RYDERS Eyewear available for SA cyclists

Cyclists riding in the bright South African sunlight are set to benefit from a new distribution agreement between Positive Sports Solutions and RYDERS Eyewear.

This is the latest in a series of contracts the SA distribution cycling company has set up as part of its mission to make high-end brands available to the market in the Southern African Development Community.

These include HEAD bikes, Gipiemme wheels, Westfalia bike racks, ControlTech cycling components and LUCK shoes.

Founded in North Vancouver, Canada, some three decades ago, RYDERS eyewear has been established as one of the top cycling accessories.

Simon G Edmonds of RYDERS Eyewear South Africa said they were delighted to join forces with Positive Sports Solutions to expand their operations in southern Africa.

“By a happy coincidence, we work in the same office block as Positive Sports Solutions in Irene and I was interested to see if there was any synergy between the two companies in terms of promoting our products,” he said.

“This led to a meeting with Lynette [Burger], whom I knew from many years in the cycling industry. It led to her trying out some of the RYDERS technology and the rest is history.”

Burger is part of the highly successful Demacon Ladies Cycling Team who have recently had their sponsorship with Positive Sports Solutions renewed for 2019.

Edmonds said RYDERS products were already being distributed in South Africa, albeit on a small scale.

“It will be a major boost for us to link up with Positive Sports Solutions because of their great brands, great structures and great energy,” he added.

“These are all important factors in our relationship and I am very comfortable working with Lynette and David [Pieterse, Positive Sports Solutions product and technical manager].”

The weather in South Africa, said Edmonds, meant it was always “a great sunglasses market”.

“RYDERS is a perfect fit, both product-wise and corporate culture-wise. We are crazy about anything to do with cycling and it is their vision to be the absolute best in the market.”

He added that the frames were manufactured in the East, with the lenses produced by Essilor in France.

A key aspect of RYDERS eyewear, said Edmonds, was the anti-fog feature which had been developed.

“We challenge you to try and get them to fog up while riding your bicycle, so that is a major benefit for the cyclist.

“In addition, they are extremely impact resistant and, besides the anti-fog, are full of features like are full of features like colour enhancement, Photocromic and Polarized options, Velo Polar [tweaked specifically for road cyclists’ needs].

“The FYRE lens has most of these features packed into one lens.”

Pieterse said the products would be distributed through all cycling shops, while cyclists could also order online through their website – www.positivesportssolutions.co.za.

“All available products are listed on our website and any other preferences can be ordered through us and will generally be readily available. But if an item isn’t in stock, it should be available within two to three weeks,” he added.

CAPTION: South African cycling distribution company Positive Sports Solutions have joined forces with RYDERS Eyewear to distribute their products in the Southern African Development Community. Pictured is professional mountain biker Shaun-Nick Bester, who is sponsored by top cycling accessories company. Photo: Tania Bugarin