This past weekend the Norco truck and trailer packed up and head down to the 21st annual Seattle Bike expo. Put on by the Cascade Bicycle Club this has become the largest bicycle consumer show in North America. With more than two hundred exhibitors and thousands of consumers showing up the weekend was a flurry of activity. Norco had some near-ceiling-high towers set up with a display of bikes alongside the latest and greatest from Axiom and Mace.
Next to the Norco setup always seemed to be a mob of people waiting to see the next Ryan Leech Trials Show or Artistic Cycling Demonstration. Having Ryan do 4 shows over the two days was a treat for everyone at the show. Having the Artistic Cycling team as well was simply icing on the cake.
If the expo, the trials demo and the artistic cycling wasn’t enough for you, Ryan was also leading a morning Yoga session both days of the show. A group of yoga enthusiasts showed up each day to partake in Ryan’s class.
With more than 200 exhibitors at the show it took a fair bit of time to see everything. That is if you could actually see everything. Three of the exhibitors present also happened to be Norco Factory Team sponsors FSA, Ergon and Nuun.
See more photos from the Seattle Bike Expo at: flickr.com
This weekend is the start of the 2010 event season for Norco at The Seattle Bike Expo. This is an annual event hosted by the Cascade Bicycle Club in Seattle, Washington. The show should draw in excess of 200 exhibitors and thousands of consumers over the course of two days.
If you are in the Seattle area over March 13th – 14th, head on down to the Seattle Cruise Ship terminal and say hello. Norco will be there showing off 2010 bikes, giving away a Norco Hades Bike and Factory Team rider Ryan Leech will be conducting Trials Demonstrations throughout the day.
Ben Boyko may not be on a Norco anymore but there are a few things that take some time to come to light. The highly anticipated Anthill Films production Follow Me is set to be released on April 16th in Monterey California at the 20th annual Sea Otter Classic.
If you are heading down for the first big race of the season, be sure to stop at the Norco booth before heading over to the Golden State Theatre to see the World Premier of Follow Me.
In the meantime, watch the trailer and you will see just how good the movie will be.
I hate to get political but sometimes… there is reason behind it…
March 3rd, 2010 was the day to be in Victoria BC protesting the inclusion of bikes into HST legislation on July 1st 2010. For those out there that don’t know, HST stands for Harmonized sales tax and brings the Provincial Sales Tax (PST at 7%) and Federal Sales Tax(GST at 5%) into a single harmonious chunk that is added to most retail purchases. All that HST is going to do is make cycling less affordable and less attractive to existing and potential cyclists.
As long as I can remember Bicycles, labour, safety equipment and essential parts have been exempt from the PST. As far as I know, bikes have always been PST exempt. Well, the good’ ole days are a thing of the past. When the HST comes into effect, that 7% PST will be tacked onto the GST in a silent, single tax. Prepare to make your wallet a little bit thinner…
With the HST coming into effect, the increased income from taxation is said to be offsetting the rising cost of health care. The cost of health care are rising with the aging Baby Boom and the government is looking for money from the significantly smaller X and Y generations. The costs attributed to an aging population are innevitable, it is the target of the HST that I question. Certain products have been PST exempt for a specific reason. Through tax exemption, environmental impact and low-income households were addressed. With the innitiation of HST, the Campbell Administration is taxing the people that are reducing emissions and living a healthier lifestyle. It is those who rely less on the health care system that will be paying for the gas-guzzling, artery-clogging lineup of people idling at the local McDonald’s Drive-thru.
Lastly, if you are interested in economics, Taxation can be seen as a burden on society limiting GDP and suppressing the economy. Have a quick read about the Dead-Weight-Loss theory.
Have you ever had your bike stolen? Have you ever worried about your bike getting stolen? Did you know that without a serial number the police will not even write up a report for bike theft?
So what does this tell us? Get out to the garage, look under the Bottom Bracket and write down that number. Even better, take the serial number of your Norco bike and register it at norco.com/bike-registration. After doing this you could win a BRAND NEW NORCO EMPIRE FRAME! It is that simple. register your Norco Bike and you are automatically entered to win!
But, There is More!
Tell your friends about the Norco Bike Registry on Twitter or Facebook and you will be eligable to win one of two WTB Vigo Carbon SLT saddles valued at $240!
Twitter
To be eligible on Twitter first follow NorcoBikes on Twitter then enter the following text as a status update:
@NorcoBikes I just registered my Norco online at http://norco.com/bike-registration/ so I can win a Norco Empire Frame!
Facebook
Do the same on your Facebook and you could win again! For this one you will need to become a fan of facebook.com/norcobikes then:
Update your Facebook status by typing ‘@Norco Performance Bikes’ then copy and paste:
I just registered my Norco online at http://norco.com/bike-registration/ so I can win a Norco Empire Frame!
So there you go, Register, tell your friends, then go for a ride! You could be riding a New Norco Empire before you know it!
Mandatory legal mumbo-jumbo:
The contest is open to all Norco Bike Registration Participants ONLY. Norco Products LTD employees are not eligible.
Contest is void in Quebec and where otherwise prohibited. (although we still encourage you to register your bike)
Approximate Value of Prizes are Norco Empire Frame $2200 CAN, (2) WTB Vigo Saddle $240 CAN. Contest closes at 12:00AM June 1, 2010 PST. Winners of the Norco Bike Registration Contest will be notified through provided contact information on June 3, 2010.
If any winner of the Norco Bike Registration Contest shall be under the age of majority, by the acceptance of the prize his/her parent or legal guardian agrees to hold Norco Products LTD and all affiliates, employees, advertising and promotional agencies, harmless from and against any and all claims and liability arising out of or in any way connected with the operation of this contest and use of a Prize.
Norco Products LTD. retains the right, in its absolute discretion, to make substitutions of equivalent kind or value in the event of the unavailability of any prize for any reason whatsoever. Only one (1) prize per household or bike registration will be awarded.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook or Twitter. The information you provide in the Norco Registration Contest may be used by Norco for web, print, safety and product based communication. Any personal information provided win registration will be used solely by Norco and will not be distributed to any 3rd party.
This contest is subject to all Federal, Provincial and Municipal laws. Decisions of Norco Products LTD are final with respect to all aspects of this contest.
In order to win any of the prizes listed above, participant must first answer a skill testing question.
