What’s all this fuss about fat bikes you ask? How can simply adding fat tires to a bike create such a cycling craze? Surely it is just a passing fad, soon to go the way of roller blades and the thigh master…isn’t it?
Two years ago, I was like the rest of you nay sayers, when it came to fat bikes. A sideways glance and a snicker was all those ‘fat tire fools’ ever got from me. How can you really take anybody riding on balloon tires seriously anyways?
Then in March of 2013 I was "shown the way of the fat bike". A fellow I met at a cocktail party (let’s call him Jim) invited me to join him for a winter fat bike ride and almost on a whim I took him up on the offer. One ride was all it took, the very next day I went out and bought my very first fat bike and I haven’t looked back since.
To sum it up, here are three reasons as to why Fat Biking is so great:
You can Stick it to Old Man Winter
Living in the deep freeze of Canada, the snow typically comes in late October and is not gone until the end of April. The beauty of the fat bike, is that it makes single-track trails accessible for almost 12 months of the year. The great traction and floatation of fat bike tires lets you tackle all types of snow conditions. Instead of bike vs winter, It becomes bike + winter.
There is nothing more rewarding then putting in a 20+ km ride along a smooth, snow packed trail. You can reach locations that you never imagined were accessible in the middle of winter and take in the beautiful winter sights, sounds and experiences.
My fat bike has changed me from somebody who would tolerate winter to somebody who now looks forward to winter (also known as fat bike season). As my son points out, ‘when the snow falls, my dad doesn’t stop riding, he just changes bikes.”
It Sure Beats an Indoor Trainer
If you just received an indoor trainer for Christmas then use that gift receipt and return it today. Put the money towards a Fat Bike and you will not regret it.
Since I purchased my fat bike I have not ridden on my indoor trainer, not once. No more forcing myself to get on the trainer and put in the miles. No more watching the clock to see how many more minutes of suffering.
With a fat bike, your biggest dilemmas are, which trail are you going to ride and which of your FBFs (Fat Bike Friends) are you going to ride with?
It Makes Me Feel Like a Kid Again
I am sure that all of you would agree that two of your favorite childhood activities were playing in the snow and riding your bike. Well, with fat biking you get to do both, at once! And you don’t need to be a kid to do it.
Fat Biking is not about power output, heart rate or Strava. It’s about playing in the snow, sliding around corners and racing down trails with your buddies.
Simply stated, Fat Biking is FUN.
In my 40 years of riding, I have never had more enjoyment on a bicycle as I have had on my fat bike. Get out and give it a try. I am convinced that in no time you will also be joining the Fat Bike Revolution.
- Let's Ride -