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SeeWhatSheCanDo

December 17, 2018

Fat biking: snow time is ride time

Did I just use the “f-word”? Yes I did and you need to keep reading if you cycle from the first sign of spring until the snow flies. What if I told you that you could keep riding throughout the winter and avoid those indoor training bikes? There may be a fat bike out there with your name on it. All it takes is a little more tire with a little less pressure and a bigger frame to hold it all together…so yes, in this case, size does matter!

What’s it all about

A fat bike is a mountain bike with oversized tires and rims. This oversized off-road bike allows you to get better traction on surfaces previously considered difficult to traverse – surfaces including snow, mud, and sand. On a regular bike, tires sink into these “softer” terrains. But the fat bike, with wider tires and lower tire pressure, essentially floats along most surfaces allowing bikers to stay on the trails all year round. But don’t get me wrong…fat bikes still pack a punch in the cardio workout department. Some serious human power is still needed to get your bike through those trails.

Where it all began

Fat bikes originated in Alaska where the first Iditabike event was held in 1987 – a race across 200 miles of Alaskan backcountry snowmobile and dog sled trails. The first year of the race saw bikers struggling to manage their way through a lot of soft snow, pushing them to re-think their equipment for the next year. The re-designed bikes went from two rims welded together – even triple rims – before landing on a single, wide tire with wide rim and low tire pressure. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention and voilà…the fat bike was born.

If you’re interested in finding out more about the origins of the fat bike, check out this YouTube documentary by Carl Battreall from 2009. Another good one is 10 Years of Fat: The Past Present and Future of Fat Bikes published by GearJunkie.com.

Give it a spin

If you are looking for a new adventure in the snow, you should most definitely give fat bikes a try. Winter can be very long if you stay inside waiting for the warmer weather. Or if you are an avid cycler, looking to extend your outdoor season, fat biking is an easy decision. What rider wouldn’t rather be outdoors on the trail than in the gym on a trainer?

Here are a few more reasons why you should give it a try:

  • Low commitment – lots of ski resorts and trail facilities have fat bikes for rent. All you need is a couple of hours and your winter gear to see if this outdoor adventure is for you.
  • Great workout – while the fat bike is suited for the softer terrain and you feel like you’re floating, you still work those quads and get an awesome cardio workout on the fat bike. You are navigating through rough terrain adding to your workout – hills, steep climbs, and turns – that you can’t get on the indoor bikes.
  • Lots of accessible trails – there are many trails suited for fat bikes with more being added every season. See the list below for information on a trail in your community.
  • Environmentally friendly commute – if you bike to work during the rest of the year, why not hop on a fat bike and extend your commuting on two wheels – fat wheels at that. More and more snowbound city dwellers are following in the footsteps of the Alaskan fat bike trailblazers and are using fat bikes to commute during the snowy months.
  • More winter options – if you’re a skier, fat biking gives you another option on days when the snow isn’t the best for skiing or boarding. Who doesn’t like options? Lots of ski resorts have bikes available so you can get the most of the snow.
  • Extends the outdoor cycling season – need I say more? It bears repeating…there aren’t many cyclers that prefer the indoor training bike to the outdoor rides.
  • Awesome new sport – be part of this exciting sport that is taking off across the country. Be an ambassador for the sport – an adventurer – get your friends excited about it too.

Warm gear to keep you outside

Like most cool weather or winter sports, layering is the key. Here is a this quick list of what you need to wear so you don’t go home feeling like a popsicle:

  • Base layer – a good, breathable moisture-wicking base layer.
  • Jacket – waterproof shell with vents, seam sealed a must.
  • Pants – waterproof with reflectors, again seam sealed.
  • Headwear – helmet, headband, neck warmer, ski or snowboard goggles and for extreme cold face protection.
  • Gloves – waterproof, weather-resistant.
  • Footwear – waterproof, insulated footbed, merino socks.

Fat Bikes Canada has a three-part series called cold weather clothing and another on footwear to help you gear up for some enjoyable winter riding…because for me, nothing is enjoyable if I can’t feel my toes.

Be aware and share the trail

Fat biking trails are often shared with cross-country skiers and snowshoers. As a courtesy, there are a few rules that fat bikers are asked to respect:

  • Yield the trail to other users.
  • Be aware of minimum size requirements on your tires. Some trails set minimums – for instance tires must be 3.7 inches or wider.
  • Tire pressure should be 10 psi or lower. Again, check where you are biking for specifics on tire pressure requirements.
  • Stop your ride if you find your tires are leaving a rut or if you’re having difficulty riding in a straight line. The snow is too soft and not suited for fat biking.
  • Only ride on trails that allow fat biking.
  • Always be courteous and respect the rules.

This is a relatively new sport so represent it well.

Trails in your neck of the woods

This new way to bike is becoming a wildly popular way to hit the trails. Many ski resorts offer fat biking on cross country and snowshoe trails. To get you started, check out this ever-expanding list of trails across the country:

British Columbia

Alberta

Saskatchewan

Manitoba

Ontario

Quebec

Maritimes

Other resources

A couple more resources to help you take your first spin on a fat bike:

SeeWhatSheCanDo

Find, rate and review biking trails, local community offerings and businesses that will help you do your thing at the SeeWhatSheCanDo Athlete Advisor, our online athletic business directory.

Want to try fat biking? Find or start a winter cycling group or event on our SWSCD Hub.

Have you been out on a fat biking trail? Share highlights of your winter adventurea directly on our Discover blog or by using #seewhatshecando on social media and inspire others to get active.

Explore fresh thinking, inspiring articles and advice on our Cycling activity page. 

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