I just let the dogs set the pace which is faster than you would believe. My Fisher single-speed is the perfect dog running bike I found since the dogs and I have nearly the same easy pace at about 12 mph and with short bursts of speed up into the +20mph range. The days have been beautiful and the cold has been bearable without the wind we had earlier last week. 
When I got home I found that spring is still battling the cold and apparently still winning. 
My first impressions were nothing more than a big grin the whole time - that means it was really good. Salsa did a good job of putting together a super nice riding frame - thanks Salsa! My butt was especially pleased with the soft-tail suspension design. The real tests of this bike are yet to come - I did not plan on racing this year because of school, but that could change now.
I do still get out now and then for an attitude adjustment or some stress relief, but sad to say that my racing agenda this year is foggy to say the least. Anyway, yesterday was one of those exceptional days here with temps near 60F, grass turning green (early it seems) and the robins returning. I took a short ride up to Hellsgate State (Horse & Weed) Park. The views seemed exceptional and taking a rest on the hillside to enjoy the sights and warm sun seemed to be the right thing to do.
Life is good!
Well today was one of those days when I jumped on a bike and took off with intent to inflict some serious pain to burn off the stress. It was like 53 degrees outside and my roadbike has been calling for some time now (like since I last rode it in the fall - hey, what can I say other than I enjoy riding mountain bikes more) . Right away I decided that anything less than 20mph was a wimp's pace so I was at the Seanman's house in VERY short order. I heard he got a new Klein rocket recently (and I wanted to see it). Strange thing though - it was like aliens had been to the Seanman's house...I mean there in the back of his pickup was one of the dogs - the other dog was missing and so was the Seanman (and his lovely mate, Carol).
His bike repair stand, a tire pump and an open bottle of lube were all sitting out on the driveway just like someone had been using them moments before...but no Seanman to be found (not even behind the Christmas tree in the driveway). 
I looked up to the sky hoping to see an alien vessel overhead (beam me up!) but no such luck. This was strange but I had way too much energy left to burn off so I rode on contemplating what I had seen. It was nice out there today - spring like to say the least. 
I eventually circled back to the Seanman's house only to find that the eerie stillness was unchanged...hmmm. It was getting late so zoom-zoom off I went home - it was an awesome ride of 33 miles in 1:25. I'm still wondering about the Seanman - I tried to call him later but no answer...have the Aliens taken him?!
One more semester of school and some summer clinicals is all I have left. By this fall I will have to get a job working 3 days a week as a nurse and play 4 days a week - that is going to be so hard! 
I built it up into a light full suspension bike for specifically for racing on rough and long courses as well as for general pleasure riding. 
In 2005 I rode it in 2 races. The first race was in the Spokane 24-hr race as part of a team (the Twisted Shifters). Needless to say we hit the podium with no problems. During that event I rode this bike about 100 miles at race speed - it was such a pleasure to have full suspension after the first lap. My team mates are all friends from around Washington and the best!
The second race on this bike was the Schweitzer NORBA nationals marathon race. This bike was perfect for this course and it helped me win the race (about 60 miles + 10,000 feet climbing) with ease at 45 min ahead of my closest competitor. It was like a Sunday ride that day.
Times change though and I felt this bike needed a new home since I actually rode it very little after starting school again this last fall. With almost no effort I sold it to a friend that rode an older Fisher 292 that was once size too big for him and way heavier than mine. 
He rode this overweight bike to many victories and podium places like the one below where he got 3rd and the Schweitzer NORBA XC race last summer. I have been glad he does not race in my category. Someday I'm sure we'll mix it up though.
Some of the WSU riders posted this squirrel attack (I don't have a clue where this actually happened). but it reminded me of the suicidal squirrels around here that have on many occasions caused nearly the same fate for me.
Edit 01/16/2006: Jeff Kerkove gives proper credit for the pic above. Another pic I had on my computer from on unknown source is below so this squirrel suicide thing is not an isolated one time event. 
My closest animal encounter in recent times was a dive-bombing bird that flew through the front triangle of my frame last summer while I was just riding along to work last summer. Amazingly the bird navigated the tiny corridor through my pedaling legs and a water bottle while I was riding in excess of 25 mph. It did hit my water bottle cage hard enough to loose a feather or two but other than that it just kept flying. I sometimes think it's an animal dare or thrill seeking thing - you know, they see you coming and devise a daring feat for thrills (had experience doing this as a kid and I am alive still - somehow).
Usually we worry more about the dogs while on bikes, like the other day when the Seanman was attacked by a dog while just riding along with Corrie through dog-bark corridor somewhere on his Lapwai Loop. Sean "was a man" and gutted out the ride plus more with dog bites in his leg. At home his wife the nurse did her job by making him get treatment so that he could ride again another day. 
The single track in Asotin Creek canyon was tempting for me to go and check out, but it was still 20+ miles home and getting late so home it was. The ride today was 5o miles and I took my sweet time doing it in 3 hr 30 min.
