I rode a Spearfish and I liked (loved) it

I wanted to post this a few days ago, but blogger was being difficult and unavailable. Oh well, it's been a busy week and I haven't had that much computer time anyways. I've been working late, subsequently riding late, and then going to bed late. You should see the dark circles under my eyes...

Dark circles aside, I'm not complaining. My training rides have been going really well, and the weather is finally warm. It's so much easier now that I can just throw on a jersey and shorts.

My favorite ride this week would have to be the Salsa/Ada bike shop demo day at Luton Park. I definitely did more talking then riding out there, but I FINALLY got to ride a Spearfish. I heard nothing but good things about the bike out at Interbike, and the good reports continued out at the demo day. Everyone who took the bikes out wanted to go out for another ride.

I waited patiently (kind of) for my turn on the bike. While waiting I talked to my old teammate Barry who showed up with his new El Mariachi...

And then I rode my El Mariachi around.....

while eating a hotdog...

And then finally I was able to take the Salsa reps bike out. To tell you the truth, I was really curious to how the bike would ride. I like my bikes to feel really responsive and I didn't know if the Spearfish would feel too full-suspension-y for me.

One pedal stroke and I was smiling. Huge smiles. The bike does not bob at all. It's 100% awesome and the perfect bike for any sort of endurance race. That being said, I think it's perfect for just about anything. I would totally race it in a short XC race too. And then I'd go ride down a mountain afterwards.

Anyways, I'm gushing. Back to the trail....I rode behind my friend Tara (who wanted to test my El EM out) and her dog. The measurements on the spearfish were definitely not set up for me. The handlebars were too high and the seat post wouldn't go high enough. My knees felt like they were coming up to my ears. Even so, I was having so much fun I wanted to stay out there forever.

At one point I whipped out my phone because Tara's dog was doing such a good job of keeping up with us and I wanted to take a picture. First of all, anyone who is as uncoordinated as me should NEVER EVER attempt to ride trail with just one hand. I don't know what I was thinking. Right after I took this picture I rounded the corner and hit a bunch of rocks.

And I think that moment proved to me just how smooth the Spearfish really is. The bike sailed right over the rocks like I was on pavement. The Spearfish definitely saved me from a crash because like I said, I'm uncoordinated. Sometimes I'll walk past a table and just bang into it for no reason at all.

Eventually the sun started to set and I remembered that I wasn't on my bike. Tara went on to finish the trail and I hurried back. Everyone was packed up and waiting for me. Oops! I was having too much fun out there.

Thanks to everyone who came out and thanks to hydrapak for shipping swag for giveaways!!!!