December 6 2008 22.5 miles



I knew the trail was going to be busy today because its December 6th and in the high 40s. As I approached the trail head by the zoo I could see a guy just starting which I like because it gives me something to shot for. Well I had my hand full!! The guy was on a single speed and moving fast up hill. I really started pushing the bike, jumping into the big ring, standing and pushing big gears, going wide in corners. This was the Fantom's first race pace. The bike felt great, instilling my confidence in the Fantom as a great cross country/marathon bike. It took me 10 minuets to catch the guy and the pass was great. We came down the hill though switchback singletrack and I was right on his rear tire. We popped out on a fire road to cross though Red Butte Garden as the trail splits. I took the right and he went left so I shifted down and beat him just as the trail comes back together. I was a tad winded at that point. The rest of my ride got me to the entrance of our awesome down hill course "Bobsled. This trail is so much fun. There are jumps, hugh berms, old cars turned into rust filled table tops. I wanted to see how the bikes suspension took the brutal trail. As I took the bike up and down the 10 plus 10 foot high berms riddled down the course I realized I was having a blast on the Fantom. Sure a riser bar would have been nice along with bigger tires but it was all good. I am still looking to get the suspension plusher. It may be hard to compare the new designs on the market to the Fantom but we will see with time.