Specialized Harrogate X MAAP: a Northern first
Specialized Harrogate has announced that they have become the first MAAP clothing stockist in the North, with the store hosting a launch event on Saturday 3rd of June.
Speaking with CI.N, store management team Crian Purvis and Felix Geldart point out that, “a number of regular customers already wear MAAP clothing, making the opportunity to partner with and introduce the brand an easy decision to make.”
Supporting a growing customer base
“Whilst in discussion with Jamie Mitchell, MAAP European Sales Manager, we highlighted that we’re particularly keen to support the growing number of female riders who make up our customer base. With this in mind, we’re launching MAAP in-store with a 40% women’s clothing / 60% men’s clothing split – the goal being to present a range which delivers a great in-store experience, and makes traveling to the store very worthwhile.”
“As supporters of the inaugural 2023 Women Race North Road Race league, across the North East, North West and Yorkshire, we wanted to be sure we offer a strong range of women’s apparel; (this was) a significant part of our decision to introduce MAAP.”
Launch event details
The Specialized Harrogate Socials x MAAP launch event will see the store hosting 3 rides, offering a super relaxed, social, 20 miles, as well as medium and faster paced 50 mile rides (details below) starting and finishing at the store. Due to high interest, and to maintain rider safety, the riders are now sign up only, with free tickets available here.
The launch event at Specialized Harrogate includes:
- Goody Bags for the first 20 riders to sign up
- Free coffee and snacks for riders ☕
- Competition to win MAAP gear
- One-off kit bundle offers on the day 👌
- The opportunity to check out and try on the latest MAAP apparel
Ride options
Ride 1 – 9.30am start from the store – 50 miles
Specialized Brand Ambassador, Vitfor Performance Director and long-time friend of the store, Craig Stevenson will be riding this one. This should be the fastest ride (17mph average or higher), to blow off the cobwebs on a Saturday morning! Komoot route link.
Ride 2 – 9.35am start from the store – 50 miles
The Harrogate stores’ very own Sheldon Skinner will be along for this ride. An Aussie who likes to feel the wind in his hair, Sheldon may have smashed out the odd Ironman but he doesn’t take life too seriously – on this ride he’ll be wearing UCI legal socks, not calf sleeves – so a moderate pace is to be expected (15-18mph, but likely closer to 15!). Sheldon’s ride follows the same route as Craig’s:
Ride 3 – 10am start from the store – 20 miles
Kate Auld, cycle coach and guide. is your host and ride lead on this shorter, steadier paced ride. There’s no suggested average pace – it will be a super relaxed, social affair. Expect scenery and sunshine (hopefully!)
MAAP growth
In March of 2023 MAAP announced the appointment of new talent across a number of key departments, including Marketing, Design, Innovation and Business Development in March of 2023, with the fresh investment in people representing the latest step in the brand’s continued growth.
Oliver Cousins, Co-Founder of MAAP said “Since the MAAP story began in 2014, we’ve been focused on building a world-class global team. We strive to attract and elevate truly incredible talent within cycling and beyond to make the best product in the industry and continually propel the sport forward”
