Nate Kitchen Archives - KHS Bicycles

July 18, 2023

2023 US National Championships

KHS Pro MTB rider Nate Kitchen on the track at the US National Championships.

The 2023 USA National Championships was hosted this past weekend at the new Ride Rock Venue located in the amazing mountains of North Carolina. The week’s weather would be a drastic roller coaster ride from dry to wet conditions ever changing. We had the best athletes from America competing for the top spots in multiple categories. It would be Nathan Kitchen who would be competing in Jr. Pro DH and Slalom, Kailey Skelton would be backing up 2021 – 2022 DH National titles and Steven Walton would be holding it down for the Pro men’s DH category. Friday’s DS was a mudder to start to finish. Rain soaked the track and the riders early in the day pushing back the start of racing a few hours. Hats off to the track crew who absolutely worked a miracle to get the rain rutted track in shape for seeding and finals.

The day would end with Nathan winning his 1st DS National Championship! Sunday’s downhill track recovered from the heavy rains of Saturday and racing finish times dropped! Saturday would be a full day of qualifying for all team members with very wet track conditions. Everyone would have solid qualifying runs with everyone’s mind on Sunday’s finals and weather looking completely different. Sunday would bring high pressure for everyone gunning for the top spots. It would be Nathan Kitchen who would improve his qualifying run and get back on the podium in 3rd. Kailey Skelton would push hard as possible but unfortunately just fall short into 2nd place and Steven Walton would maintain a top 30 run with a flat tire. Overall, all the team did very well in the near impossible rain conditions. Huge thanks to all our sponsors, friends and family who keep us on the top steps. See everyone next weekend for round 4 of the Big Mountain Enduro series hosted in Brian Head Utah.

This year was a change of pace with a new location on the east coast. The venue, track and weather were also something to adapt to. With extreme humidity, heat and unpredictable rain storms it was a difficult time staying comfortably during practice and racing. The track was a challenge in itself as it was different from anything we’ve ridden before. Most of the track was all man made and most obstacles were very unnatural. Overall, the track was a daily challenge with rain storms occurring every day.

KHS Pro MTB rider Kailey Skelton on the track at the US National Championships.

Practice was Patience and more patience. I didn’t find pace till my seeding run. I felt good in seeding with one large mistake putting me further back than I intended. I knew I needed to step it up come race day. I struggled a bit mentally trusting my skills on this track. Race run- I rode some sections perfectly and some like a wimp, as I over braked when I knew I should not have in my race run. This put me in 2nd place, unfortunately not being able to hold onto my 2-year national title! Although I wasn’t able to put down a winning run it was a great experience adapting to a new location and track. This makes me so hungry and eager to push for the next one! Thank you, KHS, my team, and mechanic, for all of the expert work and support. Onto the next!

-Kailey Skelton – Pro Athlete

April 19, 2023

Day in the Life of Nate Kitchen

KHS Pro MTB rider Nate Kitchen out on the trail.

Originally from Bakersfield California, Nate started riding mountain bikes as off-season training for BMX racing. Once Nate began Jr. high school, he began riding Enduro & DH. It didn’t take long for riding to quickly progress into racing. The 2020-2022 seasons Nate entered Men’s CAT 1 (Jr. Pro) He has been competing across the country focusing on Enduro and Downhill, however his speed and skill on the dual slalom track is being noticed as well. Picking up a 5th at US National Champs, 2nd at the Strait Acres Intentional at Snow Summit and 6th at the Sea Otter Classic. Nate is currently riding the KHS 7500 Enduro bike for this year’s BME rounds along with daily training. Nate is beyond stoked on the performance of the 7500 race machine and will be highlighting it through the year!

-Logan Binggeli – Team Management

The new KHS 7500 is a game changer for the 2023 season. The geometry compliments the SunTour Durolux 38 fork and Triair shock. Couple Shimano’s XTR drivetrain and brakes and we have a legitimate weapon for this year’s enduro season. Kenda has put together a tire package that grips and rips the trail with the Pinner pro ATC that brings “pin it to win it” to a whole new level! The cockpit has been enhanced by Renthal’s 35mm bars with the Apex 35 stem which puts me in a comfortable position on the trail. ODI’s reflex xl grips and Fasst co hand protection keeps you locked and loaded for the ever-changing trail conditions. Even with the KHS 7500 being an alloy enduro bike it has the best of both worlds with having incredible pedal efficiency and the stability like a downhill bike. I can’t wait to kick off the Big Mountain Enduro Series and see how this bike stacks up with the competition!

-Nate Kitchen – Pro Athlete

January 23, 2023January 23, 2023

Western Regional State Championships

KHS Pro MTB rider Nate Kitchen riding at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, NV

Bootleg Canyon located in Boulder City Nevada, has a legacy of mountain bike racing dating back all the way to the 1990s with KHS bicycles taking the top spot podiums for over 23 years running. It was really cool to see that legacy carry-on with riders Nathan Kitchen and Steven Walton holding it down for the team. Bootleg Canyon is located about 10 miles Southwest from the Hoover dam, which is a very unique track located on very rocky terrain, which requires much physical effort, line selection, and safety precautions all the way down from point A to B. It was one of the best tracks on the mountain, Snake Back all the way down to the parking lot, which is one of my personal favorites. It also has a midsection called Poopshoe, which was very, very steep and technical. Bootleg is known for holding some of the best Winter series races, alongside Southridge racing, in Fontana, CA.

Everyone on the West Coast is itching to get out of the snow and cold to race. There were over 1500 amateurs and pros gathered together for the Southwest state championships. It brought out some great fans as well to watch some amazing racing. Some of the best all-around riders would be attending the venue and trying to claim the title. The event would kick off Friday with two days of practice. Both Steven and Nate would be holding it down in the Downhill category. “It was great to be back in the saddle racing and seeing all the great competition back between the tape. I was a little under the weather, so it was great to grab a podium position and keep the ball rolling throughout the start of the season!” Steven Walton said. They would each get many runs Friday and Saturday and hone in their skill sets, lines, and bike set up for the finals which would be held Sunday.

Both riders would have great practice days dialing all their lines for Sunday’s finals. The track was very physical all together, putting much demand and pressure on each rider it would be Nate Kitchen holding it down for the junior pro category, he would have a blistering run and come in the top spot for KHS Pro MTB among the best junior racers in America. Nate said, “Bootleg is always a one-of-a-kind track and I am super pumped to continue my success with grabbing a win today! Bootleg is always a fun time of year to be racing and preparing for the upcoming season ahead!”

KHS Pro MTB rider Steven Walton riding at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, NV

Steven Walton was under some weather and had not been feeling the best. But he would push through to grab a top three podium position. Both riders would maintain great steps on the podium throughout their 2023 race campaign and keep the legacy of KHS Pro MTB on the top steps of the podium throughout the 23 years of racing in Bootleg Canyon.

KHS Pro MTB rider Steven Walton on the podium in third place at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, NV for the Western Regional State Championships

We want to thank all of our friends, family and sponsors who support us and get us to the races. Without everyone we could not be on the top step of the podium. As always, we want to thank Downhill Mike and his crew for putting on a fantastic race that hosts some of the best racers in the western hemisphere. We look forward to round two of the Fontana Winter series next weekend. Which will also be Kailey Skelton’s debut race of 2023! We’ll see you between the tape soon!

-Logan Binggeli, Team Management

January 16, 2023

Podiums at First Race of the year for the KHS MTB team

KHS Pro MTB rider Nate Kitchen out on the down hill course out at the Southridge Winter Series.

KHS Pro MTB rider Nate Kitchen on the podium in first place at round 1 of the Southridge Winter series.

“The Team could not be prouder to fire off the 2023 season with Nate Kitchen & Steven Walton grabbing top podium positions out at the Southridge Winter series in Fontana, CA! It was not an easy weekend of racing with California dealing with torrential downpours, we were lucky to be racing and staying safe throughout these tough weather systems. Steven Walton would grab 2nd place in the Enduro & Down Hill events in some wet conditions. Nate Kitchen would have some dominance performance in the Jr. pros taking the top spot!

“Solid weekend out here in Fontana for the first race of the year. Happy to start the season right with a 1st place finish. Southridge bringing the wall back and some rain made things tricky and super physical. Glad to keep it together and excited for what the rest of the year has in store”.

-Nathan Kitchen – Jr. Pro Athlete

KHS Pro MTB rider Steven Walton out on the soggy Enduro course out at the Southridge Winter Series.

“First race of the 2023 season is in the books! Had a huge amount of rain come in to shake things up for racing! Saturday’s Enduro race saw some cold and wet condition, and visibility was a challenge, but I stayed smooth for a 2nd place finish. Sunday’s DH race I was able to start the year with a second-place finish! I always enjoy the Fontana winter series as it’s great to see where your pace is at and what changes need to be made early on in the year before our race schedule gets packed”

-Steven Walton – Pro Athlete

KHS Pro MTB rider Steven Walton out on the podium in second-place for Down Hill at the Southridge Winter Series.

We would like to thank Southridge Racing for always putting on the best Winter series possible and all our sponsors and supporters! Bootleg Canyon State Championships will be held next weekend! Kailey Skelton will be debuting her first race of 2023 at the Costa Rica Open at the beginning of February and Shane Leslie will be debuting his first race at the Tennessee National second weekend of March!”

-Logan Binggeli – Team Management

KHS Pro MTB rider Steven Walton out on the podium in second-place for Enduro at the Southridge Winter Series.

January 27, 2022

Podiums for the KHS Pro MTB at Southridge Winter Seires

KHS Pro MTB rider Steven Walton on the track at the second round of the Southridge Winter Series.

Fontana, California would be hosting round two of the Southridge Winter series. Success was continued with our third race of the season. The race team would start off Saturday with three stages of Enduro which would keep all athletes on their toes. They would have to manage each race and have no mistakes to get the lowest time to win.

KHS Pro MTB riders, Nik Nestoroff and Steven Walton standing in first and second place in the Enduro event at the second round of the Southridge Winter Series.

It would be Nik Nestoroff who would win his second Enduro Regional race of the year, keeping his race machine ahead of all the other competitors. Steven Walton would be hot on his heels with a solid second-place finish. All the athletes have really been enjoying their new KHS Bicycles 6600 Enduro machine which is new to our fleet.

Sunday would move onto the downhill racing event; it would be another demanding physical track. Not only with many physical and mental obstacles to overcome it was quite short, so times would be tight.

KHS Pro MTB rider, Kailey Skelton standing in first place at the second round of the Southridge Winter Series.

To continue her third win in a row, Kailey Skelton took a large win in the Pro Women’s Downhill division.

KHS Pro MTB rider, Nate Kitchen standing third place at the second round of the Southridge Winter Series.

Nate Kitchen, our junior expert rider, would come in a solid third place, racing some of the fastest junior racers in the West Coast.

KHS Pro MTB riders, Nik Nestoroff and Steven Walton standing in first and third place at the second round of the Southridge Winter Series.

In the men’s division it would be Nik Nestoroff who would keep the 2022 win streak alive now claiming both Fontana’s and the Nevada State championship! Another solid podium for Steven Walton and continuous success for the whole team!

KHS Pro MTB rider Kailey Skelton at the start gate during the second round of the Southridge Winter Series.

After three straight demanding weekends of racing the team finally would have a couple weeks off to continue the preparation for the big nationals and international events. We always want to thank all our family, friends and sponsors who continuously help us achieve our goals and most of all have fun at the races.