2015 Minnesota Global Fat Bike Day Events

Global Fat-Bike Day is a worldwide grassroots campaign that started three 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 5th that you may want to get in on as well as the Winter Bike Expo, 45NRTH Vinterhammer Superfat Crit and the first race of the Frozen Frolic Fatbike Race Series.  I have complied a list of them so you can get your "fat on" and ride with others of the "well-endowed tire crowd".

Global Fatbike Weekend is a new event this year taking place at the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails in Crosby, MN. This three day event kicks off on Friday night with an opening ceremony at 7pm at True North Basecamp followed by a bonfire lighting and snow dance.  Saturday brings a morning group ride at 10:30am followed by a lunch break and an afternoon group ride at 2:30pm, both starting at True North Basecamp.  At 6pm a beer hour and pizza party will be held at Cuyuna Lanes in Crosby with presenters JP LaMere, Aaron Hautala and the Cuyuna Lakes Yeti.  There will also be a DJ, fortune telling, a meat raffle and bowling.  Sunday closes up the weekend with a morning group ride at 10:30am followed by a lunch break and an afternoon group ride at 2:30pm, both again starting at True North Basecamp.

Lodging is available for this weekend event at the True North Basecamp cabins, the Cuyuna Bike House and at Country Inn Deerwood.  Book now as lodging is bound to fill up fast.  Get your tickets now for this great fundraiser for the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain bike trails.  Facebook Event Page

"Global Fat Bike Weekend is a fundraiser for the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails.  All profit goes toward building and maintaining the fatbike trails and all the funds raised will receive a $1 for $1 match.  Activities include fatbike demos, meat raffles, music, pizza party and happy hour and multiple fatbike rides.  Tickets start at $9.  More information about tickets purchasing is available at  www.fatbikeweekend.com." 

The first race of the Frozen Frolic Fat Bike Race Series will be at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Champlin.  Registration begins at 10am and racing starts at 11am.  "Test your speed and skill in a time trial format racing a 10.5-mile loop through trees and snow. After, warm up at the trailhead for awards and door prizes. Divisions include men's, women's, and U-17."  Facebook Event Page

 Update:  ****CANCELLED**** PLEASE READ

Due to the warmer temperatures we will be experiencing this week and the freeze / thaw cycle that is occuring. We are cancelling this ride on the Minnesota River Bottoms. Please share this with anyone you know that is planning on this ride. By all means though, ride your bike this weekend. The weather is going to be very mild. The paved trails around the Twin Cities are waiting for your wheels to roll down them.

That is all,

Jonathan

Jonathan Bistodeau will be hosting his weekly Faturday ride with a special Faturday / Global Fatbike Day Minnesota River Bottoms that will start at 10am 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 with more mileage afterward for those that want to continue riding.

The Global Fatbike Day Ride-Northfield Edition starts at 1:30pm at Bridge Square in Northfield.  This no-drop "rain, snow, sun, or shade" ride will take participants on "some of our fair city's best fatbike terrain, like Sechler Park, the St. Olaf Natural Lands, maybe Odd Fellows or Lashbrook parks, and other points t.b.d."  After about 90 minutes of riding, it will conclude with refreshments at Downtown Bicycles.  Register online for free.

Charly Tri and Rochester Cycling will be hosting Global Fatbike Day-Rochester, MN at 5:30pm at Rochester Cycling.  "December 5th is global fatbike day which is just a reason to get a bunch of fatbikers together to ride, goof off, and have fun in the moment. Come ride with us and then hangout by the fire after with refreshments. The ride will be casual, have a few stops, and cater to those that want to have FUN on their fatbikes."  Check the Facebook Event Page for upcoming details.

The Iron Range Fat Bike Riders will be celebrating with the Hibbing Global Fat Bike Day in Hibbing, organized by Joe Sacco.  The start point is yet to be determined, but if I know Joe, you will not want to miss out on this one.  He knows and rides the Hibbing area year round and the route for this year's Global Fat Bike Day will not disappoint.

"Nothing too serious, low exertion, slow to moderate pace.
Our children will be joining in on the fun. Be prepared for plenty of stops.
We'll start from TBD.
The ride will consist of snowshoe groomed singletrack (snow dependant), and plenty of frozen water."

Nicollet Bike will be holding their 2nd annual Nicollet Bike Global Fat Bike Day Ride with the ride starting at the Nicollet Bike Shop in Mankato.  The ride starts at 1pm and details are coming soon.  Check the Facebook Event page at the link above for updates.

The Winter Bike Expo presented by Freewheel Bike returns for its fifth year December 5th & 6th 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, visit the Winter Bike Expo link above.

Stick around after the Winter Bike Expo on Saturday night for the 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 you to brink "a pack of something to share with your new friends."  Freewheel Midtown Bike Center is located at 2834 10th Ave. S. in Minneapolis right on the Midtown Greenway. 

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.