Winter fatbiking is big in Minnesota and the Twin Cities have quite a few trail systems that are groomed or snowshoe stomped by volunteers to pack the trails for riding. I have compiled a list of these trails open to winter mountain biking with links to maps, trail information, trail conditions and Facebook/Twitter pages if available. Trails that have Facebook or Twitter pages will post trail openings and conditions or closures due to warm weather. Low tire pressure, usually 10 psi or lower and tires 3.8 inches or wider are recommended for use on these trails in the Winter. Skinny tires can be used when trails are firmly packed enough to not cause ruts or damage.
 |
| Credit: Carver Lake Park Off-Road Cycling Trail Facebook Page |
Carver Lake Park
Woodbury
Carver Lake Park is host to the Cold Catfish Cup that takes place in January. Watch the MORC Racing Forum for the 2015 race date and updates on the race. Group ride information can be found on the MORC Group Rides Forum.
Elm Creek Park Reserve
Maple Grove
Elm Creek is home to the Fatbike Frozen 40 taking place on February 14, 2015 and three of the the six races in the Frozen Frolic Winter Mountain Bike Race Series. The Frozen Frolic race dates are December 6th, January 10th and February 7th. Group ride information can be found on the MORC Group Rides Forum.
 |
| Credit: Mistermoose.org |
Elk River
Hillside has a set of three races taking place in January and February called the Cold Bear Challenge Winter Racing Series that ends with FatBikeFest on the day of the third race. This will be the 9th year of the Cold Bear Challenge. Watch the MORC Racing Forum for 2015 race dates and updates on these races. *Day Pass fee required.
Lebanon Hills Regional Park-West
Eagan
Check in with the Lebanon Hills Mountain Bike Trail Facebook page for trail openings and closures from Dakota County Parks due to weather.
Mendota Trail (MN River Bottoms)
Eagan
This multi-use trail has access points in Eagan at the Cedar Ave. bridge and in the town of Mendota. It follows the Minnesota River through Fort Snelling State Park and access to the Minnesota River Bottoms on the North side of the river can be done by taking the pedestrian bridge on the Cedar Ave. bridge.
Minnesota River Bottoms
Bloomington
MORC Trail Conditions
The 3rd Annual Get Phat With Pat Winter fatbike races will be held at the Minnesota River Bottoms on January 17th and 24th. These races will include new and challenging groomed trails through sections of the Minnesota River Bottoms you don't normally get to ride through. There are several weekly group rides held here and more information can be found about them on the MORC Group Rides Forum.
 |
| Image Credit: Deathrider |
Savage
Murphy-Hanrehan hosts three of the the six races in the Frozen Frolic Winter Mountain Bike Race Series. The Frozen Frolic race dates are December 13th, January 24th and February 28th. Group ride information can be found on the MORC Group Rides Forum.
 |
| Credit: Minneapolis Off-Road Cycling Advocates Facebook Page |
Theodore Wirth Park
Minneapolis
The mountain bike trails at Theodore Wirth Park are monitored and maintained by MOCA volunteers. Closures and trail conditions can be found on the MOCA website in the upper left-hand corner of the page and rider reports are listed on the Theodore Wirth MORC Trail Conditions Forum page.
Other informative Twin Cities mountain biking links can be found below and remember to always follow IMBA's Fat Bike Best Practices to maintain and gain more trail access and give our sport a good name.
MORC-Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists
Minneapolis Off-Road Cycling Advocates
For a complete listing of this Winter's fatbike events, see my post Winter '14-'15 Minnesota Fatbike Events.
Bookmark this post for quick reference.
Bookmark this post for quick reference.
No comments:
Post a Comment