Go Big Then Go Home
Story and Photos by Marianne Stewart
Thunder Bay riders have been bitten by the fat bike bug, and I’ve even heard of some people giving up cross-country skiing for it. Personally, I think the two sports complement each other perfectly, and I won’t be giving up my skinny skis anytime soon. But rolling over the snow on those fat tires is pure fun and I’ve even spotted my perennially serious husband smiling while riding his fat bike.
If you’re already fat bike convert, it’s time to check-out Thunder Bay’s Fat Bike Series. A collaboration between the Black Sheep Mountain Bike Club and Thunder Bay Cycling Club, you only need to be a member of one of the clubs to participate. First up is the Fat Bike Loppet on March 4, which takes advantage of the sweet grooming from the previous day’s Sleeping Giant Loppet. There are two distances (15 km or 30 km) to choose from and the post-race tailgate social is not to be missed. Last year was my first attempt at the Loppet double header, and riding on the ski trails felt pretty rebellious. Of course the scenery, killer climbs, and crazy descents never disappoint.
Last up on the race calendar is Fat for the Weekend March 24 and 25 at Loch Lomond Ski Hill. The hosts put on a great event last year and I can’t wait to swoop down hills and ride up(!) the Snoopy again. The two-day challenge takes advantage of Loch’s snowshoe trails, single track, and ski hills, so there’s something for every style of rider. Races are run in a cyclocross style, which means you ride laps (a few km long) for approximately 45-60 minutes. It doesn’t matter who crosses the finish line first, everyone’s smiling when it’s done.
For more details visit tbaycc.ca
