On the Road with Smartwool. Riding to Outdoor retailer

Mountain Flyer: On the Road

            As I sit on highway 133 waiting for the flagman to let our lane through, I think about the amount of miles I am about to ride my bicycle over the next few days. It will be my second time on my road bike all season. But bike riding is bike riding right? I finally make it to Carbondale, Colorado where Mavis Fitzgerald of Backbone media is anxiously awaiting my tardy arrival.

            Mavis, an outspoken and extremely funny P.R. manager, graciously although persuasively talked me in to attending an annual bike ride that one of her clients takes to a trade show in Salt Lake City. With my current work situation, this seemed like an awesome opportunity to pass up (plus Riepe insisted), so I agreed.

            We were already running behind due to my hectic schedule the day of departure, but Mavis is super flexible and the cruise from Carbondale to Steamboat was enjoyable, except for the sub-par I-70 Chinese and over abundance of “drunk” drivers. We make it to Steamboat only to find out our short stay will be in a “Bates” style motel. Luckily, the morning came quickly and making way for a cool dawn with overcast skies.

            Next week marks the big Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City, Utah, an event that pulls together companies from throughout the outdoor industry and the like.  The event takes place as both a summer and a winter event, but the summer event offers an opportunity to find alternative modes of transportation to the event. Smartwool, for the past four years has ridden the 350 miles from Steamboat, Colo. To Salt Lake City, Utah for the annual summer event. The group takes 4 days to complete the ride, offering a refreshing trip before a busy week of business at the show.            

            Smartwool’s approach seems to be a little different from most companies, but maybe that’s why Outside magazine named them as “One of America’s Best Places to Work” for the past three years. A company based around employee happiness usually leads to better productivity and fewer turnovers, which is on thing Smartwool seems to have figured out.

            Riding from Steamboat this year is a variety of Smartwool employees and sales reps from all over the country. “It’s about bringing everyone together, hanging out and having a good time,” says Mark Satkiewicz, Smartwool President. The diversity at Smartwool offers a good mix of personalities with similar interests, focused around the active mountain lifestyle. 

            I am currently embarking on this journey with the company and am delighted to be a part of the festivities. There will be more blog posts to come from the trip so keep checking back for photos and videos from the trip. Below are some photos from Smartwool's main office based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

Smartwool offers incentives for employees who commute to work each day. This board keeps track of each employees riding days. Also every Friday at 3pm the work day ends for employees who choose to particiate in an after work bike ride that ends at local watering hole.	The well known Smartwool "Smartie" framed in the offices main sitting room/meeting room.	Love letters from Smartwool customers from across the globe. They get hundreds of these letters every week. They must really be making products that work.