Val Vanderpool

Val is BRAIN’s newest staff writer. She comes to the magazine with a varied background including stints as a bike shop manager, bicycle tour guide, and race and event director. She also worked as a freelance writer in the outdoor and travel industries. Most recently, she taught women’s clinics and drove a demo van, working with Giant retailers all over the west. An Idaho native who has lived all over the northwest, Val is excited about her recent relocation to sunny southern California, where she can mountain bike, trail run, and garden year round. She lives in Silverado canyon with her boyfriend Brian and their two dogs. 

All articles by Val Vanderpool

August 20, 2013

VALLEJO, CA (BRAIN) — When Authorized Bicycle Shop owner Mike Kramer made the decision to retire, he didn’t want to sell the store to just anyone.

“I went to my employees and told them it was time for me to get out,” said Kramer. “And I proposed a plan that would make it easy for them to buy the shop.”

Posted in Retail News
August 20, 2013

BOISE, ID (BRAIN) — Multi-sport retailer Idaho Mountain Touring has opened a second location in Meridian, just west of its downtown Boise store. The 6,000-square-foot Meridian store, which opened in June, is a full-service shop, carrying bicycles from Giant and Trek.

Posted in Retail News
August 8, 2013

IRVINE, CA (BRAIN) — Felt Bicycles showed off its 2014 mountain bike line to a group of editors and a handful of retailers at the company’s headquarters in Irvine, California, this week.

Posted in Product/Tech
July 29, 2013
The Liv/Giant Intrigue

DEER VALLEY, UT (BRAIN) — If there is one word that best describes Giant’s 2014 product line, it is bold.

Posted in Product/Tech
July 23, 2013

NEW YORK, NY (BRAIN) — Less than one month after its flagship store opened in Detroit, bicycle and watch manufacturer Shinola unveiled a second store in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood on July 18. 

Posted in Retail News
July 18, 2013

ANN ARBOR, MI (BRAIN) —Long-time retailer Wheels in Motion is wrapping up the final stages of a major expansion project that will more than quadruple its current 2,500 square-foot retail store, and make it Ann Arbor’s largest bike shop.

Posted in Retail News
July 18, 2013

MADISON, WI (BRAIN)—Following the closure of its downtown store last year, Williamson Bicycle Works has suspended operations indefinitely at its remaining location at 3729 East Washington Avenue in Madison. 

Posted in Retail News
June 27, 2013

GAINESVILLE, FL (BRAIN) — Paul Corey, founder of The Bike Route in Gainesville, Florida passed away this week. He was 67. 

Posted in Retail News
June 21, 2013

TUCSON, AZ (BRAIN) —Trisports.com has filed for Chapter 11 reorganization, citing a downturn in business stemming from problems with a new software system, competition from online retailers and the closure of a second retail store in Tempe, Arizona, in court documents the Arizona online and brick-and-mortar retailer filed last week.

Posted in Retail News
June 18, 2013
GT Force Carbon Pro

BETHEL, CT (BRAIN) — GT Bicycles recently unveiled its new line of full-suspension mountain bikes, which includes three new models for 2014.

Posted in Product/Tech

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