Bionicon on the Podium at Keyesville
BIONICON MOUNTAIN BIKES PROVE THEIR VERSATILITY AT KEYESVILLE
Bionicon Riders at the 20th Annual Bionicon Keyesville Classic Race prove the all-mountain capabilities and versatility of the full range of Bionicon Backcountry Bicycles.
Ridgecrest, California – The 20th Annual Keyesville Classic mountain bike race was held March 15 and 16, 2008. Bionicon Backcountry Mountainbikes, based in nearby Ridgecrest, California, took the title sponsorship for the event, which attracted a field of over 300 riders from across the USA. Spectators and competitors alike were treated to an incredibly fun set of race courses, some demanding weather that included snow, rain and sun, and a fun weekend that all will remember fondness.
Bionicon USA took special interest in the All-Mountain component, in which riders compete in Downhill, Short Track and Cross-Country events on the same bike, and an all-mountain winner is determined by a point system. The All-Mountain event did not have age divisions, only race categories.
“Bionicon mountain bikes are versatile by design” said Mic DeMin, Bionicon’s general manager. “The all-mountain event puts the versatility of both rider and bike to the ultimate test.”
Bionicon riders’ results validated this claim by taking podium spots in the men’s Pro, Expert and Sport categories of the All-Mountain event, as well as respectable podium placements in almost all the age division events in which they raced.
13 year-old Ryan Geiger, the youngest competitor in the All-Mountain event, rode the Bionicon Frequency to an overall victory in the Sport category. Steve Messer, riding the 170mm travel Supershuttle, joined him on the podium in third place.
Jared Berg, riding a Bionicon Golden Willow, won the men’s All-Mountain Expert category, with a convincing overall win in the Expert category Short-Track event. Chewy Aitken took third place in the men’s Pro category All-Mountain event, with a respectable second place in the Pro Downhill race, also on a Bionicon Golden Willow.
The adaptability of Bionicon mountain bikes was especially evident in the individual event results. Chewy Aitken’s second place finish in the Pro Downhill race on a 120mm rear travel Golden Willow, and Steve Messer’s win in the Sport category Short Track and 3rd place in the Cross Country on a 170mm travel Supershuttle, seem to underscore the fact that these bikes can do it all.
Chewy shows his form on the downhill course on a Golden Willow:
Both Ryan Geiger and Jared Berg took overall category wins in the short track, as well as winning both overall and their age divisions in Sport and Expert category Cross Country and Short Track events, respectively.
The secret of Bionicon’s versatility is in the adjustability of the bikes. A pneumatic link between the fork and an adapter on the rear shock allows a rider to dramatically change the bike’s geometry and handling characteristics at the touch of a button. Head and Seat tube angles are infinitely variable within a 6 degree range. Add to that the adjustable stem, and easily-tuned air suspension components, and you have a bike that can be ridden aggressively and confidently downhill, and morph at the touch of a button into a very efficient climber.
“The fact that all the Bionicon riders stood on the podium just helps validate what we already know about our bikes,” said Mic DeMin, General Manager of Bionicon USA. “Bionicon mountain bikes are designed to be the most capable and versatile all-mountain bikes available.”
The Keyesville Classic was a very successful event and a true classic with a 20 year history. It is a perfect proving ground for Bionicon’s technology. Both the race organizers and Bionicon are looking forward to a continued success with a bigger and better event for next year.
Tags: Chewy Aitken, Events, keyesville, Podium, Races, Ryan Geiger
August 7th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I had such a blast at the Keysville all-mountain event! This was was my first time ever doing a short track event as well as a Down Hill event and the Golden Willow tototally helped give me confidence and adaptability on the DH along with the functionality and speed to also excel in the XC and Shortack. Can’t wait to race Keysville with my Golden Willow SC next year!