“I’m writing this in in my tent. It’s six o’clock in the evening, the sun has just set and I’ve downed my last coconut biscuit washed down with Himalayan chilled water from a nearby stream, it might be a simple meal but at this moment I couldn’t think of a better restaurant in the world. This time of the day is my favourite – saying goodbye to the mountains for another night as I watch the pink crystal peaks disappear, I zip up my sleeping bag to begin writing my diary.

Two days buried 30 meters below a monastery in a valley on the Chinese border looking for clues that were stashed in to cracks and crevices in the 8th century was exhilarating – I was so excited to be here, looking for real tangible clues, physical proof of this mythical kingdom which dare I say it, is becoming something of an obsession.”

Follow Dave Turner’s adventures on his blog at http://mushypea.net/blog/ and check out the video

Click the below image to be directed to the Filthy News site.

The Kona Factory Team has shaken up their DH roster for 2011 with the addition of Mitch Delfs and Connor Fearon. The young Aussie duo will be looking to turn some heads on the 2011 World Cups circuit on Kona’s new factory equipped Supreme Operators.

Delfs is a top 15 usual suspect on the tour with Fearon, who is still racing Junior, being well known in Australia as one to watch. The 17-year-old will be at the World Championships, Crankworx and a few stops on the World Cup. We have to give the kid a break and let him finish school first.

Our world famous Clump freeride team is now more focused with Graham Agassiz, Paul Basagoitia and Grant “Chopper” Fielder doing what they do best: pushing their Kona bikes to the limit. Graham will be busy filming with Freeride and Anthill Films this year as well as helping develop an all-new freeride bike. “So stoked to be on Kona for a couple more years and being more involved than ever!” says the 20-year-old from Kamloops, BC.

Bass will also be filming with Freeride Entertainment for 2011, in between a busy competition schedule where he’ll be looking to continue his slopestyle domination on his signature Kona Bass.

Chopper just finished designing an amazing course at this year’s Whitestyle in Leogang and will be spreading the groove again this year with his school programs and participating in dirt jump comps everywhere. Our Downhillers and Freeriders will be rocking RockShox suspension for 2011, as well as Maxxis rubber, Shimano parts, Easton cockpits and wheels, e-13 chain-guides, and WTB saddles.

The Super D/ Enduro side of Kona is growing with our Magic Link Cadabras and Coilairs proving their speed and adaptability on race courses around the world. French racing legend Karim Amour and PNW speedster Matt Slaven of the Portland represent Kona’s increased commitment to Enduro racing. Both are an integral part of the development of our race proven Magic designs. Look for both to dominate at the new Kona Magic Enduro at this year’s Crankworx.

For XC and Marathon, Kona welcomes a new member to our 29er loving crew. Spencer Paxson is joining the team along with superstars Barry Wicks, Kris Sneddon and Canadian National 24HR Champion, Cory Wallace. The Enduro and XC race rigs will be equipped with Maxxis rubber, Shimano, Full Speed Ahead, FSA, e-13, Stans No Tubes wheels, RockShox Suspension and WTB saddles.

“We’re looking forward to the continuing dominance from our returning riders and some great results and film parts from our latest additions,” says Smiley Nesbitt, Kona’s Sports Marketing Manager. “With the support of our partners, we’re quite confident that a lot of great things are going to go down this year.”

Look out for the Kona Factory Team at a town near you.