Minnesota Global Fat-Bike Day Activities

Global Fat-Bike Day is a worldwide grassroots campaign that started a couple of years ago to bring people from the fatbike community together to ride and make new friends.  In honor of Global Fat-Bike Day there are several rides scheduled here in Minnesota on December 6th that you may want to get in on as well as the Winter Bike expo and Superfat Crit to start or finish off the day.  I have complied a list of them so you can get your "fat on" and ride with others of the "well-endowed tire crowd".

Image Credit: Jack Pine Brewery

Global Fat Bike Day/Brainerd Lakes 2.0 will start and finish at the Jack Pine Brewery in Baxter.  Organizer Mike Spencer states, "We're developing a new route for the Global Fat Bike ride. There will be some PBT, some cross country, some surface streets, a couple stops at local businesses and of course we'll end up where we started at Jack Pine Brewery! More details to follow after a pre ride this weekend!"  Approximately 25 miles, ride starts at 11:00am.

Image Credit: Joe Sacco

Global Fat Bike Day on "Da Range" is organized by my buddy Joe Sacco up in Hibbing.  Him and his family are avid fatbikers, even the kids have 9:Zero:7's!  Probably an 11:00am start with more details to come in the days leading up to the ride.  "Nothing huge, no big bonfire, no drinking of beers, just our young "FatBiking Crew" and I doing a lap somewhere around town. Pedaling our local summertime loop in and out of the the old Whitney Tails pond area sounds like a plan. Very low key, and fun for all.  If anyone has more of an idea.... speak up! Thinking 11:00 am would be a good starting time. I'll post a concrete plan as the time nears."

Image Credit: Jonathan Bistodeau

Jonathan Bistodeau will be hosting his weekly Faturday ride with a special Global Fat-Bike Day edition that will start at the Russell A. Sorenson Landing (Lyndale Ave. lot) in Bloomington and follow the river bottoms trails to the Sibley House in Mendota and back.  Ride starts at 10:00am and is approximately 20 miles.  "This ride is put together for you, the riders. We are not about racing, we are about enjoying the trails, nature, and the company of other riders. As always, stay safe, ride at your own pace and within your own abilities. Dress for the weather, bring plenty of water, and food." - Jonathan Bistodeau.  Post a comment in MN Fatbike Group Rides if you can make it.

Global Fat Bike Day 2014 Twin Cities is being hosted by Nate Moore and starts at the Minnesota National Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington at 10:00am.  "Plan to ride your fatbike with us! Starting at The National Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington and Ending at the Winter Bike Expo in Minneapolis. This is a public event, invite your fatbike homies! The Wildlife Refuge has parking on site for those who have to travel, it is adjacent to the Blue Line Light Rail for those who want to travel in from elsewhere in Minneapolis, and adjacent to the 494 non-motorized bridge for those coming from St Paul.  Please Plan to bring your own water and food, as access to these items will not exist until late in the ride. From the Expo, it will be up to riders to decide their exit. If parked at the Wildlife visitors center, The Light Rail stations at Franklin or Lake Street are easy access. You might also consider parking near the Expo in the morning and riding the light rail down to start the day. Plan for an Easy Pace, but a long ride. Some considerations are in the route for those who need to dip out."
See the Global Fat Bike Day 2014 Twin Cites Facebook Event Page for more information and details of the route.

Image Credit: Nicollet Bike Shop

Nicollet Bike shop in Mankato will be hosting the Nicollet Bike Global Fat Bike Day Group Ride at 12 Noon.  Ride departs from the shop located at 607 N. Riverfront Dr., helmets and fat bikes are required.  "Join us for a Fat Bike group ride to celebrate Global Fat Bike Day. We'll start from the shop at 12:00pm and ride out towards Mount Kato ski area to check out the trails at Ft. Le hillier and surrounding area and finish back at the shop. We'll be stopping during the ride at some point to warm up at Mt. Kato so bring a few bucks if you want a warm beverage. This will be a casual paced NO drop ride. All are welcome to attend! Contact us for details or with any questions."

COGGS will have two group rides on December 6th for Global Fat Bike Day.  
"To celebrate Global Fat Bike Day, we are planning a group ride followed with food and bonfire with some good cheer!
Saturday, December 6th
-Short ride leaves at 1:00 pm (Mission)
- Long ride leaves at 10:00 am (Brewer, Piedmont and Mission)
The plan is to leave the Mc Fadden’s house at 10:00 am and ride Brewer and Piedmont, then swing by the Mc Fadden’s and pick up those who want to ride Mission.  The trails are all packed and are in fantastic riding condition, plus the forecast is favorable.  We will provide brats on the grill and some adult beverages. Bring something to share…Please respond to: tmcfadden@bernicks.com and let Todd Know if you will make it! Thanks!  Hope to see you all on the 6th."
 

The Winter Bike Expo presented by Freewheel Bike returns for its fourth year December 6th & 7th to the Freewheel Midtown Bike Center.  The expo draws hearty cyclists from all over to see and demo all that manufacturers have to offer for winter commuters & fatbikers.  Admission is free and the fun kicks off at 9 am each day.  Winter biking seminars will be held throughout both days and there will be fatbike demos, raffles and beer!  For a schedule of events, click here.

Image Credit: Freewheel Bike

Stick around after the Winter Bike Expo for the 45NRTH Vinterhammer Superfat Crit, a criterium race for fatbikes set up on a feature laden course along the railroad trench of the Midtown Greenway.  Racers must have fat tires of at least 3.7" or wider and lights since the race will be conducted in the dark.  Racing starts at 6:00pm and entry requires a non-perishable food donation to Second Harvest Heartland.  Freewheel Midtown Bike Center is located at 2834 10th Ave. S. in Minneapolis right on the Midtown Greenway.