1,000 Miles Down, 4000 to Go - Trek Domane 4 - Review

Sand Hollow State Park

Anyone who has spent much time hanging around a bike shop looking for a new bike has heard the phrase, "ride what the pros race".  With just under 1,000 miles on my Trek Domane 4,  I'm one step closer to knowing what that feels like.  The Trek Pro Racing Team rides the Domane Classic.  Let's make it clear that the components on my bike are not the same as what come on the Domane Classic, however, both Domane Classic and Domane 4 share the same ISO speed technology.  This isolates the seat post from the rest of the top tube.  This allows the bike frame (instead of the rider) to absorb the bumps in the road.

I've been asked multiple times by fellow riders what are the biggest differences I've noticed from my old bike to the new Trek Domane 4. The three biggest things are: one - how much lighter weight the all-carbon fiber frame is versus the aluminum.  The second thing is how comfortable and quiet my new bike is versus the old one; hitting rumble strips and Utah's winter-damaged roads are no longer irritating.  The third is the advantages of the Pro Fit I received from Mad Dog Cycles.  I'm surprised at how much less pain I feel in my lower back and neck after a long ride.  I would not have believed that a Pro Fit could make that much difference.  With a goal of 4,000 more miles before year's end, that's a great thought!

2014 Spring Tour de St. George

What I'm most excited about is the Trek Care Plus program.  This protects me against accidents while riding and provides an additional three years inclusive of the already thorough manufacturers warranty.  So I'm basically covered for anything on the bike that isn't made of rubber for the next three years, whether its due to an accident or just plain wear.  I would highly recommend you stop by Mad Dog Cycles and take the Domane 4 for a test ride.

Trek Goes Big with Farley Fatbike Ultra-Versatile Platform Tackles Sandy, Rocky, and Snowy Terrain

The Farley by Trek

Fat Tire bikes are one of the fastest growing segments in the cycling world today.  Because of their versatility in all terrain and all weather, they can be enjoyed year around.  

click here to print coupon

Trek bicycle recently revealed a nimble, versatile fatbike dubbed the "Farley" and this big boy brings Trek’s engineering and features to the fat bike movement. The aluminum frame fits a fatbike-standard 170mm-wide rear hub and can run up to a 4.0 width tire front and rear, providing fantastic traction across any terrain, and enough volume to handle everything from Saharan dunes to Wisconsin whiteouts. But this curvy cruiser is no slowpoke; thanks to intelligent engineering and sharp geometry, the Farley has a flair for performance as well as adventure.

Salsa's 2014 Beargrease XXI

Once you get past those fat tires, the Farley boasts a Closed Convert dropout in the rear for proper handling. Pair that with an E2 tapered head tube and fork, and you’ve got one-sharp-handling, husky fella. The Farley is forward-thinking, too, with front and rear rack compatibility, fender mounts, internal cable routing, and stealth dropper post routing for when the trail gets really hairy.

"We've been seeing more and more consumers looking to ride different terrain in all seasons and the Farley is going to answer those needs," said Trek Mountain Bike Product Manager, John Riley.

The Farley is now available as a complete bike and a frameset at Mad Dog Cycles locations in Orem at 360 East 800 South
801.222.9577 
Provo at 936 East 450 North
801.356.7025

While you’re in Mad Dog Cycles checking out the Fat Tire bikes, make sure to get your cold weather gear from their extensive line for Utah’s winter riding.

Beargrease 2014 by Salsa

2014 Mukluk TI by Salsa

Big Increases in Comfort and Performance with Mad Dog Cycle's Pro Fit

I just spent over 2 hours with Joanie at Mad Dog Cycles getting my Pro Fit for my new Trek Domane bicycle.  She is their in-house expert when it comes to ensuring a comfortable ride.

I'll bet you're like me, you bought your bike off the rack; your salesperson made a few minor adjustments and you were out the door and on the road (or trail).  There is a better way - it's called a Pro Fit.

Joanie checked how I stand, walk, pedal and my flexibility.  These are all important points that need to be addressed when adjusting a bike for maximum comfort and performance.   She then broke out the tape measure to check shoulder width and inseam length to make sure that my new bike would have the right size handlebars and crank arms.  She even adjusted the position of the cleats on my biking shoes.  She explained to me that if they are not in the right spot, they can cause numbness in your feet on longer rides.


This is a great time of year to get a Pro Fit.  The shop is little quieter, making it easier to get an appointment and after this kind of fit, it's a good idea to reduce the number of miles you ride and work back up as your muscles adjust to the new and improved fit.

If you've experienced lower back pain, numbness in your feet or toes, shoulder/neck pain while riding your bicycle or if you've never had a Pro Fit, now's the time to get one!  Call Joanie at Mad Dog Cycles.

801-222-9577

Five Reasons I Chose Mad Dog Cycles and Trek for My New Bike

Orem Location

When I made the decision that it was time to get a new bike, I was shopping online then it hit me, I should just start with Mad Dog Cycles.  They have always been helpful and friendly with minor upgrades, repairs and accessories that my wife and I have needed on our bikes.  It didn't take long after going into Mad Dog Cycles before I knew I was in the right bike shop.  We talked options, price, warranties and the latest technology.  This was only about ten days before the Fall Tour de St. George.  The employees at Mad Dog Cycles explained their demo bike program to me; for a fee, I could take one of their bicycles for the weekend to ride in the Fall Tour and have a portion of that fee go towards the purchase price if I bought a bike.  So I road the Trek Domane 4 Series in St. George and loved it!  This is the bike I'm going to get.  There are five main points that sold me on Mad Dog Cycles and Trek bikes.

1. Mad Dog Cycles' excellent service and knowledgeable staff.
2. The Trek Care Plus contract (3 years) - extended component warranty, wear and tear coverage on anything that's not rubber, accidental damage coverage and MDC basic tune-up.
3. Mad Dog Cycles offers a Pro-Fit service where a specialist spends approximately 3 hours with you measuring, inseam, shoulder width, torso length (just to name a few) to insure a perfect fit.  If you're like me you have probably given very little, if any, thought to how wide your handle bars should be, what arm length your crank-set should be or the height of your stem; however these are just a few of the very important adjustments that can be made to optimize your overall comfort and performance while cycling.
4. The vibration control technology Trek is building into their bikes is something you need to see and then experience.  On my 80 mile ride in St. George, I was impressed with the smoothness of the ride.  Rough roads and small pot-holes were absorbed by the bike and not by me as the rider.  I could try to explain that technology here, but I won't.  Don't take my word for it, go in and take one for a ride and experience it for yourself.
5. Trek's Project One allows you to build your own bike online.  You choose the frame, its custom paint job, drive train, wheels, tires, stem, headset, handle bars, bar tape, saddle, bottle cages and computer.  With most of your options you are able to select both the quality and color that fit your budget and style.

I can hardly wait until my new Trek Domane arrives!

Memorial Weekend at Bear Lake

If you're planning a trip to Bear Lake, the first phone call ought to be to Bear Lake Lodging.  Whether you're a party of two or a group of 30+; they have the perfect accommodations.  They put us up in the Burgon Cabin with 6 bedrooms, 2 family rooms and 3 bathrooms on 3 levels with breathtaking view in all directions.  Our 6-year old grandson put it best when he excitedly said to his buddies out on a hike "guys, you gotta get used to this view - it's spe-tacular!"

Another great resource is Melinda at Bear Lake Valley CVB.  She is a great resource for pretty much everything Bear Lake has to offer, from special events, to lodging, to activities to places to eat, etc. etc.

The Yazzie Family-Burgon Cabin-upper balcony

Alyssa basking in the amazing view and sunshine!
It's easy to see why Bear Lake is commonly called "The Caribbean of the Rockies".

View from the front door.  This was a wonderful place to spend time discussing the latest adventures with a kitchen, dining area and family room big enough for all 29 of us.

 After spending time in an RZR last weekend in Moab, I was really looking forward to the contrast of the sand and slickrock to the forest of the mountains surrounding Bear Lake.

RZR 800 we rented from Bear Lake Fun.  They are a great place to rent all kinds of water toys as well as  all types of 4-wheelers - right in Garden City.  Bear Lake is 20 miles long and 8 miles wide with 48 miles of shoreline so they have 3 other locations around the lake.  Two other families in our group also rented from them and were impressed with their customer service.

Four very dusty, dirty but pleased friends after several hours of jeeping and 4 wheeling.
(There's that gorgeous lake again!)

In all of our trips to Bear Lake, we had never made time to visit the famous Minnetonka Cave. In fact, it was thanks to the suggestion of Melinda with Bear Lake Travel Council, that we visited there. The above picture is the walkway to the entrance of the cave; very cool, especially for the kids and much less work to get to than Timpanogos Cave.

The majority of us had never seen Minnetonka Cave before so we really had a great time.

Monday morning before we left, several of us biked the perimeter of the Bear Lake - 50 miles.  This gave us some different perspectives of the lake.  Can I just say WOW!!

Thanks to some of our wonderful friends for sharing a fun, exciting, memorable weekend with us at Bear Lake!!

Skinny Tire Events, High Point Hummer and Aarchway Inn combine for an adventure-filled Moab weekend.

Moonshadows Ride - Skinny Tire Events

Moonshadows bike ride - Open Air Cafe at Dead Horse Point State Park - May 18, 2013
We've become big fans of The Skinny Tire Events.  The two we have attended were very well orchestrated with incredibly friendly staff and indescribable views.

Anna & Roy at one of the overlooks from Dead Horse Point.  (Moonshadows Bike Ride) 

Sunset over Dead Horse Point State Park with Canyonlands National Park on the distant horizon.
(Moonshadows Bike Ride)

High Point Hummer

High Point Hummer proved to be the perfect place to rent our RZR 900 from.  They provided us with a detailed map allowing us to find all of these stunning vistas as well as many more - too many to post.  May 19, 2013

Roy and Anna at the far end of Tusher Tunnel - short hike just off the trail.  May 19, 2013

Delicate Arch - Arches National Park

Phil overlooking the famous Delicate Arch at sunset. - May 19, 2013

Turret Arch, Windows Section, Arches National Park.   Just after sundown May 19, 2013

Aarchway Inn.  Late night BBQ in the courtyard.  They were so friendly and accommodating; providing us with everything (except the food!) we needed to finally get a good meal after a very busy, exciting day.  They are a great place to stay, especially when you participate in a Skinny Tire Event.  Aarchway Inn is the hub of the ride's activities and events.

Back to High Point Hummer for Canyoneering

165 foot rappel - Kane Springs.  Check out Anna starting to descend from the top!

Above:  The position we amateurs take.
Below:  The position our High Point Hummer professional guides take.

Our canyoneering group - Phil, Ronelle, Anna, Nick (guide), Roy and Andy (guide).  Thanks to Skinny Tire Events, High Point Hummer and Aarchway Inn for an awe-inspiring weekend that pushed us to new limits -physically and mentally.

Presidents' Weekend Get-away - 2013

Kodachrome Basin State Park on Friday was almost entirely snowless with a gorgeous clear blue sky.  It was so fun scrambling around with our good friend Anna and her 9 year-old son.  I'd forgotten what a great place this is for families.  

Kodachrome Basin State Park - Ronelle and Phil

Kodachrome - notice the famous "pipes"

Bryce Canyon on Saturday; we'd planned to snowshoe but decided we could hike it.  There were places snowshoes would have been good but mostly they would have been in the way - it was 4 hours and 5.5 miles of red rock hoodoos, archways, narrow paths (no path in many places) in snow and ice surrounded by the most breathtaking blue skies you've ever laid eyes on. 

Bryce Canyon - Brooke and Jayson

Bryce Canyon-almost to the Peekaboo loop

Randy - literally in snow up to his knees

Yours truly sliding from an upper path to a lower one-
no, I'm not carrying a purse; its a bag of snowshoes.

Heading up Navajo Loop trail to the rim trail

Bryce Canyon - Navajo Loop - headed up to the rim trail.
 Little did we know we still had a looong way to go!

Bryce Canyon - look close . . .
Randy had switched to shorts!

Looking back down at the switchbacks coming
up from Navajo Loop - Bryce Canyon

On to St. George for 50-60 degree bike riding!  Can I just say biking in Winter, Spring and Fall in Southern Utah feeds my soul!!

Anna, Ben, Kim, Brooke, Jayson, Todd, Ronelle, Phil
Entrance to Tuacahn Amphitheatre

Like us on facebook at Recreate In Utah-Specialty Publications