Timbuk2 Announces Sponsorship of the Red Hook Criterium Championship Series through 2015, Increasing its Participation and Presence On-Site

SAN FRANCISCO (March 12, 2014) – Timbuk2, the original San Francisco pioneer of made-in-America customization and creator of urban mobility solutions, today announces its sponsorship of the 2014 and 2015 Red Hook Criterium Championship Series, the international three-part cycling race series with rounds in Brooklyn, Barcelona and Milan.

In its third year as a sponsor, Timbuk2 is increasing its participation in the world-class cycling event with on-the-ground efforts in Brooklyn, support of key riders and limited edition co-branded products created in collaboration with Red Hook Crit Founder David Trimble.

“From the tremendous athleticism on display to the spectators’ unrivaled enthusiasm, it’s an honor to partake in the Red Hook Crit’s rapid evolution into one of the most exciting cycling races worldwide,” said Director of Product and Design and avid cyclist Greg Bass. “We’re thrilled to not only extend our sponsorship of an event that supports today’s dynamic urban cycling culture, but to also collaborate with cyclists to create the perfect products for their passion.”

Timbuk2 & Red Hook Crit Collaboration

Timbuk2 is releasing a limited run of Red Hook Crit co-branded Especial Claro Messenger Bags on March 29 at the Red Hook Crit andwww.redhookcrit.com. Designed for serious cyclists, the brand new Especial Claro is Timbuk2’s lightest and most waterproof and reflective messenger bag to date and is $139.

In addition, Timbuk2 collaborated with Red Hook Crit Founder David Trimble to create the perfect travel pack for cyclists on race day. Dreamed up over ramen at Momofuku Noodle Bar in NYC’s East Village, Bass and Trimble brainstormed the ideal bag to accompany riders to and from race day on planes, trains and/or automobiles, and the Timbuk2 Red Hook Crit Travel Pack was born. Launching this August onwww.timbuk2.com and www.redhookcrit.com, the Timbuk2 Red Hook Crit Travel Pack is constructed from super lightweight, durable ripstop nylon, lightweight airmesh backpack straps, and easily converts from backpack to duffel ($99). 

Red Hook Crit Athlete Support

Timbuk2 is also supporting a handful of competitors, including past Red Hook Crit winners Evan Murphy, Neil Bezdek and Stefan Vis, and tough challengers Jen Nordhem and Mario Paz Duque. This long-term support includes seeding select products, featuring them in Timbuk2 related blog posts and spreading the word about their cycling endeavors on Timbuk2’s largely-followed social media platforms. In addition, all Red Hook Crit riders will receive 20% off their next Timbuk2 bag or accessory.

First held in 2008 as an unsanctioned race to celebrate organizer David Trimble’s birthday, the Red Hook Crit has evolved into a world-class cycling championship series revered by riders and spectators alike. Attracting crowds of over 25,000 in 2013, the fast paced and spectator-friendly Red Hook Crit demands world-class fitness levels and street-tuned handling skills from racers competing over multiple laps around a short, highly technical circuit.

For the first time in the series’ history, 2014 will see a separate race for female competitors throughout the championship. Additionally, the Brooklyn and Barcelona rounds will host a 5-km running race on the same date and on the same circuit as the cycling criterium.

With Rockstar Games returning as the principal sponsor, Timbuk2 joins an exciting list of supporting series sponsors including Giro Sport Design, Cinelli, Castelli Cycling, hatchMAP, San Marco, Ass Savers, Peloton Magazine, Fairway Market and R&A Cycles.

The Red Hook Crit begins in Brooklyn on March 29. To see the full schedule of the Red Hook Crit, visitwww.redhookcrit.com. For more information about Timbuk2 and its newest collections, visit www.timbuk2.com. 

About Timbuk2

Timbuk2 is a San Francisco original, founded 25 years ago by bike messenger Rob Honeycutt in a garage in the city’s Mission District. Since its inception in 1989, Timbuk2 has designed quality bags, packs and accessories built to last a lifetime, evolving from the original bike messenger company to a pioneer of made-in-America customization and an industry leader in forward-thinking, sustainable manufacturing. The relentless drive to inspire urban mobility, enable individuality and promote responsibility has propelled Timbuk2 forward as it continues fusing passion and style to create durable, functional products informed by the company’s longstanding cycling roots and today’s vibrant city landscape. Timbuk2 products are sold at their two retail stores in San Francisco and Seattle, specialty retailers and online atwww.Timbuk2.com.