INTERBIKE 2013 - A POCTASTIC TIME

INTERBIKE 2013

The bright lights of Vegas. Photo//Ron Niebrugge

This is my 3rd season representing POC and I was asked to be apart of the POC Interbike team out in Las Vegas this year. Upon this request I was excited to be able to utilize my experience as an athlete to help out and to also use this trip as a learning experience. Not too many people really get to be apart of the behind the scenes of a big time trade show and demo, the amount of work that goes into putting together this polished production that most see is insane and is a total team effort.

Congratulations to Michael and Sandi on getting hitched! Photo Andrew Wilz//wilzfoto

I left shortly after my brothers wedding and found myself under the bright Vegas lights Sunday evening. Managing to find my way to the Palms Hotel I met the POC crew for a fantastic dinner and pleasantries were exchanged as I have never before been introduced to the brain-trust from Sweden. Excited to contribute, getting to know the POC team and not knowing what to expect I made sure to be fresh for the beginning of a long week.

The mobile meca that is Outdoor Dirt Demo. Photo Jake Orness

The scene in Boulder City at the Bootleg Canyon Outdoor Dirt Demo was densely populated as this traveling circus that is the cycling industry set up shop in the most demanding, dry and dusty venue conceivable. For two days we would all call this village of pop up tents home as media types, athletes and the cycling crazed public partook in demoing the latest and greatest product. The POC tent was a constant buzz and helmets and padding flew off the shelves and onto those hungry to hit the trail. The temps were intense reaching triple digits both days, I found myself needing to escape to the Air Conditioned Shimano tent before overheating. I had a great time meeting some locals that helped out with demo gear and being apart of such a successful and busy demo. The general consensus is that the new POC Octal helmet is going to be a big hit as everyone came back stoked, some admittedly even said they forgot it was on their head due to the fact that it weighs under 200 grams which is featherlight light! At the end of Tuesday it was a struggle to get everything packed up and out of there due to high winds, but Nat, Aimee and I made it happen. Our reward, a quick stop to In and Out and straight to bed in hopes my voice would come back.

The calm before the storm as Team POC prepares for Interbike domination. Photo Brian Buell

The early morning wakeup call came and went and soon enough I was in a taxi, latte in hand on route to the Mandalay Bay for the biggest cycling trade show under fluorescent lights in North America. To provide you an example of the monstrosity of this event, it took me nearly 30 minutes to find my way to the POC booth for an all staff POC meeting. As soon as the velvet rope was dropped it was one shop owner, media guy, and consumer consultant after another from all over the globe. From POC sponsored athlete I transformed into brand ambassador, sales/marketing consultant and rep depending on who I was engaged with. I really enjoyed this experience and learned a lot while observing others as they described the product from all angles and got down to the nitty gritty when talking sales terms. After the first day I felt comfortable enough to talk to anyone about all of the POC Product line. When I had a chance I was busy stocking catalogs, putting product back on the shelves and cleaning the booth. Luckily Honey Stinger was just a trade show block away and so I would snack throughout the day trying to stay energized until closing time at 6pm. Each day brought about a new question, challenge and learning experience, but the overall outcome of being able to work with such a great group of people and represent an amazing company like POC was extremely rewarding. I also had the opportunity to talk with each and every member of the POC Sweden team and I cannot wait to see what they come up with next.

Talk about being a brand ambassador in the business section of the Vegas Newspaper. Photo Brian Buell

I was able to break away the last day to manage some of my own personal appointments and to take in the show from the pedestrians perspective as I roamed the streets and rows upon rows of cycling memorabilia and product. The last obstacle standing in our way was booth tear down and pack up. This lasted long into the night and by 10pm we were back celebrating a job well done at the Palms enjoying a nice meal and even winning a little cash playing some roulette. I slept like a rock waking up to the sound of the cleaning staff knocking on my door. I kicked the tires, got on the road and looked back at Vegas in my rear view mirror as I made my way back driving the lonely highway home extremely satisfied with the week that was Interbike 2013.

For the first time ever I might actually feel inclined to come back, thanks Vegas! Photo Davos

RIDE ON!