Fat Biking: The Evolution of a Revolution
By Dutch Franz
Photo at right: James Stull rides a Fat Bike 9:ZERO:7 Carbon Whiteout on a ridge in Kincaid Park, Anchorage, Alaska. Photo by John Lynn Photography, courtesy of 9:ZERO:7 Bikes, www.907bikes.com
You will wonder, sometime soon, when the sport of fat biking became so popular. The answer is: Now.
For the uninitiated, fat-biking is like mountain biking only done on sand, snow or ice, and the sport is fast becoming popular.
What makes these bikes unique are the extra-wide tires inflated to just 4–10 psi and mounted on light poly-carbon frames. The wide tires and low tire pressure keep the bikes stable in traditionally hazardous conditions and help bikers enjoy environments formerly reserved for skiers, snowshoers and hikers.
Originally developed in Alaska as reliable transportation during winter months, the fat bike migrated south a few years back and is quickly becoming popular with biking enthusiasts in the Northwest.
Pioneers of Fat Biking
Members of the Northwest Fat Bike Club take a break outside a Rendezvous Hut in the Methow Valley, Wash. Photo by Kristen Smith, courtesy of Methow Trails, www.methowtrails.org
Shawn Pedersen of Seattle and Ward Whitmire of Yakima are two local and early pioneers of fat biking.
Pedersen, a long-time REI bike-shop guru, started looking at fat bikes to compete in the grueling Susitna 100, an endurance bike race outside of Anchorage. Both Pedersen and Whitmire were seeking ways to extend their cycling experience in all conditions and they found it with the fat bike.
Now Pedersen and Whitmire, along with the help of resident fat biking trail expert David Nelson of Spokane, run the Fat Biking Northwest Club and Facebook page. The group plans meet-ups several times a year in different parts of Washington state to ride and discuss trends in the sport. Members come from throughout the state, Oregon and Canada.
The Secret to Fat Biking
Bike shop owner Julie Muylaert of Methow Cycle and Sport in Winthrop, Wash. says, “You can’t ride one of these things without smiling.”
Besides the grins, another big reason for fat bike success is that families can do it together with no additional skills or lessons required; if you can ride a bike, you can fat bike. The activity is also resistant to weather and environmental conditions, making it an easy addition to any family vacation.
Where to Fat Bike in the Northwest
Since fat biking is relatively new, it’s wise to call ahead and make sure fat biking is allowed where you are traveling and to make reservations for bikes if you are renting—they go fast.
Canada
In British Columbia there is always Whistler-Blackcomb Resort, but also try areas less traveled. Diana Ducs of Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism suggests Mountain Station above Nelson, B.C.
The area has trails for all abilities with locals favoring Espresso, Rez, Badger, and Raccoon.
Washington
The Methow Valley, on the eastern slopes of the North Cascades, has the most groomed trails and fat bike access of any area in the region. Methow Trails allows fat bikes on most of its 120 miles of groomed snow trails. Rentals are available at Methow Cycle and Sport and Goat’s Beard outfitters in the nearby village of Mazama. Reservations are recommended.
For winter riding, David Nelson recommends Riverside State Park, 11 miles northwest of Spokane. In warmer months, he suggests heading to the dunes south of Moses Lake or Frenchmen Coulee (about 40 miles and 72 miles, respectively, east of Ellensburg), where you can find the best sand-riding in the area.
Fat bikes also handle loose gravel and ballast rock well, so the Columbia Plateau Trail (northeast of the Tri-Cities outside Washtucna) and John Wayne Pioneer Trail in the Iron Horse State Park (near North Bend), are also great options.
Pedersen adds that there are many new trails open this year. Crystal Springs (eight miles east of Snoqualmie Summit) allows fat bikes on the groomed dog-mushing trails. The Ski Hill in Leavenworth has opened up some trails to fat bikers on Sunday and Monday nights for cycling under the lights.
Also check out the Northwest Bicycle Improvement Co. bike shop in Roslyn for rentals, trail advice and tours. Loup Loup Bear Mountain Nordic (12 miles from Twisp and 18 miles from Okanogan), has multi-use trails open to fat bikes, but check at the ticket window when purchasing a trail pass for approved routes.
Oregon
Finding the road less traveled, Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area offers plenty of fat bike sand. Photo by Ward Whitmire
Bend is the center of fat biking in Oregon, and T.J. Jordan of The Hub Cyclery in Bend says there are a number of trails for all riding conditions and skills. He recommends nearby Wanoga Sno-Park and Tumalo Falls. These areas are on U.S. Forest Service and park land so check for land-use permits before arriving.
Summer riding possibilities are nearly endless, but try the bike park at Mt. Bachelor which offered downhill biking for the first time last year. Besides Bachelor, Jordan recommends Phil’s Trail (seven miles west of Bend), which is managed by the Central Oregon Trail Alliance.
Whitmire includes the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area—located about 90 miles southwest of Eugene on the Oregon Coast, and Christmas Valley Dunes (about 100 miles south of Bend in Oregon’s high desert)—on his list of epic fat bike rides.
Resources
Central Cascades Winter Recreation Council: www.snowrec.org
Fat Biking Northwest Club: www.facebook.com/northwestfatbike
Methow Trails: www.methowtrails.org
Methow Cycle and Sport: www.methowcyclesport.com
Northwest Bicycle Improvement Co.: www.nwbicycleimprovement.com
Ski Leavenworth Fat Biking: www.skileavenworth.com/activities/fat-bike
Columbia Plateau Trail: www.parks.wa.gov/490/Columbia-Plateau-Trail
John Wayne Trail (Iron Horse State Park): www.parks.wa.gov/521/Iron-Horse
Central Oregon Trail Alliance: www.cotamtb.com
U.S. Forest Service: www.fs.fed.us
Whistler-Blackcomb Resort: www.whistlerblackcomb.com
Nelson, B.C.: www.nelsonkootenaylake.com
Dutch Franz is a Seattle-based freelance journalist, avid outdoor adventurer and short-story writer. His work has appeared in regional recreational magazines and short-story anthologies.
