The newest Silent Sport: Fat Biking
Winter Adventure Awaits!
Fat Biking
IN THE ST. CROIX VALLEY
A unique way of exploring the snow-covered trails has emerged in recent years and is growing HOT in the St. Croix Valley. Fat Bikes are a type of specialized mountain bike made for adventures on unstable terrain. These bikes are made to ride on snow-covered trails and are equipped with over-sized tires that allow the rider to “float” over previously unrideable conditions. It’s a great workout, fun for the whole family, and a perfect way to extend your biking season. In the St. Croix Valley, the Woolly Mountain Bike trails are the perfect spot to try out a fatty. Start at the Woolly Bike Club Trail Head (at the bottom of “Big Oak”) at the intersection of Lincoln and Maple Drive in St. Croix Falls. These trails are maintained and groomed winter and summer by the Woolly Bike Club, a local IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) chapter. Because they are so well maintained for all seasons, there are now just as many riders in the winter as there are in the summer months!
No Snow. No problem!
Unlike XC skiing, this sport is not limited to winter. The huge tires were not only made to shred the snow, but can also tackle other uneven terrains such as sand, gravel, and gnarly roots. In fact, you may see fat bikes year-round on the area trails because they are so versatile.
The versatile nature of fat biking may very likely be why fat bike races are starting to become so popular. Weather forecasts can be unpredictable, and for races dependent on snow cover (such as XC races), if the flakes don’t fall, the race doesn’t happen. Not true with the Fat Bikes. If it doesn’t snow, it just alters the adventure a little. Typically, a fat bike race will draw not only citizen racers and fat bike enthusiasts, but elite racers as well. Watching the elite racers makes for fantastic spectating. Check our events page to see when you can catch the next race. Bring the family, or your group of friends, to gather around this community event If you don’t have a fat bike yet, but want to try one out, you can contact Maklin Bike Shop in Shafer, MN. They are experts on helping you pick out your fat bike purchase.
Make a weekend out of your new found adventure sport. Find a hotel here: For more information on biking in the St. Croix Valley, check here.
This article was written by Linda Shober and produced by Linda Shober Marketing + Design, a marketing firm located in the St. Croix Valley specializing in providing content, strategy, management, design, and creative for digital and traditional marketing projects.