The second annual Fatbike Fest will take place during Winter Carnival weekend from Friday, Jan. 29 to Sunday, Jan. 31.
The popularity of fatbiking has increased in Rossland since last year’s festival, according to Tyler Merringer, owner of Revolution Cycle.
The first fatbike appeared in Rossland five years ago, and since then Merringer says the number of fatbike owners has more or less doubled every year.
Fatbikes have the advantage of performing well on challenging terrain, such as sand or snow, giving Rosslanders a chance to get out cycling in the winter.
“It gives them an alternative when the skiing conditions get challenging and then for your hardcore cyclists, it gives them the opportunity to continue to ride through the winter,” says Ian Craib, festival organizer.
This year’s festival will be a chance to see just how many fatbike owners there are in Rossland.
Friday will be a demo day out at RED Mountain Resort from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. where current and would-be fatbike owners can test out the latest models available from Revolution Cycle, Gerick Cycle and some distributors who will be attending.
Then from 6 to 9 p.m., fatbike riders are invited to participate in the Winter Carnival parade.
“After the demo, we’re going to encourage all the people that want [to], to bring their bikes down to the parade like we did last year,” says Craib.
Last year over 20 riders participated. Following the parade, there will also be a night bike ride.
The Fatduro kicks off Saturday at 11 a.m. Last year saw just under 40 riders participate in the three-stage race; however, the event is not intended for new riders.
“That event, I wouldn’t suggest it for beginner cyclists, but more for experienced cyclists or people that have ridden those trails where it’s going to be on Red,” says Craib.
Sunday’s event is more open to inexperienced cyclists. The Fatbike Cross Country Race, new this year, starts at 10 a.m. at Redstone Resort.
“[Redstone Resort is] going to be providing some grooming on the perimeter of the golf course and then there’s going to be roughly around a 20 to 30 km,” explains Craib.
The course will be set up for different distances for riders of different levels.
Those who wish to register for the Fatduro can contact Tyler Merrring at tyler@revolutionarycycles.ca and those who wish to register for the Fatbike Cross Country Race can contact Gerick Cycle at gerickcycletrail@shaw.ca.
The festival is also still looking for volunteers and anyone who would like to help out can contact Ian Craib at ian@oakbaybikes.com.
