First Time at Interbike, Dreams Come True

So I was checking out some tires, taking some photos and as I look away from the viewfinder I see none other than Cam Zink. Later on we chatted about Rampage over a beer at SRAM’s happy hour. Not that I should be surprised to see him at Interbike, it just represented how surreal the experience has been for me.

Only a few days ago I was like any other fan, reading articles and viewing pictures online and I’ve now just spent three days right in the middle of the mayhem that is Interbike.

Cam Zink might go huge at Red Bull Rampage, but at Interbike, he's just another guy that you can chat with about suspension set up. — Cam Zink might go huge at Red Bull Rampage, but at Interbike, he’s just another guy that you can chat with about suspension set up.

I just recently graduated from Industrial Design at Humber College in Toronto, Canada. I’ve been pretty bike obsessed lately as my final thesis project was an enduro mountain bike helmet that I spent almost a year on. For me, Interbike was the ultimate place to get involved in the industry. I was able to talk to some of the designers that helped me design and build my helmet. I was happy to meet them in person and they were pretty surprised. Everyone I met was great to chat with, although we were all exhausted, the atmosphere is chill and fun. At the same time, there is lots of productivity and business going on, it was my first business experience and I enjoyed learning how the media, retail industry, and bike companies worked together. The free breakfasts, events and open bar weren’t bad either!

So much amazing gear to pick apart and learn about. Fox helmets integrating a MIPS system.

Here’s how it all started. I had been talking to the guys at Enduro Mountainbike Magazine after responding to their internship post on Facebook for a few weeks. Monday morning I checked my email to find that Robin had responded to my question regarding Interbike, I hadn’t heard from him since before Eurobike. The timing was just too perfect, how better to finish the interview process than to meet at Interbike! I think the wacky group selfies photo all over Vegas were the official confirmation of my position on the team.

While the guys were busy at the outdoor demo I was frantically buying my flight, packing and then flying down to Las Vegas! About 11 hours after I left my house I got to the hotel with no internet or cellular connection in the USA, it took me another 45 minutes to find the room where I would find Robin, Trev and Daniel. We wasted no time getting to sleep to rest up for the next few days. The next 18 hours were some of the most interesting I’ve ever experienced.

After entering Outdoor Demo at Interbike, Las Vegas, you're greeted with a sea of tents and bikes upon bikes. — After entering Outdoor Demo at Interbike, Las Vegas, you’re greeted with a sea of tents and bikes upon bikes.

If you know the right people at Fox, after you grab a bike, you can get the special Fox shuttle to the top of the downhill track.

First of all, Las Vegas is completely ridiculous. Everything is huge, bright, and totally over the top. You are never at a loss for a way to blow money. The inside of the hotels are like mini towns, in fact, as I write this, we haven’t been outside in almost two days! The convention industry there runs like a well-oiled machine fueled by 4 dollar bananas, gambling and nice hotel suites. Luckily there was a Clif bar booth and press room that kept us from starving all day.

Clif Bar kept a lot of hungry conventioneers going throughout the three days of Interbike. Fuel isn't just for exercise. — Clif Bar kept a lot of hungry conventioneers going throughout the three days of Interbike. Fuel isn’t just for exercise.

Even if you can get outside during Interbike, the views get even wilder. The Sphinx starting down over Las Vegas, in front of the Luxor.

Inside the views are crazy too. Trophy trucks with Maxxis tires are the next step for those with a little too much cash on their hands.

Bike mechanics everywhere go nuts seeing the Park Tool booth.

It was my first time being on this side of the industry, until now I have only been a consumer, rider and had some retail experience. All of a sudden I had a media pass, camera and tons of people to talk to. As a designer, it’s been super interesting because I notice and appreciate the process that is required to develop the new technologies that the companies are showing off. For example how the new SRAM guide brakes solve the problem of lever feel vs. modulation with a cam system or the integrated handlebar lock on the Denny bike. Interbike has been overwhelming, there is just so much to take in that I’ll probably still be processing it by the time I get home. It’s a good thing I had a camera to record the highlights because there was too much for me to remember!

The Go Pro booth is always a hit. Besides playing the most insane videos in ultra high definition, they also show you how to mount your bike on a Porsche that can do 100 mph through the Baja desert.

Big thanks to Robin, Trev, Daniel and all the other guys who made my first trip to Vegas awesome, can’t wait for next year!

Words: Tyler Malcomson

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First Time at Interbike, Dreams Start to Come True

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