After Ashley Korenblat attended an Interbike industry show a few years ago and got a peek at the latest mountain bikes and gear, she decided Moab needed something more inclusive.
While Interbike is open only to those who work in the bike industry, Outerbike – founded by Korenblat and her husband Mark Sevenoff – allows anyone to come test-ride new bikes and view the latest in related merchandise, like clothing, bike components, and protective gear such as helmets and kneepads.
Attendees can spend the weekend test-riding a number of new bikes on backcountry trails to get a “real feel” for the bikes.
“Bikes are expensive – you wouldn’t want to buy a $4,000 to $10,000 bike without test-riding it,” Outerbike site manager Chris Wamsley said. “It’s an opportunity to test a bunch of bikes back-to-back on real trails.”
Outerbike Spring takes place primarily at the Moab Brands Trailhead from Friday, April 6, through Sunday, April 8, where vendors’ booths will be set up throughout the weekend. The event also includes lunch and a beer happy hour on two afternoons. Outerbike demo events also happen in Crested Butte, Colorado; Bentonville, Arkansas; and Moab in the fall.
Korenblat and Sevenoff’s Western Spirit Cycling Adventures, a Moab bicycling touring company, puts on the event. And because there’s no brand affiliation associated with the business, Outerbike is able to attract a wide number of bike brands, Wamsley said.
“It’s open to anybody who wants to show off their products to the biking community,” he said.
There are three ticket options: A $240 full demo pass allows participants three days of riding new bikes at Moab Brands Trailhead, plus shuttle rides to additional trails such as Navajo Rock, Magnificent 7 and Amasa Back. In addition to lunch each day, and beer at the trailhead from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on April 6 and April 7, there will be contests and prizes.
With the BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike) $190 ticket you’ll receive lunch each day, shuttles to other trailheads and happy hour on both days. This ticket doesn’t allow you to demo the new bikes, however.
The Social Card, for $85, gets you lunch and happy hour on both days, plus access to the venue where you can check out the various vendors.
Last year’s spring Outerbike drew people from 42 states, as well as participants from Mexico, Central America and Europe, Wamsley said. This year, he expects 600 to 700 attendees, he said.
“We take care of our patrons from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” Wamsley said. After those hours, “They spend money at restaurants and hotels, while exploring the community.”
Mike Howse, of the Seattle-based Evil Bikes, said he enjoys bringing his bikes to Utah and showing them to people outside his usual customer base.
“We build bikes we like to ride, so getting to share that with others is fantastic – particularly getting to hear their feedback,” Howse said. Plus, “The terrain in Moab is completely different than what we have in Seattle, so it’s fun to get out and ride something different.”
Or, just come for the party
“We build bikes we like to ride, so getting to share that with others is fantastic – particularly getting to hear their feedback.”
When: Friday, April 6, through Sunday, April 8
Where: Moab Brands (Bar M) Trailhead
Cost: $240 full demo; $190 BYOB; $85 Social Card; Service fees also apply
Information: www.outerbike.com/moab-spring-2018/; 800-845-2453; 435-259-8732
Email: outerbike@westernspirit.com
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