Winter '17-'18 MN Fatbike Events

Fatbikes are more popular than ever and Minnesota has become famous for an ever increasing number of races and events.  This Winter is bound to bring on more events than ever for the fat tire enthusiast.  Start planning your calendar and check back often as this list will continue to grow. 

This season's calendar will include all types of  Winter fatbike events from festivals and races to demos and group rides.  Below is a list in chronological order.  Race and event organizers, if you would like your event listed, please send me an e-mail (or visit my contact page).  I will continue to update and add events to this post as they become available.

The "Pie Burner" Thanksgiving Weekend FatBike Ride-November 25, 2017
Palmers Tavern
Hibbing, MN
Facebook Page 

Faturday ride #7 (GLOBAL FATBIKE DAY)-December 2, 2017
Bald Man Brewing
Eagan, MN

Global Fat-Bike Day-December 2, 2017
Worldwide

2017 Global Fat Bike Day-December 2, 2017
Riverside Bar & Grill at Spirit Mountain
Duluth, MN

Global Fat Bike Day-December 2, 2017
The North Loop
St. Cloud, MN

Global Fat Bike Day-December 2, 2017
Tonka Cycle & Ski
Minnetonka, MN

Global Fat Bike Day 2017-December 2, 2017
Nicollet Bike Shop
Mankato, MN

Global Fat Bike Day-Levis Mound-December 2, 2017
Levis Mound Trail
Neillsville, WI

Global Fat Bike Day, Little Falls style-December 2, 2017
Touright Bicycle Shop
Little Falls, MN

Global Fat Bike Day with Downtown Bicycles-December 2, 2017
Downtown Bicycles
Northfield, MN

Global Fat Bike Day Ride and Social Outing-December 2, 2017
Gamehaven
Rochester, MN

La Crosse Global Fat Bike Day-December 2, 2017
Myrick Park Center
La Crosse, WI

Penn Cycle Celebrates Global Fat Bike Day-December 2, 2017
Sibley Historic Site
Mendota, MN

Superfat Crit-December 2, 2017
Freewheel Midtown Bike Center
Minneapolis, MN

Winter Bike Expo-December 2-3, 2017
Freewheel Midtown Bike Center
Minneapolis, MN
Facebook Event Page

Woolly Global Fat Bike Day-December 2, 2017
Woolly Bike Club
St. Croix Falls, WI

Global Fat Bike Day 2017-December 3, 2017
Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park
Brooklyn Park, MN

Fat Bike 101-December 7, 2017
Mesabi Recreation
Virginia, MN

Frozen Frolic Fat Bike Race-December 9, 2017
Elm Creek Singletrack
Champlin, MN
Online Registration

Penn Cycle National Bike Shop Day Fatbike Ride-December 9, 2017
Bald Man Brewing Company
Eagan, MN

Solstice Chase-December 16, 2017
Great Lakes Fatbike Series
Woolly Trails
St. Croix Falls, WI
30k, 15k
Facebook Event Page
Facebook Page
Online Registration

Frozen Frolic Fat Bike Race-December 20, 2017
Murphey-Hanrehan Singletrack
Savage, MN
Online Registration

Intro to Fat Biking-December 30, 2017
Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails
Ironton, MN

5th Annual Frozen Nose & Toes Ride-January 1, 2018
Royalton, MN
8-10 miles

NYD Ride and Potluck-January 1, 2018
Twin Ports Cyclery
Duluth, MN

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike Races-January 3, 2018
Keller Lake Park
Maplewood, MN
Facebook Page

3rd Annual Cuyuna Fat Bike Weekend-January 5, 2018
True North Basecamp
Crosby, MN

Fat Biking Group Ride-Life Cycle-January 6, 2018
Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails
Ironton, MN

Norpine Fat Bike Classic-January 6, 2018
Great Lakes Fatbike Series
Lutsen Resort
Lutsen, MN
24, 16 miles
200 racer cap
Facebook Page
Facebook Event Page
Online Registration 

Framed Bikes Pre-Loppet-January 7, 2018
Theodore Wirth Park
Minneapolis, MN

Downhill on Fat bikes!-January 7, 2018
Spirit Mountain Bike Park-Spirit Mountain
Duluth, MN

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike Races-January 10, 2018
Keller Lake Park
Maplewood, MN
Facebook Page
Facebook Event Page

Frozen Frolic Fat Bike Race-January 10, 2018
Lake Rebecca Singletrack
Rockford, MN
Online Registration

Elm Creek MTB group ride-January 11, 2018
Elm Creek Singletrack
Champlin, MN

Fat Friday-January 12, 2018
Trailhead Cycling
Champlin, MN

Arctic Fat Fever Fat Bike Race-January 13, 2018
Excelsior Brewing Company
Excelsior, MN
Facebook Event Page
Excelsior Brewing Page
Online Registration

Intro to Fat Biking-January 13, 2018
Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails
Ironton, MN

Freezer Burn Fatbike Race-January 13, 2018
Cambridge, MN
18, 12, 6 miles
Online Registration

Snow Crush Fat Tire Race-January 13, 2018
River Bend Nature Center
Faribault, MN
18, 12, 8 miles
Facebook Event Page
Online Registration

Suds, Studs, & Singletrack: A Winter Bicycle Celebration-January 13, 2018
Able Seedhouse & Brewery
Minneapolis, MN

Fat Bike Ride/Race Clinic-January 14, 2018
Carver Lake Park
Woodbury, MN

Fat Tire Bike Ride-January 14, 2018
Utepils Brewing Company
Minneapolis, MN

Sunday Fat-Bike Ride-January 14, 2018
Spokengear
Two Harbors, MN

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike Races-January 17, 2018
Keller Lake Park
Maplewood, MN
Facebook Page
Facebook Event Page

Fat Thursday Cyclocrit-January 18, 2018
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN
Facebook Event Page

Frosted Fatty-January 20-21, 2018

Spirit Mountain
Duluth, MN
Facebook Event Page

Get Phat With Pat-Race #1-January 20, 2017

River Bottoms Mountain Bike Trail
Bloomington, MN

Gull Lake Fat Bike Ride-Ernie's to Zorbaz-January 20, 2018
Ernie's on Gull Lake
Brainerd, MN

QBP Fat Bike Rennet-January 20, 2018
Hyland Lake Park Reserve
Bloomington, MN
39k, 13k
Online Registration

Winterfest-January 20, 2018
Lake Elmo Park Reserve
Lake Elmo, MN
Facebook Event Page

Carver Lake Cold Catfish Cup-January 21, 2018
Carver Lake Mountain Bike Trailhead
Woodbury, MN
18, 12 miles or 240 minute marathon
Online Registration

Runa Yoga + Fat Bike-January 21, 2018
Hartley Nature Center
Duluth, MN
Online Registration

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike Races-January 24, 2018
Keller Lake Park
Maplewood, MN
Facebook Page
Facebook Event Page

Fat Thursday Cyclocrit-January 25, 2018
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN

Brewery Fat Bike Ride-Life Cycle-January 27, 2018
Roundhouse Brewery
Brainerd, MN

Fat Bike Fun Race-January 27, 2018
Cleary Lake Regional Park
Prior Lake, MN
10k, 5k
Online Registration

Faturday-Lake Rebecca-January 27, 2018
Lake Rebecca Park Reserve
Rockford, MN

Get Phat With Pat-Race #2-January 27, 2017
River Bottoms Mountain Bike Trail
Bloomington, MN 

King Boreas Winter Triathlon-January 27, 2018
Phalen Golf Course
St. Paul, MN
5km run, 17km bike, 6km ski
Online Registration

B-B-Brrr Winter Classic-January 28, 2018
Wildflower Grove Park
Fargo, ND
Facebook Event Page

Penn Cycle Fat Biking Try-It's at Super Bowl Live!-January 28, 2018
Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, Mn
Online Registration

Penn Cycle Group Ride Tailgate Series-MN River Bottoms-January 28, 2018
Bald Man Brewing
Eagan, MN

Arrowhead 135-January 29-31, 2018
International Falls, MN
135 miles
Registration
Facebook Event Page

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike Races-January 31, 2018
Keller Lake Park
Maplewood, MN
Facebook Page
Facebook Event Page

Fat Thursday Cyclocrit-February 1, 2018
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN
Facebook Event Page

Snow Roll at Super Bowl Live-February 1, 2018
Theodore Wirth Park Chalet
Golden Valley, MN
Online Registration

45NRTH Whiteout-February 2-3, 2018
Cuyuna Country Recreation Area
Ironton, MN
Facebook Event Page
Online Registration

Penn Cycle & Fitness Fat Tire Criterium at Super Bowl LIVE!-February 2, 2018
Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN

Ely Winter Festival Fat Bike Demos & Ride-February 3, 2018
Whiteside Park
Ely, MN

Fired Up Fat Bike Tour-February 3, 2018
The Jewel Golf Club
Lake City, MN
Facebook Event Page
Online Registration

UHCCF Frosty Fat Tire Festival-February 3, 2018
Lafayette Club
Minnetonka Beach, MN
Online Registration

Fat Biking Group Ride-Life Cycle-February 4, 2018
Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails
Ironton, MN

Penn Cycle Fat Tire Loppet-February 4, 2018
Theodore Wirth Park
Minneapolis, MN
35k
Facebook Event Page
Online Registration

Penn Cycle Puoli Fat Tire Loppet-February 4, 2018
Theodore Wirth Park
Minneapolis, MN
21k
Facebook Event Page
Online Registration 

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike Races-February 7, 2018
Keller Lake Park
Maplewood, MN
Facebook Page
Facebook Event Page

Frozen Frolic Fat Bike Race-February 7, 2018
Elm Creek Singletrack
Champlin, MN
Online Registration

Fat Thursday Cyclocrit-February 8, 2018
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN
Facebook Event Page

Ham Lake SnowBowl Fat Tire Race-February 10, 2018
Ham Lake City Park
Ham Lake, MN
Facebook Event Page

Intro to Fat Biking-February 10, 2018
Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails
Ironton, MN

Penn Cycle Fatbike Frozen 40-February 10, 2018
Great Lakes Fat Bike Series
Elm Creek Park Reserve

Champlin, MN 

40, 20 miles
200 rider cap 
Facebook Event Page 

Registration

Snow Bomb Fat Bike Race/Ride-February 10, 2018
Holzinger Lodge
Winona, MN
12, 6 miles
Online Registration

Fat Bike Vasaloppet-February 11, 2018
Lake Mora
Mora, MN
38k Race, 10k Tour
Registration Form
38K Race Online Registration
10K Tour Online Registration

Ride With the Wolves Vol.3-February 11, 2018
Ferguson Demonstration Forest-Drummond Grade
Two Harbors, MN
Online Registration

Surly Masher-February 11, 2018
Surly Brewing Company
Minneapolis, MN
Facebook Event Page

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike Races-February 14, 2018
Keller Lake Park
Maplewood, MN
Facebook Page
Facebook Event Page

Fat Thursday Cyclocrit-February 15, 2018
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN
Facebook Event Page

Fat Forest Fourteen-February 17, 2018
Forest History Center
Grand Rapids, MN
14 miles

Fat Tire Bike Ride-February 17, 2018
Mississippi National Golf Links
Red Wing, MN

Gull Lake Fat Bike Ride-Ernie's to Zorbaz-February 17, 2018
Ernie's on Gull Lake
Brainerd, MN

Scout's Guide to the Snowpocalypse-February 17, 2018
Gamehaven Park
Rochester, MN
24 to 4 mile options
Facebook Page
Online Registration

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike Races-February 21, 2018
Keller Lake Park
Maplewood, MN
Facebook Page
Facebook Event Page

Fat Thursday Cyclocrit-February 22, 2018
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN
Facebook Event Page

Brewery Fat Bike Ride-Life Cycle-February 24, 2018
Cuyuna Brewing Company
Crosby, MN

FATBIKEBLITZ-February 24, 2017
Pebble Creek Golf Club
Becker, MN
Facebook Event Page
Online Registration

Faturday-Elm Creek-February 24, 2017
Elm Creek Park Reserve
Champlin, MN

Iron Challenge-Februrary 24, 2018
Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch
Stewartville, MN
Online Registration

Bikecicle Fatbike Race-February 25, 2018
Rhombus Guys Brewing Company
Grand Forks, ND
15-20 miles
Online Registration

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike Races-February 28, 2018
Keller Lake Park
Maplewood, MN
Facebook Page
Facebook Event Page

Fat Biking Group Ride-Life Cycle-March 3, 2018
Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails
Ironton, MN

Northland Fat Bike Rally-March 3, 2018
Lake Bemidji State Park
Bemidji, MN
28k, 10k
Facebook Event Page

Utepils Fat Bike Festival-March 3, 2018
Utepils Brewing Company
Minneapolis, MN
30k, 15k, Fat Bassett Kids Race
Online Registration

Kawishiwi Trail Fat Tire Ride-March 18, 2018
Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge
Ely, MN
40 miles

2017 MN Cyclocross Events

Image Credit: Gal Alon

Cyclocross racing season has begun with the Wednesday Night CX series to get riders prepped for the upcoming Fall race calendar.  Details for some of the races in this post are still being worked out as their status with USA Cycling may still be pending or in the permit process.  Below is a list in chronological order.  Race and event organizers, if you would like your cyclocross event listed, please send me an e-mail (or visit my contact page).  I will continue to update information and add events to this post as it becomes available.

Wednesday Night CX-Race 1 (Fulton/All-City Cycles)-August 23, 2017
Valley Park
Hopkins, MN
Facebook Page
Facebook Event Page

All City Championships Bandit Cross-August 24, 2017
Kenilworth Trail Cedar Lake
Minneapolis, MN

Wednesday Night CX-Race 2 (The Fix Studio)-August 30, 2017
Environmental Nature Park
Brooklyn Park, MN
Facebook Page 

Wednesday Night CX-Race 3 (Now Bikes/Synergy)-September 6, 2017
Valley Park
Hopkins, MN
Facebook Page 

LGR/Tonka CX Ride-September 9, 2017
Tonka Cycle & Ski
Minnetonka, MN 

Week 3 of 3: The #CXrimage-September 10, 2017
Sibley Field
Minneapolis, MN 

Wednesday Night CX-Race 4 (Tonka Cycle/MCT)-September 13, 2017
Valley Park
Hopkins, MN
Facebook Page 

Wednesday Night CX-Race 5 (Maple Grove Cycling)-September 20, 2017
Enviromental Nature Park
Brooklyn Park, MN
Facebook Page

All-City Intercontinental Cyclocross Championships!-September 23, 2017
Buck Hill Ski & Snowboard Area
Burnsville, MN
Facebook Event Page
Online Registration 

Wednesday Night CX-Race 6 (Taco Cat Racing and The Alt)-September 27, 2017
Enviromental Nature Park
Brooklyn Park, MN
Facebook Page
Facebook Event Page

RevoX-September 30, 2017
Clearwater, MN
Facebook Event Page
Online Registration

Image Credit: Gal Alon

Wednesday Night CX-Race 7 (Angry Catfish)-October 4, 2017
Enviromental Nature Park
Brooklyn Park, MN
Facebook Page

Freewheel CX-October 8, 2017
Lake Rebecca Singletrack
Rockford, MN
Facebook Event Page
Online Registration 

Green Acres Premium Cyclocross-October 14-15, 2017
Green Acres Recreational Area
Lake Elmo, MN
Facebook Page
Facebook Event Page
Online Registration 

LGR CX p/b Tonka Cycle & Ski-October 21-22, 2017
Jackson Meadow
Marine on St. Croix, MN
Facebook Event Page
Online Registration

Karma Cross-October 28-29, 2017
Hansen Park
New Brighton, MN
Online Registration

Fulton Star Cross-November 4-5, 2017
Lions Valley Place Park
Crystal, MN
Facebook Event Page
Online Registration  

Croix Cross-November 11, 2017
Hudson Grandview Park
Hudson, WI 

Theo Wirth Cyclocross Classic-November 12, 2017
Theodore Wirth Park
Minneapolis, MN
Online Registration

Minnesota State Championship CX-November 18-19, 2017
Bassett Creek Park
Crystal, MN
Facebook Page
Online Registration

Cross Fer Tots-November 26, 2017
Riverside Park
Cambridge, MN
Facebook Event Page

For more updates on USA Cycling cyclocross events in Minnesota visit the USA Cycling events search page.

Trek Launches New Plus and Gravel Bikes for 2018

Coming soon or available now at a Trek Dealer near you are the following five bike models that will have you riding singletrack, gravel or doing some bikepacking.  These are completely new bikes that will take you on some awesome riding adventures.

Trek 1120

Image Credit: Trek

The Trek 1120 is my favorite new offering in the plus bike category.  It is basically a 29+ bikepacking/touring bike based on the Trek Stache.  This new model starts off with an Alpha Platinum Aluminum frame with internal derailleur & dropper post routing, G2 geometry, Stranglehold dropouts, 1120 Adventure HCM Carbon fork and  proprietary bikepacking front and rear rack.  The Shimano SLX M7000 11 speed (11-46T) drivetrain provides the "go anywhere" platform that this bike was designed for.  Comes with SRAM Level T hydraulic disc brakes, SUNringlé Duroc 50 SL 28-hole TLR Wheels with Boost 110 (front) & Boost 148 (rear) hubs, Bontrager Chupacabra (29x3 Tubeless) tires and a Bontrager Drop Line 125 dropper post (15.5: Drop Line 100).  Comes in color Matte Solid Charcoal.  MSRP is $2499.99.  Limited availability now with new shipments arriving in late October 2017.

Roscoe 8

Image Credit: Trek

New to the trek plus bike lineup for 2018 is the Trek Roscoe.  This 27.5+ bike comes in two models the Roscoe 8 and Roscoe 7 featured below.  This bike starts off with an Alpha Gold Aluminum frame with internal derailleur & dropper post routing, a 120 mm travel RockShox Judy Silver TK suspension fork, Shimano M315 hydraulic disc brakes, SRAM NX 11 speed drivetrain and SUNringlé Duroc 40 SL 28-hole tubeless-ready wheels with Schwalbe Rocket Ron Performance (27.5x2.80 Tubeless) tires.  Boost141 hub spacing, trail geometry, an E2 tapered head tube and Bontrager dropper post round out this model.  Comes in color Roarange.  This model also comes in a Women's Specific Design in color Matte Dnister Black.  MSRP is $1259.99.  Pre-order now from your local Trek Dealer and expect delivery in early October 2017.

Roscoe 7

Image Credit: Trek

The Roscoe 7 is also a 27.5+ bike that starts off with an Alpha Gold Aluminum frame with internal derailleur & dropper post routing, a 120 mm travel RockShox Judy Silver TK suspension fork (13.5: 100mm travel), Tektro M285 hydraulic disc brakes, a Shimano Deore M6000 10 speed drivetrain and SUNringlé Duroc 40 SL 28-hole tubeless-ready wheels with Schwalbe Rocket Ron Performance (27.5x2.80 Tubeless) tires.  Boost141 hub spacing, trail geometry and an E2 tapered head tube just like the Roscoe 8 complete this model.  Comes in color Matte Trek Black.  This model also comes in a Women's Specific Design in color Matte Anthracite.  MSRP is $1069.99.  Pre-order now from your local Trek Dealer and expect delivery in early September 2017. Women's Specific Design models are available now.

Domane SL 5 Gravel

Image Credit: Trek

The first of two new gravel bikes from Trek for 2018 is the Domane SL 5 Gravel.  This bike features a 500 Series OCLV Carbon frame (DuoTrap S compatible), front and rear IsoSpeed decouplers to smooth out rough roads, a Domane carbon disc fork, Shimano RS805 flat mount hydraulic disc brakes and a Shimano 105 11-speed drivetrain. Schwalbe G-One Allround tires (700x35c Tubeless), tubeless-ready wheels, hidden fender mounts, internal cable routing and a Ride Tuned seatmast finish off this build.  Comes in color Matte Shady Grey.  MSRP is $2499.99.  Pre-order now from your local Trek Dealer and expect delivery in late October 2017.

Domane ALR 5 Gravel

Image Credit: Trek

The other "Smooth Advantage" Domane gravel bike is the Domane ALR 5 Gravel.  This bike features a 200 Series Alpha Aluminum frame, rear IsoSpeed decoupler for a smooth ride, a Domane carbon disc fork, TEKTRO Spyre flat mount mechanical disc brakes and a Shimano 105 11-speed drivetrain.  Hidden fender mounts, DuoTrap S compatibility, tubeless-ready wheels and Schwalbe G-One Allround tires (700x35c Tubeless) complete this build.  Comes in color Solid Charcoal.  MSRP is $1889.99.  Pre-order now from your local Trek Dealer and expect delivery in late October 2017.

2018 Trek Farley Fatbikes Showing Up Now at Dealers

The new stock of 2018 Trek Farleys is just now starting to show up at Trek Authorized Dealers.  While not all of the line is available now, certain models are and the others will be soon.  Visit your local Trek dealer to pre-order the models that will be available later this Summer and Fall.

Farley EX 9.8

$5499.99

Image Credit: Trek

Trek's carbon full-suspension offering, the Farley EX 9.8 starts with an OCLV Mountain Carbon mainframe & alloy stays, ABP, Full Floater, EVO Link and Control Freak inner cable routing.  The 120mm of travel comes from a Manitou Mastodon 34 Comp fork and Fox Performance Float EVOL, RE:aktiv 3-position damper tuned by Trek Suspension Lab.  Carbon Wampa TLR 80mm wheels fitted with Bontrager Hodag (TLR 120 tpi) 27.5x3.8" tires make up the wheelset.  The drivetrain consists of SRAM Eagle 12 speed shifter, SRAM GX Eagle Roller Bearing Clutch rear derailleur, SRAM GX Eagle 10-50, 12 speed cassette and SRAM Stylo Carbon, 30T Direct Mount X-Sync crank.  For the cockpit, Bontrager Line Pro OCLV carbon bars, Bontrager Line Pro stem, SRAM Guide RS hydraulic disc brakes and Bontrager's Drop Line 125 dropper post finish out this model.  Comes in color Quicksilver.  Available for pre-order now from Penn Cycle or your local Trek dealer with delivery mid September 2017.

Farley EX 8

$3499.99

Image Credit: Trek

Trek's aluminum full-suspension offering, the Farley EX 8 starts with an Alpha Platinum Aluminum frame with ABP, Full Floater, and EVO Link.  The 120mm of travel comes from a Rock Shox Bluto RL fork and Fox Performance Float EVOL, RE:aktiv 3-position damper tuned by Trek Suspension Lab.  SUNringlé MuleFüt 80mm 32-hole cutout rims laced with Bontrager hubs and fitted with Bontrager Hodag (TLR 120 tpi) 27.5x3.8" tires make up the wheelset.  The drivetrain consists of SRAM GX 11-speed shifter, Race Face Aeffect 28T Direct Mount narrow/wide cranks, SRAM GX rear derailleur and SRAM XG-1150 10-42 11-speed cassette.  SRAM Level T hydraulic disc brakes and a KS eThirty Integra remote lever dropper post finish out this model.  Comes in color California Skye Blue.  Available now from Penn Cycle or your local Trek dealer.

Farley 9.8

$4799.99

Image Credit: Trek

The 2018 Trek Farley 9.8 has some minor changes over the 2017 model including a color change to Matte Metallic Gunmetal, a Bontrager Drop Line 125 seatpost and a SRAM GX Eagle 12 speed drivetrain.  Features that carry over from last year's model are the carbon Wampa TLR 80mm wheels, 100mm suspension corrected carbon frame and fork, SRAM Guide RS hydraulic disc brakes, Bontrager Barbegazi (TLR, 120 tpi) 27.5x4.5" tires, Bontrager Montrose Elite (hollow Titanium rails) saddle and Bontrager Pro stem.  Available now from Penn Cycle or your local Trek dealer.

Farley 9.6

$2799.99

Image Credit: Trek

The 2018 Trek Farley 9.6 has a color change from the 2017 model to Matte Solid Charcoal.  The drivetrain remains the same with SRAM GX 11-speed shifter, Race Face Aeffect 28T Direct Mount narrow/wide cranks, SRAM GX rear derailleur and SRAM XG-1150 10-42 11-speed cassette.  SUNringlé MuleFüt 80mm 32-hole cutout rims with Bontrager Barbegazi (TLR, 120 tpi) 26x4.50" tires make up the wheelset, ESI Chunky grips and SRAM Level T hydraulic disc brakes round out this affordable carbon bike.  Available for pre-order now from Penn Cycle or your local Trek dealer with delivery mid September 2017.

Farley 7

$2399.99

Image Credit: Trek

The Farley 7 has an Alpha Platinum Aluminum frame, 197mm rear spacing Stranglehold rear axle dropout.  Upgrades from 2017 are a Manitou Mastodon 34 Comp 80mm suspension fork, 27.5" SUNringlé MuleFüt 80mm 32-hole cutout rims with Bontrager Gnarwhal studdable (TLR, 120 tpi) 27.5x4.50" tires.  The drivetrain consists of  SRAM NX 11-Speed shifters, Race Face Aeffect 28T Direct Mount narrow/wide cranks, SRAM NX rear derailleur and SRAM PG-1130 11-42, 11 speed cassette.  Like last year's model it still contains the SRAM Level T hydraulic disc brakes. Comes in color Viper Red.  Available for pre-order now from Penn Cycle or your local Trek dealer with delivery late August 2017.

Farley 5

$1729.99

Image Credit: Trek

Trek's entry level fatbike has an Alpha Platinum Aluminum frame, is 100mm suspension corrected with 197mm rear spacing Stranglehold rear axle dropout.  The drivetrain consists of Shimano Deore 10-Speed shifter, Race Face Aeffect 28T Direct Mount narrow/wide cranks, Shimano Deore Shadow Plus rear derailleur and a Shimano HG50 11-42, 10 speed cassette.  Other features include SRAM Level hydraulic disc brakes, 27.5" SUNringlé MuleFüt 80mm 32-hole cutout rims with with Bontrager Gnarwhal studdable (TLR, 120 tpi) 27.5x4.50" tires and a Bontrager Haru OCLV Carbon fork.  Comes in color Matte Trek Black.  Available now from Penn Cycle or your local Trek dealer.

Welch Village Mountain Bike Park Brings Downhill Close to the Twin Cities

Image Credit: Clay Haglund

Welch Village will be having their Grand Opening Weekend for their new Mountain Bike Park Friday, July 28th through the 30th with lift served access for their downhill trails.  The chairlift starts at 3pm on Friday to kick off the weekend and will continue to run until 7pm.

As of now they have two trails open, Air Bear (Advanced Riders ONLY, Trail has high risk features, Mandatory jumps, Steep drops with no ride arounds, Your wheels may leave ground, downhill traffic only) and Joy Ride (Gentle to moderate climbs and decent, with obstacles such as rock, gravel, berms, bridges, and pot holes. Previous mountain biking experience highly recommended).  Welch Village hopes to open their third trail, Aquaman (Intermediate riders ONLY, Large berms, Large Rollers, optional jumps on trail, downhill traffic only) sometime over Grand Opening Weekend.

Image Credit: Clay Haglund

Purchase a daily lift ticket for $22 and under their "Try it" promotion if you really love it they will apply the credit paid towards a $99 MTB season pass.

Image Credit: Griff Wigley

Hours of operation for Saturday are 10am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm.  Activities for opening weekend include free mountain bike skills clinics from Valley Bike & Ski, bike rental specials, demos and door prizes.

For more information about opening weekend visit the Welch Village website or the Facebook Event Page.  Updates on the trails can be found at their Facebook page and on their Trail Report page.

Dakota County Parks Improving Lebanon Hills Mountain Bike Trailhead

Image Credit:  Dakota County Parks

If you haven't been to the Lebanon Hills Mountain Bike Trails at the West Trailhead recently you haven't seen the construction work being done as part of Dakota County Parks improvement for the park.

Image Credit:  Dakota County Parks

Currently new overflow parking is now complete and available in the old parking lot just to the north of the current trailhead parking.  Mountain bike and hiking trails will remain open during the construction improvements dependent upon the weather.

Image Credit:  Dakota County Parks

Improvement to include event and program space for demos and clinics, additional picnic tables and a fire ring, an expansion of the concrete patio pad around the picnic shelter, improved storm water management, as well as new turf & vegetation on the entire construction site.

Image Credit:  Dakota County Parks

The majority of the construction is scheduled (weather dependent) to be completed by August 18th.  These new facility upgrades will make the Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival on October 7th even better this year.

Dakota County Parks Visitor Services Coordinator Katie Pata is looking to connect with local professionals and mountain bike enthusiasts for their ideas to make this year's event the best ever.  You can meet with her in person at the Wild Ride Mountain Bike Fest event planning meeting at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 19th from 2:00-3:30pm.  Please RSVP to let Katie know you will be attending.  If you can't make and would like your ideas heard, please send her an email at Katie.Pata@co.dakota.mn.us.

Setting Up Fatbike Wheels Tubeless

Switching to tubeless on fatbike wheels not only saves a huge amount of weight, about a pound per tube, but also allows lower pressures to be used for better traction.  Running lower pressures with tubes can run the risk of pinch flats but when set up tubeless this is not a worry anymore.  The process for converting to tubeless is relatively easy with the use of a compressor.  This post will walk you through the steps using tubeless ready wheels and tires.  Items needed are tubeless rim tape, tubeless presta valves, valve core tool and tubeless sealant.

This conversion was done on 27.5" Sunringlé Mulefüt 80SL wheels.  Once the tires and tubes are removed from both wheels it is time to tape them up.  For this I used Sunringlé Tubeless Ready Tape.  This tape is 78mm wide and covers all the way to both bead channels.  These wheels already had the nylon rim strip in place so the tape can be applied directly over it.  Start by applying the tape opposite the valve hole using tension and making sure the tape is centered.  Overlap the the rim tape 6-8 inches and cut from roll.

When both wheels are taped up use your hand to apply pressure to the tape and work your way around the wheel to make it stick better and to push the tape into the rim bead.  Now it's time to install the tubeless ready valves.  Locate the valve hole on the wheel and put a hole the size of the valve stem into the tape from the tire side.  Remove the valve cap and nut and push through the valve hole.  Thread the valve nut onto the stem by hand until finger tight.

Now it's time to put on the tires.  Make sure both the tire and wheel logos line up for a pro look as pictured above.

To make setting the tire bead a little easier I like to use my hands and work my way around the tire to pull the bead into or as close to the bead channel to minimize air escape when using a compressor.  Most fatbike tires have a directional tread, make sure you have them mounted correctly so the direction arrow is pointing to the left on the rotor side as pictured above.

Setting the bead of the tire is easy with the use of a compressor and a Park Tool Valve Core Tool.

Remove the valve core and set aside.  Using a blow gun attachment with a tapered tip fill the tire through the valve stem until the tire begins to inflate and you hear the satisfying sound of the bead popping into place around the tire.  Use your finger to cover the the valve stem to keep air from escaping and quickly reinsert and tighten the valve core.  Check both sides of the tire along the bead to make sure it is seated properly. 

Now that the bead is set, remove the valve core once again and let the air out of the tire.  The sealant can now be put into the tire through the valve stem.  For this conversion I used 4 oz. of Orange Seal Endurance Tubeless Sealant in each tire.  Reinsert and tighten the valve core and now you're ready to inflate the tire.

Using a floor pump or compressor with a presta valve chuck, inflate the tire close to the max psi labeled on the tire.  Rotate and shake the wheel to ensure the sealant coats every inch of the inside.  Listen for leaks and work the sealant to those areas so it can plug them up.  Let the wheels set for 24 hours to see if they hold pressure and during this period you can occasionally rotate the tires to redistribute the sealant.  Now you can pressure down the tires to your desired psi and install on the bike.  If you have multiple wheelsets set up tubeless or don't ride for a while it is a good idea to spin or rotate the wheels once a week to keep the sealant fluid and coating the inside of the tire.

Note: Not all Tubeless Ready wheels and tire combinations set up as easy as in this post.  My experience with Bontrager tires, Bontrager/Sunringlé wheels is that they match very well together and make set up a breeze.  Your experience may differ, set up at your own risk.