February | 2010 | KHS Factory Racing

16th Annual Southridge Winter Series (4) – Fontana, CA

Photos by: Monique Spaulding

Report by: Quinton Spaulding

2010 KHS FACTORY TEAM SPONSORS

BMW’s motorcycle club was out on the highways enjoying the freedom of the great wide open.

This happened to be NASCAR weekend in Fontana, CA - we were only a stones throw away from the FONTANA Auto Club Speedway and all the action.

FREE AGENT Team Manager, Dale Holmes came out and raced Super D for KHS on Saturday.

Anneke Beerten and Dale Holmes pose for the KHS paparazzi!!!

KHS’s Super D specialist, Scott Johnson took on the tough task of racing Cross Country early Saturday morning before racing the Super D event later that afternoon.

Left to right: Scott Johnson (KHS), Nick Ducharmeand and Greg Hammond

XC RESULTS

You can always find Bob Burnes and Dale Rowley at the Winter Series races showing their support!!

FACTORY!

Scott Johnson changed his under armor from black to red and attacked the Super D track. Rumor has it that the Super D track was more downhill than the downhill track, but I couldn’t say …I never got to see the Super D track.

Dale Holmes transfers his BMX skills right over onto a Mountain Bike in the Super D event. Holmes has won more titles than Muhammad Ali!

SUPER D RESULTS

Blake Carney was out on the 4X track Saturday afternoon representing for KHS. Unfortunately he was eliminated in a heat race when an experienced veteran by the name of “Carter” put on an old school BMX braking move on Blake in the second corner. Experience is what Carney will have gained from that race, and a mental note to not let it happen again!

Dan Atherton popped in and raced 4X. He took the 4th place medal and headed straight to the beach. The Atherton’s, as well as a few other foreign World Cup racers sometimes spend the winter months in California so that they can use the great So Cal weather to get good quality “off season training”.

4X RESULTS

Sundays downhill went off on time. however, the general consensus amongst the racers was that “it wasn’t the best track use for Fontana”… but we raced it all the same!

Binggeli put in yet another solid effort and managed to take a 7th place podium finish in the Pro DH with some of the best (his overall points standings did not change).

I was a little out of control in Sundays final, but somehow managed to keep the bike upright to the finish.

This track was really good for “race training”… there was no letting off the pedals anywhere at anytime. and by the end of the wall my legs felt as if they were going to burst! I finished mid pack in 23rd place… unscathed!

Chuck Valenzuela made it out for the race this past weekend. He is confident that he will be back racing a lot more in 2010 for KHS. Valenzuela finished 8th in the Vet Pro Class.

PRO MENS TOP 30 DH

Shimano put on a “Track Stand” competition following the Down Hill race and the winner received a set of SLX Disk Brakes.

KHS “B Team” rider Jim De Haven took 2nd place, gaining huge in the overall points standings…this is a tough class! (Expert Men 35-42).

If you traveled South on Interstate 15 from Las Vegas to Los Angeles this past Sunday… I feel really bad for you!! That was the most backed-up I have seen it in the 15 years that I have traveled that highway…it had to have been a 10 hour drive!!

…LIVE THE RIDE. RIDE THE DREAM

KHS VALUES ITS SPONSORS!!!!

Please stay tuned for future updates and photos as they become available.

All the best,

Taylor Lideen (World Solo MTB 24 Hour Championship Newsletter #2.) – SPOTLIGHT RACER

Spotlight Racer

Taylor Lideen

For those of you who don’t know Taylor, this will be his 3rd WSC and he is the current WSC U25 Mens champion.

We got a hold of Taylor in Arizona and asked him some questions for the newsletter…

1) Tell us a little about yourself, Taylor.

I just turned 20 in December. I am attending a local community college right now and also work part time at a sub shop. I love riding my bike and working out in the gym. I am also a bit of a movie buff and love listening to music and enjoy hanging out with my friends.

2) How many 24hr Solos have you done?

I have completed about five 24 hour Solo races. I have entered more but things didn’t go as planned and didn’t finish either because of mechanicals, getting sick, or other problems. t seems like anything that can go wrong will go wrong at some point during these races.

3) What was it that got you into your first 24hr Solo?

My dad always used to race Moab on a team before I ever started racing mountain bikes. A few years after I started racing I noticed I wasn’t getting any results in the downhill racing so wanted to try something new. XC racing was cool but I really struggled with the short hard effort stuff, and I kind of got bored with it. I just thought I would give a 24 hour Solo race a try at the age of 18 and ever since have been hooked.

4) Why do you do 24hr Solos now?

I just love riding my bike and the training that goes with it. I think it’s pretty cool how you go through every emotion imaginable during a 24 hour race. You experience the highs and also some pretty intense lows. I love the nervous feeling before the start and the feeling of relief after the race. I can’t get enough of it.

5) What are your thoughts about the 2010 WSC this year?

I think it’s really exciting that it will be in Australia this year. I have never traveled overseas so it should be a great experience. It sounds like the course will be pretty awesome. I think it also adds to the nerve factor with it being in Australia as well. I can’t wait to experience everything over there. I am hoping I don’t get sick over there like I did in Canada in 2009.

6) How many hours a week do you train?

I train 20-24 hours a week. I usually try and get a few six or seven hour rides in a week with all of my other rides around two and four hours. I also lift weights in the gym.

7) What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned about 24hr racing?

The biggest thing I have learned about 24 hour racing is probably perseverance. I have learned that almost anything can happen and to not give up. I have also learned to go with the flow much better. You experience so many emotions during the races that you need to just deal with the tough times and they will eventually pass.

8) What’s your favorite food in the pit?

I have a really sensitive stomach. In Canada this past year I got sick about 7 hours into the race and have terrible stomach issues until the end. It all just depends what my stomach can handle. I really like homemade yogurt with strawberries. One of our family friends makes that for most races and it is really easy on my stomach. I also love apples, bananas, hot soup, hot chocolate, and a coca-cola.

9) Anything else you would like to say, Taylor?

Thanks Mom and Dad for all of the support before, during, and after the races. Thank you Chuck, Rick, and Pierre for the help during the races. Also thank you Quinton and Vince from KHS Bikes.

Melissa Buhl (Descida das Escadas de Santos 2010) – Brazil

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz9sqVj9ooY]

The New Mob – Boulder City, Nevada

Photos by: Monique Spaulding

Report by: Quinton Spaulding

We were greeted by the “Real Mob” upon our arrival in the Mojave this past weekend. James Van Horst (seen in this photo), has been attending the Bootleg races since their inception.

The KHS Factory workshop in Nevada. Some late night preparations prior to Friday mornings training runs.

Skeletal Metal’s, Justin Patrick (Creative Director) and Drew Phillips (Marketing Director) were in attendance as one of the sponsors for this weekends event. They are also a new addition to our teams list of esteemed sponsors for 2010.

Registration ready to tackle the Mob of gravity racers.

Channel MTB crew.

Dual Slalom commenced early Saturday morning. Blake Carney (seen here in the right lane), looked smooth and fast on his new custom 4X Hard-Tail.

Left to right: Erik Nelson, Blake Carney (KHS), Scott Johnson (KHS)

I knew it wouldn’t be long before Carney stood on top of the podium for KHS.

PRO MEN TOP 3

Super D Specialist and part-time cop, Scott Johnson taking some time out for a little R & R and soaking up the suns rays before annihilating the opposition.

Johnson took top honors in the Pro Super D on Saturday afternoon, and team mate Naish Ulmer followed close behind in 4th place.

PRO MEN TOP 7

“B Team” rider, Justin Aliperti on the podium for KHS.

Local Vegas Band, “The Scoundrels” provided live entertainment Saturday and Sunday evening.

Blake Carney seen here truing Chris Heath’s rear wheel before DH practice.

Melissa Buhl, just recently back from attending the “Urbano Downhill Race” in Brazil (having taken 2nd Place), came straight to Bootleg Canyon and won the woman’s Pro DH with another consistent top level result.

From left to right: Christine Hirst (Vixen), Melissa Buhl (KHS), Jacqueline Harmony (Vixen) and Tassa Hearndon (Vixen)

PRO WOMEN TOP 5

Binggeli has found his race rhythm on his KHS DH200. He loves his equipment, and has gained tons of confidence when attacking the DH tracks out on the circuit.

This was a “best of 2 runs ” format for the Pro’s, and Binggeli laid down the fastest time in run # 1. with Mitch Ropelato taking the win with a faster time in run # 2.

Chris Heath is becoming more comfortable on his KHS downhill bike. He looked really good at Bootleg this weekend, chalking up his first podium for KHS in the Pro DH.

From left to right: Chris Heath (KHS), Kevin Aiello (GT), Mitch Ropelato (Specialized), Logan Binggeli (KHS) and David K (ODI).

Ulmer had a great result just finishing off the podium in 6th place. Naish too is becoming more comfortable on his downhill bike, getting some riding time out of the “snow packed” mountains of Utah.

I felt comfortable on the bike throughout the entire weekend. I can really feel my fitness training starting to pay off.

I took 11th overall… this race track was a BLAST!!!

Carney finished 17th, placing all KHS riders in the top 20!

PRO MEN TOP 20

Melissa Buhl was much obliged to hand over a DH200 frame-set that KHS provided to one lucky winner!

EVERYBODY left a Winner!!!

We will back in Fontana this weekend for round 4 of the Winter Series and look forward to it.

Pleased stay tuned for more updates as they become available.