Bas-A-Palooza Weekend Peaks with New Kona Clump Contract.

—Mud, rain, movie premiers and another two years of the Kona Clump Team and Paul Bas—

KONAWORLD—Kona Clump team rider Paul Basagoitia dropped into Kona Bicycles HQ in Ferndale, Washington this weekend for a whirlwind tour of the local trails and a packed schedule of events. There was the Bellingham stop on the New World Disorder Video Premier world tour, a wet and slimy night ride and a visit to the local dirt jumps. Amidst it all Paul Bas inked the deal for another two years as one of the marquee riders for the Kona Clump Team.As is often the case for first-timers to the office, the first order of “business” was a night ride on Bellingham’s notoriously fun trails. 20 riders showed up for the dusk start despite the horrendous downpour that ended just minutes before the planned ride time. It was a mixed group including some totally jazzed kids that showed up with all variations for a light set up or none at all.

Some snagged their dad’s flashlight out of the garage and duct taped it to their forks. But enough lights were there to light up the trails and a good time was had by one and all. “I’m always up for adventure, and that was one crazy adventure. That was more mud and slimy wet roots than I¹ve ever seen. My shins are muddy and frozen solid said Basagoitia who had never ridden trails at night let alone in conditions like that.

From there it was off for the tour of the Kona HQ in Ferndale, WA and the signing of the new two year contract. “I'm super stoked to sign with Kona again. Really, I never even considered going somewhere else. Kona has been great to me, signed me first off and I'm loyal to those that treat me right."


“One of the things I’ve always wanted was my own signature bike and the one Kona has delivered is sick,” said Bas.

Next up on the tour was a quick session at a set of local dirt jumps and then to the New World Disorder Video Premier at the historic Mt. Baker Theatre in Bellingham. Over 600 people showed up to meet and greet Paul B. and view the film. A surprise appearance by John Cowan added electricity to the atmosphere. “It's great to be in town and help out with a fund raiser for the local club and trails. From all the people that came tonight it shows there is a great riding community here,” Paul remarked during the pre-film interview. That comment sent the crowd into a roar and the film started to much hooting and hollering.

As so often is the case time was too short and the hour came for Paul to catch the plane back to his hometown Minden, Nevada. Much like he flew in, he left town on the 45 mph gusts of yet another Pacific Northwest Storm, a Kona Clump Rider for another two years and having spread his style to yet another place on the globe. And of course he remains one of the best freeriders in the world.

Kona is pleased to have him as part of our team and we can only imagine the ways he will push the sport to new levels in the upcoming years.

Mike Geraci / Base Camp Communications

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