\\\ : : : Maverick Cycles : : : /// outside the box cycling!!!

An article written by Trevor Davids for the Maritzburg College School Newsletter: Down load it here.

We met up with the SA team at King Shaka Airport in Durban to fly to World Champs in Champery, Switzerland, on Friday the 26th August 2011.
I was super excited for this trip to Switzerland as I had never been overseas before.
We landed in Dubai, it is a super-hot place and we tried to have a sleep in the airport.
When we were coming into Switzerland we could see the huge mountains, it was such an awesome sight. We arrived in Geneva, then set off to Champery, the drive there was really amazing seeing different parts of the world and how beautiful the place was.
We got to Champery, got settled and did a bit of sight seeing by riding different tracks travelling up on the ski lifts and riding down a downhill track and then up again, it was one of the best days of my life.

On Monday I took a walk to the track and saw the mountains, I have never seen anything like this, the ski lift just went straight up, the track was so steep, I got a bit nervous of this track. We did a track walk with the SA team finding some lines, it was really hard to even walk down the track. But I was ampt to ride a different kind of track.

First practise day was really good although I was really scared riding down the track.
I had a good night’s rest and woke up early because the practice for the Junior’s was really short during the week.
Second practice day was good, you had to hold the brakes the whole way down. I kept on seeing the helicopters coming to fetch other riders who had crashed, it was quite a scary sight. I had another good day of practise.

On Thursday after

practise when I was washing my bike I noticed that I had a crack in the frame, it was a very horrible moment, I felt sick. Then it was a bad rush to find a frame. Unfortunately I could not get the same frame as we were on the other side of the World. I went around begging to borrow a frame, eventually I got one but it was not one that I was used to and I was very nervous for my timed session run. Rob built my bike with the borrowed frame on Thursday a night. So I used the timed session as a practice on the Friday. The track was a bit slippery and when I got to the top of the track my stomach was sore because I was so nervous. I was breathing really heavy and I felt my heart beating in my chest. But when I came out the start gate I tried to ride as smooth as possible, but because the track is so steep it was really hard. I had quite a big crash in my run and got a 52 place. I was really battling to get used to the bike.
I had one practice day on the bike but still could not get used to it and then the sky’s opened up and it poured with rain, really heavy rain and I was super nervous being on a different bike on the steepest track in the world.

I got all ready for the race, went up the ski lift to the top. But there was a delay because one of the Junior girls had to get air lifted off the track. All I wanted to do was to make it down the track alive.

With my heart beating in my throat, I flew out the start gate. Although it was still pouring I was determine to do my best, hitting the first jumps, then into the steep section where I washed out and went down the rocky rooty part on my bottom. I grabbed my bike and pushed, towards the finish I went over my bars in the steepest part on the track losing all my speed for the last jumps, by then I was full of mud. I’ve never raced a race stressing so much just to stay on the bike. I left a lot of skin on the track but was pleased to come out alive. I finished in 48th place, I am reasonably happy with it, as I had only one day of practise on a bike I’m not used to and a crazy steep track in the pouring rain. I have learnt a lot from this trip, it was a really awesome experience.

I would like to thank Robert Cunnington for all the work he put into my bike and the late nights he spent building the bike and for being at the top of the track helping us to relax, make us feel good and to give us confident. I’d also like to thank Brian Straus and Mike Bradley for all their help and support during the World Champs. Thank you all.

I would like to thank all the people that were involved with helping us to get to the World Champs in Switzerland.

I would also like to thank my sponsors Mike and Conrad from Maverick Cycles, Rob from Race Face and Mitch from Hilton Health and Fitness Gym

SUBARU SANI2C

Subaru Sani2C is probably the most sought after event in SA. To manage to obtain an entry is like winning the lotto, so when Nick Reed asked in Feb if I was keen to take over his partners’ role in the race version of Sani, I jumped at the opportunity.

Sani2C comprises of 2 events, namely the adventure and then the race. Both events cover the same course, with the adventure starting and finishing a day earlier than the race. The cost is the same, and so is the competitiveness, which amazes me. The adventure version does not recognise 1ts, 2nd or 3rd, and although each entry is timed, the adventure is supposedly the less “racey” of the two events.

Having said that, Nick and I were in the race, and seeming as we were never under the impression that we had any chance of being “uber” competitive, we just went along for the adventure, that only Sani2C can offer.

Looking back a the ‘Berg – Day 1 Sani2C

Registration
Registration for the event takes place at the Underberg Primary School. On arrival, one is greeted by kids selling raffle tickets, Subaru branding and the registration tents. At registration, each team member receives a huge plastic container wherein you put all your kit for the next 3 days. In the boxes though are some amazing “gifts” > a stunning Aca Joe Hoody, a Salamon jacket, a Salomon riding top, nougat, chips, cable ties, number board, ear plugs and whatever else was thrown in.

We had decided to stay at the school (R500 per team, includes dinner, bed and breakfast). This meant later rise and super convenience.

DAY 1-The fun one
We were up early for the 07:00 start. The race was divided into batches of 100 riders each, starting 10 mins apart. We were somehow in batch C! It was a cold but fast start. The “neutral car” guiding the neutral zone must have rushed off at top speed as soon enough Nick and I were out in the heavy mist, all alone! This suited us, as we could then cruise at a comfortable pace, without over straining ourselves – both of us had picked up a cold a few days prior to the event.

The racing snakes in batch D, soon caught and passed us, and we hit the first major climb of the day. Once over that, with a photo or two en route, we descended down to water point 1 at the 40km mark. We rolled into the water stop in 2hr11. Here we were greeted with doughnuts, potatoes, orange slices, coke, water etc etc and very jovial people. We soon set off to water point 2, which would be a further 25km’s down the road. At about 60km’s we rode through a beautiful indigenous forest which i home to the Cape Parrot, the trees and bush where amazing, and before before we knew it, we passed water point 2 and where soon on the last rolling hills to the finish at McKenzie Club, at 80km’s.

Nick Day - near finish.jpg

After 80km’s – Nick still smiling! (from his recent honeymoon, or the fact that we had just covered the first day without any trouble)
On arrival at the overnight stop, we washed our bikes and stored them, found our tent and boxes. Soon showered and fed (lunch is served from 12 until dinner, and one can eat as much as one likes). We settled into a few beers and waited for dinner. At dinner they have the podium for the categories , show photos and video’s of the days activities. Then it was off to bed, amongst the snoring, burping, talking, sniggering masses.

DAY 2-The exciting one
Day 2 was an earlier start and a longer day (96km’s). There was much anticipation, as this is the day that Sani is known for the drop down into Mighty Umkomaas River Valley. Nothing could have prepared me for this most amazing descent. The batches where split by 10 minute intervals, and with our very conservative first day, we where starting in K batch. The start spread the field with a long district road section. We soon though entered a dual single track. Once we were in the singl track, we started catching the riders in front, so I crossed over to the right hand track which was clear. It flowed incredibly well and before I knew it I had passed the 20 or so riders in front of me. I looked back and saw Nick behind 3 other riders. The next section went passed in a blur and soon we climbed a small shale climb and started the decent into the valley.

Our much later start, presented us with amazing views of the entire valley below. Here we were in a train of riders who were riding at a decent pace, affording us the time to really enjoy the scenery. As we worked our way passed the riders in front of us, the trail opened up more and more and the descent became super fast. We soon caught another train of riders on the valley floor and coasted behind them to cross the river over a wooden bridge. This section was fast, and knowing there was some big climbs ahead, we took it easy and just enjoyed the flowing trail until we hit water point number 1.

Once again, the water point was overstocked with eatables and drinks. We then had to start climbing. The route passed through some incredible dry river beds and thornveld, but the general gradient was still in an upward direction. The grind to water point 2 (halfway) was in full swing and what made the climb a little more tricky was the constant loose rocks and portages across small rivers. Soon enough though we arrived at WP 2. Here we tucked into a Nando’s burger before moving on to conquer the last 40km’s.

“Push-of-a-climb” up and out of the check point is exactly that, push of a climb. Having failed miserably last year at trying to ride this hill, I was determined to make it up. I was feeling good and confident, but soon fell foul to the “walking wounded” – who believe that when walking up a climb, one has to stick to the path most ridden. So, 20m from the summit, I lost traction and was forced to join the plodders again. At the top of the hill, the course continued in an upward direction. By the 70km mark, the climbing had got to a point where the humour was starting to get misplaced. But then we started to descend, firstly on long district roads, catching speed of between 30 and 45 kph and covering ground at an alarming rate, to a fast flowing single track which brought us up to a district road.

As we arrived close to the finish, the route made a change from previous years and we took a sharp left, up a killer climb. This was followed by the most technical rocky descent I have seen in a while – and it was super fun. We had one hill to climb and Nick said we were just short of 7hrs of riding. The last climb was steep, but as we crested the top, we turned into the overnight stop at Jolliviet in a smidgen over 7 hours.

McKenzire Farm.jpg

Bikes – washed and ready for day 2

The overnight stop is amongst the macadamia-nut trees, which makes for a quieter nights’ sleep. The showers on day two are a bit too close for comfort, but by this time of day, one really does not seem to care any longer. The dinner on day 2 is incredible and the entire atmosphere is just awesome.

After a few beers and some wine, we headed off to bed, knowing that tomorrow’s ride would be a lot easier than today.

DAY 3-The fast one
Day 3 Sani, is just about downhill all the way, intercepted by 5 climbs. The first 30 odd km’s fly by with two climbs, and equally fast descents. Water table 1 comes through quicker than you imagine and soon you are heading off to Vernon Crooks nature reserve. At VC you encounter two climbs, the biggest also being the most technical by virtue of a massive rut running down the length of the climb. The ride through Vernon Crookes is easy and fast and it lulls you into wanting to push through to the finish, but with experience of the previous year, we held a little back for little heart rate and of course heart rate.

I must say that in the dry, these two climbs where not as bad as I thought, and after a quick stop and munch on more donuts, we soon hurled down the district roads to the finish in Scottborough. After some long dirt district roads, you finally pop through a little singletrack over the small dune and onto a long stretch of conveyor belt over the beach sand. The crowd on the beach greets you with big smiles and claps, and the last climb to the finish, although testing on weary legs, seems to melt away.
All in all, a brilliant ride with loads of fun, and a definite must do for any mountain biker out there.

Thanks to the organisers for a great MTB experience.

Last week Wednesday I went to go and practice the top part of the world cup track.

I was ridding with a few friends. I was feeling really good on the track smooth and fast. Went up for another run and a friend was videoing me come down the track I was feeling good on the track then, I got to pebble beach my front tire washed out on a rock I flew shoulder first into a rock then coccyx into a tree.

I was lying there in huge pain thinking; will I be able to still ride World Cup or not. When my freinds got to me they phoned Mark Malherbe's dad to come fetch me and take me to hospital, I had Xrays had a fractured scapuler and coxix. I was very sad about this thought I would not be able to race worlds. Watching every race the Greg Minnaar series at cascades was nice to see my friends but would have liked to race it aswell.

I will be ready for the World Cup downhill in PMB im going to be going to alot of physio. Today I'll be starting to spin on indoor trainer to keep my leg strength. I'll get my shoulder strapped up for the worlds aswell. I am very excited for the World cup and motivated to get a good place.

Race report: GMM Down Hill #3 by Kelvin

This past weekend was the Greg Minnaar and Mongoose regional series at Cascades in Pietermaritzburg. The course we raced was the top half of the World Cup course that will be used next month.

The course is really fun starting off in a forest section with some loose corners before popping off a rock drop "the eye boggler" then into a windy forest section. From there it goes over a road gap and into the steep "cloud nine" section which rolls right over a big rock and into "pebble beach". After that there are some fast sections and the course came am end with the "cork screw" jump and the big tables.

I had ridden the course quite a lot but always in the dry but as it would happen the rain came down on Friday and Saturday making it rather muddy. I did a few runs in the mud on Saturday with dry tyres which didn't turn out too well, I ended up swan diving off the "eye boggler" landing on my stomach and winding myself. After that I wasn't really feeling that confident but still did a couple more runs to get use to the wet conditions.

Sunday came and the course was even more muddy after it rained the night before so I put my mud tyres on and went up. The mud tyres made a big difference and I was having fun on the course.

By the time we went up for our race runs I was feeling confident and ready to race. The top of the course was a little misty but it wasn't a problem.

My first run was going well. I was feeling good on the bike and felt in control through the mud, until "pebble beach". I don't know what happened, I came off the big rock and everything was normal and the next thing I knew my front wheel washed out and I was on the ground. I tried to get back up as fast as I could and get back to speed bit my rear brake lever had shifted right down and I couldn't move it back up. I still pushed as hard as I could through the rest of the run. When I got down I sorted my bike out, had something to drink and headed up for my second run.

The mist had really rolled in thick for the second run and it was tough to see. My run felt good though I came through "pebble beach" a bit slower though as I didn't want to crash again. I came through the finish 5th fastest in elite men and 6th overall. I think my first run would have been quicker if a hadn't crashed as most of the guys where slower on their second runs. Maybe this was because of the mist.

All in all it was a really awesome weekend of riding and even though me and my bike took a bit of a beating it was all part of learning and I'm looking forward to the next race.

A big thank you to Maverick Cycles and all the guys that make racing so awesome.

Kelvin

Race Report: African Continental Champs by Kelvin

The African Continental Champs was held in Jonkershoek this past weekend. Riders get chosen from each Province to represent South Africa and other countries in Africa also participate.

I got to Cape Town on Thursday night so that I'd have plenty time on Friday to check out the course and ride.

K-Dub at full tilt.

After a good breakfast on Friday morning I got to Jonkershoek and got all the registration done. It was great to see all the riders again and catch up. I heard that the course was very similar to the one we had raced there two years ago. So I decided to head up the mountain and walk the course.

The course was much the same as the one we had raced before. It was super dry and powdery. Out the start were some really blown out corners which led into the first road gap. Right after the road gap was another blown out left berm into a small rock drop. After that the course got really fast and quite tight in some places. All the corners where super loose because it was so dry. Near the finish was another road gap out of the forest into a fast section where trees had been cut down with some small jumps. It looked like it would be a lot of fun so I headed back to the car, assembled my bike, had some lunch and headed up the hill for some practice.

I took it easy on Friday to learn the course and try find some lines. It took me a while to feel comfortable on the course and by the time practice finished on Friday I wasn't feeling one hundred percent on it yet. So I headed home to get an early night so I'd be ready for practice on Saturday

I got there really early on Saturday to get some good practice in and also to get a parking in the shade. Ha ha. It was really hot there.

I got on the first shuttle up and just did a bunch of runs until I was feeling good on the course. I did about five practice runs that day and found one or two new lines. I was feeling pretty good and went home looking forward to the race on Sunday.

The race program for this race was different to what we normally run. Instead of having two race runs we had one seeding run and one race run.

Alisdair Managed a 2nd in Junior Men. Well done Al

I did two practice runs in the morning and was feeling good for the race. I had something to eat and drink then headed up the hill for my seeding run.

I got into the start gate when it was my turn and waited for the count down, 5 4 3 2 1 GO. It started off good, I got the blown out top corners good and landed smoothly on the first road gap into the berm. The rest of my run wasn't bad but I didn't feel as smooth as my practice had been. When I got to the bottom I was a bit disappointed with my time but I knew that I wasn't smooth in that run. So I planned to concentrate on being smooth rather than try to pedal too much and end up being slower.

The time came for my race run. I was feeling quite nervous as I really wanted to improve on my seeding time. My race run felt a lot smoother and went well except for my chain some how getting jammed for a little while just after the second road gap.

I improved on my seeding time by four seconds which was a good thing. I ended up 11th elite man and 15th overall out of the UCI riders.

All in all it was an awesome weekend riding and racing. I'm looking forward to South African Champs next month and aim on doing better there.

Kona Supreme Operator Given the Thumbs Up by Dirt
Click on the image below to check out the review.

Mavericks at African Continental Champs

Maverick Cycles is super stoked to announce that two of our team rides have officially been selected to represent South Africa at the 2011 African Continental Champs. This year the ACC event is being held in Jonkershoek, just outside Stellenbosch.

Alisdair Fay has been riding a Kona Stab for Maverick Cycles for the past year and is happy to be getting an Operator DH for the event. He has been training really hard in the off season, and is aiming for the win in Jonkershoek.

Kelvin Purchase is - as always - just happy to be able to represent his country again, and will be out there to get a podium and some UCI point, so he can race at the World Cup in Pietermaritzburg, in April. Kelvin will also be on a new Kona Operator for 2011.

Ruan Retief Prepares for Epic
Ruan has been sending us some feedback on how his Kona Hei Hei is going and on his preparation for The Cape Epic. Ruan is partnering with Francois Lensley better known as Marko in 7de Laan. They will be riding Konas and are super stoked.

Today's WhatsApp message to my iPhone said "Did 115km baseride this weekend. Awesome!" and Konas rock! bike just goes an goes."

Do you recognize these men and will you still recognize them at the end of Movember?

20 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - BBB – what a ‘shova
Added by Mike Bradley 20 October 2010

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs911.snc4/72484_1305691421947_1820394580_620071_6316967_n.jpg

For the first time, since migrating to KZN from Gauteng, I decided to partake in KZN’s version of the Argus/94.7. That’s right, I decided to take my cycling skills on the road for my 4th ever road race, in my illustrious cycling career. I had previously done the Argus (’94) on a MTB, the 94.7 (’96) on a MTB, Midmar Notts (’04) on a Kona Jake-the-snake cyclocross bike and now I attempted the 106km Shova on a 20kg, 3spd Kona Africa Bike! What an experience. More...

"The Union Trails, located near Clarens in the Eastern Free State Highlands, are a network of trails that sit on a 1200-hectare estate, consisting of natural and hand crafted trails, making use of the natural terrain to provide different levels of trails to cater for all abilities.

Accommodation is available on the Estate in the form of Union House guesthouse, offering old style farmhouse accommodation and Destiny Castle, which is a very exclusive, upmarket boutique hotel.

The Union Trail offers the all-mountain/enduro rider some incredible riding, mixing flowing single track, technical sections, slick rock riding similar to Moab, eye watering descents and some steep ascents. This route is a 40km loop all within the estate and is aimed at intermediate to experienced riders.

The Trans Caledon route follows the old border patrol track through the Caledon River valley, as it winds its way through the foothills of the Maluti Mountains. Obvious in some places and barely visible in others, this old track offers easier riding as you meander along the rivers course.

Lesotho- As Union Trails is situated on the border of Lesotho, we also offer guided out rides that cross over into that country to experience the best natural trails we have ever seen in the world. (Passport necessary)

Euobike’s day three – Electric bikes are definitely a huge thing here in Europe. Some of these machines have really cool designs where the battery packs are intergrated into the frames. One thing though, is that these battery packs are huge – so whether the stories about riders mechanically doping are true....unless there are some seriously powerful but minutely compact batteries out there, I don’t think this is happening yet! These bikes are so popular and in need that E29,000 worth where stolen from Eurobike on Friday. More...

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!

Classic!!!
Check out Tim Bentley and friends, getting in some solid DH training ahead of his trip to France. Good luck Timmy.

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!!!

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.

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...

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.

"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.

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.”

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.