Sunny DH Practice
So we got to practice some downhill yesterday More...
Cycle Lab Opens in Hillcrest
So now we get to check the theory that competition More...
Third Day at The Wave House
We went and checked out Third Day last More...
Crank It!!!
I've been riding with a few roadies More...
Uncle Des Purchase.
Maverick Cycles/Kona team leader Kelvin Purchase is one of the top Downhill riders in the country, a super nice guy and supremely talented. He’s always keen to get people into riding bikes as well. At the start of the 2010 season when the new bikes arrived, Kelvin’s dad Des decided to take over Kelvin’s old Kona Stab to “do a few races”.
Des is possibly the only person in the world who scares me. He’s a big guy, and takes great joy in pushing his stump of a thumb into the soft flesh under your collarbone, reducing us tough Downhillers to wimpering babies. He may be a little bit crazy.
He is also a super talented athlete. It rubbed off on his kids, as Kelvin is a force in the DH scene, and Brad is a top MX racer locally (in Kwa-Zulu Natal) and nationally. This is also testament to Des’s commitment to his kids, supporting both of them to get to regional and national races around the country, buying and servicing bikes, and being personal trainer.
For training, Des puts the guys on a stationary bike, turns up the resistance, and sits down with a cup of tea and watches as Kelvin and Brad work, hurling motivational insults when needed.
He’s also hands-on. Rumour has it when Brad raced 80’s, there was a jump he just couldn’t get right, so Des got on Brad’s 80, put on a helmet, and hit the jump perfect first time.
Uncle Des finally got the DH bike out for a race, at a national at Mankele, the steepest and most technical course in the country. Needless to say he met the ground a few times, but kept smiling.
Next was the final provincial, where Des cracked a top 20 overall, and second in Vet Men.
The Final race of the year was National Champs in Pretoria. This was Des’s third race, and only a month after his first race. Des stormed the course in his usual overpowering manner and took the win in Vet Men. National Champion in his third race!
So heres to Uncle Des, thanks for all the laughs, chirps, sore collarbones, motivation and good times. Congrats on the National Champs.
Classic!!! Check out Tim Bentley and friends, getting in some solid DH training ahead of his trip to France. Good luck Timmy.
The World Cup that Matters
So the news is out: South Africa is hosting the first round of the Mountain Bike World Cup in 2011. As far as I know the venue has not changed, so it's up the hill in Pietermaritzburg. And we will host DHi, 4X ans XCO. Super cool.
South Africa is looking good in mountain bikeing at the moment. Greg Minnaar pulled off an amazing win this past weekend and now has a substantial points lead, going into round 4. GO GREG!!!
Kona Magic Link Video
If you've taken a look at a Kona Cababra or CoilAir and noticed the strange extra rear shock thingy, you may be wondering what it does or how it can help you. Well check out this video to find out, and then pop in and get you new Kona bike.
What A mission: typing with a dislocated knuckle in my right hand and a broken knuckle in my left. I biffed BIG yesterday. I think in all honesty, I’m just trying to go too big at the moment. That double at the end on the 4X/DH in Cascades is to hard for a tired rider at the end of a run. I’m not saying that I think Gary and Brian did a bad job with the track, on the contry the course is very challenging and fun. I just need to know where my limits are and not try go to far past them at a time.
The reshaped take off for double number two was to far past me. Just wanted to say thank God (and I mean that, I am grateful to Him) for great helmets and for my Leatt Brace. As you can see from the photo, the front of my helmet took the initial impact. My jaw piece then hit my Leatt, which stopped my neck from over extending. To give you an idea of how hard I hit the ground, I broke my left middle finger (it was sitting at 90 deg the wrong way, that was wild and scary all at he same time), damaged the fiddle finger on my right hand, I have roasties and a big gash in my left shoulder, bruises and my chest, right hip an right knee. But no neck damage!
Whether you ride, for fun, race XC, freeride, or downhill; where a helmet and the appropriate protection. And know you limits.
PS: Thanks to the awesome group of downhillers in KZN, for all the help yesterday.
GM/Mongoose Provincial No 1.
The first provincial DH went down on Sunday 17th, it was meant to be in December, but got cancelled due to the track being “too dangerous” from all the rain. And guess what? It was raining leading up to the race, but we raced.
Practise was slippery and loose, but things got better throughout the day. The course was changed a little before race day, by adding a chicken line around the Chute, and removing a drop that was hard to hit right in the dry. By race time, the chute was rideable, but the course was still nice and drifty. Read More...
Take Time For a Ride
we at Maverick Cycles would like to wish all our friends and customers a very happy Christmas and an awesome 2010. We are taking some time for between the 24th of December and the 4th of Jan, to relax, have some fun and ride our bike. We hope you will take time out to do the same.
Sun shine, bikinis, bicycles and no place to be. See you next year.
Just Got This Sad News
"Last night we said farewell to Chad Bain. He let go in hospital while on life support following a motorbike accident yesterday afternoon. He leaves behind not only his wife and immediate family but many more who have depended on his efforts to uplift their lives. Chad dedicated his life to helping others so it would seem unjust that he would leave us so early in life."
I for one will miss Chad at the DH and know that he has gone home now. We'll miss you Chad.
Kamloops, BC Phemom Graham Agassiz Returns to the Kona Clump Team for 2010
Aggy's plan for next year is to keep doing what he's always been doing-charging every contest and film and photo shoot, progressing the sport, and keeping everything fun along the way.
"Training and staying in the right mind set are also key," says the 18-year-old. Over the winter he'll be working with a personal trainer to gain strength and flexibility. The list of contests and slopestyle events in his sights include Crankworx Colorado and Whistler, Claymore Challenge, and the Bearclaw Invitational. As well as other freeride events such as Chatel Mountain Style, Anti Days of Thunder, and of course, Red Bull Rampage.
"I am so stoked to be riding for Kona bikes again. All I have ever ridden has been Kona, and they have helped me out since day one. The bikes are amazing, and have been the perfect tools for the job in all situations I have put them in. I have found that perfect bike that does everything I want it to. It's called the Stinky. Signing on with the Kona again was simple and easy, yes!"
Here at Kona we're happy to have him back along with his sick riding and amazing dance moves. Look out ladies, here comes Aggy.
Going into its 11th year, the industry's longest running freeride team looks to push the limits of what can be done on a bike...again. Watch the Clump take our bombproof, performance bred freeride and dirt jump bikes to new heights in a magazine/film/slopestyle/big mountain competition near you. Kona's Clump team is proud to ride Shimano Saint products, Maxxis tires, Easton Bicycle Components, Marzocchi suspension, e-thirteen and WTB saddles. Protected by Kryptonite.
Specialized Announces Sales Stop for 2010 Epic & Era Models
Russ from Kona sent this to me: "Thought you might find this information useful and interesting. Incase you didn't know Kona has never had a bike/frame recall and we pride ourselves on building strong, bold and safe bikes."
S’HEERENBERG, Netherlands - Specialized Europe BV announces a sales stop for the 2010 versions of its Epic and Era models. They are equipped with seat stays that, as Specialized calls it, “have material problems.”
The sales stop does not apply for Epic/Era and S-Works Epic Comp 29er models.
Specialized dealers have been informed about the problems and directed to stop the sale of the following models:
2010 Epic Marathon Carbon
2010 Epic Expert Carbon
2010 Epic Expert
2010 Epic Comp Carbon
2010 Epic Comp (see photo)
2010 Era FSR Comp
2010 Era FSR Expert
Summer is Upon Us!!! The time to ride your bike, in the sun and have awesome bring and braais with your friends is here. Why don't you pack up your stuff for the braai and ride to your friends house.
KZN MBC News Click here to read the Chairman's Report and to get the Minutes and new Calendar for 2010.
Mike and Ska Are Building Bikes...
Lots of bikes! They are up in JHB at Orange Farm, for the presintation of hundreds of Kona Africa Bikes to the project there. Mike sent me this pic of the bikes that they have biuld so far. Good luck guys.
Read more about it in our Blog.....
New World Disorder 10 on the Way I start getting ancy every year around this time. And it's 'cause I need a fresh fix of the disorder, New World Disorder that is. Check out the trailer. I can't wait to get my grubby little paws on a copy.
KONA ON-LINE STORE NOW OPEN!!!! It's
a simple start, but it's cool. Check out what bikes we have in stock at any time and then order and save. Kona Bikes great prices, what a Shop on-line now
AT LAST!!! Steve Peat is World Champ.
Watched this live on Freecaster TV. What an amazing run.
Burry Stander is Under 23 World Champion
From all of us a MAverick Cycles: Well Done!!!
Maverick Cycles/Kona team leader Kelvin Purchase is one of the top Downhill riders in the country, a super nice guy and supremely talented. He’s always keen to get people into riding bikes as well. At the start of the 2010 season when the new bikes arrived, Kelvin’s dad Des decided to take over Kelvin’s old Kona Stab to “do a few races”. 
He’s also hands-on. Rumour has it when Brad raced 80’s, there was a jump he just couldn’t get right, so Des got on Brad’s 80, put on a helmet, and hit the jump perfect first time.
The reshaped take off for double number two was to far past me. Just wanted to say thank God (and I mean that, I am grateful to Him) for great helmets and for my Leatt Brace. As you can see from the photo, the front of my helmet took the initial impact. My jaw piece then hit my Leatt, which stopped my neck from over extending. To give you an idea of how hard I hit the ground, I broke my left middle finger (it was sitting at 90 deg the wrong way, that was wild and scary all at he same time), damaged the fiddle finger on my right hand, I have roasties and a big gash in my left shoulder, bruises and my chest, right hip an right knee. But no neck damage! 
Practise was slippery and loose, but things got better throughout the day. The course was changed a little before race day, by adding a chicken line around the Chute, and removing a drop that was hard to hit right in the dry. By race time, the chute was rideable, but the course was still nice and drifty.
Aggy's plan for next year is to keep doing what he's always been doing-charging every contest and film and photo shoot, progressing the sport, and keeping everything fun along the way.
"I am so stoked to be riding for Kona bikes again. All I have ever ridden has been Kona, and they have helped me out since day one. The bikes are amazing, and have been the perfect tools for the job in all situations I have put them in. I have found that perfect bike that does everything I want it to. It's called the Stinky. Signing on with the Kona again was simple and easy, yes!"
S’HEERENBERG, Netherlands - Specialized Europe BV announces a sales stop for the 2010 versions of its Epic and Era models. They are equipped with seat stays that, as Specialized calls it, “have material problems.”
