Hi Ho Kona...Awwwaaaayyyy!

Every great adventurer has their "trusty steed".

The Lone Ranger and Silver.

Roy Rogers and Trigger.

Indiana Jones and Short Round.

For me, the "pony" that gets me around on the trails with haste and vigour is my 2011 Kona Caldera hardtail.  She's light.  She's nimble.  She's fast.  But is she "enough" for the Tour Divide?  Time and distance will tell.



My "Black Beauty" geared up for long, lonely ride.

To prepare for a race like the Tour Divide, a bike has to be strong, sturdy, fleet of tire, and above all -  comfortable.  A bike has to fit the rider...not the other way around.  This bike fits me...for now.

At present, the only modifications done to this rig are the recent additions of some Ergon GP2 grips (not shown), Shimano clipless pedals, and a new chain (nothing really exciting about a chain).  Along with some Bontrager kit bags on the gas tank, top tube, and seatpost, the bike is pretty much stock.  Like describing a car, here's what's under the hood:

Frame Material	Kona Race Light 7005 Aluminum Butted
Sizes	18"
Fork	Rockshox Recon TK Solo Air 100mm
Crankarms	FSA Comet
Chainrings	44/32/22
B/B	FSA MegaExo
Pedals	Shimano Clipless
Chain	Shimano HG53
Freewheel	Shimano HG50 11-34 9 spd
F/D	Shimano Alivio
R/D	Shimano XT Shadow SGS
Shifters	Shimano Deore
Brake Calipers	Avid Elixir 5
Front Brake Rotor	Avid G3 Clean Sweep 185mm
Rear Brake Rotor	Avid G3 Clean Sweep 160mm
Brake Levers	Avid Elixir 5
Headset	FSA
Handlebar	Kona XC/BC Riser
Stem	Kona XC/Road
Seatpost	Kona Double Clamp w/offset
Seat Clamp	Kona QR
Grips	Kona Race Light
Saddle	WTB Valcon Sport SE
Front Hub	Shimano M475 Disc
Rear Hub	Shimano M475 Disc
Spokes	Sandvik Stainless 15g fr / 14g rr
Rims	Mavic XM119
Front Tire	Maxxis Aspen 26x2.1
Rear Tire	Maxxis Aspen 26x2.1
Paint Color	Black Beauty

There isn't a whole tonne that I would like to change to the bike...maybe a new saddle and some new wheels...but these can all be transferrable to another rig if need be.  My goal at this point in the journey is to evaluate the capabilities of this bike over the coming year with regards to durability and sturdiness.  Longer rides (some overnight) will precipitate more equipment to be added.  With this, strain gets put on the bike.  I'm not sure whether my "Black Beauty" would survive the TD.  From other blogs I've read about this race, my bike falls just short of what is deemed necessary to successfully complete the race.  Not by much, but certainly enough to consider options next year.