iPods & iPads are SO last week, study says Active Americans want to find cycling equipment & accessories under the tree.

We all know bikes are cool. And a recent study by Leisure Trends (link) illustrates this against the backdrop of holiday gift giving. According to the market research company and their 2.8 million Most Active American research panel, bicycling equipment & accessories tops the list of “Coolest” gifts to receive this holiday season. Ahead of tech gadgets like iPods, iPads, GPS and cell phones. Ahead of other outdoor products like ski/snowboard or kayak/boating equipment. Even ahead of the catchall category of “vacations”.

You can spin this many ways, but at ZOIC we see it boiling down to this: cycling offers active Americans tremendous bang for the buck. And these days where wallets are stretched thinner than shrink wrap, investing in a sport without many hidden or add-on costs makes for a sure fire winner.

ZOIC exhibited at the 2010 Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, CA last weekend and man was it a fantastic event for cyclists! If you enjoy riding in any of its forms, this is *the* place to be every April. We were thrilled to have riders from all over California and the country seek us out to talk about ZOIC product, take advantage of our expo steals and deals, and most importantly recount the experiences we've all shared over 15 years of coming to Sea Otter and wearing ZOIC.

It was a perfect weekend with gorgeous weather, but we remember the bitter cold and rain 3 years ago when Eric's hot toddies saved countless souls, including the couple who now return each year with a flask of Jameson to repay the kindness and relive the misery of the 2007 Classic.

We enjoyed seeing the rider from North Carolina who comes every year or two, spots a killer expo deal and convinces his 3 buddies it's a must purchase. A few years back it was a longsleeve SportWool jersey, this time around it was the few '09 Ether shorts still on hand. You know you're treating the customer right when they become your #1 salesman!

There were jogs down memory lane with friends and business partners we've worked with over the years. We got the chance to say hi to ZOIC dealers who were scouting the expo for product information and soaking up the vibe; the CEO of one of our national retailers even took advantage of a bargain from our expo bins.

A few weeks back on National Trails Day, we hosted a ride and sponsored raffle to raise money for our local non-profit we support, Outdoor Outreach.

What an amazing turnout! Through the support of industry sponsors that donated to our raffle and the friends and family who came out to support, we were able to raise over $1200. Thank you Bike Magazine, BOB Trailers, Carve, Clif Bar, Dakine, Electra Bicycles, GIRO, Gregory Mountain Products, and Niterider for donating such wonderful prizes!

“By having ZOIC put their energy and resources into this event, it allows Outdoor Outreach a venue to create local community awareness for the youth we serve as well as an opportunity to raise donations. All donations will allow us to grow capacity throughout our organization and help us continue to transform the lives of at-risk youth through comprehensive outdoor programming," said Chris Rutgers, executive director of Outdoor Outreach.

When: Saturday, June 6th, 2009
What: National Trails Day, 9-11 a.m. trail work with SDMBA, REI and SD County, 11-2 p.m. music, lunch, and pony rides, Outdoor Outreach/ZOIC ride will begin at 11:30, followed by the giveaway, around 1 p.m.
Where: Los Pensaquitos Adobe Ranch House on Canyonside Park Drive (12122 Canyonside Park Drive)
More information: www.zoic.com/ntd

Every year in the spring, we host a ZOIC and Outdoor Outreach trail ride in San Diego. It's a great way to get everyone together, raffle off some prizes, and ride some trails! Support Outdoor Outreach by purchasing your raffle ticket ahead of time.