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

July 14, 2014

PITLOCHRY, Scotland (BRAIN) — Under uncharacteristically clear blue skies, Giant unveiled its all new range of Defy road bikes to editors who attended the 2015 on-road media event set in the Scotland Highlands last week.

Posted in Product/Tech
June 20, 2014
Enve led a ride on the Wasatch Crest trail.

PARK CITY, Utah (BRAIN) — Utah's characteristic summer bluebird skies returned on Thursday, and almost the only evidence of the snow that fell earlier in the week was the hero dirt it left behind.

Posted in Product/Tech
June 19, 2014
The demo area was open for business Wednesday.

PARK CITY, Utah (BRAIN) — It wasn't until late morning on day two of Summer PressCamp that the snow started melting at Deer Valley Resort, but by midafternoon Wednesday, the ski runs were green again and the sun had brought temperatures out of the high 30s.

Posted in Industry News
June 18, 2014

PARK CITY, Utah (BRAIN) — With cold, wet and snowy weather canceling afternoon demo rides, the editors attending Summer PressCamp could only admire but not test the plethora of products unveiled as the event kicked off this week at Deer Valley Resort.

Posted in Industry News
May 30, 2014

IRVINE, Calif (BRAIN) — Shimano gave the go ahead for media to publish details of its first electronic-shifting off-road group — XTR Di2 — at 8:01 am. PT Friday.

Posted in Product/Tech
May 21, 2014

OGDEN, Utah (BRAIN) — Any city set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and hemmed in by two rivers is bound to be an outdoor recreation mecca — even only if by proxy.

Posted in Retail News
April 11, 2014
The new single chainring M9000 crank.

IRVINE, Calif. (BRAIN) – Shimano has unveiled its newest XTR mountain bike component line, including an 11-speed drivetrain with 1x11 capability. Billing the line as its most advanced XTR line yet, the group features Race and Trail "Rider Tuned" products that are more tunable than previous generations.

Posted in Product/Tech
April 9, 2014
Chris Warner spoke at the IBD Summit and the BLC this week.

MONTEREY, Calif. (BRAIN) – Retailers and industry professionals gathered Tuesday night for the start of this year's IBD Summit in its new venue at the Museum of Monterey.

Posted in Industry News
March 21, 2014

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (BRAIN) — Time Sport USA has announced that it will resume distribution of its pedals, cleats and composite frames in the U.S. QBP will continue to distribute Time pedals and cleats.

Posted in Industry News
March 20, 2014

FORT MADISON, Iowa (BRAIN) — When Slipstream Cycling owner Mike Winnike began serving smoothies to customers in his shop, he had no idea how far the food side of his business would ultimately take him.

Posted in Retail News

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