Cycling industry trailblazer and entrepreneur Jim Blackburn passed away at his California home aged 86 this week. The name may not be instantly recognisable to all readers, but if you have ever owned a bike rack, there's a good chance it would have had the Blackburn name stamped on it, such is the renown and popularity of the company he founded in 1975.
One of its earliest products, the EX-1 touring rack, has been one of cycling's true engineering mainstays. It is still in production and is used to carry everything from touring panniers to work bags on the commute and even child seats.
