200+ Mile Review Trek Top Fuel 8

I wanted to start this post with a picture from one of the many adventures I have taken with this bike. This picture was taken at Raystown Lake, which fortunately for me is about a 1.5 hour drive away. Its great to be able to ride epic trails like that so close to home! I wrote my initial review back in September. I know to most of you only having a little over 200 miles on a bike in 6 months is pathetic but for me being a father of 2 young boys and having a job with alternating shifts as well as my military obligations I am happy with that!

I can say that everyone of those miles have been great! Even the grinding out of the climbs we have here in the mountains of WV and surrounding areas. Speaking of climbing, I had always rode a hardtail in the past. I had some reservations spending up for a full squishy...NOT ANYMORE! This bike climbs better then my hardtails. Maybe some of that is because my legs don't take the blunt of the descents anymore but I'll get to those later. I am running a 1X set-up on this bike. Yes I am in the stone age it seems only running 10spd with a normal sized cassette but may upgrade soon! My fitness has improved so I am able to pedal more consistently on the climbs. With the geometry of this bike and the stiffness I do not get the "hops" while climbing. Its tuned well for me by the awesome guys down at EPBC so I don't need to worry about locking/unlocking at all. I can just go ride this bike!

2015, New Year, New Goals

         I feel like this is always the way I start all my posts but it has been awhile since I have been on here. One goal for this year is to write a few more times than last year. Maybe I should start with a little recap of last year's highlights...........that's it!

2014 Trek Superfly 9

First Podium

 It wasn't that bad but I have to say it wasn't a whole lot better. I did get to take one MTBing trip this past year. A few close friends and I drove down to Bryce Resort and ripped a day of downhill. Some of my riding buddies know that downhill is in no way an area of cycling I enjoy or excel at but I have to admit it was a good time! I borrowed a Scott Genius 650B from EPBC for the trip. I guess I did better then some, stayed on the right side of the bars and was never holding anyone up, even cleared a few of the jumps! Other than Bryce I also raced in the 9hrs OF Crank Monkey at Rocky Gap SP again this past year but in a different class then before; I raced solo Clydesdale. This class is set up for the heavies to ride as many of the 9 mile laps in a 3hr period. This race was my first podium ever! I placed 3rd amongst the big guys! my buddy Ralph beat me out for 2nd, I won't lie, I wasn't even close to beating him for 2nd. I guess looking back at those two events and all the good rides I did with friends as well as solo rides, even taco'd a wheel but it wasn't a bad year...Oh and I bought a new BIKE!

Out on the maiden voyage...got a flat!

A few goal I have set out for this year are:

• 2000 miles
• 3-5 races
• 1 podium 
• 1 Destination MTB trip (Bikation)
• A century (100 mile road ride)
• A canal century (100 mile gravel ride)
• Ride at Fountainhead SP (commute past it most days)
• Get at least one more person on a bike!

Well there was a little recap from last year and some aspirations for this year on the bike!