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Archive for the ‘News and Events’ Category

Michael Schratter Spent the Last 15 Months in the Saddle Raising Awareness for Mental Illness, WELCOME HOME!

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

469 days is a long time to sit on a bicycle seat, but that is exactly what Michael Schratter did in a momentous effort to raise awareness of mental illness. We thought congratulation was due after his journey led him across 33 countries and six continents on a bicycle, something most of us wouldn’t dream of doing. But Michael did more than just dream, he made it a reality, an amazing demonstration of the power an idea can have.

Arriving back in Vancouver last Saturday the 42-year-old schoolteacher completed his dream of raising awareness of mental illness. There are many misconceptions and stigmas attached to the words “mental illness” and his ride and efforts bring them into the open where they can be confronted and dispelled. His ride also raised almost $70,000 for the Canadian Mental Health Association. Awesome effort Michael and congratulations form all of us here at Axiom.

Check out the Ride Don’t Hide Website and read about Michael’s epic journey on his blog.

Tags: Around the World, Axiom Gear, Cycling, Michael Schratter, Raising Awareness
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Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghain wins at Emmy Awards

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

PRESS RELEASE

“Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai” wins at 48th Annual Emmy® Awards

Jason Reid takes home Director – Post Production award for new China documentary

SEATTLE, Wash. – Seattle filmmaker Jason Reid won the Emmy® Award for Director-Post Production last Saturday night at the 48th Annual Emmy® Awards ceremony presented by the Northwest Chapter National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).

Reid took home the Emmy® Award for his feature documentary “Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai,” which also received a nomination in the Editor – Program category.

Northwest PBS affiliate KCTS 9 aired “Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai” in December 2010 and March 2011 as part of its Reel NW series, which qualified the 86-minute film for the regional Emmy® Awards.

“Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai” is the second feature documentary from Reid and the production team that released the Webby Award-winning film “Sonicsgate: Requiem For A Team” in 2009.

Reid and the film’s producers are honored and would like to thank the Northwest Chapter NATAS for this prestigious award as well as KCTS 9 and everyone who helped “Man Zou” be seen. They are currently seeking worldwide distribution for “Man Zou” and working on the production of their next feature documentary “The Kicker,” which takes a look at the highest scoring and least understood position position in pro football.

Jason Reid (Director/Producer) and Ian Connors (Cinematographer/Producer) are available for media interviews. If you would like a press screener for review or potential distribution, please direct inquiries to the contacts listed in this release.

Official movie website: www.manzoumovie.com.

Full list of Northwest Chapter NATAS Emmy® Award winners at www.natasnw.org

“Man Zou” — The Film and The Philosophy

“Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai” follows director Jason Reid with his three American friends and their Chinese guide as they bicycle more than 1,000 miles between China’s two largest cities. Their journey provides the framework for both a bike adventure film and an in-depth examination of the cultural, social, economic and environmental factors affecting this rapidly changing nation.

“Man Zou” is a common phrase in Mandarin that translates literally to “Walk Slow.” Used as a farewell, it is a way of reminding one another to be careful and mindful on our journey and take the time to see things along the way.

Shot in fall of 2008 after the close of the Beijing Olympics, the film presents an insightful portrait of China, juxtaposing its modern urban cities with breathtaking rural countryside. Interview subjects include environmental visionary Ma Jun (named as one of the “100 most influential persons in the world” by Time magazine in 2006) and China urbanization specialist Kam Wing Chan.

Produced by 2R Productions and 8Rivers Films.

“2011 Emmy® Award Winner”

Director – Post Production

Northwest Chapter NATAS

“A poetically entrancing journey…”

- Sara Michelle Fetters, MovieFreak.com

“Compelling, intelligent and uncommon…”

- Reed Wacker, Seattle P-I

Tags: Axiom, Axiom bike, Beijin, Bicycles, Cycling in China, Man Zou, Shanghai
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Axiom Gear gets featured in Open Air Life Father’s day guide

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

This Sunday, June 19th is father’s day. A day where we celebrate, well, Fathers. For me this will be my fist Father’s day and I am pretty excited about having been initiated into the realm of fatherhood. But this post really has nothing to do with me, other than the fact that I am writing it.

I thought that like many people you might be completely confounded about what to buy a father for Father’s day. I mean most of us have a lot of stuff and really what else could a father use that will really just clutter up the garage or storage room. Luckily the crew at openairlife.com put together a “Father’s Day Gear Guide,” but not just any gear guide, it is one specifically for the father that is also a cyclist. And there are a couple of Axiom products featured in it.

So if you are looking for last minute ideas of what to get for the fast approaching Father’s day, then look no further than here.

Tags: Axiom, Axiom bike, Axiom Gear, Father, Father's Day, Gift Guide
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Another Bike to Work Week is only days away, Will you ride?

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

It’s May, and though the weather might being doing its best to pull the wool over our eyes, summer is just around the corner. And that means that soon we may actually get a glimpse of the elusive daystar. This also means that perfect commuting weather is also here, well, almost… positive thoughts.

Regardless of the current state of precipitation here in Vancouver, next week is Bike to Work week. An entire week dedicated to ditching the auto and pedaling your way to work. I will admit that through the years, depending on where I have been situated, my participation has been spotty at best for many reasons – enter lame excuse here. But this matters not, because it is a new year.

The question is whether or not you plan on getting in on the riding festivities? The Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition or VACC will be out with sponsors next week offering support at key commuting stations around the lower mainland. If you are thinking of getting involved then there is a website dedicated solely to the pursuit of bicycle commuting glory which you can visit here.

On this site you can sign up, log your commutes and find out where these support stations are (which is good because they always have snacks and coffee, which is a bonus on the ride to and from work). If you have friends who also would like to participate you can sign up as a team and go head to head against other commuters around town. Norco, usually has a pretty good turn out, but you’d be surprised who else participates.

Check it out. If you have been thinking about commuting by bicycle then next week is a great week to get involved.

Tags: Axiom, Axiom bike, Axiom Gear, Bicycles, Bike To Work Week, Cycling, Norco Bike, Riding
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Photo Shoots: The Early Season Madness begins

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

The bicycle season is upon us already, it seems like just yesterday that I was on a local ski hill, with spring a distant pondering in my mind. Yet, it is officially spring, May is only a hair over a week away and around here it is photo shoot season once again. To be honest this is a bit of a filler post, because it has been a while and I don’t want to let this blog drop by the wayside. Don’t worry though, there will be plenty of posts just around the bend. Anyway, the other day we had a bit of a photo shoot, I wasn’t the photographer but I managed to snap a few pics while I was out and about as well so i thought, why not post a few, because everybody likes to look at pictures.

And incase you are wondering who our commuter model is, it is our very own Sandra Ross, who rides to work pretty much everyday of the year; rain, shine or any other weather that comes along. So here we go.

Tags: Axiom bike, Axiom Gear, Axiom Pannier, Bicycle Pictures, Bicycles, Bike Pics, Photos, Pictures
Posted in News and Events, Uncategorized | No Comments »

“Man Zou” encore presentation is tonight

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

“Man Zou” Encore Presentation on KCTS 9 – Tonight – 3/3 – 10pm

Just a quick reminder that Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai will be re-airing TONIGHT, Thursday 3/3, on Northwest PBS affiliate KCTS 9 at 10:00pm as a part of the Reel NW series. Be sure to set your DVR and forward along this info to anyone who might be interested in checking it out.

For those of you without a television or living outside the region, the entire 86-minute film will also begin streaming free online tomorrow night at 10pm. Following the television premiere, the full movie will be available to view on-demand for one week through local cable providers and online for one month via the KCTS 9 website. Go to www.kcts9.org or www.manzoumovie.com for more info.

We also have DVDs & T-shirts available in our online Man Zou Store and for a limited time only, you will receive a free Sonicsgate DVD with any purchase. We’ve also recently received some great press about the film. Check out the official KCTS 9 interview and all the latest reviews and articles on our press page.

Last, we just launched the official trailer for our new feautre-length documentary, “The Kicker.” Go to www.kickermovie.com to watch it and read more about the film.

Thanks for your support. Man Zou!

Jason Reid

Tags: Axiom, Beijing to Shanghai, China, Cycling, Encore, Man Zou, Movie, Video
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New “Manzou: Beijing to Shanghai” screenings announced

Monday, January 31st, 2011

Just a short while ago, a group of intrepid riders set off on the adventure of a lifetime on their bicycles. They rode from Beijing to Shanghai filming their journey and the trials that a 1,000 mile bicycle adventure threw their way. To pack along all of their camera gear, equipment and supplies they used Axiom pannier bags and racks and Axiom pumps for any flat tires that slowed them down along the way. We just got a release this morning that featured three new screenings of this epic film. Check out the details below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 31, 2011

New “Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai” screenings announced

China documentary to re-air during Reel NW series on KCTS 9

SEATTLE, Wash. — “Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai,” the newest feature documentary from the Webby Award-winning producers of “Sonicsgate: Requiem For A Team,” will re-air on PBS affiliate KCTS 9 as part of the Reel NW series on Thursday, March 3 at 10:00 p.m.. The 86-minute documentary first premiered Dec. 2, 2010 to strong reviews as part of the first season of Reel NW, which showcases the best independent film from the Northwest.

The producers of “Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai” today announced two special theatrical screenings of the film on Feb. 1 at the University of Washington (Allen Library Auditorium) and Feb. 18 at the Seattle R.E.I. (222 Yale Ave. North).

Upcoming Screenings of “Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai”:

Tuesday, Feb. 1

3:30 p.m.

University of Washington (Allen Library Auditorium)

Presented free by the UW Dept. of Geography

Official event website

Friday, Feb. 18

7:00 p.m.

Seattle R.E.I (222 Yale Ave. North)

Presented by the Cascade Bicycle Club

Tickets are $7 ($5 for Cascade members)

Official event website

Thursday, March 3

10:00 p.m.

Television Re-Broadcast on KCTS 9 (PBS)

Presented by Reel NW

Official Reel NW website

A recipient of the Seattle CityArtist Grant in 2008, “Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai” follows director Jason Reid with his three American friends and their Chinese guide as they bicycle more than 1,000 miles between China’s two largest cities. Their journey provides the framework for both a bike adventure film and an in-depth examination of the cultural, social, economic and environmental factors affecting this rapidly changing nation. Official movie website: www.manzoumovie.com

The film’s director and producer, Jason Reid and Ian Connors, are available for interviews. If you would like a press screener of the film for review, please direct any media inquiries to the contacts listed in this release.

“Man Zou” — The Film and The Philosophy

Shot in fall of 2008 after the close of the Beijing Olympics, the film presents an insightful portrait of China, juxtaposing modern urban cities with breathtaking rural countryside. Featuring interviews with environmental visionary Ma Jun (named as one of the “100 most influential persons in the world” by Time magazine in 2006) and China urbanization specialist Kam Wing Chan.

“Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai” is the highly anticipated follow up from the creators of the award-winning documentary “Sonicsgate: Requiem For A Team,” which exposed the shocking scandal behind the sale and relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics NBA franchise to Oklahoma City.

# # #

“A poetically entrancing journey…”

- Sara Michelle Fetters, MovieFreak.com

“It blew my assumptions about China

out of the water…”

- Ryan Schuetze, Go Means Go

“Compelling, intelligent and uncommon…”

- Reed Wacker, Seattle P-I

Tags: Axiom, Axiom Gear, Axiom Panniers, Axiom Pumps, Axiom Racks, Beijing to Shanghai, Bicycles, Cycling, Manzou, Seattle
Posted in News and Events | No Comments »

Axiom sponsors H&R block road team

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

As it so happens riding a bike is a thirst inducing endeavor, much akin to licking the salt off of a large novelty pretzel, and yet very different at the same time. When one finds oneself on the saddle of a bicycle with a nagging urge to satisfy their thirst what better way than with Mother Nature’s best: water? Or maybe a Gatorade-like product – what happens when Mother Nature and science go for a night out – because they taste good and have electrolytes (which may be marketing speak for salt and sugar, but I have no basis for this claim, it’s only an assumption) none the less I think it is an improvement over just water.

What better way to get water or a brightly colored beverage than with a water bottle –okay I admit that a hydration pack is pretty descent too unless you are racing which brings me to my next point; holding the water bottle. Yes, a water bottle cage makes short work of this task. So when the H&R block road team – an excellent team that helps developing riders realize their potential – asked us to provide a solution to the problem of holding water bottles on their bicycles, we told them that we have just the thing, and a sponsorship was born.

2011 will be the second year that Axiom is providing the H&R block road team with water bottle cages, floor pumps and of course happy thoughts – all for free, yes, even the happy thoughts. This team of elite racers can be found competing in and often winning events around Canada, clad in matching spandex the team works to help young racers realize their potential both on a bicycle and in life and prepares them to make the leap to the big leagues of professional racing when they are ready. It is an excellent program and the team is made up of some of the very best and most talented racers in Canada, which makes us proud to help them any way we can.

If you find yourself in attendance of one of these races you will witness true racing goodness. And when you see a rider with a big flaming green square on their chests and a Norco bicycle under their butts watch them when they reach for they reach down and effortless pull their water bottles from the Axiom Helix Pro water bottle cages and enjoy the refreshing joy that was contained between its carbon fiber wings (the water bottle cages wings). We are giving the gift of true hydration awesomeness.

Tags: Axiom, Axiom Gear, H&R Block, Road, Road Racing, Road Riding, Sponsorship, Water Bottle Cages, Watter Bottle
Posted in News and Events, Opinion | No Comments »

“Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai” world television premiere

Friday, November 26th, 2010

A little while ago Axiom sponsored a group of intrepid riders that set off on an adventure to ride from Beijing to Shanghai. The documentary of their journey is complete and will be airing on TV and because Axiom was along for the adventure we wanted to tell you about it. Here their recent press release.

SEATTLE, Wash. — “Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai,” the new feature documentary from the Webby Award-winning producers of “Sonicsgate: Requiem For A Team,” is set to premiere on Northwest PBS affiliate KCTS 9 as part of the Reel NW series. The 86-minute documentary airs at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2.

The Seattle Asian Art Museum (1400 East Prospect Street) is hosting an Exclusive Preview of “Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai” from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 30. The event is presented by the Gardner Center for Asian Art & Ideas, which Mimi Gardner Gates founded in 2009 with a goal of advancing the region’s engagement with Asia through dynamic public programs. Admittance is free to the public, but registration is required. RSVP online or call 206.443.6782 by Wednesday, Nov. 24 to reserve a spot. A recipient of the Seattle CityArtist Grant in 2008, “Man Zou” follows director Jason Reid with his three American friends and their Chinese guide as they bicycle more than 1,000 miles between China’s two largest cities. Their journey provides the framework for both a bike adventure film and an in-depth examination of the cultural, social, economic and environmental factors affecting this rapidly changing nation. Official movie website: www.manzoumovie.com

The film’s producers Jason Reid and Ian Connors are available for interviews. If you would like a press screener of the full movie for review, please direct any media inquiries to the contacts listed in this release.

Reel NW is a weekly KCTS 9 series that focuses on the best independent film from the Northwest. The series kicks off tonight at 10:00 p.m. with the acclaimed Seattle funk documentary “Wheedle’s Groove.” Official Reel NW website: www.kcts9.org/reel-nw.

Following its television premiere on KCTS 9, “Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai” will be available to view on-demand for one week through local cable providers and online for one month via the KCTS website.

“Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai” is the highly anticipated follow up from the creators of the critically acclaimed, award-winning documentary “Sonicsgate: Requiem For A Team,” which exposes the shocking scandal behind the sale and relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics NBA franchise to Oklahoma City. www.sonicsgate.org

Tags: Beijing, Bicycle, China, Cycling in China, Manzou, Shanghai, Touring
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Bike To Work Week: Will you saddle up?

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

Here in Vancouver, as the sun begins to run and hide behind the mountains a little earlier in the evening and rise a little later in the morning and the rain at times beats down with an almost unrelenting resolve, the temperatures slowly dip towards freezing and the minds of many drift to day dreams of their winter pass times. It is not the time of year most people are thinking about pulling out their bikes, filling the tires and getting ready to ride to work. In fact for most it may be the last thing on their mind. But it is that time of year again, it’s time for Bike to Work Week. Some might question the timing and of our Bike to Work Week and the sanity of those involved, but if you take a moment to reflect you might find that it makes more sense than you would have thought. Because this is about more than just a week of riding to work, no, this is about working towards a change.

This week is about planting a seed and helping it grow. Find a group of committed commuters that can band together and convince others to park their cars for a week and momentum will start to build. If you can find the motivation and resolve to ride for a week in November then there is a chance that you might keep riding afterwords. And riding in better weather than November weather, which isn’t difficult, will be a cinch once you have pedaled in the Novembuary drizzle. Maybe you won’t ride everyday but even once in a while is better than not at all.

Best of all during this week (November 1-7) there are resources to help you ease into the waters of cycling to work. The Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition or VACC for short provides web resources for businesses, individuals and teams to help get involved and motivated. There will also be stations around the city that offer free technical support, hot coffee and snack for commuters, and who doesn’t love free coffee and snacks.

Even though it may seem like an unlikely time of year to start commuting to work by bike, those that do it love it. So pull that bike out of the garage read a couple of the articles below on commuting and get some friends, co-workers or whatever together and challenge each other to ride to work. Who knows you might find you like it and suddenly find that more and more often you leave your car keys at home and take your bike instead.

Resources:

Commuting 101: A guide to Getting out There – Download the PDF

How to dress for winter riding – Read the Article

Arm and Leg Warmers : Why the will make your ride – Read the Article

Outerwear 101: Enjoying Wet Weather Commuting – Read the Article

Tags: Axiom, Axiom Gear, Bicycles, Bike To Work Week, Cycling in Vancouver, Riding in Vancouver, Riding to work, Vancouver
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