Tag Archives: Fat bikes

Minnesota River bottoms, a fun year-round trail network

by John Brown, 

Famous for mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and bird watching, the Minnesota River Bottoms in Bloomington MN are some of the last natural trails in the Twin City metro. At the Bloomington Ferry Bridge site, you will find one of three starting points for many outdoor adventures along the river.

Trailhead locations and the Bloomington Ferry Bridge history

You have the option to cross under three bridges by riding the trails here along the Minnesota River. The first is the Bloomington Ferry Bridge. Started in the summer of 1849, the Bloomington Ferry began operations next to the Minnesota River bottoms. It carried people from the Bloomington shores to Shakopee. Exactly 40 years later, the first Bloomington Ferry Bridge was opened. Carrying people, carriages, and motorists across the river for over 100 years.  No longer open to auto traffic, the trailhead here on the west side of Bloomington is a good starting point.

The two other trailheads are down steam from the Ferry Bridge. The next access to the trails is next to the 35W bridge. The final trailhead is at the Old Cedar Bridge site.

What are the Minnesota river bottoms?

The riders, hikers, and runners who frequent the Minnesota River bottoms.

To locals, the “River Bottoms” is a trail network stretching from the southwest corner of Bloomington to the trails of Fort Snelling State Park. These trails are enjoyed by mountain bike riders and runners who frequent them. While under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service, they are not maintained by any government entity and often take on a “path of least resistance” or direction. It is not uncommon for new tracks to spring up after heavy rains and high river flooding. While riding, expect dirt trails exclusively with some log crossings, sand sections, and occasional overgrowth. Warning: in the summer, pay particular attention to the Urtica Dioica plants, or stinging nettles, growing on infrequently used trails.

Wildlife of the Minnesota River Bottoms

Bikers, birdwatchers and hikers can enjoy the wildlife sightings along the banks of the Minnesota River.

Bikers, birdwatchers, and hikers can enjoy wildlife sightings along the banks of the Minnesota River.

The River Bottoms are great for all types of recreation. It’s not uncommon to see hikers, bird watchers, and people fishing along the banks of the Minnesota River. I have enjoyed sharing with my son the sights of Bald eagles and Beavers who make the watershed here their home. Additionally, being a natural area, the River Bottoms are home to countless animals, including white-tailed deer and mink.

What to expect

On the map are a few more popular entrances to the River Bottom trail, including Lyndale Ave, Crest Ave, and Old Cedar Ave. These entrances offer ample parking and a clear trailhead. Once you start down the course, you will see that nothing is paved but worn-in enough to be firm under your tires. Except at the Lyndale trailhead, you will find a short section of paved land heading east, perfect for walking and wheelchair use. While a mountain bike is best for unpaved trails, fat tire bikes navigate well in winter. If you need to cross a stream, there are bridges, and at the 9-mile creek in the summer months, there is a rope ferry to get you across. Because the River Bottoms are so smooth, they are an ideal place for kids to go mountain biking.

The Minnesota River bottoms are worn in by the riders, hikers, and runners who frequent them

You will find runners who frequent the natural settings of the Minnesota River bottoms.

When to ride

The Minnesota River bottoms are a natural haven for cyclists in spring, summer, winter, or fall.

The best part of the River Bottoms is that it is one of the first places to dry out each spring. It is also one of the first places to freeze when winter rolls through. Like most off-road trails, please avoid this trail in early spring as they thaw or after heavy rain. Other than that, these trails are sandy enough to drain quickly. One of the best things about the river bottoms is riding fat bikes. Fat bikes can trace their development directly to the river bottom in the winter. When the snow falls, the river bottoms are the perfect mixture of flat trails, bermed turns, and accessibility to create a near-perfect winter track.

Living in the Twin Cities, we are lucky to have a place like the river bottoms to ride. The fact that it is left free to change and natural is unique in a metro area. You will find some of the metro’s last natural trails from the Bloomington Ferry Bridge to Fort Snelling.

About John Brown, the author

John operates Browns Bicycle in Richfield, MN, as a lifelong cyclist and consummate tinker. It all started for him in grade school when the bike bug bit, and the fever still existed. Now, and over the past thirty years, he has worked at every level in the bike industry. He is starting, like most, sweeping floors and learning anything he can about bikes. He eventually graduated as a service manager and then as a store manager. Through the years, he has spent extensive time designing and sourcing bicycles and parts for some of the largest bike companies in the world. All the while focusing on helping as many people as possible enjoy the love of riding a bike. In that pursuit, he has taught classes (both scheduled and impromptu) on all things bikes. John also believes in helping every rider attain their optimal fit on the cycle of their dreams. Please feel free to stop in any time and talk about bikes, fit, and parts or share your latest ride. You can also see more of John’s tricks and tips on the Brown Bicycle Facebook Page.

Bike Pic Nov 29, getting the fat bike legs ready for winter activities

Family fun on the Red Jacket Trail in Mankato, MN, this fall. Are you getting your legs ready for some fat bike fun this winter?

So, get into the zone when continuing your time outdoors and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the great ideas and bike destinations in the latest Iowa or Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends in one of Minnesota’s HaveFunBiking destinations. And now, check out more stories at Let’s Do MN.

Thanks for viewing our latest bike pic

Now rolling through our 18th year as a bike tourism media, enjoy! As we pedal forward, we aim to encourage more people to bike and have fun while highlighting all the unforgettable places you can ride. As we continue to showcase more places to have fun, we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. Enjoy the information and stories we have posted as you scroll through.

Do you have a fun bicycle-related photo of yourself or someone you may know we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to [email protected]. Please Include a brief caption for the image, who shot it, and where. Photo(s) sent to us should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide to be considered. If we use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continue encouraging more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your #NextBikeAdventure. Also, check out the MN Bike Guide, now mobile-friendly, as we enter our 13th year of producing this handy information booklet full of maps.

Remember, bookmark HaveFunBiking.com on your cell phone and find your next adventure at your fingertips! Please share our pics with your friends, and don’t forget to smile. We may be around the corner with one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo appearance while you are riding and having fun. You could be in one of our next Pic of the Day.

Have a great day with a safe and memorable year ahead!

Mountain Bikes (MTB) may all look similar, however there are substantial differences between them. First lets take a look at the "It looks like a mountain bike" version, then we will look at a true mountain bike.

Mountain Bikes: What is best for you and the terrain you will ride

by John Brown, HaveFunBiking.com

Mountain Bikes (MTB) may all look similar, however if you are planning on purchasing a new one there are some substantial differences between them. First lets take a look at the “It looks like a mountain bike” version, then we will look at a true mountain bike.

Trail/Path bicycles that look like mountain bikes

There are some Trail/Path cycles that will look like Mountain Bikes, but aren’t designed for off road use. These Trail/Path bikes are popular because riders like the stability, traction, control, and upright riding position of a Mountain Bike but don’t need the features geared toward off road use.

Mountain Bikes in name

Trail/Path “Mountain Bikes” have higher bars, narrower tires, and less suspension travel.

Mountain Bikes True to Their Name

A true Mountain Bike is designed to be ridden off road over loose and rocky terrain. These actual all terrain bicycles offer suspension designed for control rather than comfort, are equipped with low gearing designed to navigate steep, loose terrain, and are built using more durable components to hold up to the constant impacts of riding off road.

Mountain bikes Yeti

True Mountain Bikes have more suspension, and larger tires.

Mountain Bike Suspension

A key feature of a true mountain bike is the suspension that allows the wheels to move up and down over objects giving the rider better traction and more control. The amount the wheel can move is called travel. Therefore, a suspension fork that has 100mm of travel can move up and down 100mm (roughly 4″).

Mountain Bikes Suspension

What Kind of Mountain Bikes are Available?

Mountain bikes get grouped by their intended riding conditions. As an example, Cross country bikes (XC) are designed to move quickly both uphill and downhill. For example, XC bikes are light and the suspension is most often limited to 100mm of travel.

Trail bikes are like cross country bikes, but rather than being concerned with maximum speed uphill, they focus a bit more on the downhill. Trail bikes have suspension ranges between 100mm and 140mm of travel.

Mountain Bikes Trail

All-mountain (or Enduro) bicycles take the idea of a trail bike a step further. Therefore, they offer more travel and are focused on offering the most amount of control and speed while descending, while still being capable of riding back to the top of the hill.

Within each of those categories hardtails (front suspension only) and full suspension (front and rear suspension) are available as well as electric assist versions (using a battery and powered motor)

What is the Deal with wheel size       

                     

Unlike road or city/path bikes, Mountain bikes come in many different wheel sizes. The first mountain bikes were built in Marin County California 40 years ago. Notably, the only tires available were old 26″ balloon tires from the 1950’s which is why 26″ wheels were used. As technology progressed, the benefits of larger and wider tires became apparent. Initially, 26” tires were made wider for more traction (up to 3” wide). Then a few small builders tried the idea of a larger diameter wheel (29”). The benefits of a larger wheels are that objects are smaller in relation the them, offering a smoother ride, and the amount of rubber on the path is greater (better traction). Now there are a half dozen wheel sizes available, that all have their own benefits and drawbacks.

What type of Mountain Bike is best for me?

To start, think about what you want out of your ride. Someone who wants to burn through a loop of their local park as fast as possible, or likes to push themselves on the climbs as much as they do the descent would probably be a good candidate for a cross country bicycle. It’s light weight frame and efficiency will help that rider get more enjoyment/speed out of their ride.

Another rider might like to make good time on the climbs, but push a bit more on the downhill. They ride quickly (trying to beat their friends maybe) but aren’t looking to enter a competitive race. In this case a trail bike helps this rider have more fun.

Finally, another rider might totally live for speeding downhill. Getting back to the top of the hill is only an inconvenience for this person. therefore, they are willing to push a heavier bike up the hill if that weight equates into more traction and more control at high speeds. This rider would love the benefits an all mountain (or Enduro) bike gives them.

Are there any other kinds of Mountain Bikes?

Yes. There are Fatbikes, Downhill bikes, Trials bikes, dirt jumping bikes……The list goes on and on. To delve into all the subdivisions of bicycles, head into your local bike shop. Seeing and test riding the nuances of different bicycles will give you a quick education.

Tuesday morning and this mountain biking chick finds a dry trail to enjoy. In Minnesota, check MORC trail conditions before heading out

Bike Pic Aug 29, many trails are drying, check before mountain biking

Tuesday morning and this mountain biking chick finds a dry trail to enjoy. In Minnesota, check MORC trail conditions to see which trail systems may be open after all the rain, the last couple days.

What better way to continue your summer fun and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the fun ideas and bike destinations in the latest Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends in one of Minnesota’s HaveFunBiking Destinations.

Thanks for Viewing Our ‘Mountain Biking’ Pic of the Day  

We are now rolling into our 10th year as a bike tourism media. As we pedal forward our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike and have fun while we highlight all the unforgettable places for you to ride. As we continue to showcase more places to have fun, we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. Enjoy the information and stories we have posted as you scroll through.

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you may know that we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to: [email protected]. Include a brief caption (for each) of who is in the photo (if you know) and where the picture was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide or larger to be considered. If we use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continue to encourage more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your #NextBikeAdventure – Also, check out the MN Bike Guide, now mobile friendly, as we enter into our 8th year of producing this hand information booklet full of maps.

Remember, bookmark HaveFunBiking.com on your cell phone and find your next adventure at your fingertips! Please share our pics with your friends and don’t forget to smile. We may be around the corner with one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo apperance while you are riding and having fun. You could be in one of our next Pic’s of the Day.

Have a great day!

I am happy to say that Sealskinz recently sent us a care package of product right in time for winter. Take a look for details on the Super Thin Pro Socks.

Bike Pic Aug 19, many mountain bike trails are closed, check first!

Saturday morning and this mountain bike rider finds a dry trail along the Minnesota River bottoms in Bloomington MN. to enjoy. In Minnesota, check MORC trail conditions to see which trail systems may be open after all the rain, the last couple days.

What better way to continue your summer fun and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the fun ideas and bike destinations in the latest Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends in one of Minnesota’s HaveFunBiking Destinations.

Thanks for Viewing Our ‘Mountain Bike Skills’ Pic of the Day  

We are now rolling into our 10th year as a bike tourism media. As we pedal forward our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike and have fun while we highlight all the unforgettable places for you to ride. As we continue to showcase more places to have fun, we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. Enjoy the information and stories we have posted as you scroll through.

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you may know that we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to: [email protected]. Include a brief caption (for each) of who is in the photo (if you know) and where the picture was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide or larger to be considered. If we use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continue to encourage more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your #NextBikeAdventure – Also, check out the MN Bike Guide, now mobile friendly, as we enter into our 8th year of producing this hand information booklet full of maps.

Remember, bookmark HaveFunBiking.com on your cell phone and find your next adventure at your fingertips! Please share our pics with your friends and don’t forget to smile. We may be around the corner with one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo apperance while you are riding and having fun. You could be in one of our next Pic’s of the Day.

Have a great day!

Fat bikes aren't just for winter. They are great year-round since they were originally invented to tackle snow and sand.

History of Fat Bikes and Why Fat Bikes Exist

Fat Bike Season: Fat Bikes are “In” for This Winter Season

by Jess Leong, HaveFunBiking

Been to a bike shop recently and noticed the Fat Bikes? If so you are aware that these bikes look a little different from the normal bikes you’re used to seeing. What makes these weird bikes stand out are their large tires that make them look like a bike version of a monster truck! You know, except most of the frame designs are normal looking and everyone I have interviewed say “they are a blast to ride.”

These seemingly unusual fat-tired bikes – many prefer ‘badass’ or are also known as “fat bikes.” They also are known as “wide-tired bikes,” “balloon-tired bikes,”  “winter bikes,” and my favorite “fatties.” Don’t let the term “winter bikes” deter you though. These bikes are great year-round since they were originally invented to tackle sand and snow.

Why Fat Tires?

Fat bikes are not replacing mountain bikes they are just adding adding another dimension to the sport of cycling.

Fat bikes are not replacing mountain bikes they are just adding adding another dimension to the sport of cycling.

Fat tires were developed so that bikes could become all-terrain compatible. The fat tires allow the bikes to have more stability and traction to diverse surfaces. This includes surfaces such as snow, mud, sand, pavement, and more. This works because the tires have more area that touch the ground at any given point. Having that contact, the bike tires are able to keep some sort of grip on solid ground.

Additionally, the fat tires allow bikers to enjoy mountain biking or other biking activities in the winter. They ride a bike that can keep them safer due to the tire’s gripping ability and weight dispersal. Plus, the tire pressures aren’t something to worry about. Due to the design of the fat bike tires, the rider doesn’t have to worry about air pressure within the tires as they ride (at least for the most part)!

Fat Bikes, a Brief History

The Beginning Origins

Fat bikes are becoming popular on mountain bike trails throughout the year.

Fat bikes are becoming popular on mountain bike trails throughout the year.

Fat bikes have been around since the early 1900’s. However, it wasn’t until the 1970’s to 1980’s that the modern-looking fat bikes came to life. Before this, there were bikes that had 2-3 wheels that were cleverly put together side by side to try to increase that surface area contact to the ground.

It wasn’t until bike frame builders in Alaska began looking at and experimenting with the different parts of the bike and tires to make the bike safe for the winter months. They began putting together multiple bike rims so it could hold multiple tires on a bike’s front and back. While someone would roll their eyes and say that it was ‘of course’ the Alaskans that took it to the next level, there were people in Mexico also working on a project. It was in the late 1990’s, 1999’s Interbike convention, where the two designers met to discuss what they had produced. It was around this time when a builder named Mark Gronewald, an Alaskan frame designer, coined the name “Fat Bike” in 2001 for his bikes. In 2011 he was able to build a bike that had a full range of gearing that riders could use.

Making it Commercial

In 2005, the company Surly Bikes – located in Bloomington, Minnesota – went on to release their specialized frame. They called it the Pugsley which had an offset wheel and frame build.

Fat bikes are great year-round, here is a Surly bike at a race in the Minnesota River bottoms in Bloomington, MN.

Fat bikes are great year-round, here is a Surly bike at a race in the Minnesota River bottoms in Bloomington, MN.

Their design was the one that moved into local bike shops around the world. The pugsley made fat bikes commercially available for bikers. Since then, many other bike companies have gotten in on the action and produced their own designs for fat bike riders.

Ten years ago fat bikes seemed like a novelty and were considered an oddity and weird. Today, however, it’s more accepted, common, and even affordable for the average Joe. I mean, as far as bike prices go.

Fat bikes have expanded around the world due to the versatility aspect of the wheels. With the ability to ride on snow and mud, they can be used year-round. So now biking season is all season long!

What is riding a fat bike like? Learn more in our article highlighting how fat bikes can make winter riding more fun!

 

Bike Pic Dec 5, Freewheel Winter Bike Expo

An annual tradition for cyclists who ride in the winter or are curious about fat bikes, this weekend event the Freewheel WinterBike Expo, December 5 & 6, on the Midtown Greenway, in Minneapolis, MN, promises a good time.  Photo above from – deathrideradventure.blogspot.

Virtually every fat bike from Salsa, Surly, and Trek will be on hand for you to test ride on this course.

Virtually every fat bike from Salsa, Surly, and Trek will be on hand for you to test ride on this course.

Thanks for viewing the Bike Pic of the Day here at HaveFunBiking (HFB). 

Now, rolling into our 10th year as a bicycle media, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike, while showcasing unforgettable places to ride. As we search and present more fun photos worth a grin, scroll through the information and stories we have posted to help you find your next adventure. Then, while out there if you see us along a paved or mountain bike trail, next to the route you regularly commute on, or at an event you plan to attend with your bike, be prepared to smile. You never know where our camera’s will be and what we will post next!

Do you have a fun photo of yourself or someone you know that you would like to see us publish? If so, please send it our way and we may use it. Send your picture(s) to [email protected] with a brief caption (of each), including who is in the photo (if you know?) and where it was taken. Photo(s) should be at least 620 pixels wide for us to use them. If we use your photo, you will receive photo credit and an acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As HaveFunBiking continues to encourage more people to ride, please reference our blog and the annual print and quarterly digital Bike/Hike Guide to find your next adventure. We are proud of the updated – At-a-Glance information and maps we are known for in the HFB Destination section on our website and in the guide. Now, as the Bike/Hike Guide goes into its seventh year of production, we are adding a whole new dimension of bicycle tourism information available for mobile devices where you may see some additional bike pics – maybe of yourself so.

Bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure – we may capture you in one of the next photos we post.

Have a great day!

#FindYourNextAdventure

Bike Pic – Oct. 8, Fix My Seat

The young lady, above, is ready to take the tandem fat bike out for a test ride once her bike seat is adjusted and she finds a stoker.

Thanks for viewing the Bike Pic of the Day here at HaveFunBiking, hope you enjoy the photo?

Now, rolling into our 10th year as a bicycle media, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike, while showcasing unforgettable places to ride. As we search and post more fun photos worth a grin, scroll through the information and stories we have posted to help you find your next adventure. Then, if you see us along a paved or mountain bike trail, next to the route you regularly commute, or at an event you plan to attend with your bike, be prepared to smile. You never know where camera will be and what we will posted next!

Do you have a fun photo of yourself or someone you know that you would like to see us publish? If so, please send it our way and we may use it. Send your picture(s) to [email protected] with a brief caption (of each), including who is in the photo (if you know) and where it was taken. Photo(s) should be at least 620 pixels wide for us to post. If we use your photo, you will receive photo credit and an acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As HaveFunBiking continues to encourage more people to ride, please reference our blog and the annual bike guide to find your next adventure. We are proud of the updated, at-a-glance information, and maps we are known for in the Destination section of our website. Now, as the Bike/Hike Guide goes into its seventh year of production, we are adding a whole new dimension of bicycle tourism information available for mobile device. Plus, beginning September 2015, this year’s e-version of the Guide will move to quarterly editions where you may see some additional bike pics posted.

 Bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure – we may capture you in a pic to post!

New fat bike riding opportunities in Minnesota

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Riding the trails in Fort Snelling State Park

Chris Chavie, MN Trail Navigator

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources issued a News Release, last Monday that details the expansion of fat bike riding opportunities throughout the state.  These opportunities include 58 new miles open to fat biking in Minnesota State Parks and on State Trails. This is in addition to the 20 miles already in use at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area near Brainerd.

Minnesota State Parks and Trails has also implemented a Winter Fat Biking Pilot Project to assist in finding places to ride and they would also like rider feedback that includes comments, suggestions and ways to improve these new winter fat bike trails. The Minnesota DNR has maps of these new fat bike-friendly trails available for download. These maps clearly detail fat bike/multi-use trails from snowshoe/ski/hiking only trails through the use of color to distinguish use (see each map’s legend).

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MN State Park Trail Locations

In Northern Minnesota – The Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area (Crosby/Deerwood area) has 20 miles of groomed trails; Jay Cooke State Park (outside of Carlton) has added 5.4 miles of trails to be groomed; and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park (above Two Harbors) will groom 8.7 miles of trails for fat bikes and ski skating.

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Fun on the Minnesota River bottom trails

Twin Cities Metro Area – Fat bike trail opportunities include: Fort Snelling State Park with 6 miles of packed muti-use trails; the Luce Line State Trail has 7 miles of groomed multi-use trails; and the Gateway State Trail is plowed from Cuyuga Street to Jamaca Avenue opening up 11.9 miles of trails to all winter biking.

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Fun on Minnesota’s winter trails

In Southern Minnesota – There are 13 miles of groomed trails from Pine Island to Rochester on the Douglas State Trail; and the Blazing Star State Trail/Myre-Big Island State Park (near Albert Lea) has added 6 miles of groomed trails.

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When X-C Skiing is marginal, fat biking is at its best!

Other opportunities The MN DNR will allow winter fat biking on trails that are signed and identified on DNR maps as open to fat biking, such as:

  • State forest roads or trails that are identified as allowing bicycling, unless they are groomed and tracked for cross-country skiing or snowmobiling only.*
  • State park and state recreation area trails designated for bicycling, including some non-motorized multi-use trails that may be shared with skiers, walkers, or snowshoers, unless they are groomed and tracked for cross-country skiing or snowmobiling only.*
  • State park roads, where motor vehicles are allowed, except those posted closed for biking.
  • State trails, except those groomed and tracked for cross-country skiing or snowmobiling only.

*NOTE: Most ski and snowmobile trails do not allow other uses. Skier and snowmobiler user fees pay for grooming and maintenance.

Areas to avoid riding fat bikes from the MN DNR:

While groomed snowmobile and ski trails can be an appealing ride option, most of those types of trails are not open to other uses due to concerns regarding safety and trail grooming costs that are paid through user fees. Please remember to be thoughtful and courteous as you seek out opportunities to enjoy the sport of winter fat biking. Winter fat biking is not allowed on:

  • Most snowmobile trails, including the grant-in-aid (GIA) trail system. As a general rule for everyone’s safety, please avoid fat biking on any snowmobile trail.
  • Most groomed and tracked cross-country ski trails, which are for skiing only
  • Any trail that is not specifically identified as open for bicycling, including hiking or snowshoeing trails in state parks or state recreation areas.

For more information on where to ride fatbikes in Minnesota, contact the DNR Information Center at [email protected] or 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

Fat Bikes, A Fun Winter Activity

by Roger Phillips
You’ve probably seen these in a bike shop, in a bike rack, or even hanging from the ceiling of a bar or restaurant and wondered, “What the heck is that?”

Fatbike-Idaho-1

Steve and Kathy Muench of McCall ride the trails at Jug Mountain Ranch, near McCall – Roger Phillips

They’re known as “fat bikes,” rather than “fat tire” bikes, which was an early nickname for all mountain bikes. These bikes sport oversized balloon tires specially designed to ride on packed snow and other surfaces that run at low air pressures. So what’s it like to ride one?

See this Video or in short, it’s like riding a bicycle. There’s no special technique involved. You just get on and ride and that’s what makes them fun. While they’re sometimes called “snow bikes,” they’re actually more versatile and used for all kinds of riding on snow and sand and even for winter commuting.

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Fat bikes get their name from their oversized tires, which are nearly twice the width of standard mountain bike tires – Roger Phillips

Kathy Muench and her husband Steve, of McCall, Idaho were looking for another activity to do during winter. It was at this time that a pair of fat bikes caught their attention. “We were pretty excited from the get go,” she said. “You look at these things and go – ‘Oh my gosh look at that bad boy!’”

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Not only are fat bikes welcome on Jug Mountain Ranch trails, but so are dogs, which make the ride even more fun — Roger Phillips

They started riding on snow — both groomed cross-country trails and snowmobile trails. Then, they branched to frozen lakes, firm snow during spring, as well as dirt roads, singletrack, and even beaches.

“The more you’re on them the more fun it gets,” Kathy said. “This last February, it was the trails up at Jug Mountain Ranch, near McCall, that lured us back onto bikes in winter. Since then we were on our bikes more than we were on skis this last winter.”

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Fat bikes give you another way to enjoy winter and the awesome scenery it provides.— Roger Phillips

I borrowed the fat bike of Jug Mountain Ranch Manager, David Carey and joined Kathy and Steve on the trail system about two miles east of Lake Fork. (For directions go to jugmountainranch.com/location.) Carey welcomes the bikes on Jug Mountain’s groomed trail system and he’s experimenting with a smaller, narrower groomer that compacts some of the ranch’s singletrack trails so they can be used during winter.
Carey sees fat bikes as another opportunity for winter recreation, a way to extend the bike riding season in the McCall area and another way for people to enjoy Jug Mountain Ranch’s trails. Interested in riding the ranch’s 15 miles of groomed trails and additional singletrack trails? When conditions allow, you can buy a $10 daily trail pass to ride.

“Adding the fat bike to the overall Jug Mountain Ranch trail experience is a great fit,” Carey said. “We are firm believers that this is not a fad and can significantly increase winter trail use to a new demographic.” Carey rents his personal fat bike and plans to add more to a rental fleet this coming winter.

If you go Gravity Sports, in McCall, also rents them for $35 for a half-day, $40 for a full-day and $45 for 24 hours. Bikes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. And according to Michelle Reagan, owner there: “We almost always have bikes available for people.”  For other places to stay and play when visiting the area checkout the McCall Tourism Bureau.

Jug Mountain Ranch and Gravity Sports hosts the Snowy 45 Fat bike Relay in early March each year and Reagan said  riders are already signed up for the next event. They also host a fat bike demo day in mid-February where you can try the Surly brand fat bike. All the details haven’t been finalize as of so check jugmountainranch.com or the Ranch’s Facebook page in the coming months.

The interest in fat bikes isn’t limited to McCall and other mountain towns. Jeremy Whitman, manager of Meridian Cycles, in Boise, Idaho has five fat bikes in the shop’s rental/demo fleet along with many sales last winter. He sees fat bikes on Foothills trails and even in downtown Boise increasing.

The cartoonish large tires and stocky, rigid frames make them look like throwbacks to the original mountain bikes and also something entirely different than what people are used to seeing. “On any given day, I will have five customers come in the shop just to look at a fat bike,” Whitman said. “It’s not the young, fast and fit looking for a second, third, or even fourth bike. It’s common for middle-aged rider to ride them because they’re stable, simple, durable and fairly low-maintenance bikes”.

“They’re kind of built like a tank,” Kathy Muench said. The bikes were originally built for the Iditabike, an endurance race in Alaska that’s run there during the winter.
“Their popularity has exploded in Alaska,” according to Dave and Sharon Sell, who split their time between Boise and Anchorage. Fat bike riders are as common as Nordic skiers on the trail systems and the two sports can complement one another because most skiers prefer softer snow, while firmer conditions favor bikes. “When the skiing is bad, the snow biking is good,” Sharon says.

While the sale of fat bikes has grown in Idaho and around the country it’s still a niche sport, and people are figuring out new ways to use the bikes.
Like mountain biking 30 years ago, fat bikes — especially riding on snow — is fairly new to Idaho, and it will likely grow and evolve.

“It’s the early stage for us, and the early stage for the sport,” Carey said.

FAT BIKE TIPS

I’m no expert, but I also wanted to pass on some things I learned as a first-time fat bike rider.

Riding

• Relax. It’s just a bike, and although it looks big and burly, it feels like a regular bike. It’s not as nimble as your average mountain bike, but there’s nothing about a fat bike that should intimidate you if you know how to ride a bicycle.

• For your first time, go with flat pedals and warm shoes or boots. As you become more comfortable on the bike, you might switch to clip-in shoes and pedals.

• Soft or fresh snow is harder to ride than groomed, hard-packed or crusty snow. Fat bikes aren’t powder machines, which is good because there are lots of other fun things to do on fresh snow.

• A higher gear works better to plow through soft snow. You’re more likely to break traction in a lower gear, but you don’t want to burn yourself out in a higher gear. Find a compromise.

• Stay off the front brake on the down hills. Descend slowly until you become comfortable with the traction, or lack thereof. Brake far in advance of corners, steep down hills, or obstacles.

• If you’re losing traction while climbing, shift your weight toward the rear tire so it gets better grip.

Other

• Dress for exertion. Wear lighter layers than you would normally wear for cold weather. Also, breathable fabrics so you don’t get damp from sweat. Remember to factor in the wind chill when you’re going downhill. If you start feeling hot, peel a layer, especially before a prolonged climb. Then , for the descent, put it back on.

• Pedal seated rather than trying to stand and grind up a steep section. You will maintain more consistent traction and balance.

• Enjoy the scenery. Fat bikes go slower than your average mountain bike goes on dirt. Pedal, relax and enjoy the fact you’re riding on snow in a beautiful environment.

Reminders

• Not all groomed cross-country ski trails are open to fat bikes. Jug Mountain Ranch and Tamarack Resort allow them on their trails, but they’re not allowed on the Bear Basin cross country trails west of McCall, or on the trails at Ponderosa State Park, in Idaho. Check with local and state regulations in the area you plan to ride.

• Do not ride on the ski tracks set by the groomer. They are needed for traditional cross-country skiers. Also, yield to skiers like you would hikers.

• You can ride fat bikes on groomed snowmobile trails, but snowmobilers probably won’t expect you out there. So ride with caution. Consider using a headlight and/or red flashing rear light to make yourself more visible, especially on an overcast day. Remember, parking lots and trail grooming are paid directly by snowmobilers. You’re a guest on their trails.

Please Note: Check with local and state regulations in the area you plan to ride. At this time some states do not  permit  fat bikes on designated snowmobile trails.

• The International Mountain Bike Association has some good information and guidelines for riding on snow. Go to: imba.com/resources/land-protection/fat-bikes.

Editors Note: If you have a favorite place and a few photos where you have fat biked, please share with us at HaveFunBiking.com.