IMBA Releases Fat Bike Best Practices

With the fast growing popularity of fatbike winter trail riding has come a few questions regarding trail ethics, procedure and protocol.  What are the some of the rules about riding on snowmobile or Nordic ski trails?  What about public or private lands?  What are the equipment rules I should follow to maintain trail integrity and rider safety?  What should I know about riding on natural backcountry terrain?  

To help mountain bikers become environmentally conscious, maintain rider safety and promote trail courtesy while becoming ambassadors for the sport, the IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association) has recently released its Fat Bike Best Practices.  Below are those practices taken from the IMBA website.  Following these guidelines will help develop good relationships with snowmobilers, Nordic skiers and landowners to further the sport of winter fatbiking.  

Fat Bike Best Practices

Yield triangle design by Jake Hawkes/Grand Targhee Resort.

Regarding equipment, what is the bare minimum I need to ride on snow?

1. Wide tires — deep snow coverage often requires tires wider than 3.5 inches
2. Tire pressure will usually be less than 10 PSI
3. You will not leave a rut deeper than one inch in the snow
4. You are able to safely control your bike and ride in a straight line
5. You have permission to ride from the land manager

DO NOT RIDE, especially on groomed nordic and snowmobile trails, if you can't meet all of the requirements above.

Best Practices for Riding on Nordic Trails

• Only ride at ski areas that allow and encourage biking.
• Yield to all other users when riding. Skiers don't have brakes but you do!
• Ride on the firmest part of the track.
• Do not ride on or in the classic tracks.
• Leave room for skiers to pass (don't ride side-by-side with all of your buddies blocking the full trail).
• Allow the track time to set up after grooming and before riding.
• Beware of alternative days for bikes and for skiers.
• ONLY ride a purpose-built fat bike, not any old mountain bike. Tire tread must be wider than 3.7 inches.
• Be an ambassador for the sport: stay polite, educate other riders, discourage bad behavior and follow the rules.
• Help out and get involved by joining your local nordic club.
• Donate money for trail grooming.

Best Practices for Riding on Snowmobile Trails

• When riding on snowmobile trails, use a front white blinker and rear red blinker at all times. Wear reflective material on both the front and rear of your body.
• Stay to the far right of the trail and yield to snowmobiles.
• Know and obey the rules of your local land manager. Understand that some trails may be on private property and might not be open to alternative uses.
• Be prepared. Winter travel in the backcountry requires carrying proper gear and dressing properly. Be self-sufficient!
• Use extreme caution when riding at night. Be visible and always use lights.
• Be friendly! Fat bikers are the newest users and the snowmobilers you encounter might not be welcoming. Be courteous and open to suggestions.
• Help out by supporting your local snowmobile club.
• Donate to trail grooming and maintenance efforts.

Best Practices for Riding on Natural Terrain and in the Backcountry

In the right conditions, a fat bike can be the ultimate winter backcountry travel tool. Frozen conditions and minimal snow coverage (1-5 inches) means access to areas that are impassible during the warmer months. But just because you can ride somewhere doesn't mean you should. Be aware and be prepared.

• Do not trespass! Know whether or not you are on private property. Obey ALL land manager rules. Some land parcels are closed to bikes whether you are riding on a trail or not.
• Do not ride through sensitive wildlife habitats. This may be especially important on beaches or in places where animals hibernate. Learn about the area you want to ride in before you ride there.
• Do not disturb wildlife. Many species survive on minimal diets during winter. Stressors or the need to move quickly can deplete their energy stores.
• Learn safe ice travel. Riding on frozen water can be extremely dangerous. Is the ice thick enough to support you? Take ice fishing picks and a length of rope when riding on lakes and rivers.
• Understand changing conditions. New snowfall or warming temperatures can make the return trip much more difficult. Tire tracks can be covered, hard snow can turn to slush, rivers can start to melt. Always know the forecast and be aware of how changing conditions might alter the safe passage of your route.
• Be prepared. Carry provisions in case you have to stay out longer than planned.
• Let people know. Make sure someone else knows where you are going, when you left and when you expect to return.
• Learn to share. Be aware that your tracks might attract other riders. Understand that "your" route might not remain a secret for long.

External Resources

• A guide to understanding safe ice thickness
• U.S. Snowmobile Trail Associations
• Cross Country Ski Areas Association
• Dressing for riding in extreme cold (-40F to +30F)

Special thanks to Fitzgerald's Bicycles of Victor, ID, and Salsa Cycles for their guidance.

Snowmobilers pay for use of  trails by supporting their local snowmobile clubs.  These clubs groom and maintain the trails and work with private landowners to secure their use.  It is a good idea to consider helping out and donating to your local club if you use these trails.  To find the local snowmobile club in your area visit the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association club listing page. The same goes for Nordic trails, get involved, join a club and donate money for trail maintenance and grooming. 

When riding on lake or stream ice, remember that there is no such thing as 100% safe ice.  The MN DNR has put together a couple of webpage of ice safety facts and general ice thickness guidelines.

Help promote a good name for our sport by following the IMBA Fat Bike Best Practices and maintain good relationships with those we share the trails with. 

The 4th Annual Lake Minnetonka Ice Race Taking Place on January 19th

Freewheel Bike presents the 4th Annual Lake Minnetonka Ice Race brought to you by the Three Rivers Park District, Lucid Brewing, Maple Grove Cycling, Hollywood Cycles and Grip Studs.  This year's race has a change of venue and promises to be bigger than ever.  It will take place at the Lake Minnetonka Regional Park in Minnetrista on Saturday, January 19th.  Click here for directions.

This is an ice race, so studded tires are highly recommended.  Fatbikes are welcome but not required and participants must be at least 18 years of age.

There will be three races this year, a beginner race that starts at 10:30 am and a men's & women's open race that both start at 11:30 am.  The beginner race will last about 30 minutes where as the open races will last about an hour.  Swag bags will be given out to all of those that pre-register by January 17th.  Pre-registration is $20 or you can register after 9:30 am the day of the race for $25.   

Post race there will be an awards ceremony and a grand prize drawing for 250 Grip Studs, an installation tool and Grip Studs logo beanie worth a total of $275.

Afterward stick around for music, a possible dance party and they'll be grilling up free burgers.  Best of all, enjoy a beer tasting with tasty brews supplied by Lucid Brewing.

If you still need some convincing to attend, check out some of the race footage from last year's Lake Minnetonka Ice Race. 

More information can be found on the Lake Minnetonka Ice Race Facebook Event Page.

Photos courtesy of Freewheel Bike.

Mountain Biking on Minnehaha Creek

I'm always looking for new and challenging places to ride and one of the places I hadn't taken my studded tire mountain bike to yet this winter was Minnehaha Creek.  I got the idea from reading a post entitled "The Minnehaha Ice Road" on Fat Tire MN's blog.  I thought I might give it a try.

I decided to start my early morning trek at Lake Nokomis Park and take the creek towards Lake Harriet.  This is a route I had taken on the bike paths many times throughout the year in warmer weather.  The scenery is really nice along this stretch, so I knew it would make for some nice pictures and a pleasant ride.

I hopped on the creek and started my trip west.  A trail along the creek bed had already been established from the number of fatbikes and mountain bikes that had been there before me.

The creek was wide and flat starting out allowing me to get some speed and had not provided any technical challenges yet....

until I got closer to the35W bridge.  I wasn't riding a fatbike, so traveling through the middle of this jagged, frozen mess would have been very challenging, so I opted for the narrow path line on the far right side of the bank.

After that it was smooth sailing for a ways.  Under the road bridges, the ice was a little sketchier, so I rode on the sandy banks close to the bridge supports and then get back onto the ice once I was passed. 

So far, the ice was solid (except under some of the bridges) and conditions were good through to Lynnhurst Park except for a slight detour I had to take up onto the pedestrian path at the Lyndale Avenue bridge where I walked my bike up to the bike path.  Soon ice conditions were good and I got back onto the creek.

After passing W. 52nd street, the creek bed took on a slushy ice appearance and I began to follow the detour path that had been established.  This part was like singletrack winter mountain biking.

I followed the path towards W. 54th Street where I turned around and started my way back.  The sun had come up and gave me some really good lighting for photos on my return trip.

It was a fun ride, challenging in a few spots, but overall it was a chance to experience the Minnehaha Parkway from a different perspective than the one I was used to.

Below is the RideWithGPS map of my Minnehaha Creek ride.

Bike Trail Picture of the Day - 1/8/13

Riding the frozen creek bed

Taken 1/8/13

Location:  Minnehaha Creek

Lake Nokomis Park

Minneapolis, MN

View BBTPOD - 1/8/13 in a larger map

2013 Minnesota Gravel Grinders

Rural Minnesota is home to quite a few long distance gravel road races.  With their varying terrain, minimum maintenance roads, extreme elevation changes and unpredictable weather, these races will challenge even the hardiest cyclists.  These unsupported races cover very long distances requiring the participant to be their own repair and support crew.  Training is a must if you plan on conquering one of these this year.

Looking to start off the season with some practice?  The Lakeville-Milltown-Lakeville race will help get you ready.  It kicks off  March 23rd and is, according to race's blog "80+ miles of  a mix of gravel, tar, ditch, swamp, single/doubletrack, and probably snow, ice and snirt.  Oh, 4,700 feet of climb."  The race will start and finish at Harry's Cafe in Lakeville with an approximate 35 mile trek each way (to and from) Milltown Cycles in Faribault.  Donations are accepted to cover the cost of event insurance and more information and registration details can be found on the Lakeville-Milltown-Lakeville blog.  Race capped at 50 participants.

Image Credit:  ragnarok105.blogspot.com

The season kicks off with the Ragnarök 105 on April 13th and travels through the steep hill country south of Red Wing.  If you are looking to try this one, you'll have to wait until next year as the registration deadline was December 31, 2012.

The Dickie Scramble takes place on May 5th and the race route will start and finish in Elgin traveling approximately 120 miles through southern Minnesota hill country.  Postcard entries will be accepted the month of January.  Registration now closed.

Image Credit:  almanzo.com

The Almanzo 100 and The Royal 162 will take place this year on May 18th in Spring Valley.  The names speak for themselves when it comes to the mileage.  Racers will get a tour of southern Minnesota's bluff country on gravel roads with large climbs and descents.  These races will definitely test a riders legs and stamina.  Postcard entries are being accepted the month of January.  Registration now closed.

Image Credit:  almanzo.com

New this year from those that brought you the Almanzo 100 and the Royal 162 is the Alexander, a 400 mile bikepacking gravel tour through southern Minnesota that riders can race or go at it at an easy pace.  It will take place May 17th through the 19th.  Participants will receive a course map with a list of locations along the route.  Postcard registrations will not be accepted for this one, you will have to contact event coordinators via e-mail.

Image Credit:  dirtybenjamin.blogspot.com

The Westside Dirty Benjamin is a 107 mile gravel race that starts in Chaska and ventures through the rolling countryside of Carver and Winstead counties.  It will take place on June 15th.  This is a free race that is open to all kinds of bikes and the course will require the use of cue cards to navigate.  A 200 rider entry cap has been set and postcard entries will be taken the month of February until the cap is reached. For registration information, click here.  Registration now closed.

The on average hottest day of the year, July 21st, will host the Dirty Lemming Gravel Grinder, a 100 mile or 100 kilometer gravel race.  The race has been moved up one day to July 20th to coincide with the 2013 Rails to Trails Festival in Watertown.  This free race will start west of the Twin Cities in Watertown.  The course will not be marked so cue sheets or a gpx file for GPS users will be provided.  Cyclocross or mountain bikes are recommended by the race organizer for this one.  Postcard registrations will be accepted starting April 1st until the roster is full.  For ride details, click here.  Registration closed.

Image Credit:  Derek Chinn  inspirationgravel.com

The Inspiration 50 will be a spring warm up ride in the Inspiration Peak area near Urbank that is scheduled for May 4th.  No registration required, RSVP for this one.  The Inspiration 100 will take place on September 7th in Garfield around the Leaf Mountain area of Inspiration Peak.  Postcard registration is July 1-31.  The first 100 legible postcards received will be in the race, beyond that there will be a waiting list.  Check the Inspiration Gravel website for more details.

Image Credit:  gravelconspiracy.blogspot.com

Gravel Conspiracy 2013:  Laurential Divide is a 3-day ride September 13th-15th.  The route travels through Superior National Forest starting in Grand Marais encompassing 60 to 100 miles each day on mostly forest service and logging roads.  This event will be limited to 75 riders due to US Forest Service rules.  Registration starts May 1st.

Image Credit:  heckofthenorth.blogspot.com

Heck of the North Gravel Cycling Classic is scheduled for September 28th in Duluth.  Postcard entries will be accepted May 1st through the 31st.  The organizer is looking to start 150 riders and will register 200.  Above that there will be a lottery and special consideration for past top 10 finishers and veteran riders.  For updates or questions about the race visit the Facebook page. 

The fourth running of The Dirt Bag Ride will take place on October 19th in Clearwater, MN.  Postcard entries will be accepted and riders limited to 100.  More information about the ride and registration will be posted at a later date on the blog and Facebook page.

Being that these rides are all self supported, it is essential that you are prepared.  Click here for a post from the Almanzo 100 blog that contains a list of required and suggested items to prepare you for a gravel grinder.  A cue sheet holder is also very handy for easy viewing of cue sheets when navigating the course.

Bike Trail Picture of the Day - 1/5/13

River Bottoms creek crossing

Taken 1/5/13

Location:  River Valley Trail

77/Cedar Segment

MN River Bottoms 

Bloomington, MN

View BTPOD - 1/5/13 in a larger map

Cuyuna Lakes Whiteout Gearing Up to be a Great Event

Last year's lack of snow wasn't enough to halt the first annual Cuyuna Lakes Whiteout and with all of the snow we have had so far this winter, conditions are looking good for this year's event.

The Whiteout this year has a weekend full of events planned.  Friday night, March 1st there will be a pasta feed, a Portsmouth night snowshoe hike and a Yawkey Unit night ride.

Saturday the races commence with Iron Yeti Sagamore Snowxross Race, an 18 mile trek which is part of the Great Lakes Fat Bike Series.  There will be men's and women's classes for beginner, intermediate and expert, so if your new to fatbike racing or have been at it for a while, there is a race class for you.  Then the Serpent Lake Ice Bike Race will be held at the Crosby Memorial Park where you can race your studded tire mountain bike or studded tire fatbike on the ice.  There will be a fun, fatbike drag race out on the ice here too, where riders will go all out for 100 yards to the finish line.  The Crosby Memorial Park will have fatbike demos, music, kids activities and refreshments going on during this time.

For more information on all of the events visit the website.  If you would like to register for the Cuyuna Lakes Whiteout there is an Avalanche Pass that covers all of the events and early bird registration is through January 15th.  A la carte event registration is also available.  Proceeds raised from the event according to the website go to:

50% to cover the costs of Whiteout 2013 
10% to save for Whiteout 2014 
10% to cover our insurance for the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew to maintain our summer singletrack trails (we love those trails!) 
30% to fund our next trail expansion, Yawkey Overdrive!

So sign up, have a good time at the Whiteout and help support the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew, the trails and next year's Cuyuna Lakes Whiteout.

The Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails have an interesting history and Aaron Hautala had a chance recently to talk about it and the Cuyuna Lakes Whiteout with Ben Welnak on Mountain Bike Radio.  Aaron breaks down the details of the Whitout as well as the history and upcoming plans for the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails.  Check out the episode on the player below or go to the Blogtalkradio link.