As It Expands Its Freewheel MTB Line, Outdoor Research Also Grows Its Investment in the Cycling Community

SEATTLE (June 26, 2024) — As it continues to focus heavily on the mountain bike category around the launch of its new Freewheel collection, Outdoor Research, the Seattle-based maker of high-end outdoor apparel and gear, is also getting involved with a number of cycling festivals, advocacy efforts and competitions.

“Creating and launching the Freewheel collection has been a labor of love for the Outdoor Research team,” said Chris King, VP of Brand for Outdoor Research. “Beyond building gear that stands out amongst our competitors, we want to actively engage with the mountain bike community to sustainably grow the sport so many of us at OR love. Supporting the events and organizations that connect us to our customers is a top priority for us.”

Upcoming sponsorships and other cycling-focused efforts that Outdoor Research is involved with include:

• Sponsor of the Sturdy Dirty Enduro on July 6 — Holding its 10th anniversary as the first women’s enduro race in the U.S., the Sturdy Dirty Enduro continues to create fun, intimidation-free racing experiences and give back to the trails. OR is a supporting sponsor of this all-women’s enduro race in Snoqualmie Point Park, Wash.

• Principal Sponsor of  NorthWest Tune-Up on July 12 — Outdoor Research will be part of the NW Tune-Up, a community-forward festival in Bellingham, Wash., fueled by mountain biking, music, art and craft beer. Part of this bike festival will include the Outdoor Research Galbraith MTN Enduro, broken into multiple categories between Saturday and Sunday.

• Principal Sponsor of Crankworx Whistler in late July — This will be OR’s second year sponsoring the Crankworx Whistler, a festival for the celebration of all things mountain bike.
  • Outdoor Research Athletes, Georgia Astle, Damon Iwanaga, Bas van Steenbergen and Tom van Steenbergen will be competing in various disciplines throughout the event.
  • Title Sponsor of Aspire 2024, a Grow Cycling event at Crankworx Whistler to provide valuable introductions to the next generation of talent. Hosting a networking session between industry professionals and aspiring attendees, the event is structured to provide inside knowledge and inspiration.

• Partnering with Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance — Since 1989, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance (EMBA), the nation's largest statewide mountain bike association, has represented thousands of riders through eight regional chapters throughout Washington State. EMBA is committed to sustainable recreation, trail maintenance, advocacy, education, volunteerism, and trail building, partnering with public land managers and contributing over 29,000 hours of trail work per year.

• Partnering with PeopleForBikes — Dedicated to making biking better for everyone in America by accelerating the construction of fun, safe and connected places to ride, PeopleForBikes works to advance bike-friendly policy at all levels of government, reduce barriers to access, and welcome more people to the joys of bicycling. OR is now a participating member of the coalition.

• Outdoor Research Blaze Your Trail Sweepstakes — To celebrate the launch of the Freewheel Mountain Bike Collection, OR is running a giveaway with $30,000 in prizes from Pivot Cycles, Dometic, Fox, Race Face, Alaska Airlines and, of course, Outdoor Research, including a grand prize trip to Whistler, B.C. The contest is open now through June 28, 2024.

Looking ahead to fall 2024 Outdoor Research will be adding additional pieces to the Freewheel collection, including the Freewheel Ride Pants and the Freewheel 4-Finger Bike Gloves.

Join us at outdoorresearch.com.