Inital Review of 2016 Trek Top Fuel

Well I have done it again...I have sold my Superfly and purchased a new Trek Top Fuel. I am a little behind on this post but unlike other blogging bicyclists I haven't gotten too many miles on the bike yet so I believe an initial review is still appropriate. I would like to preface this review by saying that the Trek Superfly was a great bike...light, handled great, looked awesome, but the geometry was off for me. The suspension set up would be better suited on a little smoother trails then the gnarly rock croppings and the constant pounding from the West Virginia hills.

(Ill be honest, I was pushing the weight limit for that suspension setup)

Now that we got that out of the way; as soon as Trek dropped the news about the new and improved Top Fuel I had the blinders on. I loved everything I was reading about this bike! The styling was great, the reviews that were out so far were awesome, not to mention the promo videos from Trek. I would say that everyday I was doing more and more research on the bike and with every passing day I wanted it more and more. I was a little skeptical of the Boost setup but I also read all there is out there on it and I was digging that as well. I love the 29er wheels and getting a stronger wheel with widening the hub to allow for a steeper spoke angle to strengthen the wheel impressed me even more!



I would say by the second day of research my "old" Superfly was up for sale. I had originally decided to try to just get a frame and use my 15' Superfly Fork and components which would also force me to buy a new rear hub for the boost. After a little consideration I decided to just order a complete bike and set it up the way I wanted. I knew I wanted to run a 1X setup. I have always been a sucker for Black bikes with clean lines so the Top Fuel 8 was the perfect fit for me. Didn't take long to sell the Superfly and the next day the Top Fuel was ordered from the great crew down at EPBicycles.

After waiting for a couple days the new bike had arrived. Once assembled I already started a few modifications. I set it up with a Race Face 30T ring and removed the front derailleur. Also changed out the grips and cut the ugly decals off the wheels for a more custom look.

I tooled around the neighborhood for the first couple weeks. It was hard to find time to go out to the mountains to ride. I did sneak out to the local trail project at Poor House Farm Park and get 5 miles on actual singletrack.  Even though it was only a few miles I could tell this was the best bike I had ever ridden. I have ridden quite a few bikes too...

I felt so comfortable on the bike, the suspension responded so well. I climbed everything there without locking anything out. I didn't get the bobbing while turning the pedals with decent force. I told my wife when I got back from the ride that it was a good thing I bought the bike, because it I was just doing a test ride I would have been doing all I needed to get one. That all being said, the wider hubs and beefier 29er wheel led to better control on the trail. The bike rides like a all-mountain bike. The 30T 1X setup makes climbing fun and enough gearing for bombing the downs. I cannot wait to get more miles under the tires of this bike. I will try to write another review when I get 50+ miles.

Snotcycle 2015 Race Review

On my way

 The last post that I posted was a quick preview to the first race I was participating in of the year. The race was called Snotcycle. I want to start by saying that the race was put together nicely and seemed to be well organized. Full disclaimer, this was the first time I had done a race put on by Go Time Racing so I have nothing to judge it on...The conditions seemed to be extreme for a race but I know that is the point of this race, they hope for adverse conditions. I had never ridden at the Freedom Center Trails either, the trails are laid out great, a lot of ups and downs for the area! I wasn't expecting all the climbing riding in Leesburg, VA. I will end the introduction by saying that I would do this race again but I wouldn't if the weather is the same next year...I will explain...

I woke up early the day we raced. I knew I had a 45 minute drive with good road conditions but it had snow/sleeted all night and it was cold! I left my house in a rush to get there and only ate 2 bananas and a bagel. The whole drive down there I was thinking that the trails will be frozen so they should be fairly fast. I was also thinking about all the training and pre-riding I hadn't done yet. I guess that is one of the points of this race, knock off the cobwebs. The roads weren't all that bad and I made it a little earlier then I had expected but a plus was getting a good parking spot. There is not much parking there. I went right to the tent and got checked in... I had been bullied, well maybe not bullied but persuaded to take part in this race by a friend I have made through cycling. He arrived not long after me and we discussed the normal stuff, how neither of us were ready for a race and both decided that this would be a good eye opener and something to set season goals for ourselves. Of course each of us were convinced that the other was going to stomp us. Turned out I won that...haha

Lap 1 bundled up

 Then it was race time. The real ringers had already started and it was time for the Cat II 40 and unders to start. I didn't belong in that cat but I wanted to do more then one lap which was the other option besides riding with the steeds. I took a place mid pack with my buddy knowing that this was primarily if not all singletrack and on the first lap at least with the trail conditions there wouldn't be too many opportunities for jockeying.(not that I expected to pass a lot of guys) I was just hoping that I could stick with the mid guys and maybe edge a few out along the way. It was safe to say that I had underestimated the trail conditions. When we first started it wasn't too bad but conditions quickly diminished. We were single file for only about a half a mile then we hit a decent climb after a creek crossing. On that climb everyone was sliding sideways down the hill having trouble getting up. I for some reason didn't and passed a large group on that climb but that would turn out to be the end of good things for me. I believe I led a train of riders for a while then the trail started to thaw and become a muddy mess. I had also decided to wear a little too any layers as well as a face wrap that was fogging my glasses. Had to stop and remove those. I don't see too well without glasses and cant do contacts so I was screwed...Everyone in the train passed me including my buddy and I never could pull them back the rest of the race. The trail conditions continued to worsen with the thaw and traffic. Then I was relieved because I saw the finish line, one lap down...2 more to go!

Lap 2, pre-crash

After I crossed the line I was able to shed a layer and get it to my buddies pit support(his lady) and then trudged off on another lap. I rode alone for almost all of this lap. At this point the trails were getting really rutted and sloppy. There were points that were fun but I kept thinking about the trails after this race. We were doing a lot of damage. The climbs were so washed out that my rear tire was out to one side or the other spinning and trying to catch traction. All the slipping and riding through inches of mud wore me out. On the 3rd mile on the second lap I went down hard and my right hip found a root. That really hurt and I was ready for it to be over with, I had decided at that point that 2 laps were good enough for me. When I limped it across the finish line I knew I didn't have another in me. I let the organizers know and bowed out. I took a DNF which was truly hard for me to do. I felt a little better when I found out that a few others had been done after 1 lap. I also found out that my buddy had gone out on his 3rd lap. I was ready for dry clothes and something to eat!

I got to my vehicle and loaded the bike on the rack, then went straight for the dry clothes. I met some nice guys in the car next to me and got a few nutrigrain bars which hit the spot! I don't know if he will read this but again, Thank you! I warmed up the truck and hit the road! Like I said in the start, I enjoyed the race, but I couldn't help to think that we were a little irresponsible riding                                                        those trails in those conditions.
                                                   I had never known about that trail
                                                   system and now that I do I plan on
                                                  returning soon! I hope the trails are in
                                                                   good shape!

Post-race cleanup

Snotcycle 2015 Preview

This year I have decided that I would like to do a few more races than the past years. I guess there is no better way to kick that off then a race in January. I would like to start by saying that I am in no way, or shape ready to race. In fact I am writing this little nugget from my trainer on my sun porch this cold evening. 

Today I am trying to get the legs a little loose. Nothing crazy, I have decided it is what it is. I am riding 15 miles in the CAT II division. I have no place there but the only other men's category is only doing one 5 mile lap. I feel like I need a little more then that. It should be a great time! I have heard good things about this race. The forecast is showing snow so maybe if I can at least finish I'll beat out those guys that have up! This will be a humbling race to start the season. I will be posting a race recap so look out for that! 

This reminds me, my brakes need to be bleed and my rear tire is flat. Got to remedy that asap! Until next time...