Keyesville Classic 2010
Keyesville 2010.
Every Spring the vintage mountain bike dorks (me included) look forward to the season opener of the Keyesville Classic. This race is 22 years old and I am proud to say that I have been there for 21 of those. It’s easily my favorite race when you include trail quality, scenery, and atmosphere. The course is tucked in the mountains along the Kern River in the Southern Sierras so it’s a fantastic place to ride. Vintage racers traveled from Colorado, Texas, California, Oregon and Idaho for this event. For many of them, this is the first time they’ve seen trails that aren’t blanketed in snow during in March.
Traditionally, the Keyesville Classic is a modern-day race with modern bikes. About 5 years ago, the promoters were receptive to my idea of running a vintage class and they have supported every year since. It’s currently the largest vintage mountain bike gathering in the United States. We race cross country, short track and downhill right alongside the modern bikes. There are two classes: 1) bikes that are from 1986 or earlier and 2) bikes built from 1987 to 1995. The racers themselves range from beginners class to expert class racers but it’s categorized by bikes not ability or age, which makes it sort of unique.
Throughout the weekend we camped together in a nice grassy open field and spent at least 3 days talking about old bikes and of course shit talking to ramp up the race day competition. There was some good pizza and fantastic fillet mignon to be had with local micro brew beer flowing all weekend. Spare time in between races was filled by some fly fishing, campfire s’mores, a vintage bike show and the group of downhill racers streaking through camp at night.
I’m already looking forward to the 2011 Keyesville race.
There are more Keyesville Classic photo sets coming so keep checking back.
Kern River which runs alongside our campsite
Very early Salsa fillet brazed mountain bike
Gotta love the Klunkers
Who remembers the old Etto helmets and Oakley Factory Pilot glasses?
Like cattle in a field
Wild Yeti’s in the wilderness
Nice Santana Moda with wild IRD brakes
Paul Morningstar from Morningstar Bicycle Tools
This is the start of the cross country race
I built this 1994 Sonoma Crosstrac up the day before in the campground. Rode really nice for a vintage full suspension. Check out the front brake placement.
Somewhat stealthy Steve Potts Steelhead. Only 10 of these built.
This is what happens when you pay more attention to the camera than the trail. Bye bye front wheel, hello taco. It’s a nice early Ritchey.
Gloria on a rad little WTB Phoenix
Titanium Fat Chance
WTB Phoenix with Type II Steve Potts fork.
One of the very first Salsa mountain bikes. This thing was very clean and really neat.
Steve Potts Steelhead
Ritchey P23. These won more mountain bike races than any other bike back in the day.
Beautifully restored Ritchey.
Clean Mantis Pro-Floater
Stunning Klein Attitude.
Repainted Gecko make by Ken Beach
The Grove Innovations X bike that won the all mountain stage. The bike won, the rider was just a passenger.
Nice downhill shredding Klunker
Mid 80’s Fat Chance.
Remember when John Tomac was racing a bike like this back in the day? This is a very rare Raleigh John Tomac Signature with ti and carbon frame.
Big Cunningham. Rare and very hard to find.
Otis Guy softride fillet brazed bike.
Another big Cunningham
Restored early Yeti made in Southern California before Yeti moved to Colorado.
Very early Ritchey.
Steve Potts with Type II fork.
Nice Bontrager Race
Titanium Diamond Back with Walt Works fork.
Original Salsa with Bontrager composite fork.
Very early fillet brazed Mantis Sherpa.
Nice Steve Potts with LD stem and dirt drop handlebars.
Really clean Yeti with highly polished parts
Pretty rare Koga Miyata
94’ Sonoma Crosstrac with Paul rear derailleur, Avid brakes, Cook cranks and Nuke Proof hubs
