Since piecing collectively his first bicycle in his dad or mum’s storage in California within the Nineteen Seventies, Tom Ritchey has stayed on the fringe of innovation.
His storied profession and namesake firm have flowed by means of the evolution of bicycles since his first construct, all whereas staying true to his imaginative and prescient of the bicycle’s operate as a fantastic equalizer.
Portrait of Tom Ritchey in 1988. Photograph: Ritchey
“Whether or not it’s a wood bike or a Tour de France winner, individuals everywhere in the world nonetheless smile once they see and join with one other individual on a bicycle! It’s a freedom software and a smile machine!” stated Ritchey.
Tom Ritchey has been constructing bikes because the Nineteen Seventies. Photograph: Ritchey
These two examples aren’t simply hypotheticals; Ritchey has been concerned within the design and improvement of bikes at each degree. His high-end designs have been key to victories on the prime of the game by riders together with Ruthie Matthes, Jenny Rissveds, and Nino Schurter. However his different initiatives labored to enhance the lives of people that use Ritchey bikes by providing them the liberty they in any other case might not have had.
Ruthie Matthes carrying the rainbow jersey whereas driving for Workforce Ritchey. Photograph: Ritchey
Celebrating Tom Ritchey’s legacy
Now, 50 years since its begin, Ritchey is able to have a good time by trying again to its roots.
Ritchey has deliberate a collection of rollouts all year long that features particular version frames, attire, and logos that pay homage to the historical past of the model.
The up to date logos embrace the Ritchey Woodmark, which options the blue and gold of the unique emblem however consists of “Palo Alto, California,” to focus on the place the model started. A second icon emblem incorporates a protect with the Ritchey emblem on prime and a daring 50 stamped within the center to mark the event.
Precisely what bikes and equipment these logos will seem on will probably be revealed within the coming months as releases drop. The primary launch is a long-sleeve t-shirt with the special-edition emblem on the chest. Ritchey has additionally stated followers of the model can count on to see winter wool caps and drinkware.
50 years of historical past
A full checklist of accomplishments and highlights spanning Ritchey’s 50-year profession is about so long as one would think about. Listed below are a number of highlights:
1992
Using for Workforce Ritchey, Henrik Djernis wins MTB World Championships in Bromont.
1995
Ritchey creates its first clipless MTB pedal.
1996
Thomas Frischknecht wins the Silver Medal for mountain biking on a Ritchey P20 on the 1996 Olympic Video games in Atlanta.
1997
Ritchey presents a 2×9 velocity drivetrain for mountain bikes as a sooner different to triple chain-rings in racing.
2004
After years of taking a scientific method to design and punctiliously researching materials stress factors to make sure most sturdiness, security, and efficiency, Ritchey releases its first carbon fiber element—the WCS Carbon Street Bar.
2005
Tom visits Rwanda and shortly designs the Espresso Bike to assist Rwandan espresso farmers transport their crops extra effectively to washing stations.
Tom Ritchey pushing wood bikes. Photograph: Ritchey
2009
Ritchey launches the SuperLogic line, a group of the highest-end carbon fiber parts engineered from probably the most fashionable, cutting-edge supplies.
Nino Schurter wins his first of a number of UCI XCO Championships, driving a Ritchey cockpit.
2012
Tom is inducted into the USA Bicycle Corridor of Fame in Davis, California.
“Tom Ritchey’s 40-12 months Experience” documentary movie is launched, chronicling and celebrating Tom’s first 40 years of innovation within the bike trade.
Using Ritchey WCS bars, stem, put up, and pedals, Jenny Rissveds and Nino Schurter each win gold medals in mountain biking on the Olympic Video games in Rio de Janeiro.
Tom Ritchey. Photograph: Ritchey
Within the final 10 years, Ritchey has maintained a dedication to creating parts and bikes specializing in Street, Gravel, Mountain, and CX in ranges for all riders.
