News Topics

March 10, 2021

Broken Chain: Small and new brands hard hit by component shortage

Most have heard stories about extended delivery times for bikes and components from Asia. What's been less obvious is how those delays are harming some of the industry's smaller and newer brands. Bicycle Retailer

March 10, 2021

Getting to the Bottom of the Runner’s High

We can stop crediting endorphins, the natural opioid painkillers produced by our bodies, for the floaty euphoria we often feel during aerobic exercise, according to a nifty new study of men, women and treadmills. New York Times (paywall)

March 10, 2021

New Sports Tech VC Fund Vies To Capture Its Piece Of A Soon-To-Be $30 Billion Industry

leAD Sports & Health Tech Partners and InStudio Ventures teamed up to create The Draft, a U.S.-based seed and venture capital fund focusing on sports tech. Forbes

March 9, 2021

Nike Names New North America Head Following Sneaker Resale Saga

Nike Inc. has named a new head for its North America business, as well as made changes to its senior leadership team, following the sneaker resale saga that dominated headlines last week. The sportswear giant announced the appointment of Sarah Mensah, who steps in as VP and GM of North...

March 9, 2021

Echelon Announces Connected Bike Exclusive to Sam’s Club

Just months after its mishap with Amazon, Echelon announced that its Echelon Sport-s connected bike is available exclusively at Sam’s Club for $799 and includes a free six-month trial of its Sport membership. Front Office Sports

March 9, 2021

Dick’s Sporting Goods Posts Quarterly Earnings Beat but Outlook Suggests Slower Sales in 2021

Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. logged better-than-expected fourth-quarter financial results but provided an outlook that suggested a slowdown in sales for the year ahead. For the three months ended Jan. 30, the Coraopolis, Penn-based retailer recorded profits of $225 million, or earnings of $2.43 per share, versus the prior year period’s...

March 9, 2021

How virtual cycling platform Zwift created an enduring new esport

It’s not just a pandemic pastime. Zwift’s gamified version of e-cycling is here to stay. Fast Company

March 8, 2021

How Gyms Found a Way Through the Pandemic

Many gyms have closed during the pandemic, but some have found creative ways to persist. Fifty-four million Americans have received at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot as of last Thursday, and with that comes more people getting back to pre-pandemic routines, including going to the gym. Front Office Sports

March 8, 2021

Inov-8 Relaunches Under Original Founder

Inov-8 founder Wayne Edy quietly bought back the footwear company from Descente last year and is planning a relaunch with a new running shoe for trail and ultramarathon runners. Edy, who founded Inov-8 in 2003 and now owns 100% of the business outside of Northern Asia. SGB Media

March 8, 2021

Trek-Segafredo to donate Strade Bianche prize money to women’s cycling projects

Following the great prize money debate of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, fans raised €26,668 for the women’s prize purse for Strade Bianche. The money is to be given directly to the top 5 riders of the opening WorldTour event of 2021. Cycling Tips

March 6, 2021

Athleta’s Comps Climb 26 Percent In Q4

For the year, Athleta’s sales grew 16 percent and sales surpassed $1 billion. At the close of the year, Athleta finished with 199 stores, opening 11 and closing two during the year. Gap said it plans to open 20 to 30 Athleta stores in fiscal 2021. SGB Media

March 6, 2021

Women’s Strade Bianche crowdfunding campaign raises €25,578 for women’s winners

The fundraising brings the women's total prize purse to €31,876, exceeding that of the men's. VeloNews  

March 6, 2021

Before Peloton There Was Spinning®: How 2 Guys Named John Birthed the Unwieldy Fitness Trend

While outdoor cycling may have been seen as a male-dominated sport, in the last decade, indoor cycling has become the domain of women, a stronghold that has transcended exercise trends and is now situated in something akin to women’s lifestyle. Jezebel

March 6, 2021

More than 800 exhibitors signed up for Eurobike 2021

More than 800 exhibitors signed up for Eurobike 2021 September 1-4 in Friedrichshafen. In addition to specialist trade and industry visitors, Eurobike is rolling out two Festival Days, Friday and Saturday, for all bike fans. BikeBiz 

March 4, 2021

Boston Marathon plan to hand out 70,000 medals for 2021 virtual race polarizes runners

The first 70,000 people aged 18 or older who sign up and pay a fee will be able to earn a finisher’s medal simply by covering the classic distance wherever they happen to be. They don’t even need to run — they can walk. USA Today

March 4, 2021

All eyes on Duluth as Grandma’s Marathon becomes one of first big races in COVID era

Grandma's Marathon, which is poised to be one of the largest in-person races held since the COVID-19 outbreak is scheduled for June 17-19. Organizers have teamed up with world experts on crowd control to devise a plan to safely host 9,500 runners. StarTribune

March 4, 2021

Most customers will abandon a brand after three – or fewer – negative experiences, finds study

Customer retention and customer satisfaction could actually play a much larger role in growing revenue. New data shows that customers are abandoning brands after a maximum of three poor experiences, reflecting the need for brands to keep up the quality of their brand interactions. Footwear News

March 4, 2021

Reebok Appoints VP Of Apparel

Reebok announced the appointment of Portia Blunt to vice president, apparel. Blunt most recently served as director of apparel operations at New Balance. SGB Media

March 3, 2021

Hugging also banned: UCI urges riders to set example in fight against COVID-19

The UCI has called on riders to stop hugging after winning races to set a good example to fans and spectators in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Cycling News

March 3, 2021

Canyon issues stop ride notice to current Aeroad CFR and CF SLX riders after Mathieu van der Poel’s handlebar snaps

Canyon's sponsored pro teams will switch bikes following the incident. bikeradar

March 3, 2021

Crowdfunding campaign started to match men’s prize money for women’s Strade Bianche

Could the men and women be awarded the same amount of prize money? €5,000 has already been raised to distribute to the top five finishers at the women's Strade Bianche. VeloNews

March 3, 2021

Obstacle Course Racing’s Greatest Challenge: Reemerging for Battle in 2021

Obstacle course racing was the endurance-sports juggernaut of last decade. That came to a bruising halt with COVID-19. After a lost year, obstacle course racing is picking itself back up. Men’s Journal

March 3, 2021

How Exercise Enhances Aging Brains

Sedentary, older adults who took aerobic dance classes twice a week showed improvements in brain areas critical for memory and thinking. The New York Times

March 3, 2021

Could Nike and Former Top Exec Face Legal Action Over Resale Saga?

The multi-layered story has exposed the many challenges and opportunities defining the lucrative and, at times, shady world of sneaker resale. It’s brought to light major issues and questions surrounding corporate governance, greed, and power, calling attention to the topic of white privilege. Footwear News

March 2, 2021

Boston Marathon announces virtual race, expects smaller field for in-person event amid coronavirus pandemic

The Boston Athletic Association has announced that it will offer a virtual Boston Marathon for up to 70,000 people on Oct. 11 as it anticipates the in-person race this fall will have a smaller field amid the coronavirus pandemic. Boston Herald