribution center was unlike any I have visited in the US. Their automation of handling orders from receipt to shipping goods on a truck was impressive, but what struck me the most was QBP has really taken responsibility for their impact on the environment. Their distribution center (DC) / offices has achieved a LEED “Gold” certification for being “GREEN”. Check it out here. The land they built on is next to a state park and in fact they have running/riding trails right outside their doors. Boy would that be nice and I’m jealous. One other important thing to mention is QBP supports many efforts globally to promote cycling and help others in need. I learned a lot.

I now know why QBP has become a great partner to so many bicycle shops around the country and the cycling manufacturers they support. Hopefully I can make it back next year if my boss let’s me 8:).

Friday, February 20, 2009

Let the Good Deeds Roll!



Our congrats to Providence, RI based Recycle-A-Bike, for a successful Roller Race benefit which attracted riders from all walks of life last week. Although the Friday the 13th date was a coincidence, you can see from the pictures that some of the roller-racers looked pretty scarey after they finished their turn! The prospect of winning a Kryptonite lock and raising money for such a good cause transformed them into monster riders...>> Check out the pictures.

So much for my bad puns...here are a few words about the event from our friend Maggie who coordinated, along with other tireless volunteers...
Bike riders and advocates, messengers and occasional riders, men and women of all ages converged on the night of Friday the 13th for Providence's first Roller Races, a benefit for Recycle-a-Bike. With upwards of a hundred people cheering, each racer chose his or her opponent and faced off for a 500m sprint, lasting at best 22 seconds. 42 racers, one broken bike, and multiple raffles later, top times in women's and men's raced for the finals. Thank you to everyone who came out to support our community bike collective, thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors, and thanks to all the volunteers who helped make Recycle-a-Bike the true winner of the evening! If you missed this one, don't worry; there will be more in the future. If you'd like to help make this happen, Recycle-a-Bike is always in need of new volunteers. Stay tuned; spring is coming.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Don't Let a Bus be Your Motivation!

by Roby Holland, Commercial Sales Manager

Right around now I begin my resolution list and over the years it has become shorter, not because I'm accomplishing all my goals, but it is a depressing sight at the end of the year when I look back at all the things I didn't do and could have. We'll I cannot say that I have changed my stripes, but I am becoming better. Anyhow, if you are looking for motivation for getting off the couch or doing things that you say you want to do before you blow your mortal coil, look no further then this article in Runner's World March issue. The title of the article is "26.2 or Die". It gives new definition to the meaning "Long Haul". Read it and you'll be off the couch in no time.

A New Meaning for the Phrase Cycle Track

I'm a little behind schedule with posts, as you can see. Just returned from the 2009 Power Sport Dealer Expo in Indianapolis. While it seemed that attendance was a little lighter than in recent years, the people who were there were definitely interested in doing business. The power sport dealers we talked to are trying to focus on the 92% of the people who are still employed rather than the 8% who are not - what a refreshing perspective compared to the gloom and doom too frequently presented by the media!

So, here's a belated tidbit found by Eric Anastasia, National Sales Manager, on a recent trip to Portland, OR... I was out on the Left coast in Portland Oregon last week visiting one of our distributors Cyclone Bicycle Supply. While I was there I picked up the local newspaper (Portland Tribune) to read over breakfast and I came across an interesting article about how they are enhancing their bike paths in the city. The project that they spoke about was appealing because instead of putting in bike lanes they were putting in a raised platform. It seems pretty smart because the ‘cycle track’ as they call it will be on its own level and the cars will be one level lower. Then one level higher than the ‘cycle track” will be the sidewalks that will be separated by planters. Take a look at the image that I scanned from the article and if you want to read for yourself here is the link. http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=123378662118319800
Before signing out, I'd like to congratulate Eric and his wife Cheryl on the birth of their first son and newest Team Kryptonite member yesterday morning! Eric had just arrived home from the trade show when they turned around and left for the hospital. Talk about amazing timing...

Friday, February 06, 2009

Newbie on the Slope


Another first for our mild-mannered design engineer from a much hotter climate, JJ....last night he braved almost zero degree weather to learn how to snowboard! Why then, we can't really say, other than the fact that Rob, our crazy Engineering Director convinced him it would be a great idea! So, off they went to the Blue Hills Ski Area by the office and JJ subjected himself to the torture of sliding, falling, sliding, falling, falling, sliding. All for Rob's enjoyment, I'm sure.

JJ, we're proud of your fearlessness. Just be careful not to agree when Rob suggests you try sledding next..because he ain't talkin' down the hill on an innertube!


Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Trash to Treasure!

Crash, boom, trashed wheel, bent rim, ouch...here's how to look at that crumpled metal mess and see it repurposed as a thing of beauty! Check out http://www.bikefurniture.com/

Think Pink!

In the spirit of don't let tough economic times get you down, I'm happy to report another bike share program is being organized by a bunch of very enterprising students at Rhode Island School of Design (or RISD as it is more affectionately called by all the "Doids")...the Pink Bike program is in its infancy, but soon we hope to see pink bikes sprouting up all over Providence like so many tulips in spring. The fact that they are concerned about bike security, even for loaner bikes strikes the right chord in my ole' heart. Check 'em out at http://risdbiketown.wordpress.com/2008/11/09/hello-world/ and look for the bikes when you're in the Providence area. Other programs out there? Give us a shout and we'll tell the world for you, as well.