Vermont Sports January

local shops, and promote local products. In addition
to the rides and races, the events also highlight local
breweries and other beverages, and food producers.
The events so far have attracted more than just
committed cyclists. Many, he says, are simply curious.
“People are coming to these events because they feel
so intrigued by the bikes,” Thibault says. “They’re
like monster trucks, like them or not, they have a
gravity to them. The appeal is undeniable.”
The upcoming Le Grand Fat Tour events in the
Northeast are:
Jan. 17: Le Velo Neige de Coaticook - Coaticook,
Quebec
Jan. 31: Le Jour de la Marmotte - Bromont, Quebec
Feb. 15: Oka Festival - Oka Quebec
Feb. 28: Winterbike - East Burke, Vt.
**********
Other events around the state include:
• Weekly group rides with the Fat Wednesday evening
group at the Catamount Outdoor Family Center,
starting Jan. 7.
• On Jan. 10 and 11, fat bike enthusiasts from all
over Vermont will gather in Ripton where they will
explore Rikert Nordic Center’s 50-kilometer trail system.
Rikert director Mike Hussey expects numerous
participants this year, noting that the best part of last
year’s event was that it attracted winter sport enthusiasts
from all corners of the state and beyond.
“Right now we have 3 kilometers of pretty good
ski trails, but at the same time we have 55 kilometers
of really great fat biking terrain,” he says. “Fat biking
really helps extend the trail network at times like this
when the snow might not be where you want it.”
The interest in these larger bikes started during low
snowfall winters when bike riders would rather keep
riding than head to the mountain. Bike companies
took notice and models like the Pugsly by Surly, or the
Farley from Trek were specifically developed to ride
through snow-covered trails. Tire treads of 5 inches
wide add grip and prevent the wheels from sinking
into soft surfaces such as sand and snow. Fat bikes
also require lower tire pressure than regular mountain
bikes—10-15 psi or even lower.
In February, the festivities continue with Ride, Glide
& Rawhide, a Valentine’s Day race at Kingdom Trails
that celebrates several winter disciplines; and on Feb.
22, fat bikes will make their debut at the 70th edition
of the Stowe Derby. One hundred Fat Bike riders will
navigate Stowe’s historic Toll Road and sprint down
the scenic town bike path before crossing the finish
line at the center of Stowe village.
As biking becomes a year-round activity, Nordic
trail centers around the state have moved to include
“fat bikes” as a way to increase the use of their trails.
Last year, the Catamount Outdoor Family Center in
Williston as well as Kingdom Trails in East Burke officially
opened their terrain to riders.
“We’ve seen exponential growth in fat bike riders
coming to Vermont from all over the East Coast,”
says Tierney, in East Burke. “A few years ago, only
a few companies made fat bikes. This year, who
doesn’t People want to pedal year round, whether
it’s the road or the trail.”
JANUARY 2015 VTSPORTS.COM 7