Just Riding Along

Boulanger launches Skidstrong

"Skidstrong" is a new brand of fixed gear bikes and accessories that will target the messenger crowd.  Gary Boulanger - Cycles Gaansari founder and former PR guy for Pacific Cycle - is launching the brand to:

"raise awareness and funding through the promotion and sales of fixed-gear bicycles, accessories, components and clothing, for the Bicycle Messenger Emergency Fund (BMEF), a nonprofit organization established in 2001 to provide financial assistance to injured bicycle messengers around the world."

Proceeds from the sale of all products will benefit the BMEF and the bikes will be made in Ohio.

More info at Gary's shop blog, The Bike Evangelist.  The Skidstrong website is coming soon.

Donna Tocci stands up for Kryptonite

Almost a year after the crisis, Kryptonite's PR Manager Donna Tocci has re-engaged the blogosphere.  Being the responsible PR person she is, she is monitoring blogs for mention of her brand.  In doing so recently she came across the Naked Conversations blog.  They're writing a book about business blogging and their chapter titled, "Doing it Wrong" features many references to Kryptonite.

Tocci contacted them and several emails ensued.  The result is a very illuminating post from Naked Conversations.  I highly recommend looking through the dialogue in the comments...it's an amazing look at how a company deals directly with feedback (and it's not all good).

There is also a follow-up post that asks the questions:

1. Has Donna Tocci's comments changed your opinion of Kryptonite?  If so is it for the better or for worse?

2. If you had a bike would you buy a Kryptonite lock for it?

Again, be sure to read the comments by some very respected PR/blogging experts.

Interestingly enough, the same day I noticed the Naked Conversations post (I read that blog nearly every day), I received an email from Donna too.  We've been emailing back and forth and I will post something about our conversation in the next day or so.

Trek's Burke new Secretary of Commerce

As if Trek needed any more help in global bicycle domination.

Mary Burke, daughter of Trek founder John Burke, is the new Secretary of Commerce for the state of Wisconsin.  While at Trek, Ms. Burke was in charge of forecasting and planning.

There is more information, including a Q&A with Burke in this article by the River Valley Business Report.

[According to a recent report, the cycling industry in Wisconsin contributes an estimated $835 million dollars to Wisconsin's economy.]