Register for This Sunday’s Fat Bike Fun at the Staunton Blizzard 

February 20, 2020

Staunton Blizzard Fat Bike Race and Ride It’s that time of year again! It’s time for the Staunton Blizzard! You know, the super fun fat bike race and ride? Well, it’s happening this Sunday at Staunton State Park.  Here’s what you need to know to get in on the fun action. 


The course:
A beautiful 12.1-mile loop that includes the following trails: Staunton Ranch – Borderline – Mason Creek.  Fatties rollout at 8,100 feet for a route that includes 2,000 feet of breathtaking elevation gain


The race categories:

• Masters Men’s (age 40 and above)

• Masters Women’s (age 40 and above)

• Senior Men’s (age 21-39)

• Senior Women’s (age 21-39)

• Junior Men’s (age 20 and under)

• Junior Women’s (age 20 and under)

If racing isn’t your thing, then opt to join the group ride!


The schedule:

8:15 am Check-in begins

9:00 Races begin

9:30 Group ride begins. After the race categories start, join a “Smiles and Miles” group to enjoy this beautiful course.


The cause:
We love fat biking and we want others to love it too! Because we know great trail conditions can make a good day into an awesome day, Big Ring Cycles and Peak Cycles have partnered with 285 Nordic and Staunton State Park to raise money for trail grooming at Staunton.


Race registration is $50. Group ride registration is $40.
Your registration fee includes:

• Park entry fee

• Race timing and awards

• After party with burgers, beer (for those over 21) and beverages

• One ticket to win great prizes (additional tickets may be purchased)

• Donation to 285 Nordic for trail grooming


Extra notes: If we have snow, the trails will be groomed for fat bike use. This is a fat bike race only. A minimum 3.8″ tire size is required for all racers. Oh, and by the way, we have fat bike tires on sale


There you have it! All you need to do now is pick up any last-minute bike parts or cycling accessories you might need. Some favorites include 
 Poagies – they are insulated hand covers that slip over your handlebars, are also very useful for keeping your hands warm. You might also want to check out some of the winter riding essentials we have on sale too 

Register for the Staunton Blizzard today and we’ll see you Sunday at Staunton State Park for a fun day of fat bike riding and racing. 


Registration and Prep Tips for the STAUNTON BLIZZARD Fat Bike Race

February 22, 2018

STAUNTON BLIZZARD FAT BIKE RACE

If you’re a winter cyclist, you are tough. You’re love of cycle overcomes any inhibitions to stay inside during cold, windy, and snowy winter weather. And while it’s not always easy to be outside in winter, you love the chill on your face and the wind whipping through your helmet holes. And that is why you want to race a fat bike this weekend at the first ever STAUNTON BLIZZARD!

The Staunton Blizzard is the first ever Front Range fat bike race! Be a part of history and join us Sunday, February 25th at Staunton State Park in Pine, Colorado to ride along a beautiful 12.1 mile loop that includes the following trails: Staunton Ranch – Borderline – Mason Creek. The views and the course will take your breath away! Fatties roll out at 8,100 feet for a route that includes 2,000 feet of breathtaking elevation gain.

If you are new to fat bikes, you might be wondering how to prepare for fat bike riding. In our post, Fat Bike Essentials for First Time Fat Bike Riders, we give you the lay of land and basically, this is what you need to know.

PEDALS & SHOES
Many new fat bike riders wonder if they should use clipless or flat pedals on a fat bike? Guess what? It’s your choice! The biggest problems people have making this decision is deciding how to best keep their feet warm. Having flat pedals will allow you to wear thick winter boots, which are more conducive to keeping your feet warm. However you can buy clipless boots that are designed to handle colder temperatures. Using a clipless pedal could prove annoying in snowy terrain if you have to dismount and remount frequently during your ride.

SMART CLOTHING CHOICES AND POGIES & GLOVES
Obviously, if you are going to be riding out in the cold, you’ll want to dress warm and dress appropriately. But what does that mean exactly? You have to think a little bit harder before and during your fat bike rides in the cold. Generally the most important tip for keeping warm is to layer, and to carry a pack to put your extra layers away. Some people prefer to wear ski goggles and a ski helmet, and lots of people wear winter boots. Poagies, insulated hand covers that slip over your handle bars, are also very useful for keeping your hands warm. Keeping your feet warm is key. Wearing boots, preferably water proof, with thick socks on flat pedals or clipless boots with multiple pairs of socks works.

FACE AND EYE PROTECTION
Obviously, cover your head! You can wear a buff or a cap and headgear. Buffs are really good for neck protection as well. Another option are balaclavas – especially so if you want to keep almost your entire face warm. Remember to wear appropriate eye protection too! The glare from the snow can be blinding. While not as stylish as some of the cycling eyewear we carry on BikeParts.com, you could consider wearing goggles to help protect our eyes and face in snowy conditions.

TIRES AND TIRE PRESSURE
Hmmmm, decisions here – What kind of tires should I use? How wide? What pressure do I run? Tube vs. Tubeless? Here’s what we suggest. You have to match tire pressure with conditions. Softer snow conditions: 6psi. Harder conditions: 8-10psi. (much lower than the normal bike). Fat-bike tires are typically marked as 26 x 4.0 though most are really more like 26 x 3.7 or 3.8. The actual size of the mounted tire will vary depending on the rim width used for the wheel. Many riders prefer tubeless because they reduce over a point of rotation weight and they provide better traction.

A FAT BIKE
You have to have a fat bike to ride one! Finding the fat bike that works for you will depend on the type of riding that you do and, more importantly, your budget. At Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we are all big fans of fat bike riding. Stop by to buy a fat bike or demo one. And if you want even more fat bike ideas, or need for cycling apparel, bike parts, and cycling accessories, stop in the shop for that too! We’ve got all the gear and cycling accessories for you riding needs!

So what is stopping you? Get in on the fat bike action! Register today for the STAUNTON BLIZZARD and we’ll see you this Sunday!


First Ever Front Range Fat Bike Race – STAUNTON BLIZZARD

February 15, 2018

STAUNTON BLIZZARD FAT BIKE RACE

In recent posts we have told you why fat bikes are all the rage. We’ve even shared Why We Love the Specialized Fat Boy Bike. Now, you need someplace to ride your fat bike, right?! Well guess what fat bikers – registration is now open for the STAUNTON BLIZZARD!

The Staunton Blizzard is the first ever Front Range fat bike race! Be a part of history and join us Sunday, February 25th at Staunton State Park in Pine, Colorado to ride along a beautiful 12.1 mile loop that includes the following trails: Staunton Ranch – Borderline – Mason Creek. The views and the course will take your breath away! Fatties roll out at 8,100 feet for a route that includes 2,000 feet of breathtaking elevation gain.

If you are new to fat bikes, you’re invited to read our top three blog posts on the subject: Fat Bike Essentials for First Time Fat Bike Riders, Top Fat Bike FAQ’s, and Are you Fat Bike Curious? The Questions You Want Answered!

As you can see, we love fat biking and we want others to love it too! Our passion for fat bike riding has inspired us at Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop and Big Ring Cycles to partner with 285 Nordic and Staunton State Park to raise money for a grooming machine at Staunton.

Join us Sunday, February 25th at Staunton Ranch and help creating a great location for fat bike riders for years to come, right here in the front range. Get all your bike parts, cycling accessories, and any fat bike questions answered at our shop.  And, we’ll see you at the Staunton Blizzard for a fun day of racing! Register today!