Winter '15-'16 Minnesota Fatbike Events

Global Fatbike Day

Fatbikes are more popular than ever here in Minnesota and new fatbike events keep popping up around the state.  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.

Fat Turkey Ride-November 21, 2015
Acceleration Sports and Fitness
Brainerd, MN 

The Turkey Trekk 2015-November 26, 2015
Kiwanis Park Mountain Bike Trailhead
Mankato, MN 

The "Pie Burner" Thanksgiving Weekend Fatbike Ride-November 28, 2015
Hibbing, MN 
Facebook Event Page 

Fat Friday-December 4, 2015
Trailhead Cycling
Champlin, MN 

Global Fatbike Weekend-December 4-6, 2015
Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails
Crosby/Ironton, MN 
Facebook Event Page
Tickets

Faturday / Global Fatbike Day Minnesota River Bottoms-December 5, 2015 Cancelled
Russel A. Sorensen Landing
Bloomington, MN 

Frozen Frolic Fat Bike Race Series-December 5, 2015
Elm Creek Park Reserve
Champlin, MN 

Global Fat-Bike Day-December 5, 2015
Worldwide
Facebook Event Page    

Global Fatbike Day Ride-Northfield Edition-December 5, 2015
Downtown Bicycles
Northfield, MN
Online Registration  

Global Fatbike Day-Rochester, MN-December 5, 2015
Rochester Cycling
Rochester, MN 

Hibbing Global Fat Bike Day-December 5, 2015
Hibbing, MN 

Nicollet Bike Global Fat Bike Day Ride-December 5, 2015
Nicollet Bike Shop
Mankato, MN 

Super Fat Criterium-December 5, 2015
Freewheel Midtown Bike Center
Minneapolis, MN 

Winter Bike Expo-December 5-6, 2015
Freewheel Midtown Bike Center
Minneapolis, MN
Facebook Event Page 

Charlie's Phat Fundays-December 6, 2015
Charilie's Tangletown Bike Shop
Minneapolis, MN
Approx. 15 miles 

Frozen Frolic Fat Bike Race Series-December 12, 2015
Murphey-Hanrehan Park Reserve
Savage, MN 

Bi-Weekly Fatbike Winter Ride!-December 19, 2015
The Hub Coop
Minneapolis, MN 

Solstice Chase-December 19, 2015
Great Lakes Fatbike Series
Big Rock Creek Retreat
St. Croix Falls, WI
42k, 21k
Online Registration
Facebook Event Page 

Charlie's Phat Fundays #2-December 20, 2015
Bloomington Ferry Unit Trailhead
Bloomington, MN

Fat Bike Full Moon Ride-December 26, 2015
Outdoor Motion Bike Shop
Hutchinson, MN
8-10 miles

Penn Cycle Group Ride Tailgate Series-MN River Bottoms

3rd Annual New Year's Day Frozen Nose & Toes Fatbike Ride-January 1, 2016
Royalton, MN 
Distance & Route TBD 

Bi-Weekly Fatbike Winter Ride!-January 2, 2016
The Hub Bike Coop
Minneapolis, MN 

Ben Erickson Memorial Fat Wednesday Bike Ride & Race-January 6, 2016
Keller Golf Course
Maplewood, MN
Facebook Event Page
Facebook Page   

Fatbike Adventures / Extreme Riding-January 5, 2016

Valley Bike and Ski
Apple Valley, MN 

Frozen Frolic Fat Bike Race Series-January 9, 2016
Elm Creek Park Reserve
Champlin, MN 

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike Race Series-January 13, 2016
Keller Golf Course
Maplewood, MN
Facebook Page 

FAT FRIDAY-January 15, 2016
Trailhead Cycling
Champlin, MN 

Brookview Meltdown Fat Bike Snow Race-January 16, 2016 Cancelled

Brookview Golf Course
Golden Valley, MN
10.5 (Expert), 7 (Sport), 3.5 (Beginner) miles
Race Flyer w/ Registration  

Freezer Burn Fatbike Race-January 16, 2016
Springvale County Park
Cambridge, MN
15, 10, 5 miles 
Facebook Event Page
Online Registration  

Frozen Frolic Fat Bike Race Series-January 16, 2016
Murphey-Hanrehan Park Reserve
Savage, MN 

Snow Crush Fat Tire Bike Race-January 16, 2016
River Bend Nature Center
Faribault, MN
Beginner 5 miles, Advanced 10 miles
Facebook Event Page
Online Registration   

Fatbikes >> Football Part Deux (the "I told you so" version)-January 17, 2016
Behind Bars Bicycle Shop
Minneapolis, MN 

Ride Like a Girl Cycling Fatbike Group Ride #1-January 17, 2016 Cancelled
Russel A. Sorensen Landing
Bloomington, MN 

The FatWac Fatbike Race-January 17, 2016
Waconia Brewing Company
Waconia, MN
30, 15 miles 

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike Race Series-January 20, 2016
Keller Golf Course
Maplewood, MN
Facebook Page   

Get Phat With Pat-Race #1-January 23, 2016
Minnesota River Bottoms Mountain Bike Trail
Bloomington, MN 

Carver Lake Cold Catfish Cup-January 24, 2016
Carver Lake Mountain Bike Trailhead
Woodbury, MN

Fatbikes >> Football Part III (Return of El Nino?)-January 24, 2016
Behind Bars Bicycle Shop
Minneapolis, MN

Get Phat With Pat

Arrowhead 135-January 25-27, 2016
International Falls, MN
135 miles
Registration for race veterans opens 9/1/15
Registration for newcomers opens 10/1/15
Race Registration Information  

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike Race Series-January 27, 2016
Keller Golf Course
Maplewood, MN
Facebook Page  

Fat Thursdays Crit Series-January 28, 2016
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN
Facebook Event Page  

Frozen Frolic Fat Bike Race Series-January 30, 2016 Cancelled
Elm Creek Park Reserve
Champlin, MN 

Get Phat With Pat-Race #2-January 30, 2016
Minnesota River Bottoms Mountain Bike Trail
Bloomington, MN 

Saturday Morning Ride-January 30, 2016

Micheal's Cycles-Chaska
Chaska, MN 

King Boreas Winter Triathlon-January 31, 2016
Phalen Golf Course
St. Paul, MN
5k run, 17k bike, 7.5k ski
Online Registration 

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike Race Series-February 3, 2016
Keller Golf Course
Maplewood, MN
Facebook Page  

Wednesday Night Ride!-February 3, 2016
Michael's Cycles-Chaska
Chaska, MN
10-12 miles 

Fat Thursdays Crit Series-February 4, 2016
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN
Facebook Event Page 

Thirsty Thursday Fatbike Ride-February 4, 2016
Buffalo Wild Wings
Hutchinson, MN 

Cuyuna Whiteout-February 5-6, 2016
Great Lakes Fatbike Series

Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails
Crosby/Riverton, MN
Lights Over Sagamore-February 5
Whiteout Races-February 6
30k, 20k, 10k
Cuyuna Smorgasbord-February 6
Registration  

1st Annual Ely Fat Bike Ride-February 6, 2016
Whiteside Park
Ely, MN 

La Cross-Fat-February 6, 2016
Myrick Park
La Crosse, WI 

Penn Ice-Cycle Loppet-February 6, 2016
Lake Calhoun
Minneapolis, MN
Online Registration

Fat Tire Loppet

Penn Cycle Fat Tire Loppet-February 7, 2016

Great Lakes Fat Bike Series

Minneapolis, MN

35 km

Online Registration

Penn Cycle Puoli Fat Tire Loppet-February 7, 2016

Minneapolis, MN

21 km

Online Registration   

sNOway but Round Fatbike Races-February 7, 2016
Detroit Mountain
Detroit Lakes, MN
10, 5 miles
Facebook Event Page 

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike Race Series-February 10, 2016
Keller Golf Course
Maplewood, MN
Facebook Page 

Fat Thursdays Crit Series-February 11, 2016
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN
Facebook Event Page

Fatbike Frozen Forty

Fatbike Frozen 40-February 13, 2016

Great Lakes Fat Bike Series

Elm Creek Park Reserve

Champlin, MN 

40, 20 miles
200 rider cap 
Facebook Event Page 

Registration    

Saturday Morning Ride-February 13, 2016
Michael's Cycles-Chaska
Chaska, MN  

Fat Bike Vasaloppet-February 14, 2016
Lake Mora
Mora, MN
38K Race, 10K Ride
Facebook Event Page
Online Registration 38K Race
Online Registration 10K Ride

Frozen Gopher Fat Bike Race-February 14, 2016
University of Minnesota Nordic Center
St. Paul, MN
Online Registration 

MAMB Kiwanis Snow Kraze 2016-February 14, 2016
Kiwanis Park Mountain Bike Trailhead
Mankato, MN 

Valentine's Fat Bike Date-February 14, 2016

Brookview Golf Course
Golden Valley, MN 

Tuesday Night Ride!-February 16, 2016
Michael's Cycles-Chaska
Chaska, MN 

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike Race Series-February 17, 2016

Keller Golf Course
Maplewood, MN
Facebook Page  

Fat Thursdays Crit Series-February 18, 2016
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN
Facebook Event Page  

Arctic Fat Fever Fatbike Race and Demo-February 20, 2016
Excelsior Brewing Company
Excelsior, MN 
Facebook Event Page 
Excelsior Brewing Facebook Event Page 

Fat Bike Fun Race-February 20, 2016

Cleary Lake Regional Park
Prior Lake, MN 

Orono Rotary's Ice Madness-February 20, 2016
Nelson Park
Long Lake, MN
15k & short loop fat tire bike ride/race
Online Registration  

WAMB Snow Bomb Fat Bike Race and Chili Cook-Off-February 20, 2016
Holzinger Lodge
Winona, MN
Facebook Page 
Online Registration   

Bikecicle Fatbike Race-February 21, 2016
Rhombus Guys Brewing Company
Grand Forks, ND
15-20 miles
Facebook Event Page   

Winter Bike Ride-February 21, 2016
Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub
Minneapolis, MN 

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike Race Series-February 24, 2016Keller Golf Course
Maplewood, MN
Facebook Page 

Fat Thursdays Crit Series-February 25, 2016
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN
Facebook Event Page 

Frozen Frolic Fat Bike Race Series-February 27, 2016
Murphey-Hanrehan Park Reserve
Savage, MN 

FatBike Fest X-February 28, 2016
Hillside
Elk River, MN 

Northland Fat Bike Rally-March 5, 2016
Lake Bemidji State Park
Bemidji, MN
28k, 10k
Facebook Event Page  

3Way10K-March 5, 2016 Cancelled
Zorba's on Gull Lake
Gull Lake, MN
10 km

Fat Bike Gravity Fest at Mount Kato

Fat Bike Gravity Fest 2016-March 6, 2016 Cancelled
Mount Kato
Mankato, MN 

Fat Bike Sunday-March 6, 2015
Spirit Mountain
Duluth, MN 

Fat Forest Fourteen-March 12, 2016
Forest History Center
Grand Rapids, MN 

King of the Hill Fat Bike Duel Presented by Penn Cycle & Buck Hill-March 12, 2016
Buck Hill Ski & Snowboard Area
Burnsville, MN 

Fat Bike Sunday-March 13, 2015

Spirit Mountain
Duluth, MN 

The Frosted Fatty - Downhill Fatbike Race-March 19, 2016

Spirit Mountain
Duluth, MN 

Giants Ridge Fatbike Enduro-March 19, 2016 Cancelled
Giant Ridge
Biwabik, MN 

Fat Bike Sunday-March 20, 2015
Spirit Mountain
Duluth, MN

Penn Cycle & Fitness

Trek Fest is going on now!

Save on Bikes, Bike Gear 
& Cycling Apparel.

Q & A with Winter Ultra Endurance Athlete Charly Tri

Image Credit: Tina Stiller

With the completion of the Arrowhead 135 earlier this week and several other really tough ultras coming up, I wanted to talk to a veteran of this type of demanding fatbike racing.  Charly Tri of Rochester came to mind having competed in both the Arrowhead 135 and the Iditarod Trail Invitational.  The extreme cold combined with the long distances of these races can be tough on equipment and even tougher on the athletes that compete in them.  I got in touch with Charly and he was happy to answer some question so we can find out what it takes to race a Winter Ultra.

How do you prepare mentally and choose the equipment/clothing for the extreme cold that both the Iditarod Trail Invitational and Arrowhead 135 are known for?

"Well that is a 2 pronged answer I guess. Mentally I try to put myself into scenarios and think about what I would do. For instance, I had planned what I would do if I broke through ice and found myself soaking wet in nowhere Alaska at sub freezing temps (cry and yell a lot). Equipment and clothing would involve a lot of reading, testing, read more, test more, ask other guys I know, test more, repeat. It is funny, but as people moan about cold temps coming, riders doing this rejoice...more testing!"

Image Credit: Sveta Vold

Being an endurance athlete, how do you adjust for your asthma in the extreme cold?

"I am not sure I am the guy to ask, as I still have issues! My first Arrowhead I dropped out with an asthma attack at -20F not knowing I even had asthma. I had my suspicions, but nothing like that! Mayo Clinic has been one destination along with the drugs that brings. The Coldavenger has been a big step in the right direction for sure. I wear it anytime it is below freezing. I remember one Arrowhead all I did was focus on keeping my breathing steady and relaxed. Also, finding triggers are a big issue. I have found to stay away from processed sugar and alcohol. Processed food in general is bad news, better to stay away from it. I am human though. I forget, do things I shouldn't, pay for it, and learn from it."

Image Credit: Charly Tri

How has your asthma affected you in past years' races? What have you learned to manage it and has using the ColdAvenger cold weather facemask helped you?

Image Credit: Charly Tri

"Oh, I have DNF'd out of 2 Arrowhead 135's and 1 Tuscobia 150 because my asthma was so bad I could barely stand or worse. Iditarod I had issues coming out of every checkpoint, took 1/2 hour or so for the breathing to calm down and settle into a nice pace. The Coldavenger makes the cold possible for my lungs."
 




The brutal cold was definitely a factor at last year's Arrowhead 135. What were some of the lessons learned that will help you this year?

"Well, last year had plenty of cold days so plenty of time to test. I ended flatting about an hour into the race at close to -30F. I found out that tubes are awfully stiff at that temp and the seam will burst really easily when filling quickly with a co2:) Took me a bit to figure out why my tube wasn't taking air as it happened silently. Also found out that I have at least one friend in Ben Doom, whom stop to help. At those temps the nature of your equipment takes on a whole new dimension. I could probably write a few pages on how things change at those temps as is pretty crazy. Just imagine having to unfold a tube using the force of both hands as it is so stiff. Pretty nuts, and as long as you come out the other end healthy, pretty cool. My race ended early at the 1st checkpoint as I was battling sickness though which was pretty disappointing." 

Image Credit: James Stull

What are the coldest and most challenging temperatures/weather conditions you have raced in and what helped you through it?

"-30F would be the coldest air temp. I went on some rides last year when the windchill was around -50F. What got me through it? The fear of dying I guess. Also, the thought that I need to master those temps to prepare for the time it is even worse. You can't fool around or take things for granted. Honestly, I wish I had more opportunities to ride and train in those temps. I am jealous of those Fairbanks guys. You know, it is not like I started riding at these temps overnight. It has been a progression." 

Image Credit: Charly Tri

You have to rely on your experience, knowledge and equipment to get you through the Arrowhead 135 and Iditarod Trail Invitational. What was the most valuable lesson learned as an experienced veteran during these brutally challenging races?

"Most valuable. Train and test. Look for those absolute coldest days, and if it means waking up at 3am to finally get a ride in at -20F the do it. Pushing yourself through crappy weather in training gets you ready to push yourself through crappy weather in races. Leave your bike out overnight on the coldest nights and see if it still operates correctly in the morning. Do the cables still work well? Do your axles turn without a lot of added force, pulleys? Brakes still retract? Tires still hold air? If you can't ride all night at silly cold temps, you at least can make sure you bike tries it." 

Image Credit: Tom Morgan

With the large number of calories burned during races of this magnitude, how do you fuel up before and during a race to give you the energy you need?

"I have a steady diet of butter and ice cream leading up to a race. Kidding, kidding. I really don't eat differently. I will make sure I am full all the time the day or 2 before, but you can only load your body with so many calories. Also, you body adapts, especially the long the effort. It learns to feed off your own fat stores more (I have a lot). I am always surprised how much less I eat than I anticipate in these really long races. Now, you need to eat, regularly, but it is not like you need to stuff your face at all moments. You need to ride your bike a lot. I find my asthma is effected by processed sugar, so I tend not to fill my feedbags with such things. I have found recently though, it is something good to have on hand." 

Image Credit: Tom Morgan

How do you keep dehydration becoming an issue when you are out on the course for many hours at a time between checkpoints?

"I drink.
You want more?:) I bring a 100 ounce reservoir. That is enough for between checkpoints for me in most ultras. For Iditarod, I also brought an insulated thermos to carry hot water. My theory is if I ran out of regular water, I could stuff my Camelbak full of snow, and melt it down with with the hot water quickly. Never had to do it, but it I was prepared to. Also, you need to bring the ability to melt down snow."

Image Credit: Adrienne Gillespie

I've heard stories of racers encountering wolves out on the Arrowhead 135 course. Have you experienced this in the past 5 times you've competed?

"I wish, but don't wish at the same time, but no. Seen tons of tracks. Two years ago the snow was coming down extremely heavy, I saw fresh tracks as I had my head down at one point. Had I been looking up I am sure I would have seen one. In all of Iditarod I saw one moose, at night. I don't have any good animal stories, sorry. But, my plan for Iditarod is if it gets to cold is to slice open a Tauntaun's belly and sleep inside." 

Do you have a training regimen to get you ready for the Arrowhead 135 and Iditarod? How do you work it in to your schedule with work and having a family? Both must be very supportive of your endeavors.

"My wife is amazing. She is a marathon runner that understands much of the "why" in what I do. She is great and I could not do what I do without her. That being said, it is not uncommon for me to leave the house late at night in order to sneak in a ride. Rochester Cycling is also very accommodating to my silly attempts at trying to kill myself. I have a plan I often follow leading up to events, much based off of Joe Friel's book."

Image Credit: Charly Tri

Your choice of bike, components and equipment are very important to being successful during these extreme winter endurance races. What bike/equipment choices do you think give you an advantage over the competition?

"I don't think of my gear choices as an advantage as much as seeking out the best. Thanks to 9:ZERO:7, Bike Bag Dude, Nextie Rims, and Wolftooth Components I have extremely light equipment that is able to take a huge amount of abuse. Reliability is what I value above all else, but I, like everyone it seems, also strive for a light set up. The rest of what I ride has been acquired over the years, often as Xmas gifts and such. I want absolute confidence when I start again on the Iditarod Trail or any other ultra race. My sponsors, especially 9:ZERO:7 make what I do possible." 

Image Credit: Tom Morgan

The cold temperatures that the Arrowhead 135 and the Iditarod Trail Invitational are famous for can wreak havoc on the functionality of your bike's components. How do you avoid these problems and have they ever played a role in cutting your race short?

"The cold has tried to wreck my race, but equipment wise it has not yet. Changing a tube at -30F is an experience I would rather not relive. But I seek out cold days to test, test, test."

Thanks again for doing this. I really appreciate it. I know how important having sponsors for my own site can be and I make sure to promote them every chance I get. Without them I wouldn't be able to do what I do and I'm sure you would share the same sentiment with regard to your racing.

"THANKS DUDE!!"

Charly placed sixth at the 2015 Arrowhead 135 with a time of 15 hours 51 minutes.  His next challenge is the Iditarod Trail Invitational which starts on Sunday, March 1st.

Winter '14-'15 Minnesota Fatbike Events

Get Phat with Pat - Minnesota River Bottoms

Fatbikes are more popular than ever here in Minnesota and new fatbike events keep popping up around the state.  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.  I will continue to update and add events to this post as they become available.

Fatbike Frozen 40 - Elm Creek

The Pie Burner Pedal-November 29, 2014
Hosted by: Iron Range Fat Bike Riders
Hibbing Community College
Hibbing, MN
25 miles 

Frozen Frolic Winter Mountain Bike Race Series-December 6, 2014
Elm Creek Park Reserve
Champlin, MN
10.5 miles 

Global Fatbike Day-December 6, 2014 
Worldwide 

Global Fat Bike Day/Brainerd Lakes-December 6, 2014
Jack Pine Brewery
Baxter, MN
Approximately 25 miles 

Global Fat Bike Day Group Rides-COGGS-December 6, 2014
Duluth, MN 

Global Fat Bike Day on "Da Range"-December 6, 2014
Hibbing, MN 

Global Fat Bike Day/Faturday-December 6, 2014
Russell A. Sorenson Landing (Lyndale Lot)
Bloomington, MN
Approximately 20 miles
MN Fatbike Group Rides post 

Global Fat Bike Day 2014 Twin Cities-December 6, 2014
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Bloomington, MN
Facebook Event Page 

Nicollet Bike Global Fat Bike Day Group Ride-December 6, 2014
Nicollet Bike Shop
Mankato, MN
Facebook Event Page 

Superfat Crit-December 6, 2014
Winter Bike Expo
Freewheel Midtown Bike Center
Minneapolis, MN 

Winter Bike Expo-December 6-7, 2014
Freewheel Midtown Bike Center
Minneapolis, MN 

Frozen Frolic Winter Mountain Bike Race Series-December 13, 2014
Murphey-Hanrehan Park Reserve
Savage, MN
10.5 miles 

The Solstice Chase-December 20, 2014
Great Lakes Fat Bike Series
Big Rock Creek Retreat
St. Croix Falls, WI
42 & 21 km
Online Registration 

Penn Cycle Group Ride Tailgate Series-Minnesota River Bottoms-December 28, 2014
Russell A Sorenson Landing
Bloomington, MN
12-15 miles 

2nd Annual Frozen Nose & Toes Fatbike Ride-January 1, 2015
Bowlus Trailhead-Soo Line Trail
Bowlus, MN 

Brookview Tour De Fat-January 3, 2015 Cancelled
Brookview Golf Course
Golden Valley, MN
160 rider cap 

Frozen Frolic Winter Mountain Bike Race Series-January 10, 2015
Elm Creek Park Reserve
Champlin, MN
10.5 miles 

GRIMBA Pot-Luck and Fatbike Ride-January 10, 2015
Mt. Itasca
Grand Rapids, MN 

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike and Snowshoe Race Series-January 14, 2015
Turtle Lake Regional Park
Shoreview, MN
Facebook Page 

Arctic Fat Fever Fat Bike Race-January 17, 2015
Excelsior Brewing Company
Excelsior, MN
15 miles 

Penn Cycle Get Phat with Pat Race #1-January 17, 2015
Minnesota River Bottoms
Bloomington, MN 
Facebook Event Page 

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike and Snowshoe Race Series-January 21, 2015
Turtle Lake Regional Park
Shoreview, MN
Facebook Page 

Fat Thursdays Super Fat Crit Series-January 22, 2015
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN 
Facebook Event Page 

4th Annual Global Fat Bike Summit and Festival-January 23-25,2015
Snow King Resort
Jackson, WY 

Frozen Frolic Winter Mountain Bike Race Series-January 24, 2015
Murphey-Hanrehan Park Reserve
Savage, MN
10.5 miles 

Penn Cycle Get Phat with Pat Race #2-January 24, 2015
Minnesota River Bottoms
Bloomington, MN
Facebook Event Page 

B-B-BRRR Winter Classic-January 25, 2015
Community Gardens
Fargo, ND 

Carver Lake Cold Catfish Cup-January 25, 2015
Carver Lake Park
Woodbury, MN 
Online Registration
Facebook Event Page 

Penn Cycle Group Ride Tailgate Series-Lebanon Hills-January 25, 2015
Lebanon Hills Mountain Bike Trails
Eagan, MN 

Arrowhead 135-January 26-28, 2015
International Falls, MN
135 miles
Registration for race veterans opens 9/1/2014
Registration for newcomers opens 10/1/14
Race Registration Information 

Fat Thursdays Super Fat Crit Series-January 29, 2015
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN 
Facebook Event Page 

Penn Cycle Fat Tire Loppet-February 1, 2015
Great Lakes Fat Bike Series
38 km
Online Registration 

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike and Snowshoe Race Series-February 4, 2015
Turtle Lake Regional Park
Shoreview, MN
Facebook Page 

Fat Thursdays Super Fat Crit Series-February 5, 2015
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN
Online Registration

Cuyuna Lakes Whiteout-February 6-8, 2015

Great Lakes Fat Bike Series
Cuyuna Country SRA

Crosby, MN 
Lights Over Sagamore Night Ride-February 6
45NRTH Iron Yeti Snowxross Race-February 7
Ride With The Yeti Social-February 8
Schedule of Events 

Bikes and Beer Time Trial-February 7, 2015

Mankato Brewery/Kiwanis Mountain Bike Trail

Mankato, MN 

Frozen Frolic Winter Mountain Bike Race Series-February 7, 2015
Elm Creek Park Reserve
Champlin, MN
10.5 miles 

Fat Thursdays Super Fat Crit Series-February 12, 2015
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN 
Online Registration

Get To Know Fat Bikes & Ride-February 14, 2015
River Bend Nature Center
Faribault, MN 

Fatbike Frozen 40-February 14, 2015
Great Lakes Fat Bike Series
Elm Creek Park Reserve
Champlin, MN 
Online Registration
200 rider cap 

Frozen Gopher Fat Bike Race-February 15, 2015
University of Minnesota Nordic Center
St. Paul, MN 
Online Registration 

Snowdown Fat Bike Fun Race-February 15, 2015
Cleary Lake Regional Park
Prior Lake, MN
10k Action Race, 5k Beginner Race 

Fat Wednesday Fat Bike and Snowshoe Race Series-February 18, 2015
Turtle Lake Regional Park
Shoreview, MN
Facebook Page 

Fat Thursdays Super Fat Crit Series-February 19, 2015
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN
Online Registration

Bikecicle 2015-February 21, 2015
Grand Forks, ND
Laps of Mayhem Race
Fat Fifteen Race
Facebook Event Page 

Brookview Meltdown-February 21, 2015
Brookview Golf Course
Golden Valley, MN
160 rider cap 
Registration Form  

Forest History Center's Stomping on Winter-February 21. 2015
Grand Rapids, MN
Facebook Page  

Frostbiter: Fat Bike Race for Easter Seals-February 21, 2015
Grand Portage Lodge &Casino
Grand Portage, MN
40, 20 miles
Online Registration
Facebook Event Page 

9th Annual FatBikeFest-February 22, 2015
Hillside Park
Elk River, MN
Facebook Event Page  

2015 Heck Winter Ramble-February 22, 2015
Duluth, MN 
Facebook Event Page 

Snow Bomb Fat Bike Race-February 22, 2015
Holzinger Lodge
Winona, MN
Online Registration    

Fat Thursdays Super Fat Crit Series-February 26, 2015
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN
Online Registration

COGGS 4th Annual Fat Bike Weekend-February 27-March 1, 2015
Duluth, MN 

CROCT group ride to the MN River Bottoms-February 28, 2015
Bloomington Ferry Unit Trailhead
Bloomington, MN
Facebook Event Page

Duluth Enduro Series Spirit Mountain Bike Enduro Race-February 28, 2015
Spirit Mountain
Duluth, MN
Facebook Page 

Frozen Frolic Winter Mountain Bike Race Series-February 28, 2015
Murphey-Hanrehan Park Reserve
Savage, MN
10.5 mile 

Nicollet Bike Fat Bike Gravity Fest-March 1, 2015
Mount Kato
Mankato, MN 

1st Annual Northland Fat Bike Rally-March 1, 2015
Lake Bemidji State Park
Bemidji, MN
20 km, 10 km 
Facebook Event page

Fat Thursdays Super Fat Crit Series-March 5, 2015
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN 
Online Registration
Facebook Event Page  

Fat Thursdays Super Fat Crit Series-March 12, 2015
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN 

3rd Annual Balsam Basher Fat Bike Race-March 14, 2015
Korkki Nordic Center
Duluth, MN
Facebook Event Page   

Fat Thursdays Super Fat Crit Series-March 19, 2015
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
Spring Park, MN 

Giants Ridge Fat Bike Race-March 21, 2015 - Canceled
Giants Ridge
Biwabik, MN
40, 20 km
Facebook Event Page  

Fat Forest Fourteen-March 29, 2015
Forest History Center (MHS)
Grand Rapids, MN
14 miles

My Favorite Android Weather Apps For Planning a Ride

With the cold and wet Spring we have been having, knowing the weather forecast can be very beneficial for picking the best days and time of day to get in a ride.  There are several apps that I use on my Android phone to help me choose.  I will also visit 2WheelWeather's MORC Weather Blog put out by meteorologist, Kristin Clark who is an avid cyclist and gears her weather forecasting towards cyclists.  But when I need hyper-local up-to-the minute forecasting, I turn to the following apps to find out the temperature, wind speed, precipitation chance and radar images for the area I plan to ride.  This way I can wear the appropriate cycling apparel to be comfortable in adverse weather conditions.

1Weather

1Weather is a very useful app with a beautiful display.  I use it frequently to find the best days and time of day to avoid a rainy ride.  The map feature can be customized to your liking in regards to base layer, weather layer (including weather layer opacity) and a severe weather layer.   Features include:

• Real-time local weather - any location in the world (Current + 48-hour)
• 7-day & hourly forecasts
• Follow my location - Updated weather when you're on the move
• LIVE animated radar and extreme weather warnings (US only) with layers
• Enhanced Cloud Layer for International locations on Radar Screen
• Animated sunrise, sunset, and Lunar phase (Phones only)
• Save multiple locations to access quickly and easily
• Customize with multiple weather theme backgrounds

 
 

 

 

1Weather is available for free on Google Play.

NOAA Weather Free

NOAA Weather Free is one of my favorites because of its detailed hourly graphs that include Temperature, Wind Speed and Probability of Precipitation.  When rain is in the forecast, this app can help me pinpoint when to avoid it.  Store up to 3 locations or it will automatically detect where you are and gives you weather details for your current location.  Features include:

• NOAA point forecasts from your GPS location to get the most localized weather available
• Nearby cell towers and Wi-Fi networks can provide location
• You can also enter a location manually
•  To provided highly localized forecasting, NOAA Weather uses point forecasts from the National Weather Service (NOAA/NWS)
• If there is severe weather you will see a red warning icon in the corner of the current conditions icon, press this icon for more details
• There are differently sized widgets available which can be placed on your homescreen to provide some basic weather information, without the need to open the app
• This is the ad supported free version of NOAA Weather and is limited to 3 saved locations

NOAA Weather Free is available is available for free on Google Play.

Weather Underground

Weather Underground has a beautiful, easy to read display that has all the weather information you need neatly put together on one page.  The layout can be modified to display the current conditions from your selected weather station, map, extended forecast, conditions, daily or hourly graph summary and sunrise/sunset in the order you choose.  The weather radio feature is a big plus with this app, you can select NWS Radio stations for your current area and listen to the current weather, forecast and get details on severe weather in your area.  Features include:

• Status notification: instantly view your current temperature and condition on the notification bar
• Current conditions from your local weather station include temperature, feels like temperatures, wind speed & direction, humidity, dew point, visibility, pressure, gusts and moon phase
• 10-day Forecasts including text summary
• Hourly Forecasts including sunrise and sunset
• Historical data 
• Interactive Map showing all the personal weather stations in your neighborhood with animated radar, satellite, webcams and much more data
• List view of saved Favorite Locations and Recent Searches
• Crowd reporting feature empowers users to verify our data and send their own Sky Reports and Hazard Reports
• Hazard Reports allow users to share dangerous road conditions in their area
• Choose Light or Dark mode
• Customize your experience by sliding the weather information up and down
• Switch between Best Forecast™ & NWS Forecast
• National Weather Service Radio

Weather Underground is available for free on Google Play and for IOS on iTunes.

Weatherbug

Weatherbug is an app that I have been using for a long time on my computer and smartphone.  I can add weather stations from a list of multiple locations for a given area to get hyper-local weather information that is very useful.  The display is laid out nicely and is easy to read and navigate.  The map is highly customizable with many map layer weather overlays to choose from.  The 10 day forecast will help you plan in advance which are the best days to ride or what apparel you'll need to wear for a specific day.  Features include:

• NEW Spark™ Alerts – Unique and beautiful, Spark™ turns your smartphone into a personal lightning detector
• Real-Time Enhanced Pin-Point Forecasts for 2.6 Million Locations Worldwide
• Exclusive DTAs & Severe Weather Alerts 
• Extended 10-Day Forecast 
• Enhanced Interactive Maps 
• Live Weather Cams 
• Lifestyle Forecasts 
• Customizable Home Screen 
• My Location – Automatically updates your weather information based on the closest weather station to you in your neighborhood through GPS 
• Multiple Saved Locations – Save all your locations without any restrictions

Weatherbug is available for free on Google Play and for IOS on iTunes.

Fox 9 Weather

The Fox 9 Weather app has all the weather information you need on the main page and is easy to navigate by simply tapping on the item of your choice.  My favorite feature is the hourly forecast which shows the conditions, precipitation probability, wind speed and temperature on a scrollable page.  I can check the night before a morning ride and determine whether it will be pouring rain or chilly so I can plan accordingly.  Features include:

• Highly responsive interactive map optimized for 3G and WiFi performance
• Vertical and horizontal map display with looping
• NOWrad, the gold standard for radar in the weather industry
• Highest resolution satellite cloud imagery available
• Exclusive patent pending Road Weather Index
• Color coded weather alerts arranged by severity
• Fully integrated GPS for current location awareness
• Integrated compass overlay
• Most accurate 10 day forecasts with both daily and hourly detail
• Ability to easily save your favorite locations
• Storm Track Plotting
• Watch/Warning (Alert) boxes on map
• Ability to acknowledge Alerts from within the app
• Audio, LED, and vibrate for Alert Notifications
• User controllable alerts - Allow the selection of all alerts or just critical alerts
• Future Radar
• Satellite/Radar combined layer

Fox 9 Weather is available for free on Google Play and for IOS on iTunes.

Rainy Days

Rainy days helps me determine the track of a storm for my location.  With an animated radar, it gives me a good idea of whether I can get in a ride before inclement weather arrives or if it's soon moving out of my area.  Features include:

• Shows weather radar doppler images from buienradar, meteox, vaderradar, eumetsat and nws using Google Maps
• Pick animation length: short, normal, long for up to 3 hours of data
• New gestures: double tap and hold, then move up or down to quickly zoom in or out. Swipe from bezel to scrub through the animation
•  Map now follows your location when you are moving
• Tweaks to conserve battery power and increase application performance

Rainy Days is available for free on Google Play.
 
Any of these free apps can be useful weather tools when planning for your next ride.  Get informed before you head out on the bike and avoid being unprepared for the elements.  This will make your ride more enjoyable and when you are wearing the proper clothing for the conditions you'll be able to ride longer, too.

*All images shown are from the Android version of the app.