Sunday, August 29, 2010

Kona Blast Product Launch, Bellingham WA


Kona Blast 2011 Recap.

One Kona Launch in the wraps. Locating in Ferndale, Washington, we arrived in the city of Bellingham, about a two hours north of Seattle. Great location on the water and with Galbraith Mountain looking over the city. This was Kona’s 1st private launch and they did a perfect job of mixing business with killer riding. It’s always a great experience to be immersed in what I would call the “Kona Culture”. This company lives and breaths all things bike, from their Africa Bike programs to the new Operator DH, Kona is all about your ride in all sense of the word.
Kona has a stunning line up this year! New highlights include the 2x2, a Magic Link Full Floater that changes between 80 and 100 mm. perfect for N. Ohio’s XC. They have revamped the Cyclo Cross line up, with lighter Jakes and a Full Carbon Cross bike coming in at $3000. These will be on the floor just in time for cross season. One of the simple yet stunning bikes was the World Bike, a simple 3 spd. The name Nunu is back in a perfect XC hardtail machine. The 29er line up expands a bit, and a new all around full suspension bike the Tanuki comes out.
After a morning of some actual work it was out to the demo crew to get set up with bikes for the ride. One really fast group, led by Ryan Trebon and Barry Wicks ( who have got to be the most down to earth pros ever! More on that later), one medium pace ride, and one recreational ride. I am the lucky guy who gets to ride a Cadabra build for the Sea Otter Classic. Scandium frame, Sram 1x10 drive train ( I am now fully sold on 1x’s or 2x 10’s, no going back) Rock Shox Black box fork, this puppy weighed in at 23lbs for nearly 7” of travel. I settled in about mid pack of 40 or so riders an up up up up up up we went. We climbed about 1500’ of steep but relatively easy single track then the real fun began. Cory, a rep was our ride leader, took us around the trails on the top with names like intestine to ----- well you get the idea. The decent was amazing. Tight, twisty and down does not begin to describe it.! All said a great 2 ½ hour ride.
After a few celebratory beers with fellow dealers, it was off to the Kona USA HQ for some beers, BBQ, and basketball. Tons of vintage Kona’s hang on the walls marking the company’s great history. Then came the basketball game. In the first round my team of 5’8” dealers took on Ryan Trebon and Barry Wicks. I think the score was 11-0. Lets Just say they race 23” Kona Hei Hei 29ers.
The following day came meetings with all the inside Kona peeps. Kona has a great “ Family” of employee’s and dealers. It is clear they are not like any other company in the industry. The core values share many of MRC’s values. The bikes are innovative, sensible and just like MRC, it’s not just a ride around the block, it’s a way of life.
A quick stop in Seattle for the night also showed an amazing bike culture. As we sat having a beer in Olympic Park ( home to Space Needle) I watch hundreds, and I do mean hundreds of local riders coming by, listening to a free concert and socializing. This is what they do on a Friday night…..

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