Thought I'd pass this along to the list. Maybe some of us "locals" can add some classic content to the event. I'll try and find out some more info, or if others already have some, please pass it along.
Wayne Bingham In the DC area.....
BICYCLING MAGAZINE TO HOST GREAT GEAR EXCHANGE An event first for the cycling industry's leading consumer magazine
Emmaus, PA, July 6, 2001-- Bicycling Magazine announces the launch of a new event, Bicycling's Great Gear Exchange, to be held Saturday, September 22, 2001 at the D.C. Armory in downtown Washington D.C. Plans are underway to host a second event in Columbus, Ohio in late fall 2001.
Otherwise known as a swap meet or flea market, the Great Gear Exchange is designed to be a consumer show where individuals, clubs, groups and retailers can buy, sell or trade all kinds of cycling and fitness equipment at a one-day extravaganza. The 67,000 square foot armory which normally hosts events such as political galas, antique shows and military drills, will be transformed into a gigantic cycling marketplace. Retailers and individuals from all over the mid-Atlantic region are expected to bring truckloads of new and used bike, fitness and outdoor gear to sell to consumers hunting for great bargains all in one, big location.
"We are really excited to take on this new challenge," said publisher Nelson Pena. "Bicycling has a close relationship with our consumers and an event like this will bring us even closer. We feel that the Gear Exchange is a natural extension of our brand."
"We were also looking for strong cycling markets that have been under-marketed," Pena continued. "D.C. has a great bike culture and strong cycling consumer base--the BikeDC ride with 6,000 participants is a testimony to this. And Columbus, besides being one of the top test-market capitals in the country, has a high level of frequent cyclists--nearly one out of every four households follows a cycling lifestyle."
In addition to the Gear Exchange, The Washington Area Bicyclist Association will hold a free Kids' Rodeo at the armory site. Open to kids age 6-10, the rodeo will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature games and prizes for kids on bikes.
The DC Great Gear Exchange will be held in conjunction with Giant Food's BikeDC bike ride that is scheduled for Sunday, September 23. In its second year, BikeDC is expecting over 6,000 participants on this 34-mile cycling tour through Washington. Registration and Tshirt pickup will be available on site at the Great Gear Exchange. And, in an effort to entice consumers to participate in both events, BikeDC participants will receive special discount tickets to Bicycling Magazine's Great Gear Exchange.
For more information log on to http://www.Bicycling.com/
BICYCLING MAGAZINE is the world's largest and most influential consumer cycling publication. Since 1961, committed recreational and fitness cyclists have turned to BICYCLING for easy-to-access information on bikes and gear, technique, fitness, repairs, travel and more. With over 1.8 million readers, BICYCLING reaches both on- and off-road bicycle enthusiasts.