Yesterday marked the inaugural ride on my new Salsa bike, affectionately nicknamed Gonzales—Gonzo, for short. So, Gonzo and I took a brief jaunt around the urban trails, where I also tackled an isolated leg workout. This exercise proves invaluable for acquainting oneself with a new bike. Trust me, when you’re pedaling up a single-track climb with one leg, you quickly learn the most efficient body positioning. Overall, Gonzo impressed me with its solidity, agility, and speed on descents. Climbing wasn’t as challenging as I had anticipated, though it still doesn’t compare to riding a snow bike.
Our second outing tonight was more intense. We covered 50 miles, visiting every trailhead on the western slopes of the Bridger Range. The details of what transpired during the four hours we were out will remain a secret shared only between Gonzo and me. That bike thrives on adventure, seemingly urging one to embark on hundreds of miles of journeying. I’m not sure I’m quite up to taming this beast yet.
As for now, it’s time to rest. Despite the excitement of the new bike, I’m not yet in a state of bliss. Traveling to Missoula has left me sleep-deprived, my apartment is in disarray with belongings yet to be unpacked, and my training plan demands another 5.5 hours of effort tomorrow. To add to the pile, my new camera arrived, and I simply haven’t had the moment to explore it as I’d like. Oh, and today I turned 46.
Boneshakerbike 
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