A Busy Weekend of Winter Racing Coming Up

This weekend is jam packed with winter bike racing.  Some of you have already committed to the race of  your choice, but for those that haven't, it's not too late.  If you have a fat bike or a skinny, there is a race for you.

Penn Cycle is putting on their yearly fatbike race, Get Phat with Pat and it will take place on Saturday, January 19th at the Minnesota River Bottoms in Bloomington.  Registration starts at 9 am the morning of the race and requires a $10 entry fee which puts you in a drawing for great prizes and the grand prize of a 9:zero:7 frame set.  Racing begin at 10 am and the races will include recreational, beginner and advanced classes.  All styles of bikes are welcome to participate.  Penn Cycle gift cards will be awarded for first, second and third place finishers.  Course conditions and number of entries could determine whether there will be a separate, non-fat tire bike class race.

Excelsior Brewing and Erik's Bike Shop present the Arctic Fat Fever Fat Bike Race on Saturday, January 19th at Excelsior Brewing on Lake Minnetonka.  This is a free fat bike only race (3" tire width minimum) that is limited to 200 participants.  There will be a men's and women's race that start at 2:00 and 2:10 pm.  Online registration is now closed but race day registration will be open the day of the event at the registration tent.

Freewheel Bike presents the 4th Annual Lake Minnetonka Ice Race that will be held on Saturday, January 19th at the Lake Minnetonka Regional Park in Minnetrista.  It is brought to you by Three Rivers Park District, Lucid Brewing, Maple Grove Cycling, Hollywood Cycles and Grip Studs.  This race will take place on the icy surface of Lake Minnetonka so studded tires are highly recommended.  Fatties are welcome but not required to race.  There will be a beginner race and a men's and women's open race.  The racing begins at 10:30 and 11:30 am.  $20 pre-registration closes January 17th and includes a swag bag, race day registration opens at 9:30 am and is $25.  More information can be found on the Lake Minnetonka Ice Race Facebook Event Page.

Image Credit:  Mistermoose.org

The 7th Annual Cold Bear Challenge Winter Racing Series race #2 takes place on Sunday, January 20th at Hillside Park in Elk River.  There will be recreational men's & women's classes and advanced men's & women's classes.  Any class can be entered with any bike (fats or skinnies) and registration is $10.  Registration opens at 10:30 am and the races start at noon.  Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each class.  Studded tires are not necessary but will come in handy if conditions are icy.  More information can be found on the MORC Discussion Forum for the event.

If racing isn't your thing and you just want to get out on a ride this weekend, Boehm's Cycle in Mendota Heights is holding the Donut Run Fatbike Poker Run on Saturday, January 19th.  The cards are dealt and the ride starts at Boehm's Cycle where riders will depart at 8:30 am and return around 11:30.  Ride distance is approximately 12 to 15 miles.