Focus & Kalkhoff Derby Week August 8 – 11 Cloppenburg, Germany

[Chris Nolte]

So looks like I'll be making it to Germany twice this year and oddly both times in August. I was fortunate to receive an invite from Kalkhoff and Focus to Derby Week in Germany which will be held August 8th-11th.

The expo is an amazing event with hundreds of bicycle dealers from all over the world.

Activities include:

• exhibition of all new 2015 models; (the only venue where the entire Focus and Kalkhoff lineup will be shown, including Eurobike)
• personalized presentation of the latest e-bike innovations & technologies by the product managers and engineers who created the products,
• guided tours through the factory,
• test ride opportunities, and
• of course, a lot of fun!

I feel really blessed to have this opportunity and I'm excited to share some of my journey with you guys. I look forward to the innovation Kalkhoff and Focus will bring to the US with their new strategy here. I think we will learn quickly why they are a leader in the space overseas.

I hope to update the forum here with some highlights and I certainly welcome any feedback or questions you guys might have.

 

[Adora]

That's sounds very exiting! I've visted twice (USAF). Germany is a nice, clean Country (and I'm told folks like to beer too)! Come back and tell us all about it. I really do like the stats on the Kalkhof bikes, the closest test-ride for me would be a 3 hour drive to San Fran.

 

[DashRiprock]

Thank you for offering to share, Chris. I know that when we were looking at our latest purchases your information would have been invaluable, as was Court's. I don't know how one could not be saddled with buyer's regret 'fast' (without it) the way technology is progressing.

 

[Chris Nolte]

That's sounds very exiting! I've visted twice (USAF). Germany is a nice, clean Country (and I'm told folks like to beer too)! Come back and tell us all about it. I really do like the stats on the Kalkhof bikes, the closest test-ride for me would be a 3 hour drive to San Fran.

Thanks Adora! I was in Germany myself back in my Army days. It truly is an amazing country. I look forward to doing some exploring during my second trip there to Eurobike. I hope to finally get an opportunity to drive on the Autobahn. Last time our orders didn't allow it. I'm a huge fan of the Kalkhoff and Focus stuff, it might be worth a drive to the New Wheel, although I would check with them to see what inventory they have left. There will definitely be more soon though. Let us know if we can help anyway and we will be sure to share some details after the show! I'll be heading out next week. Stay tuned

 

[Adora]

Chris, It took me awhile to put 2+2 together and learn that you represent Long Island e-bike commerse (for business and pleasure of course) lol. I live in Northern California 20+ years. New Wheel, SF would be th closest 'high-end' bike shop around. Thre's a local daler in Auburn, CA , A-Town Bikes --and if I had to ship something, I would mail it to them so they could provide service. BTW, I grew up on Nantasket Beach, MA ... just down the road from you. You ever been there: salt water taffy, rollar coaster, boardwalk, steamed and fried clams ;-) Have fun on your trip! I served USAF 80-86, was stationed in Izmir 2 years and only visted Germany twice to assist patient med-evac ... Glad you made in back, Welcome Home.

 

[Chris Nolte]

Thank you for offering to share, Chris. I know that when we were looking at our latest purchases your information would have been invaluable, as was Court's. I don't know how one could not be saddled with buyer's regret 'fast' (without it) the way technology is progressing.

Thanks, it's really my pleasure. I really believe in the power of this technology and I think the best way to help it progress is by learning and sharing with each other. I'm constantly sharing with manufactures in efforts to help them develop their technology. It's really great to be a part of this right now. I hope my posts are helpful here. I'm very grateful that Court has given us the infrastructure for this community to develop.

 

[Chris Nolte]

Chris, It took me awhile to put 2+2 together and learn that you represent Long Island e-bike commerse (for business and pleasure of course) lol. I live in Northern California 20+ years. New Wheel, SF would be th closest 'high-end' bike shop around. Thre's a local daler in Auburn, CA , A-Town Bikes --and if I had to ship something, I would mail it to them so they could provide service. BTW, I grew up on Nantasket Beach, MA ... just down the road from you. You ever been there: salt water taffy, rollar coaster, boardwalk, steamed and fried clams ;-) Have fun on your trip! I served USAF 80-86, was stationed in Izmir 2 years and only visted Germany twice to assist patient med-evac ... Glad you made in back, Welcome Home.

Thanks Adora, that's me . Welcome home to you and thank you for your service.

Frankly I'm not to familiar with too many shops in northern California, but I know they exists. The main reason I mentioned New Wheel as they are one of several Kalkhoff and Focus dealers in the US, include our shop. They'll be heading out to Germany along with us later this week.

I'm not sure if I've ever been to Natasket Beach, I might have when I was little as I did visit that area often. My father worked for Penn Reels so we were always visiting beach/fishing communities. It definitely looks like a place to add to my list of places to visit though. I imagine it was a nice place to grow up as well.

 

[Adora]

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Attached is a photo of Hull, MA my home town. I was the first kid (13 y/o) in the neighborhood to own a 10 speed lol! The town is 7 miles long, 2 miles wide --and could make the trip there and back easy breezy: those were the days my friend ... My dad bought his lobster boats in Nova Scotia aka "Novi's". I have never been to Long Island, but sometimes in my youth heard the wicked Bonac dialect ;-) In Bonac, the word "pie," to give one example, was rendered as "poy." (As in, famously: "Boy goy that's good poy." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonackers

I have lived in Nevada City, CA for 20+ years and had given up on bicycling --but I want to ride again, with electric assist! These foothills are 2-35oo ft. So far, I can't seem to find a factory made e-bike that could handle this terrain, all 4 seasons. But, I think that day is coming and your Kalkhoff is a very cool bike!! I'm learning a lot, and in the meanwhile can watch and wait for that perfect first bike, even if I have to build it myself ;-)

Be well. I'll shoot you an email when I have questions from your website.

 

[Chris Nolte]

Boarding the plane for Germany. I'll update soon