KONA March 2012 newsletter
The latest news from Kona just arrived and is once again filled with great stories of how bike culture is making the world a better place. From how a city is experiencing a social renaissance through commuting by bikes, grassroots development projects and 2012 team info…
INSIDE PORTLAND, OREGON, AMERICA’S CYCLING UTOPIA
Fresh from the Kona Productions Crew, How Bikes Make Cities Cool ? Portland, is a five-minute mini documentary that explores the thriving bicycle culture resident to one of North America’s most progressive metropolises. Filmed entirely by bike, with support from longtime Kona Portland dealer Sellwood Cycles and resident Team Kona athletes Erik Tonkin and Matthew Slaven, we spent the better part of a week talking to commuters, following kids to school and capturing the friendly vibe and funky nature of a city that embraces self-propelled commuting at the heart of its identity. Trailing the documentary are two short clips that highlight the style and function of Kona SimpliCITY bikes, the new Roundabout and MinUte.
For a complete loop of all videos, go HERE
KONA GRASSROOTS PROGRAM IN FULL SWING
We recently introduced a new streamlined Grassroots Program, designed to offer 100 international riders great deals on bikes, free Team Kona kit, as well as help with regional and international exposure. The program allows riders to gain credit for new bikes moving forward through their successes, with the intent to support what we classify our pro-development team, or, if you’re into baseball or hockey, our farm team. If a rider shows talent, and rises to the occasion, like Aggy or Antoine Bizet, who both started out as Grassroots riders, they just might find themselves on Team Kona.
This year’s team is diverse and eclectic, with freeriders like Dylan Sherrard in Kamloops to Italian cross-country teams like Bike Paradise, the UK-based Wheelbase DH Team, to the Iles brothers, two Whistler-based teenagers poised to be the next big thing in Canadian downhill racing. Stay tuned to the Kona COG for frequent updates on our Grassroots riders.
KONA ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR 2012 TEAM RIDERS ?
FAST, FUN AND REALLY FAST
The Kona Team is back, and strong as ever for 2012. Returning Downhill Team members Mitch Delfs and Connor Fearon had a strong “off” season in Australia, putting in top five finishes in the Australian National series, with Connor winning the Junior National DH title. The road to the World Cup and World Championships starts now, and we’re expecting big things from our Aussie rippers.
The Enduro boys have been getting their off season licks in, with Karim Amour already taking early season victories at the Big Green Enduro in France, and getting on the podium at the first round of the Super Enduro Series in San Remo. Not to be out done, Matt Slaven Spent his off-season in Sedona, AZ, getting fit and fast as he prepares for the North American season. Alex Stock spent the winter in Italy, and is on track for some killer performances as he joins Karim in the Super Enduro Series this summer.
Our back flipping protégé Antoine Bizet started the season off with a bang, placing third at the Monster WhiteStyle in Leogang, Austria, quickly followed with a second at the FISE round in Costa Rica. Graham Agassiz has been working on multiple projects throughout the winter, with a much-anticipated segment in the new Anthill Films movie, Strength in Numbers. Paul Bass has been fortifying his dirt jump playground out in Reno, Nevada as he prepares to amaze all with new tricks and crazy lines this season. The boys will be focusing lots of energy on Crankworx this year, and are super fired up on the return of the Red Bull Rampage this October.
The XC squad has been hitting the trails early, already racking up podium finishes at the 24hrs in the Old Pueblo. Cory Wallace took the solo title after a mere two-and-a-half-weeks on the bike. We figured that after cutting down trees in -40°C northern Alberta conditions, riding a bike around in the desert was a cakewalk. The XC boys will be tackling a variety of endurance events this season, including the Transylvania Epic, BCBR, the Mongolia Bike Challenge, NUE events and the 24hr World Championships in September. Olympic Long Team member Spencer Paxson will be hopping the globe, picking up UCI points and tons of smiles as he makes his push for the London Olympics.
British National Cyclocross Champion Helen Wyman has already begun her training regimen for the 2012/13 cross season, one that will see her cross the pond from her native Belgium to compete on the USGP Series, before heading back to Europe for the World Cup circuit and World Championships. After a very successful 2011/12 season, we’re excited to see more podiums and international success from Helen this year.
Special thanks goes out to all our sponsors, without them, we wouldn’t be out riding bikes, giving high fives and having and awesome time.
Tags: Connor Fearon, inside portland, kona, kona cog, kona grassroots program, konabikes, konaworld, Mitch Delfs, team kona
