New Fatbike Events in Minnesota This Winter

 

New fatbike events continue to be announced around the state proving that "fatbikes are not a fad".  They are definitely here to stay and trail access is growing, including cross country ski trails that are starting to accommodate them for one-day events where they would normally not be allowed.  I have compiled a list of events that are brand new this year and hopefully they will continue in upcoming years.  With more cyclists getting into riding fat, the success of these events is sure to spur many more new races and rides for fatbikers in Minnesota in the future.

The Fat Wednesday Fat Bike and Snowshoe Race Series will be taking place Turtle Lake Regional Park in Shoreview over 4 dates, January 14th & 21st and February 4th & 18th.  On site registration starts at 6 pm, Novice/Recreation bike race starts at 7 pm with the Open bike race starting at 7:30 pm.  To download the registration form, click here.  Visit the Fat Wednesday Fat Bike and Snowshoe Race Series Facebook page for updates.

From Jeremy Sartain (race organizer):
Where: Turtle Lake Regional Park, 4979 Hodgson Road, Shoreview MN. Main park entrance by public boat launch.

Cost and Registration: $20 per event.  $70 for the series. Cash or check only please (checks made out to ‘SAS’). We will not race if conditions are deemed dangerous by Ramsey County Parks and Rec or by me. Extremely cold temps, white-out conditions, complete lack of snow can all contribute to a cancellation. Please follow us at http://www.facebook.com/fatwednesday for grooming details and more. I’ll post on this site too, but FB is a quick upload on the fly and will have information there first.  In the event of a cancellation, we will reschedule for the following Wednesday and any entries will be forwarded to the next race.

Racer Details: All event participants must have a rear flashing light. A headlamp or bike mounted light on the front is highly recommended. Helmets are mandatory for fat bikers. You can ride any bike you want (MTB, cross, unicycle – just no motors).  Categories for bike races (subject to increase depending on attendance): Open men and women ( 1 hour plus race), Recreation/Novice (approximately 30-40 minute race).  Snowshoe is a mass start and will be approximately 5km.  Swag prizes for top 3 female and male in each race division each night. Raffle prizes for all.

Course: Mainly on Turtle Lake with some fun technical sections. This track will be maintained over the winter so feel free to ride and/or snowshoe outside of race nights. I will add a new feature to each race.  Single loop for snowshoe, multiple loops for bike – number of loops will be determined each evening depending on conditions.

Freewheel Bike just announced Fat Thursdays Super Fat Crit Series at Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge in Spring Park.  Racing starts January 22nd and will continue "every Thursday until the snow melts".  Like the flyer says, registration starts at 6:00 pm and racing starts at 6:30 pm.  Visit the Freewheel Bike Facebook page for updates on the series.

The  River Bend Nature Center in Faribault will be holding Get To Know Fat Bikes & Ride on February 14th to support and promote Winter riding.  They will be packing all of their cross-country ski trails (10 miles) for fatbikes to ride for one day only.  Demo bikes will be available for short rides and there will be tours every 90 minutes.  Ride your own fatbike on the trails by purchasing a $5 Day Pass ($3 for River Bend members).  For more information contact Kaytlan Moeller at the River Bend Nature Center by calling 507-332-7151.  For driving directions to the River Bend Nature Center, click here.

The Three Rivers Park District is having its Snowdown Fat Bike Fun Race on February 15th from 1 to 4 pm at Cleary Lake Regional Park in Prior Lake.  This will be a fat tire circuit-style race on a 12 foot wide packed trail. The 5k Beginner race starts at 1:15 pm and the 10k Action Race will begin at 2:15 pm.  Preregistration is only $12 or register in person the day of the race for $15.  Raffle prizes will be drawn after the races.  A limited number of fatbike rentals will be available for raceday, call 763-694-7777 for availability.

Brookview Golf Course in Golden Valley is hosting the Brookview Meltdown on February 21st.

Race Information
When: Saturday, February 21, 2015
First Race Starts at 10 am
Where: Brookview Golf Course, 200 Brookview Parkway, Golden Valley, MN 55426
Check In: Friday, February 20, 12:00-8:00 pm and Saturday, February 21, 7:30-10:00 am
Format: Categories will include Beginner (1 lap), Sport (2 laps), and Expert (3 laps). Each lap is approximately 3.5 miles. Races will be timed using computer chips with a mini-wave start format. Bike tires must be a minimum of 3.8” wide.
Fees: $20 per participant for pre-registration (limited to 160 participants)
$25 registration day of race (if space is available)
Registration and Payment to Brookview Golf Course
Questions? Call 763-512-2305

Visit the Brookview Golf Course Facebook page for updates.  Download the Registration Form for flyer and release form.

The Frostbiter: Fat Bike Race for Easter Seals will be held February 21st at Grand Portage Lodge & Casino in Grand Portage.  Online Registration is now live for this event.

From the Frostbiter Facebook page:
The Frostbiter: 20 and 40 mile fat bike races on beautifully groomed trails! 8am start for the 40, 9am for the 20. Lunch at noon. $50 entry goes to the Easter Seals Foundation (http://www.easterseals.org/), or FREE with $100+ in pledges. Do 1 or 2 x 20mile/32km loop on groomed snowmobile trails. Lunch at the lodge included! +Special rates Friday evening at the Lodge. +prize(s) for big pledge getters. More info to come, but SAVE THE DATE!

Nicollet Bike is presenting the first ever Nicollet Bike Fat Bike Gravity Fest on March 1st at Mount Kato in Mankato.  I spoke with MAMB Member Clay Haglund briefly about this event and he told me it would be a "Gravity Based Fat Bike event/ride/Super D race. Only $20 for lift ticket. We will have a dedicated lift to use with the bikes, we can only use this lift. Lift will be run on slow mode for safety reasons of loading and unloading with a bike. Only one person with a bike per chair will be allowed.  Waiver will need to be signed to participate."

From the Facebook Event page:
If you love Fat Biking and Love riding Downhill then this is THE EVENT for you!

What: Nicollet Bike Fat Bike Gravity Fest
When: Sunday March 1st 2015 12:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: Mount Kato Ski Area Mankato MN
Why: Cause it's going to be awesome!
Cost: Only $20 for lift ticket with Time Trial included

Come ride down Mt. Kato and have the lift take you and your fat bike back up. A specific course and trail will be set aside for us to use and a specific chair lift. Open practice time will be from 12:00 until 3:30 with a downhill time trial held at 3:30. Time trial is included with lift ticket purchase. This Time Trial will be run as a Super D, meaning that some pedaling and a very small amount of uphill will be included. However, overall this will be primarily a downhill event.

Please contact Nicollet Bike Shop with any questions. 507-388-9390

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Bemidji Area Mountain Bikers are hosting the 1st Annual Northland Fat Bike Rally on March 1st at Lake Bemidji State Park in Bemidji.

From the MN DNR:
The first annual Northland Fat Bike Rally is planned to begin late-morning and end mid-afternoon on Sunday, March 1st. The race is free, with 10K and 28K options. The race will begin with a mass start on Lake Bemidji and head up Rocky Point Trail and traverse out to Fish Hawk Trail and back. Northern Cycle will be on-site to answer any questions you have about Fat Biking or to help get your rig ready. Non-racers are welcome--please come out and learn all about this growing sport! More event details will come in January along with a map of the planned race route. This is the only time during the winter that park trails will be open for fat biking. For additional information call the park office at 218-308-2300. 

More information is available on the Northland Fat Bike Rally Facebook Event page.