Salsa's Unveiled Flyway gravel bike just claimed victory in the Mega Mid South ultra race, leaving many to wonder: Will this model replace the Warbird, or introduce a brand new concept? The Mega Mid South, a grueling 300-mile race with nearly 17,000 feet of elevation gain, is the brainchild of the Mid South team based in Stillwater, Oklahoma. This year's event saw 146 riders, including several sponsored by Salsa, testing out the brand's new, yet-to-be-released Flyway bike. The Mega Mid South is unique in its self-supported nature, with no registration fee and only Trackleaders tracking required. When the 2025 Mid South race was canceled due to wildfires, Ted King and Chase Wark engaged in a fundraising battle for the fastest known time (FKT), with Wark emerging victorious in the men's category. The Salsa Cycles team riders, Matt Acker and Jill Martindale, claimed the top spots in the men's and women's races, respectively, and set new course records. Acker, Martindale, and another Salsa rider, Britt Mason, were all riding the Flyway bike, which doesn't feature in Salsa's current catalog. The Flyway bike's debut at the Mega Mid South has sparked curiosity, as the brand hinted at showcasing new bikes during the event. This strategy mirrors the tactics of other brands at major races, where they slowly unveil new models months before their official launch. The question remains: Will the Flyway replace the Warbird or introduce a fresh concept? The Salsa team's performance at the Mega Mid South has certainly piqued interest, and the brand's subtle marketing approach has left many eager to find out.
