Since piecing collectively his first bicycle in his guardian’s storage in California within the Nineteen Seventies, Tom Ritchey has stayed on the edge 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 an excellent equalizer.
Portrait of Tom Ritchey in 1988. Photo: Ritchey
“Whether it’s a wooden bike or a Tour de France winner, people all over the world still smile when they see and connect with another person on a bicycle! It’s a freedom tool and a smile machine!” mentioned Ritchey.
Tom Ritchey has been constructing bikes for the reason that Nineteen Seventies. Photo: Ritchey
Those 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 high of the game by riders together with Ruthie Matthes, Jenny Rissveds, and Nino Schurter. But his different initiatives labored to enhance the lives of individuals who use Ritchey bikes by providing them the liberty they in any other case could not have had.
Ruthie Matthes sporting the rainbow jersey whereas driving for Team Ritchey. Photo: Ritchey
Celebrating Tom Ritchey’s legacy
Now, 50 years since its begin, Ritchey is able to rejoice by wanting again to its roots.
Ritchey has deliberate a sequence 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 embody the Ritchey Woodmark, which options the blue and gold of the unique emblem however contains “Palo Alto, California,” to focus on the place the model started. A second icon emblem contains a protect with the Ritchey emblem on high and a daring 50 stamped within the center to mark the event.
Exactly what bikes and gear these logos will seem on might be revealed within the coming months as releases drop. The first launch is a long-sleeve t-shirt with the special-edition emblem on the chest. Ritchey has additionally mentioned followers of the model can anticipate to see winter wool caps and drinkware.
50 years of historical past
A full record of accomplishments and highlights spanning Ritchey’s 50-year profession is about so long as one would think about. Here are a couple of highlights:
1992
Riding for Team 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 Games in Atlanta.
1997
Ritchey gives a 2×9 velocity drivetrain for mountain bikes as a quicker different to triple chain-rings in racing.
2004
After years of taking a scientific strategy to design and thoroughly researching materials stress factors to make sure most sturdiness, security, and efficiency, Ritchey releases its first carbon fiber part—the WCS Carbon Road Bar.
2005
Tom visits Rwanda and shortly designs the Coffee Bike to assist Rwandan espresso farmers transport their crops extra effectively to washing stations.
Tom Ritchey pushing wood bikes. Photo: Ritchey
2009
Ritchey launches the SuperLogic line, a group of the highest-end carbon fiber parts engineered from probably the most trendy, 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 United States Bicycle Hall of Fame in Davis, California.
“Tom Ritchey’s 40-Year Ride” documentary movie is launched, chronicling and celebrating Tom’s first 40 years of innovation within the bike trade.
Riding Ritchey WCS bars, stem, publish, and pedals, Jenny Rissveds and Nino Schurter each win gold medals in mountain biking on the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Tom Ritchey. Photo: Ritchey
In the final 10 years, Ritchey has maintained a dedication to creating parts and bikes specializing in Road, Gravel, Mountain, and CX in ranges for all riders.
