Bike Festivus for the Rest of Us
Every year as the trails clear, the days get longer, and temperatures rise, the ZOIC team embarks on a series of adventures around the US to bring tech-blended style, comfort, and the occasional happy hour directly to you.
The Sea Otter Classic is the largest bike festival of the year and one that we’ve attended almost every year since our inception in 1994. 2018 was the biggest Sea Otter in history with 500 vendors and 70,000+ bike-happy spectators. 
We kicked off the weekend with a ZOIC family ride at Fort Ord to soak up sunshine and sweet, sweeping singletrack.
DROP YOUR SHORTS FOR MORCA
Every year we find a new way to support the local trail building organization and 2018 was no different! We had 100 people come “Drop Your Shorts”, upgrading to a pair of ZOIC’s and resulting in a $500 donation to MORCA – the Monterrey Off-Road Cycling Association.
ZOIC ATHLETES AND BRAND AMBASSADORS WERE OUT IN FULL FORCE
From left: Alexis Skarda and Vicki Barclay of Kenda Cannondale Women's Team, ZOIC's Marketing Coordinator Amy Black, and Brand Ambassador Cindy Abbott[/caption]
AND THE LEGEND OF WHISKY PAUL CONTINUES
"It was 2008; I had a homemade EZ up tent, spray painted with an old ZOIC logo, and boxes of product with not much else. There was rain in the forecast, so I prepared by bringing a little gas camp stove, hot chocolate, peppermint schnapps and lots of red solo cups.Well, the rain came and it was absolutely pouring. There was nowhere for anyone to take cover, so random people were just jumping in anyone’s tents to get out of the rain.
A couple happened upon my booth and she was soaked and freeeeezing. I fired up the stove and give them both a drink. We just hung out, trying to stay warm, chatting up a storm and had a really nice time. She’s always sworn it saved her, just that glimpse of warmth got her through.
They came back the next day as he promised he would have his whisky with him, and sure enough, he showed up, we imbibed and a legend was born.I’ve only been back a couple times since, but every year he shows up, flask in hand and has always lives up to his name of Whisky Paul."
- ZOIC Co-Owner, Eric Swenson recounts the Legend of Whisky Paul
FRUITA FAT TIRE FESTIVAL
One of our favorite bike shops, Over the Edge Sports, throws a party in downtown Fruita and the 18 Road Trails with all the music, camping, demos, and southern Colorado ridgeline-riding you can ask for.
We had a very important day to celebrate. Natty Gentry of WorldBikeParks has been on our ambassador team for many years and her birthday is arguably on the best day of the year: May 4th.
Check out the group ride of wookies and storm troopers before they took off to hit Kessel Run! Take a tour of the party with a Han Solo cameo here.
NEXT UP: A DIRT RAG DIRTFEST RECAP FROM ZOIC'S CO-OWNER, PAUL...
