Kona Recap: Northwest Tune Up

We’re settling back into reality after an incredible weekend spent in our backyard at Northwest Tune Up Festival. The Bellingham-based festival celebrated its first year, and it was a hit! The demo center sat on Galbariath Mountain, in the heart of some of the best riding Bellingham has to offer. We also had a booth at Waypoint Park, home of a renowned pump track built by Bellingham’s best, The Shire Built Crew. Between clinics, races, and tours, our ambassadors paved the way for Kona stoke to be felt by all.

This was the first time many of the ambassadors had met face-to-face and it was amazing to see the camaraderie, talent, and new friendships form over the course of the long weekend. What started off as a bunch of people coming together from various parts of North America ended up becoming a true family affair. It was awesome to watch the new friendships flourish.

We had a ton of our Ambassadors attend the festival. They led rides, participated in races, and taught clinics. Facotry rider Miranda Miller took second place in the Galbraith Enduro, and Super Grassroots rider Eddie Reynolds placed first in the Pumptrack race. Coaches Jo peters and Kyleigh Stewart both held clinics to help riders progress safely. Artists and Ambassadors Gretchen Legitt and Erica Kutz took riders on art tours around Bellingham. The Kona Bike shop hosted an Alley Cat race that featured Bellingham staples such as Whatcom falls park, the Fairhaven boardwalk, and a stop at the WWU Campus, among other local gems.

SGR Rider Eddie Reynolds (16) smashes his way to first place in the Maxxis Pumptrack Race.

Artist and Ambassador Gretchen Leggitt gave an expert’s perspective on a tour of the impressive murals that Bellingham has to offer – including her own!

SGR Rider Kyleigh Stewart hosted a fun and progressive Intro to Pumptrack clinic after personally nabbing 4th place in the women’s pro category of the Maxxis Pumptrack Race the evening before (below).

Our local brew friends at Gruff Brewing (They’re dog lovers too!) provided the weekend’s signature beverage and held a beer release party for their new crisp, pale ale – The Hoperator. The rowdy can art was created by Kona designer Brendan Van Den Bosch and payed tribute to Ambassador Matt Harris’s late dog pal, Begbie, who unfortunately passed away shortly before the beer’s release. Old friends, new friends, and live music from Munch Ink.(provided by Tenet Components) kept the party lively all the way until closing time.