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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.62


[MERRILL LYNCH LOGO]                                               No. 230-07C17
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                        WCMA(R) NOTE AND LOAN AGREEMENT

WCMA NOTE AND LOAN AGREEMENT NO. 230-07C17 ("Loan Agreement") dated as of April
20, 1998, between GT BICYCLES, INC., a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of the State of Delaware having its principal office at 2001 East Dyer,
Santa Ana, CA 92705 ("Customer"), and MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES
INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of
Delaware having its principal office at 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603
("MLBFS").

In accordance with that certain WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT(R) ACCOUNT AGREEMENT
No. 230-07C17 ("WCMA Agreement") between Customer and MLBFS' affiliate, MERRILL
LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED ("MLPF&S"), Customer has subscribed
to the WCMA Program described in the WCMA Agreement. The WCMA Agreement is by
this reference incorporated as a part hereof. In conjunction therewith and as
part of the WCMA Program, Customer has requested that MLBFS provide, and subject
to the terms and conditions herein set forth MLBFS has agreed to provide, a
commercial line of credit for Customer (the "WCMA Line of Credit").

Accordingly, and in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants of
the parties hereto, Customer and MLBFS hereby agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS

(a) SPECIFIC TERMS. In addition to terms defined elsewhere in this Loan
Agreement, when used herein the following terms shall have the following
meanings:

(i)"Activation Date" shall mean the date upon which MLBFS shall cause the WCMA
Line of Credit to be fully activated under MLPF&S' computer system as part of
the WCMA Program.

(ii) "Additional Agreements" shall mean all agreements, instruments, documents
and opinions other than this Loan Agreement, whether with or from Customer or
any other party, which are contemplated hereby or otherwise reasonably required
by MLBFS in connection herewith, or which evidence the creation, guaranty or
collateralization of any of the Obligations or the granting or perfection of
liens or security interests upon any collateral for the Obligations.

(iii) "Bankruptcy Event" shall mean any of the following: (A) a proceeding under
any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of debt or
receivership law or statute shall be filed or consented to by Customer or any
Guarantor; or (B) any such proceeding shall be filed against Customer or any
Guarantor and shall not be dismissed or withdrawn within sixty (60) days after
filing; or (C) Customer or any Guarantor shall make a general assignment for the
benefit of creditors; or (D) Customer or any Guarantor shall generally fail to
pay or admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due; or
(E) Customer or any Guarantor shall be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent.

(iv) "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, federal
holiday or other day on which the New York Stock Exchange is regularly closed.

(v) "Commitment Expiration Date" shall mean May 11, 1998.

(vi) "Default" shall mean an "Event of Default" as defined in Section 7 hereof,
or an event which with the giving of notice, passage of time, or both, would
constitute such an Event of Default.

(vii) "General Funding Conditions" shall mean each of the following conditions
to any WCMA Loan by MLBFS hereunder: (A) no Default shall have occurred and be
continuing or would result from the making of






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any WCMA Loan hereunder by MLBFS; (B) there shall not have occurred and be
continuing any material adverse change in the business or financial condition of
Customer or any Guarantor; (C) all representations and warranties of Customer or
any Guarantor herein or in any Additional Agreements shall then be true and
correct in all material respects; (D) MLBFS shall have received this Loan
Agreement and all of the Additional Agreements, duly executed and filed or
recorded where applicable, all of which shall be in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to MLBFS; (E) MLBFS shall have received evidence
reasonably satisfactory to it as the ownership of and the perfection and
priority of MLBFS' liens and security interests on any collateral for the
Obligations furnished pursuant to any of the Additional Agreements; and (F) any
additional conditions specified in the "WCMA Line of Credit Approval" letter
executed by MLBFS with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby shall
have been met to the reasonable satisfaction of MLBFS. 

(viii) "Guarantor" shall mean a person or entity who has either guaranteed or
provided collateral for any or all of the Obligations; and "Business Guarantor"
shall mean any such Guarantor that is a corporation, partnership,
proprietorship, limited liability company or other entity regularly engaged in a
business activity.

(ix) "Initial Maturity Date" shall mean the first date upon which the WCMA Line
of Credit will expire (subject to renewal in accordance with the terms hereof);
to wit: October 31, 1999.

(x) "Interest Rate" shall mean a variable per annum rate of interest equal to
the sum of 2.50% and the 30-Day Commercial Paper Rate. The "30-Day Commercial
Paper Rate" shall mean, as of the date of any determination, the interest rate
from time to time published in the "Money Rates" section of The Wall Street
Journal for 30-day high-grade unsecured notes sold through dealers by major
corporations. The Interest Rate will change as of the date of publication in The
Wall Street Journal of a 30-Day Commercial Paper Rate that is different from
that published on the preceding Business Day. In the event that The Wall Street
Journal shall, for any reason, fail or cease to publish the 30-Day Commercial
Paper Rate, MLBFS will choose a reasonably comparable index or source to use as
the basis for the Interest Rate. 

(xi) "Line Fee" shall mean the fee of $15,000.00 payable periodically by
Customer to MLBFS in connection with the WCMA Line of Credit, as provided
herein. 

(xii) "Maturity Date" shall mean the date of expiration of the WCMA Line of
Credit.

(xiii) "Maximum WCMA Line of Credit" shall mean $3,000,000.00.

(xiv) "Obligations" shall mean all liabilities, indebtedness and other
obligations of Customer to MLBFS, howsoever created, arising or evidenced,
whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether direct or indirect, absolute
or contingent, due or to become due, primary or secondary or joint or several,
and, without limiting the foregoing, shall include interest accruing after the
filing of any petition in bankruptcy, and all present and future liabilities,
indebtedness and obligations of Customer under this Loan Agreement. 

(xv) "Renewal Year" shall mean and refer to the 12-month period immediately
following the Initial Maturity Date and each 12-month period thereafter.

(xvi) "WCMA Account" shall mean and refer to the Working Capital Management
Account of Customer with MLPF&S identified as Account No. 230-07C17 and any
successor WCMA account.

(xvii) "WCMA Loan" shall mean each advance made by MLBFS pursuant to this Loan
Agreement.

(xviii) "WCMA Loan Balance" shall mean an amount equal the aggregate unpaid
principal amount of all WCMA Loans.

(b) OTHER TERMS. Except as otherwise defined herein: (i) all terms used in this
Loan Agreement which are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code of Illinois
("UCC") shall have the meanings set forth in the UCC, and (ii) capitalized terms
used herein which are defined in the WCMA Agreement shall have the meanings set
forth in the WCMA Agreement.



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2. WCMA PROMISSORY NOTE

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Customer hereby promises to pay to the order of MLBFS, at
the times and in the manner set forth in this Loan Agreement, or in such other
manner and at such place as MLBFS may hereafter designate in writing, the
following: (a) on the Maturity Date, or if earlier, on the date of termination
of the WCMA Line of Credit, the WCMA Loan Balance; (b) interest at the Interest
Rate on the outstanding WCMA Loan Balance, from and including the date on which
the initial WCMA Loan is made until the date of payment of all WCMA Loans in
full; and (c) on demand, all other sums payable pursuant to this Loan Agreement,
including, but not limited to, the periodic Line Fee and any late charges.
Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, Customer hereby waives
presentment, demand for payment, protest and notice of protest, notice of
dishonor, notice of acceleration, notice of intent to accelerate and all other
notices and formalities in connection with this WCMA Promissory Note and this
Loan Agreement.

3. WCMA LOANS

(a) ACTIVATION DATE. Provided that: (i) the Commitment Expiration Date shall not
then have occurred, and (ii) Customer shall have subscribed to the WCMA Program
and its subscription to the WCMA Program shall then be in effect, the Activation
Date shall occur on or promptly after the date, following the acceptance of this
Loan Agreement by MLBFS at its office in Chicago, Illinois, upon which each of
the General Funding Conditions shall have been met or satisfied to the
reasonable satisfaction of MLBFS. No activation by MLBFS of the WCMA Line of
Credit for a nominal amount shall be deemed evidence of the satisfaction of any
of the conditions herein set forth, or a waiver of any of the terms or
conditions hereof.

(b) WCMA LOANS. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, during the period
from and after the Activation Date to the first to occur of the Maturity Date or
the date of termination of the WMCA Line of Credit pursuant to the terms hereof:
(i) MLBFS will make WCMA Loans to Customer in such amounts as Customer may from
time to time request in accordance with the terms hereof, up to an aggregate
outstanding amount not to exceed the Maximum WCMA Line of Credit, and (ii)
Customer may repay any WCMA Loans in whole or in part at any time, and request a
re-borrowing of amounts repaid on a revolving basis. Customer may request such
WCMA Loans by use of WCMA Checks, FTS, Visa(R) charges, wire transfers, or such
other means of access to the WCMA Line of Credit as may be permitted by MLBFS
from time to time; it being understood that so long as the WCMA Line of Credit
shall be in effect, any charge or debit to the WCMA Account which but for the
WCMA Line of Credit would under the terms of the WCMA Agreement result in an
overdraft, shall be deemed a request by Customer for a WCMA Loan.

(c) CONDITIONS OF WCMA LOANS. Notwithstanding the foregoing, MLBFS shall not be
obligated to make any WCMA Loan, and may without notice refuse to honor any such
request by Customer, if at the time of receipt by MLBFS of Customer's request:
(i) the making of such WCMA Loan would cause the Maximum WCMA Line of Credit to
be exceeded; or (ii) the Maturity Date shall have occurred, or the WCMA Line of
Credit shall have otherwise been terminated in accordance with the terms hereof;
or (iii) Customer's subscription to the WCMA Program shall have been terminated;
or (iv) an event shall have occurred and be continuing which shall have caused
any of the General Funding Conditions to not then be met or satisfied to the
reasonable satisfaction of MLBFS. The making by MLBFS of any WCMA Loan at a time
when any one or more of said conditions shall not have been met shall not in any
event be construed as a waiver of said condition or conditions or of any
Default, and shall not prevent MLBFS at any time thereafter while any condition
shall not have been met from refusing to honor any request by Customer for a
WCMA Loan.

(d) FORCE MAJEURE. MLBFS shall not be responsible, and shall have no liability
to Customer or any other party, for any delay or failure of MLBFS to honor any
request of Customer for a WCMA Loan or any other act or omission of MLBFS,
MLPF&S or any of their affiliates due to or resulting from any system failure,
error or delay in posting or other clerical error, loss of power, fire, Act of
God or other cause beyond the reasonable control of MLBFS, MLPF&S or any of
their affiliates unless directly arising out of the willful wrongful act or
gross negligence of MLBFS. In no event shall MLBFS be liable to Customer or any
other party for any incidental or consequential damages arising from any act or
omission by MLBFS, MLPF&S or any of their affiliates in connection with the WCMA
Line of Credit or this Loan Agreement.



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(E) INTEREST. The WCMA Loan Balance shall bear interest at the Interest Rate.
Interest shall be computed for the actual number of days elapsed on the basis of
a year consisting of 360 days. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in
this Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements, no provision of this
Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements shall require the payment or
permit the collection of any amount in excess of the maximum amount of interest
permitted to be charged by law ("Excess Interest"). If any Excess Interest is
provided for, or is adjudicated as being provided for, in this Agreement or any
of the Additional Agreements, then: (a) Customer shall not be obligated to pay
any Excess Interest; and (b) any Excess Interest that MLBFS may have received
hereunder or under any of the Additional Agreements shall, at the option of
MLBFS, be: (i) applied as a credit against the then unpaid WCMA Loan Balance,
(ii) refunded to the payer thereof, or (iii) any combination of the foregoing.
Except as otherwise provided herein, accrued and unpaid interest on the WCMA
Loan Balance shall be payable monthly on the last Business Day of each calendar
month, commencing with the last Business Day of the calendar month in which the
Activation Date shall occur. Customer hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs
MLPF&S to pay MLBFS such accrued interest from any available free credit
balances in the WCMA Account, and if such available free credit balances are
insufficient to satisfy any interest payment due, to liquidate any investments
in the Money Accounts (other than any investments constituting any Minimum Money
Accounts Balance under the WCMA Directed Reserve program) in an amount up to the
balance of such accrued interest, and pay to MLBFS the available proceeds on
account thereof. If available free credit balances in the WCMA Account and
available proceeds of the Money Accounts are insufficient to pay the entire
balance of accrued interest, and Customer otherwise fails to make such payment
when due, MLBFS may, in its sole discretion, make a WCMA Loan in an amount equal
to the balance of such accrued interest and pay the proceeds of such WCMA Loan
to itself on account of such interest. The amount of any such WCMA Loan will be
added to the WCMA Loan Balance. If MLBFS declines to extend a WCMA Loan to
Customer under these circumstances, Customer hereby authorizes and directs
MLPF&S to make all such interest payments to MLBFS from any Minimum Money
Accounts Balance. If there is no Minimum Money Accounts Balance, or it is
insufficient to pay all such interest, MLBFS will invoice Customer for payment
of the balance of the accrued interest, and Customer shall pay such interest as
directed by MLBFS within 5 Business Days of receipt of such invoice.

(f) PAYMENTS. All payments required or permitted to be made pursuant to this
Loan Agreement shall be made in lawful money of the United States. Unless
otherwise directed by MLBFS, payments on account of the WCMA Loan Balance may be
made by the delivery of checks (other than WCMA Checks), or by means of FTS or
wire transfer of funds (other than funds from the WCMA Line of Credit) to MLPF&S
for credit to Customer's WCMA Account. Notwithstanding anything in the WCMA
Agreement to the contrary, Customer hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs
MLPF&S to apply available free credit balances in the WCMA Account to the
repayment of the WCMA Loan Balance prior to application for any other purpose.
Payments to MLBFS from funds in the WCMA Account shall be deemed to be made by
Customer upon the same basis and schedule as funds are made available for
investment in the Money Accounts in accordance with the terms of the WCMA
Agreement. All funds received by MLBFS from MLPF&S pursuant to the aforesaid
authorization shall be applied by MLBFS to repayment of the WCMA Loan Balance.
The acceptance by or on behalf of MLBFS of a check or other payment for a lesser
amount than shall be due from Customer, regardless of any endorsement or
statement thereon or transmitted therewith, shall not be deemed an accord and
satisfaction or anything other than a payment on account, and MLBFS or anyone
acting on behalf of MLBFS may accept such check or other payment without
prejudice to the rights of MLBFS to recover the balance actually due or to
pursue any other remedy under this Loan Agreement or applicable law for such
balance. All checks accepted by or on behalf of MLBFS in connection with the
WCMA Line of Credit are subject to final collection.

(g) STATEMENTS. MLPF&S will include in each monthly statement it issues under
the WCMA Program information with respect to WCMA Loans and the WCMA Loan
Balance. Any questions that Customer may have with respect to such information
should be directed to MLBFS; and any questions with respect to any other matter
in such statements or about or affecting the WCMA Program should be directed to
MLPF&S.

(h) USE OF LOAN PROCEEDS; SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS. The proceeds of each WCMA
Loan shall be used by Customer solely for working capital in the ordinary course
of its or any Guarantor's business, or, with the prior written consent of MLBFS,
for other lawful business purposes of Customer or any Guarantor not prohibited
hereby. Customer agrees that under no circumstances will funds borrowed from
MLBFS through the WCMA Line of Credit be used: (i) for personal, family or
household purposes of any




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person whatsoever, or (ii) to purchase, carry or trade in securities, or repay
debt incurred to purchase, carry or trade in securities, whether in or in
connection with the WCMA Account, another account of Customer with MLPF&S or an
account of Customer at any other broker or dealer in securities.

(i) RENEWAL AT OPTION OF MLBFS; RIGHT OF CUSTOMER TO TERMINATE. MLBFS may at any
time, in its sole discretion and at its sole option, renew the WCMA Line of
Credit for one or more Renewal Years; it being understood, however, that no such
renewal shall be effective unless set forth in a writing executed by a duly
authorized representative of MLBFS and delivered to Customer. Unless any such
renewal is accompanied by a proposed change in the terms of the WCMA Line of
Credit (other than the extension of the Maturity Date), no such renewal shall
require Customer's approval. Customer shall, however, have the right to
terminate the WCMA Line of Credit at any time upon written notice to MLBFS.

(j) LINE FEES. (i) In consideration of the extension of the WCMA Line of Credit
by MLBFS to Customer during the period from the Activation Date to the Initial
Maturity Date, Customer has paid or shall pay the Line Fee to MLBFS. If the Line
Fee has not heretofore been paid by Customer, Customer hereby authorizes MLBFS,
at its option, to either cause the Line Fee to be paid on the Activation Date
with a WCMA Loan, or invoice Customer for such Line Fee (in which event Customer
shall pay said fee within 5 Business Days after receipt of such invoice). No
delay in the Activation Date, howsoever caused, shall entitle Customer to any
rebate or reduction in the Line Fee or to any extension of the Initial Maturity
Date.

(ii) Customer shall pay an additional Line Fee for each Renewal Year. In
connection therewith, Customer hereby authorizes MLBFS, at its option, to either
cause each such additional Line Fee to be paid with a WCMA Loan on or at any
time after the first Business Day of such Renewal Year or invoiced to Customer
at such time (in which event Customer shall pay such Line Fee within 5 Business
Days after receipt of such invoice). Each Line Fee shall be deemed fully earned
by MLBFS on the date payable by Customer, and no termination of the WCMA Line of
Credit, howsoever caused, shall entitle Customer to any rebate or refund of any
portion of such Line Fee.

4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Customer represents and warrants to MLBFS that:

(a) ORGANIZATION AND EXISTENCE. Customer is a corporation, duly organized and
validly existing in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is
qualified to do business and in good standing in each other state where the
nature of its business or the property owned by it make such qualification
necessary, other than in any state where the failure to so qualify does not have
a material adverse effect on the business, operations or financial condition of
Customer; and, where applicable, each Business Guarantor is duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its
formation and is qualified to do business and in good standing in each other
state where the nature of its business or the property owned by it make such
qualification necessary, other than in any state where the failure to so qualify
does not have a material adverse effect on the business, operations or financial
condition of such Business Guarantor. 

(b) EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND PERFORMANCE. The execution, delivery and performance
by Customer of this Loan Agreement and by Customer and each Guarantor of such of
the Additional Agreements to which it is a party: (i) have been duly authorized
by all requisite action, (ii) do not and will not violate or conflict with any
material law or other material governmental requirement, or any of the
agreements, instruments or documents which formed or govern Customer or any such
Guarantor, and (iii) do not and will not breach or violate in any material way
any of the provisions of, and will not result in a default by Customer or any
such Guarantor under, any other agreement, instrument or document to which it is
a party or by which it or its properties are bound. 

(c) NOTICES AND APPROVALS. Except as may have been given or obtained, no notice
to or consent or approval of any governmental body or authority or other third
party whatsoever (including, without limitation, any other creditor) is required
in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by Customer or any
Guarantor of such of this Loan Agreement and the Additional Agreements to which
it is a party. 

(d) ENFORCEABILITY. This Loan Agreement and such of the Additional Agreements to
which Customer or any Guarantor is a party are the respective legal, valid and
binding obligations of Customer and such Guarantor, enforceable against it or
them, as the case may be, in accordance with their respective terms, except as









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enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy and other similar laws affecting the
rights of creditors generally or by general principles of equity.

(e) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Except as expressly set forth in Customer's or any
Business Guarantor's financial statements, all financial statements of Customer
and each Business Guarantor furnished to MLBFS have been prepared in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, are true
and correct, and fairly present in all material respects the financial condition
of it as at such dates and the results of its operations for the periods then
ended; and since the most recent date covered by such financial statements,
there has been no material adverse change in any such financial condition or
operation. All financial statements furnished to MLBFS of any Guarantor other
than a Business Guarantor are true and correct and fairly represent in all
material respects such Guarantor's financial condition as of the date of such
financial statements, and since the most recent date of such financial
statements, there has been no material adverse change in such financial
condition. 

(f) LITIGATION. No litigation, arbitration, administrative or governmental
proceedings are pending or, to the knowledge of Customer, threatened against
Customer or any Guarantor, which would, if adversely determined, materially and
adversely affect the liens and security interests of MLBFS hereunder or under
any of the Additional Agreements, the financial condition of Customer or any
such Guarantor or the continued operations of Customer or any Business
Guarantor.

(g) TAX RETURNS. All federal, state and local tax returns, reports and
statements required to be filed by Customer and each Guarantor have been filed
with the appropriate governmental agencies and all taxes due and payable by
Customer and each Guarantor have been timely paid (except to the extent that any
such failure to file or pay will not materially and adversely affect either the
liens and security interests of MLBFS hereunder or under any of the Additional
Agreements, the financial condition of Customer or any Guarantor, or the
continued operations of Customer or any Business Guarantor).

Each of the foregoing representations and warranties: (i) has been and will be
relied upon as an inducement to MLBFS to provide the WCMA Line of Credit, and
(ii) is continuing and shall be deemed remade by Customer concurrently with each
request for a WCMA Loan.

5. FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION

Customer shall furnish or cause to be furnished to MLBFS during the term of this
Loan Agreement all of the following:

(a) ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal
year of Customer, Customer shall furnish or cause to be furnished to MLBFS a
copy of the annual audited financial statements of Customer, consisting of at
least a balance sheet as at the close of such fiscal year and related statements
of income, retained earnings and cash flows, certified by its current
independent certified public accountants or other independent certified public
accountants reasonably acceptable to MLBFS. 

(b) INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Within 45 days after the close of each fiscal
quarter of Customer, Customer shall furnish or cause to be furnished to MLBFS:
(i) its statement of profit and loss for the fiscal quarter then ended, and (ii)
a balance sheet as at the close of such fiscal quarter; all in reasonable detail
and certified by its chief financial officer.

(c) SEC REPORTS. Customer shall furnish to MLBFS a copy of each 10-K and 10-Q
report filed with the SEC not later than 10 days after filing with the SEC.

(d) OTHER INFORMATION. Customer shall furnish or cause to be furnished to MLBFS
such other information as MLBFS may from time to time reasonably request
relating to Customer or any Guarantor.



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6. OTHER COVENANTS


Customer further covenants and agrees during the term of this Loan Agreement
that:

(a) FINANCIAL RECORDS; INSPECTION. Customer and each Business Guarantor will:
(i) maintain at its principal place of business complete and accurate books and
records, and maintain all of its financial records in a manner consistent with
the financial statements heretofore furnished to MLBFS, or prepared on such
other basis as may be approved in writing by MLBFS; and (ii) permit MLBFS or its
duly authorized representatives, upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times,
to inspect its properties (both real and personal), operations, books and
records. 

(b) TAXES. Customer and each Guarantor will pay when due all taxes, assessments
and other governmental charges, howsoever designated, and all other liabilities
and obligations, except to the extent that any such failure to pay will not
materially and adversely affect either any liens and security interests of MLBFS
under any Additional Agreements, the financial condition of Customer or any
Guarantor or the continued operations of Customer or any Business Guarantor.

(c) COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND AGREEMENTS. Neither Customer nor any Guarantor will
violate any law, regulation or other governmental requirement, any judgment or
order of any court or governmental agency or authority, or any agreement,
instrument or document to which it is a party or by which it is bound, if any
such violation will materially and adversely affect either any liens and
security interests of MLBFS under any Additional Agreements, the financial
condition of Customer or any Guarantor, or the continued operations of Customer
or any Business Guarantor. 

(d) NOTIFICATION BY CUSTOMER. Customer shall provide MLBFS with prompt written
notification of: (i) any Default; (ii) any materially adverse change in the
business, financial condition or operations of Customer or any Business
Guarantor; and (iii) any information which indicates that any financial
statements of Customer or any Guarantor fail in any material respect to present
fairly the financial condition and results of operations purported to be
presented in such statements. Each notification by Customer pursuant hereto
shall specify the event or information causing such notification, and, to the
extent applicable, shall specify the steps being taken to rectify or remedy such
event or information.

(e) NOTICE OF CHANGE. Customer shall give MLBFS not less than 30 days prior
written notice of any change in the name (including any fictitious name) or
principal place of business or residence of Customer or any Guarantor.

(f) CONTINUITY. Except upon the prior written consent of MLBFS, which consent
will not be unreasonably withheld: (i) neither Customer nor any Business
Guarantor shall be a party to any merger or consolidation with, or purchase or
otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or any material
stock, partnership, joint venture or other equity interest in, any person or
entity, or sell, transfer or lease all or any substantial part of its assets, if
any such action would result in either: (A) a material change in the principal
business, ownership or control of Customer or such Business Guarantor, or (B) a
material adverse change in the financial condition or operations of Customer or
such Business Guarantor; (ii) Customer and each Business Guarantor shall
preserve their respective existence and good standing in the jurisdictions of
establishment and operation, and shall not operate in any material business
substantially different from their respective business in effect as of the date
of application by Customer for credit from MLBFS; and (iii) neither Customer nor
any Business Guarantor shall cause or permit any material change in its
controlling ownership.

(g) MINIMUM TANGIBLE NET WORTH. Customer's "tangible net worth" shall at all
times exceed $37,000,000.00. For the purposes hereof, the term "tangible net
worth" shall mean Customer's net worth as shown on Customer's regular financial
statements prepared in a manner consistent with the terms hereof, but excluding
an amount equal to: (i) any assets which are ordinarily classified as
"intangible" in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and
(ii) any amounts now or hereafter directly or indirectly owing to Customer by
officers, shareholders or affiliates of Customer.




<PAGE>   8

(h) DEBT TO WORTH. The ratio of Customer's total debt to Customer's tangible net
worth, determined as aforesaid, shall not at any time exceed 3.75 to 1.00.

(i) NEGATIVE PLEDGE. Except upon the prior written consent of MLBFS, Customer
shall not directly or indirectly sell, assign, transfer, mortgage, encumber,
pledge or grant a lien or security interest to anyone other than MLBFS in the
real property and improvements thereon commonly known as 1801A Ironhorse Drive,
Longmont, CO 80501. 

ACQUISITIONS. Without limiting any other provision hereof, Customer agrees that
prior to Customer's direct or indirect acquisition of the assets or stock of any
other entity, it will (i) obtain the written consent of MLBFS to such
transaction not less than 30 days prior thereto if the aggregate cost thereof is
in excess of $10,000,000.00, and (ii) notify MLBFS in writing not less than 30
days prior thereto if the aggregate cost thereof is equal to or less than
$10,000,000.00.

(j) MINIMUM CASH FLOW. The "Net Cash Flow" of Customer as of the end of each of
its fiscal years shall not be less than $1,000,000.00. As used herein, "Net Cash
Flow" shall mean the excess of (i) the sum of Customer's annual net after-tax
income, depreciation and amortization, over (ii) the sum of the current portion
of long term debt (excluding, however, for fiscal year 1998, an amount equal to
principal due and outstanding, not to exceed $15,000,000.00, as of June 1, 1999
under that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (Receivables and
Inventory) dated April __, 1998 among Customer, and Bank of America N.T.S.A.,
and all dividends and other distributions to shareholders; all as shown on
Customer's regular financial statements prepared in a manner consistent with the
terms hereof. 

7. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute an "Event of
Default" under this Loan Agreement:

(a) EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM WCMA LINE OF CREDIT. If the WCMA Loan Balance shall at
any time exceed the Maximum WCMA Line of Credit and Customer shall fail to
deposit sufficient funds into the WCMA Account to reduce the WCMA Loan Balance
below the Maximum WCMA Line of Credit within five (5) Business Days after
written notice thereof shall have been given by MLBFS to Customer.

(b) OTHER FAILURE TO PAY. Customer shall fail to pay to MLBFS or deposit into
the WCMA Account when due any other amount owing or required to be paid or
deposited by Customer under this Loan Agreement, or shall fail to pay when due
any other Obligations, and any such failure shall continue for more than five
(5) Business Days after written notice thereof shall have been given by MLBFS to
Customer.

(c) FAILURE TO PERFORM. Customer or any Guarantor shall default in the
performance or observance of any covenant or agreement on its part to be
performed or observed under this Loan Agreement or any of the Additional
Agreements (not constituting an Event of Default under any other clause of this
Section), and such default shall continue unremedied for ten (10) Business Days
after written notice thereof shall have been given by MLBFS to Customer.

(d) BREACH OF WARRANTY. Any representation or warranty made by Customer or any
Guarantor contained in this Loan Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements
shall at any time prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when
made.

(e) DEFAULT UNDER OTHER AGREEMENT. A default or Event of Default by Customer or
any Guarantor shall occur under the terms of any other agreement, instrument or
document with or intended for the benefit of MLBFS, MLPF&S or any of their
affiliates, and any required notice shall have been given and required passage
of time shall have elapsed.

(f) BANKRUPTCY EVENT. Any Bankruptcy Event shall occur.

(g) MATERIAL IMPAIRMENT. Any event shall occur which shall reasonably cause
MLBFS to in good faith believe that the prospect of full payment or performance
by Customer or any Guarantor of any of their respective




<PAGE>   9

liabilities or obligations under this Loan Agreement or any of the Additional
Agreements to which Customer or such Guarantor is a party has been materially
impaired.

(h) ACCELERATION OF DEBT TO OTHER CREDITORS. Any event shall occur which results
in the acceleration of the maturity of any indebtedness of $1,000,000.00 or more
of Customer or any Guarantor to another creditor under any indenture, agreement,
undertaking, or otherwise.

8. REMEDIES

(a) REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any
Event of Default, MLBFS may at its sole option do any one or more or all of the
following, at such time and in such order as MLBFS may in its sole discretion
choose:

(i) TERMINATION. MLBFS may without notice terminate the WCMA Line of Credit and
all obligations to provide the WCMA Line of Credit or otherwise extend any
credit to or for the benefit of Customer (it being understood, however, that
upon the occurrence of any Bankruptcy Event the WCMA Line of Credit and all such
obligations shall automatically terminate without any action on the part of
MLBFS); and upon any such termination MLBFS shall be relieved of all such
obligations.

(ii) ACCELERATION. MLBFS may declare the principal of and interest on the WCMA
Loan Balance, and all other Obligations to be forthwith due and payable,
whereupon all such amounts shall be immediately due and payable, without
presentment, demand for payment, protest and notice of protest, notice of
dishonor, notice of acceleration, notice of intent to accelerate or other notice
or formality of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived; provided,
however, that upon the occurrence of any Bankruptcy Event all such principal,
interest and other Obligations shall automatically become due and payable
without any action on the part of MLBFS.

(b) SET-OFF. MLBFS shall have the further right upon the occurrence and during
the continuance of an Event of Default to set-off, appropriate and apply toward
payment of any of the Obligations, in such order of application as MLBFS may
from time to time and at any time elect, any cash, credit, deposits, accounts,
securities and any other property of Customer which is in transit to or in the
possession, custody or control of MLBFS, MLPF&S or any agent, bailee, or
affiliate of MLBFS or MLPF&S, including, without limitation, the WCMA Account
and any Money Accounts, and all cash, securities and other financial assets
therein or controlled thereby, and all proceeds thereof. Customer hereby
collaterally assigns and grants to MLBFS a continuing security interest in all
such property as additional security for the Obligations. Upon the occurrence
and during the continuance of an Event of Default, MLBFS shall have all rights
in such property available to collateral assignees and secured parties under all
applicable laws, including, without limitation, the UCC.

(c) REMEDIES ARE SEVERABLE AND CUMULATIVE. All rights and remedies of MLBFS
herein are severable and cumulative and in addition to all other rights and
remedies available in the Additional Agreements, at law or in equity, and any
one or more of such rights and remedies may be exercised simultaneously or
successively.

9. MISCELLANEOUS

(a) NON-WAIVER. No failure or delay on the part of MLBFS in exercising any
right, power or remedy pursuant to this Loan Agreement or any of the Additional
Agreements shall operate as a waiver thereof, and no single or partial exercise
of any such right, power or remedy shall preclude any other or further exercise
thereof, or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. Neither any waiver
of any provision of this Loan Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements, nor
any consent to any departure by Customer therefrom, shall be effective unless
the same shall be in writing and signed by MLBFS. Any waiver of any provision of
this Loan Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements and any consent to any
departure by Customer from the terms of this Loan Agreement or any of the
Additional Agreements shall be effective only in the specific instance and for
the specific purpose for which given. Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, no notice to or demand on Customer shall in any case entitle Customer to
any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.



<PAGE>   10

(b) DISCLOSURE. Customer hereby irrevocably authorizes MLBFS and each of its
affiliates, including without limitation MLPF&S, to at any time (whether or not
an Event of Default shall have occurred) obtain from and disclose to each other
any and all financial and other information about Customer. In connection with
said authorization, the parties recognize that in order to provide a WCMA Line
of Credit certain information about Customer is required to be made available on
a computer network accessible by certain affiliates of MLBFS, including MLPF&S.

(c) COMMUNICATIONS. All notices and other communications required or permitted
hereunder shall be in writing, and shall be either delivered personally, mailed
by postage prepaid certified mail or sent by express overnight courier or by
facsimile. Such notices and communications shall be deemed to be given on the
date of personal delivery, facsimile transmission or actual delivery of
certified mail, or one Business Day after delivery to an express overnight
courier. Unless otherwise specified in a notice sent or delivered in accordance
with the terms hereof, notices and other communications in writing shall be
given to the parties hereto at their respective addresses set forth at the
beginning of this Loan Agreement, or, in the case of facsimile transmission, to
the parties at their respective regular facsimile telephone number.

(d) COSTS, EXPENSES AND TAXES. Customer shall upon demand pay or reimburse MLBFS
for: (i) all Uniform Commercial Code filing and search fees and expenses
incurred by MLBFS in connection with the verification, perfection or
preservation of MLBFS' rights hereunder or in any collateral for the
Obligations; (ii) any and all stamp, transfer and other taxes and fees payable
or determined to be payable in connection with the execution, delivery and/or
recording of this Loan Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements; and (iii)
all reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses (including, but not limited to,
reasonable fees and expenses of outside counsel) incurred by MLBFS in connection
with the collection of any sum payable hereunder or under any of the Additional
Agreements not paid when due, the enforcement of this Loan Agreement or any of
the Additional Agreements and the protection of MLBFS' rights hereunder or
thereunder, excluding, however, salaries and normal overhead attributable to
MLBFS' employees. The obligations of Customer under this paragraph shall survive
the expiration or termination of this Loan Agreement and the discharge of the
other Obligations.

(e) RIGHT TO PERFORM OBLIGATIONS. If Customer shall fail to do any act or thing
which it has covenanted to do under this Loan Agreement or any representation or
warranty on the part of Customer contained in this Loan Agreement shall be
breached, MLBFS may, in its sole discretion, after 5 days written notice is sent
to Customer (or such lesser notice, including no notice, as is reasonable under
the circumstances), do the same or cause it to be done or remedy any such
breach, and may expend its funds for such purpose. Any and all reasonable
amounts so expended by MLBFS shall be repayable to MLBFS by Customer upon
demand, with interest at the Interest Rate during the period from and including
the date funds are so expended by MLBFS to the date of repayment, and all such
amounts shall be additional Obligations. The payment or performance by MLBFS of
any of Customer's obligations hereunder shall not relieve Customer of said
obligations or of the consequences of having failed to pay or perform the same,
and shall not waive or be deemed a cure of any Default.

(f) LATE CHARGE. Any payment required to be made by Customer pursuant to this
Loan Agreement not paid within ten (10) days of the applicable due date shall be
subject to a late charge in an amount equal to the lesser of: (i) 5% of the
overdue amount, or (ii) the maximum amount permitted by applicable law. Such
late charge shall be payable on demand, or, without demand, may in the sole
discretion of MLBFS be paid by a WCMA Loan and added to the WCMA Loan Balance in
the same manner as provided herein for accrued interest.

(g) FURTHER ASSURANCES. Customer agrees to do such further acts and things and
to execute and deliver to MLBFS such additional agreements, instruments and
documents as MLBFS may reasonably require or deem advisable to effectuate the
purposes of this Loan Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements.

(h) BINDING EFFECT. This Loan Agreement and the Additional Agreements shall be
binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of MLBFS, Customer and their
respective successors and assigns. Customer shall not assign any of its rights
or delegate any of its obligations under this Loan Agreement or any of the
Additional Agreements without the prior written consent of MLBFS. Unless
otherwise expressly agreed to in a writing




<PAGE>   11

signed by MLBFS, no such consent shall in any event relieve Customer of any of
its obligations under this Loan Agreement or the Additional Agreements.

(i) HEADINGS. Captions and section and paragraph headings in this Loan Agreement
are inserted only as a matter of convenience, and shall not affect the
interpretation hereof.

(j) GOVERNING LAW. This Loan Agreement, and, unless otherwise expressly provided
therein, each of the Additional Agreements, shall be governed in all respects by
the laws of the State of Illinois.

(k) SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS. Whenever possible, each provision of this Loan
Agreement and the Additional Agreements shall be interpreted in such manner as
to be effective and valid under applicable law. Any provision of this Loan
Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements which is prohibited or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective
only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating
the remaining provisions of this Loan Agreement and the Additional Agreements or
affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other
jurisdiction.

(l) TERM. This Loan Agreement shall become effective on the date accepted by
MLBFS at its office in Chicago, Illinois, and, subject to the terms hereof,
shall continue in effect so long thereafter as the WCMA Line of Credit shall be
in effect or there shall be any Obligations outstanding.

(m) COUNTERPARTS. This Loan Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts which, when taken together, constitute one and the same agreement.

(n) JURISDICTION; WAIVER. CUSTOMER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS LOAN AGREEMENT IS
BEING ACCEPTED BY MLBFS IN PARTIAL CONSIDERATION OF MLBFS' RIGHT AND OPTION, IN
ITS SOLE DISCRETION, TO ENFORCE THIS LOAN AGREEMENT AND THE ADDITIONAL
AGREEMENTS IN EITHER THE STATE OF ILLINOIS OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE
CUSTOMER OR ANY COLLATERAL FOR THE OBLIGATIONS MAY BE LOCATED. CUSTOMER CONSENTS
TO JURISDICTION IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND VENUE IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT
IN THE COUNTY OF COOK FOR SUCH PURPOSES, AND CUSTOMER WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS
TO CONTEST SAID JURISDICTION AND VENUE. CUSTOMER FURTHER WAIVES ANY RIGHTS TO
COMMENCE ANY ACTION AGAINST MLBFS IN ANY JURISDICTION EXCEPT IN THE COUNTY OF
COOK AND STATE OF ILLINOIS. MLBFS AND CUSTOMER HEREBY EACH EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY
AND ALL RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM
BROUGHT BY EITHER OF THE PARTIES AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY WITH RESPECT TO ANY
MATTER RELATING TO, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE WCMA LINE OF
CREDIT, THIS LOAN AGREEMENT, ANY ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS AND/OR ANY OF THE
TRANSACTIONS WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS LOAN AGREEMENT.

(o) INTEGRATION. THIS LOAN AGREEMENT, TOGETHER WITH THE ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS,
CONSTITUTES THE ENTIRE UNDERSTANDING AND REPRESENTS THE FULL AND FINAL AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE PARTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, AND MAY NOT BE
CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR WRITTEN AGREEMENTS OR PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS
OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL
AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, CUSTOMER ACKNOWLEDGES
THAT EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN: (I) NO PROMISE OR COMMITMENT
HAS BEEN MADE TO IT BY MLBFS, MLPF&S OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE EMPLOYEES,
AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES TO EXTEND THE AVAILABILITY OF THE WCMA LINE OF CREDIT
OR THE MATURITY DATE, OR TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM WCMA LINE OF CREDIT, OR
OTHERWISE EXTEND ANY OTHER CREDIT TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PARTY; (II) NO
PURPORTED EXTENSION OF THE MATURITY DATE, INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM WCMA LINE OF
CREDIT OR OTHER EXTENSION OR AGREEMENT TO EXTEND CREDIT SHALL BE VALID OR
BINDING UNLESS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN A WRITTEN INSTRUMENT SIGNED BY MLBFS; AND
(III) THIS LOAN AGREEMENT SUPERSEDES AND REPLACES ANY AND ALL PROPOSALS, LETTERS
OF INTENT AND APPROVAL AND COMMITMENT LETTERS FROM MLBFS TO CUSTOMER, NONE OF
WHICH SHALL BE CONSIDERED AN ADDITIONAL




<PAGE>   12

AGREEMENT. NO AMENDMENT OR MODIFICATION OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS TO WHICH CUSTOMER IS A PARTY SHALL BE EFFECTIVE UNLESS IN
A WRITING SIGNED BY BOTH MLBFS AND CUSTOMER


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Loan Agreement has been executed as of the day and year
first above written.

GT BICYCLES, INC.


By:      /s/ CHARLES CIMITILE       /s/ MICHAEL HAYNES
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             Signature (1)            Signature (2)

             Charles Cimitile         Michael Haynes
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
              Printed Name             Printed Name

         Chief Financial Officer         President
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
                  Title                    Title


Accepted at Chicago, Illinois:
MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL
SERVICES INC.


By:  /s/  KATHY THOMAS
   ----------------------------------