Built Tour

Biking up a storm

.... or rather, through a storm - details below.

Land Rover/Cannondale brought the season win total to 6 by taking the Y.U. mountain bikes race in Sopia, NC on April 15^th. This is race number 3 in the prestigious Maxxis-Southern Classic Mtb series.
Alex Ryan ripped it from the start of the pro field and had a 10 min gap after the 1^st lap. He stayed steady for the next 3 laps and tried to survive the hard driving rain to the finish. The weather was brutal with much of the course too muddy to ride. Alex grabbed his 1^st pro XC win for the days effort. Check the photo of him sprinting to the finish over another pro /expert.
Jordan Spoon went hard from the gun as well and after gapping the other Jr expert riders he focused on trying to catch as many pro/expert riders as he could.  Jordan took 1^st in the Junior Expert and would have finished 6^th in the Pro/expert category.

Some press from the road...

Check out this clever story written about the 'Built Tour'  - Product Testing with Mountain Khakis...
Thanks to Steve at TetonAT.com for finding our lives interesting.

“THE STOKE”

If you were to ask him to describe his blog in one word, this is what Steve Romeo would use to describe tetonat.com; he would say, “it’s all about the stoke” and he is right. It is all about the stoke. 

Steve Romeo was born with a pair of skis so the step to highly technical backcountry ski mountaineering is only natural in his progression. He has been skiing the backcountry in Jackson since he moved there in ’93. His skis touch places where only sun and snow touch all winter and he has the pictures to prove it.  His pictures are phenomenal; they are a testament to the beauty and awe of the untouchable and inspiration to those who thought it never could be done. So if you are ever feeling like you need to get “fired up”, check out tetonat.com. Chances are Steve Romeo has probably just skied some super gnarly line in a remote location that is beautiful and there is a chance you will get chills when you see some of his pictures and read some of his tales. So check it out, get fired up, and remember—It’s all about the stoke.

Meet the US Women's US Rafting Team

The newest members of the MK Ambassador program will be representing the USA at the upcoming World Championships in South Korea this summer.  Each year, one team is chosen to represent their country for the Championships.  These ladies' terrific 1st place performance in Gore Canyon last fall won them the right to paddle at the Worlds for the Red, White, and Blue.  Whitewater rafting has been increasing popularity as a recreational sport and reached world-class proportions.  Be sure to check out the team's webiste HERE.  Also, meet Jessica, Dawn, Lizzie, Lisa, Jody, and the Jamie's HERE.  Check back throughout the summer for updates about their preparation for and success at the World Championships.  Good luck, ladies!

Religious affiliations aside...

this is pretty funny... Patagonia Announces Contract with JC. Thanks to our friends at The Piton for letting us plagiarize their post.

And if you don't find that amusing, you pretty much have to be dead to not love this... My Generation

The Climbing Begins

Well it's Wed in Nepal and Baxter and the climbing team are sleeping snug in their tents at Everest Base Camp. By "snug", I mean, they are listening to the creaks and cracks as the glacier moves and the sound of avalanches through the night remind them where they are. Apart from the noise, its also a searing 16 degrees IN the tent at night, and Baxter said his water bottles froze, even with the wrap-around insulators he got from Backcountry.com. The altitude at EBC is 17,600, so they are once again acclimatizing. Baxter said he feels a little foggy, but he's grateful that he hasn't been hit by the Khumbu cough or stomach issues...

Click HERE to read more.

Good enough for Everest?

MK Ambassador Baxter Gillespie, currently making an epic attempt to ascent the mighty Mt. Everest, was able to make a phonecall home to his wife, Molly.  In any case, he asked her to pass along this bit of information, ver batim: "... I have worn the Mountain Khakis every single day of the trek - nothing beats them in these conditions."

Thanks for the great compliment and product testing, Baxter.  Built for the Mount(Everest)ain Life!

A Dry Fly Sense of Humor

Our newest addition to the 'hook and bullet' dealer list.  Will start carrying MK fall 07.

Featured Video

Sometimes when the mood is right and the setting is perfect, it is best to break into song.

Buddy for the Mountain Life

Buddy has really taken it upon himself to prove his 'Built for the Mountain Life' status.  Below you'll find pictures of Buddy the Savage dominating some rocks along the coast of the Pacific Ocean and also ascending a rocky peak just north of Ketchum, ID.  The Buddy = tough SOB.

How to air kiss

Just in case anyone was wondering... Air Kissing 101
We at MK firmly believe in the practice of expressing one's self affectionately. 

Share the love, baby!

Modeling your MKs, Part 2

Can you tell who the REAL model is?

Two for Two

Land Rover/Cannondale made it two wins in a row on March 25^th by taking top honors at the Uwharrie MTB challenge, the 1^st stop of the prestigious Southern  Classic Mountain bike series (formerly Cane Creek Cup).

Land Rover/Cannondale pro Mark Hekman took the win and set a new course record of 1:35:55 in the process. Besting Cannondale factory pro Brandon Draugelis by a minute and U23 national TEAM rider Travis Liverman by over 10 mins. Land Rover/Cannondale riders Andy Applegate finished 7^th and Alex Ryan came in 9^th  

This is the second weekend in a row the team has finished all riders in the top 10 as well as taking the win. This also gives the team the series lead.

OR - 18

Having covered more than 50,000 miles of open road in the last year, we've had the privilege of driving through some incredible parts of the country and some amazing stretches of road.  Every now and then, however, we'll turn down a road that sticks out.  first on the list had been AL-72, but now there's a new favorite, OR-18.  Connecting Portland, OR to Lincoln City, OR and the Pacific Coast, OR-18 passes through multiple vineyards, orchards, and small towns before ascending over the mountains and down towards the pacific ocean.  If making the trip to the Pacific Ocean wasn't incentive enough, the drive out there will make you glad you went.

Ladies, you are cordially invited to spread the word of the pant

A group of our ladyfriends here in Jackson Hole, a group of women committed to the passionate pursuit of outdoor recreation, have developed a pretty cool website for similar-minded ladies:  womenspecific.com

The site gathers info on everything from female-specific gear to ladies-only camps and trip reports.  The newest addition to the site is a gear review forum open to the public.  A great idea, I know I am often influenced (and entertained) by the detailed product write-ups at Backcountry.com when shopping.

The Womenspecific.com reviews have just been created, but if you are a fan of an MK style and want to share the love, this is a great place to do so.  Start here: womenspecific.com product reviews.

Welcome to Mt. Rushmore, SD

Nothing like a little patriotism and a visit to a giant manmade monument that celebrates some of the most influential men in American history.  Blue skys, warm temperatures, and plenty of red, white, and blue made for a perfect day at famed Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota.  One of the best and most worthwhile sightseeing experiences west of the Atlantic, east of the Pacific, and north of the Equator.

Modeling your MKs

photo courtesy of The Ruddy Duck - Hood River, OR

Everest Update

MK Ambassador Baxter Gillespie left for his once-in-a-lifetime adventure just over a week ago.  Today we got word that his team have arrived safely and are on their way up to the Everest Base Camp.

For the entire update, and more, go HERE.

Favorite Sights #1

Lincoln City, OR - Right along the Pacific Coast Hwy on the Oregon Coast, Lincoln City plays host to some of the best sights you'll see anywhere.

April Fool's Day from Google

Pretty good.  Always nice to see major corporations have a little fun from time to time.

Gmail Paper
Google TiSP

Well done, Google.