I found out last week that Trek was holding a demo day at a nearby park. So, after Ryan and I got home from the Outdoors group ride, we grabbed some lunch and headed out. Last time I tried riding off-road, I ended up falling off of an over-tree ramp/platform and coming face to bark with said tree. I was convinced that my off-road skills were just bad, but I was riding a heavy, rigid-frame Univega MTB purchased sometime in the early 90’s…

Enter the Trek Fuel EX-

Hey- I was curious to find out just how much of my bad off-road skills were due to a pretty crappy bike, so I asked which one of the many they had out there was the best. Ryan tried out a full suspension Gary Fisher 29er, and we headed out on the 6 mile Herb Parson’s Lake loop. Before we left, the woman at the demo trailer let me know that “this trail doesn’t do this bike justice”

Well, I don’t think I really did the bike justice because I chickened out more than once with log/bridge crossings, but what I DID realize was that (chickening out aside) I’m not that bad of an off road rider. I could definitely get more skilled with a decent bike. Riding off road really appeals to my ADD personality, so I’ll probably end up getting one for winter training/general shenanigans. Will it be a top of the line carbon rig? We’ll have to see about that…