Your February Guide to Fat Bike Fun and Racing

February 11, 2016
Fatbike

Peak Cycles joy ride on Apex Park/Chimney Gulch – Golden, CO

Friends, the weather conditions have been changeable as of late with abrupt transitions between heavy snows and 50 degree temperatures. The warming trend this week may have even caused some of you to think that we are on the cusp of spring season. But we know that variations in late-winter weather make for prime fat biking conditions. So whether you’re riding on icy, hard-packed trails or sloppy snow banks, we wanted to give you some tips for late-season fat biking.

Coming away from the Big Mountain Enduro Fat Bike World Championships in Crested Butte in late January (see results and pics on Twitter , Facebook, Instagram) our customers couldn’t be more excited to get on their fat bikes. There are a couple of Colorado races still on the horizon that will likely be well attended. One big one is the Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Series with races from February – April (see below):

If you are training for a race, there are some things you should pay attention to: 

  1. Even thought fat bikes have big fat tires, they still don’t have traction on ice. Watch out for icy patches a go slow. You don’t want to jeopardize your ability to race before the actual event!
  2. Strengthening exercises off the bike can improve your performance. We highly recommend that you look into Foundation Training (see our blog post for more details) which strengthens your core back muscles trains you how to move and bend correctly on the bike. 
  3. Light weight = fast. The lighter your fat bike is the faster it will be. There are ways that you can cut down on weight such as changing to a light-weight tire. We recommend the Kenda Juggernaut Pro Tire which is currently the lightest fat bike tire on the market and is designed for speed & performance. 
  4. Go tubeless. Tubeless fat bike wheels are more reliable and don’t require as much maintenance from you. With new fat bike FattyStripper technology we can convert your wheels to tubeless for just $95. 

If you are looking to just enjoy the Colorado outdoors on your fat bike, Colorado.com offers a great fat biking resource that will give you ideas about where you can go and enjoy prime fat bike trails. You can also join the Facebook group, Front Range Fattys  to get to know a very engaged and enthusiastic crew of fat bike aficionados.  

What’s that? You’ve never tried a fat bike? You can demo one of our Specialized FatBoys at our store! And if you want even more fat bike ideas, or need for cycling apparel, bike parts, and cycling accessories, stop into Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop. We would love to help you! 

Peak Cycles/Bikeparts.com Team Update:  We were thrilled that three members of our BikeParts.com team placed in the Fat Bike World Championships Junior race. Lander Turner (1st), Dillon Turner (3rd), and Conrad Turner (4th) all had spectacular performances during this challenging and world-class event. Great job guys! 

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Where to Ride Your Fatbike in Colorado

January 29, 2015

Fatbikes at BikeParts.comFat Biking is abuzz in Colorado. Colorado is already a favorite state for cyclists due to the mountainous terrain, rugged trails, scenic views, and outdoorsy population. But now, Colorado is a hot destination for a new phenomenon in the cycling world: Fat Biking.

Fatbikes can be used during any season and in any terrain, but they are most popular during the winter months and in snowy conditions. Fatbikes have made it possible for cyclist to bike all year, even in states like Colorado with snowy months.

Opportunities to fatbike are popping up all over the state. Nordic centers and ski resorts are beginning to allow fat bikers on groomed trails. Many ski areas also offer lessons with the help of staff instructors. Examples include:

  • Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trail System
  • Breckenridge Gold Run Nordic Ski Center
  • Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash
  • Latigo Ranch in Kremmling
  • Durango Mountain Resort
  • Howelson Hill Nordic Center in Steamboat Springs
  • Lake Catamount Touring Center in Steamboat Springs
  • Sunlight Mountain Resort
  • YMCA of the Rockies – Snow Mountain Ranch

A number of nordic centers and fat bike enthusiasts are also hosting fatbike races. You might consider trying to race one of these:

Beerd Belly – Evergreen CO

Abominable Winter Fat Bike Race  – Como Colorado

Alley Loop Fat Bike Race – Crested Butte

Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Series:

              – Winterbike at Copper

              – Tennessee Pass Night Jam

              – Mineral Belt Mayhem

              – Eastside Epic

And that’s not all!  There are also fat bike tours in the Colorado area!

  • Paragon Outdoors in Telluride
  • Absolute Bikes Adventures in Salida
  • Front Range Guides in Boulder, Denver, Fort Collins
  • Break Bike Guides in Breckenridge

For our local customers BikeParts.com, you don’t have to go far to ride your fatbike.  There are some really great trails along the Front Range that are great for fatbikes. Some favorites include North Table Mesa in Golden.   In fact, why don’t you demo a fat bike at Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop in Golden, Colorado?  Stay tuned for more upcoming blog posts on fatbike selections, cycling apparel, hydration strategies, fat bike bike parts, and accessories.  Or, take some time and enjoy the following posts for additional reading.

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Posted by staffwriter8

9 Great Fatbike Events for 2015

January 22, 2015
Fatbikes at BikeParts.com

Fatbikes at BikeParts.com

We already 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?!  

Fatbikes are the hottest trend in the mountain biking world right now and not surprisingly, super fun fatbike events are popping up everywhere.  Following are our top 9 events to get in on the fat bike action.

4th Annual Global Fat-Bike Summit – Snow King Resort, Jackson Hole, WY -January 23-25th, 2015.  Hosted by QBP, along with Fitzgerald’s Bicycles, Hoback Sports, Wyoming Pathways, and Mountain Bike the Tetons/IMPA. Here’s what you can expect:

“On Friday the summit will focus on training sessions and panel discussions featuring the latest in the evolving world of best management practices for fat-bike use on public lands. Management practices will be discussed with a focus on winter use since the majority of access issues fall in the winter months. This interactive training day will include land managers from the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, and state and local governments, along with bike advocates and industry representatives.”

“The festival portion of the event begins Friday night with a fat-bike night ride and evening banquet, and continues through Saturday and Sunday with a variety of demo rides, product clinics, and riding events that include an optional guided fat bike tour of Grand Teton National Park.”

Winterbike at Copper – Leadville Series – Jan 24th, 2015.  Here’s why you want to try this event.  Join Copper and the Cloud City Wheelers for WinterBike, part of the Leadville winter mountain bike series. Competitors will ride into the night for this cross-country race slipping, sliding and riding on the mountain and throughout the Village. Make it a family affair and bring the tykes for LittleBike, a free fun ride.

Arrowhead 135 – Last week in January.  Here’s what separates the Arrowhead from the other events.  “The Arrowhead 135 is recognized in the book “The World’s Toughest Endurance Challenges” by Richard Hoad and Paul Moore as one of the 50 toughest races in the world.  It is a human powered Ultra Marathon taking place in the coldest part of winter in the coldest city in the lower 48 states.  Our average finish rate is less than 50%, the finish rate for new racers is much lower.  2014 finish rate was 35%.”

“135 miles Deep Winter across Northern Minnesota on rugged, scenic Arrowhead State Snowmobile Trail from Frostbite I-Falls to Tower, MN Fortune Bay Casino. Pick mode of transport at start: bicycle, ski or foot.  This is our 11th year, beginning with 10 entrants in 2005 to ~150 starters 2014, featuring some of the best winter ultra-athletes in the world.”  Obviously, this event isn’t for the faint of heart – but one definitely to aspire to doing!

Abominable Winter Fat Bike Race – Como, CO – January 31st, 2015.  If you are feeling a little wild, then this event might be for you.  Abominable events are for those with a little wild in them. Not for the timid, they are challenging you to come get after it in the whitest Colorado has to offer. On January 31st get “yeti” for a winter adventure run, fat bike rides hot chocolate and more. Grab your friends, hop in the car, and crank up the heat because it’s gonna be cold, wild one out there!

Alley Loop Fat Bike Race – Crested Butte, CO – February 6th, 2015.  This fun fatbike event takes place simultaneously with the 28th Annual Alley Loop Nordic Marathon.  If you have any skiers in the family, this is a great event to combine your two passions.  The plus side, for those on the fence about whether to race or not, they offer same day registration.

Big Fat Bike Festival – Homer AK – Feb 6-8th, 2015.  Concerned about getting cold while racing your fatbike?  Well, this event lures you in with a cozy bonfire about 8 miles in where you can warm up before venturing on or returning to the start.  “The ride is approximately 16 miles long (or more if you choose), follows the beautiful bluffs of the south shore with ample opportunity to enjoy the view.”

Tennessee Pass Night Jam – Leadville Series – Feb 7th, 2015.  This is part of the Leadville winter mountain bike series.  For customers of our Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop and locals in Colorado, you’ll note the 12 mile course starts at Tennessee Pass Nordic Center, Tennessee Pass, and the cost of entry is $20.

Frozen Fat Fondo Fest – Davenport IA – Saturday, Feb 7th, 2015.  This event challenges you to be a fatbike hero!  “Make history being a part of FORC’s first Fat Bike challenge, the Frozen Fat Fondo Festival! The FFFFestival will be held — rain or shine, snow or slime — on the beautiful shores of the Mississippi River at the newly rebuilt Credit Island Lodge. Riders will test their mettle on a circuit featuring many technical challenges through thick lowland forest and chunky river shoreline on this 3 hour endurance ride. Participate as a 3-person relay team or solo. 3.5″ tires or greater required! All proceeds from this event benefit FORC to continue maintaining and improving local trails.”

Mineral Belt Mayhem – Leadville Series – March 7th, 2015.  Again, this is part of the Leadville winter mountain bike series.  However, this event starts at the mineral belt trail in Leadville, Colorado. Entry costs $20

US National Fat-Bike Championship – Cable, WI – March 7th, 2015. What? There’s a National Fatbike championship? Yep! That’s how popular these bikes and events are!  The 47-kilometer event will be, for the second year in a row be  the “U.S. National Fat Bike Championships” with cash prizes for the top three women and men. The field limit for the third annual Fat Bike Birkie on March 7, 2015, has been bumped up to 750 riders and is quickly filling.

Eastside Epic – Leadville Series – Apr 18th.  Another great event that is part of the Leadville winter mountain bike series.  This one starts in Leadville and entry is $20.

Does reading about all these great fatbike events make you curious about fat bike riding? Demo a fat bike at Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop in Golden, Colorado and stay tuned for more upcoming blog posts on fat bike bike selections, cycling apparel, hydration strategies, fat bike bike parts, and accessories.

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What? 6 More Weeks of Winter! Fat Bike Training Tips to Embrace the Season

February 6, 2014
Fat Bikes at BikeParts.com

Fat Bikes at BikeParts.com

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this past Sunday morning.  We all know what that means – six more weeks of winter.

Less daylight, cold weather and difficulty planning winter workouts all contribute to less time on the bike.  But, if you want to get better, faster and more efficient on the bike, then guess what? You got to put your time in.  So what do you do?  

Fortunately, last year we wrote about Ways to Pedal the Winter Blues Away with four suggestions to keep motivation high: build a support structure, set up the right training environment, get some visual stimulation, and compete.  Yes, you read that last one right – compete.  And not later in the season – now.  Yep, most of the country is under snow and cold temps but competition is still going strong. On fat bikes that is.

Fat Bikes Are Big in Colorado, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and other parts of the country. And racing fat bikes is the ultimate in beating wintertime cycling blues.  Aside from racing fat bikes to keep fit, what makes a fat bike so desirable?  An Ode to the Fat Bike sums it up best.

“The big tires make you ride differently. The extra traction allows you to lean harder in to turns. The extra weight encourages you to take more time to absorb the surroundings. The knowledge that you can turn off trail and go exploring where you like is freeing. And the rooster tail of snow you kick up in turns and the slip-sliding through curves and down steeps feels ridiculous and hilarious and absolutely entertaining.” —Aaron Gulley

So get in on the action!  Stop by Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop to ride, test ride, and buy a fat bike.  Grab some bike parts, gear, extra tires and you’re on your way.  All you have to do now is sign up for one of the upcoming fat bike races on the Western front!  And, if you are uber competitive, check out this  post on  How to set up a fat bike tubeless.  

The Mountain Fat Bike Series Calendar:

  • Grand Targhee Snow Bike Race  –  Saturday, January 18, 2014. Alta, Wyoming
  • Abominable Fatbike Race (Colorado Fatbike Championship) – Saturday, January 25, 2014, 8:30am. Como, Colorado
  • Snowy Range Snowbike Challenge – Saturday, February 1, 6pm. Snowy Range Ski Area, west of Centennial, Wyoming
  • Tennessee Pass Night Jam – Saturday, February 8, 7pm.  Leadville, Colorado
  • Mineral Belt Mayhem – Saturday, March 1, 7pm. Leadville, Colorado
  • 28 Below – March 22, 2014.  Black Hills, South Dakota

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Posted by staffwriter8