Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are Erica Barnes’s alone and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Singletracks.com.
Winter is already in full swing even though the calendar says it winter is just getting started. Temperatures in many parts of the country have begun to dip into the single digit regime. Many places have already experienced the scary, horizontal line in front of numbers. And while most in the northern hemisphere are cursing the sight of snow shovels, axes, and the onion layering of clothing, a certain cult following of mountain bikers are grinning ear-to-ear at the sight of fresh powder.
The general public, for the most part, doesn’t truly comprehend our obsession in mountain biking. And who can blame them? What doesn’t sound foolish about spending more on a bike than a nice used automobile, only to throw both you and the thousands of dollars in self-propelled, high-end tech down a rocky mountain? Stepping back and looking through the eyes of others makes you realize how foolish it all can seem. But there are those amongst us that take this foolishness to a whole new level by participating in the delusional subcategory of fat biking.
Here at Singletracks, the fat biking phenomenon is in a full blown outbreak amongst the writing staff, quite like this season’s flu virus. It’s even spreading to the children of all things. The children!! I will admit that a fair number of our writing staff live in regions of the country where numerous feet of snow falls every year, thus making fat bikes an attractive proposition. Consequently, the views shared here are my own, and definitely do not reflect that of the writing staff at Singletracks.com.
Not once while riding on a gorgeous summer day have I thought to myself, “If only I could suffer more by riding through snow in sub-zero temperatures, battling frostbite and terrain simultaneously.” There are numerous activities I can enjoy during the winter time that don’t require biking in the snow: drinking hot cocoa, sitting in front of a fire, watching football, even shopping for next year’s mountain bike. Sure, I occasionally participate in winter-related activities such as skiing. However, I tend to contain my outdoor winter activities to those that offer lodges with hot meals and alcoholic beverages within mere minutes of participating in said activities. Fat biking provides you with none of these niceties. Nay, necessities.
While New Mexico does receive snow in the winter, there are numerous trails near the Albuquerque metro area that stay dry enough that a fat bike is not needed. So in that regard, my take on fat biking is admittedly biased. However, I know there are many of our readers who reside in snow-filled terrain, yet still abhor the idea of riding in snow. It is for you that I have decided to write my anti-fat biking manifesto:
1. Biking in temperatures below freezing is permissible but not encouraged.
Mountain biking in the negative temperature range is absolutely banned. Our very distant relatives, homo erectus and the neanderthals, worked very hard to “invent” fire to combat the freezing cold. Additionally, a great deal of research and effort went into developing the modern heating system for personal home use. Honor their efforts by sitting in your heated home, sipping hot cocoa that was warmed in the microwave or on your electric/gas stove, while sitting in front of a fire.
2. No man, woman, or child should have to fear the loss of digits due to mountain biking.
These types of medical maladies should only be encountered while summiting Mount Everest. And since Mount Everest does not have mountain biking trails, we have no need to attempt such feats on our mountain bikes in the winter.
3. Tires wider than 4 inches are to be ridden on the beach.
Let’s all be honest with ourselves for a minute. The ultra fat tires were first developed for beach cruisers (as a past resident of Florida, I am clearly an expert on the history of bikes on beaches). How these made the leap from a sunny paradise to the frigid tundras, we may never truly know. However, the natural habitat of fat bikes is along the coastline. Fat bikes found further inland, on snow-plagued terrain, should be considered an invasive species and dealt with appropriately.
4. While mountain biking, you should never be mistaken for the abominable snowman.
Being mistakenly identified as a creature from folklore commonly occurs while fat biking in the winter due to the 12 or more layers that is required to be worn in order to stay warm. It’s how ancient folklore is perpetuated in the modern era. And as more mountain bikers take to fat biking, the more often people will report false sightings of the abominable snowman. This will prevent the masses from accepting real photos published in the next issue of the National Enquirer.
5. Mountain biking was invented in the mountains of California, where the weather is constantly sunny and 70 degrees.
Ok, so it may not be sunny and 70 in the mountains year-round, but you get my drift. While not all of us have the luxury of residing in the human-infested state of California, we should all strive to mountain bike in the true spirit of the sport: biking only when the weather is gorgeous. For some, this may only occur for one month of the year, while for others this may be year-round. But that’s why we as humans invented cars and airplanes, so we can transport ourselves and bikes to warmer climates.
In all honesty, I don’t fat bike because I hate the cold. Plain and simple. So to you fat bikers, hats off. You are truly some of the most hardcore, passionate riders amongst us. Thanks also for pushing the industry to develop better cold weather gear so I can stay toasty warm on my rides when the temperature dips to 50.
On the flip side, be sure to check out Greg’s article, “5 Reasons Why You Need a Fat Bike.”
Your turn: Are you truly hardcore and brave the cold by fat biking in the snow? Or do you abandon mountain biking and join the masses by hunkering down in front of a fire with hot cocoa?
30 Comments
Jan 2, 2015
I gave up a carbon superfly to ride a Farly 6 , and I haven't looked back
Summer , fall , and hell yes winter ,
Now I am 8 minutes slower on my best time, but that's just a challenge to get faster
I ride a 1x 34 with a 42 in the back, I encourage you to forget the winter riding part and borrow one for day and take it to your favorite trails ,
These bikes rock !!!!!!
Oh and riding in cold weather that only makes you stronger !!!!!
Jan 4, 2015
Dec 29, 2014
Dec 29, 2014
Dec 31, 2014
Dec 31, 2014
Oct 20, 2016
Dec 29, 2014
Jan 4, 2015
Dec 29, 2014
Dec 29, 2014
Fatties look fun, but you don't need one to brave the snow and cold.
Have fun out there!
Kristin | Velohut
Dec 29, 2014
Maybe we all just need to move to ABQ :)
Jan 4, 2015
yikes! Don't even joke about that! I don't want Albuquerque to turn into the next Denver!!!
Dec 31, 2014
Dec 31, 2014
Oh wait, you were talking about skiing?
;)
Dec 29, 2014
Apr 3, 2022
BTW: cancer trumps COVID!
Sep 28, 2020
Jan 2, 2015
would love to see some video of 'fat' biking in 2 ft of snow. :)
Dec 26, 2016
Dec 31, 2014
It is worth noting that before fat bikes, I was happy to go ride in subzero temps. Also, since fat bikes, I have enjoyed riding them on dry land. I'm pretty much happy to pedal just about anything, anywhere, any time.
Dec 31, 2014
/\ This.
Dec 29, 2014
Jan 3, 2015
Dec 25, 2016
Dec 29, 2014
1. As many have pointed out, fatties aren't just for snow. In fact, I probably ride my fatty more than my FS bike. There are certain 'easy' trails I enjoy riding in the summer on my fatty, or on trails where traction is key. Some of my PR descents are on my fatty, because I can ride it differently than a regular bike. I also enjoy riding my rigid fatty on hard trails like Apex...and I can keep up with the fastest riders I know. It's a fly-by-the seat of your pants feeling...but that is what makes a familiar trail a lot more intersting.
2. Riding a fatbike is like learning to ride all over again..it makes you feel like you are a little kid on your first bike again. I think I've said that before :0
3. Riding in the snow is awesome for a ton of reasons. The trails are never crowded. Familiar trails become unfamiliar. You learn to ride your bike much differently when you are sliding around. It extends your season. It lets you explore more of the backcountry on a bike that you would ignore when it it is cold outside. Most importantly, you can bike almost anywhere, year round
4. Cold is relative. Having the right gear is always important, and when you are dressed correctly you don't feel cold at all. Maybe when it gets into the teens my nose and toes get cold, but that is pretty rare with the gear I use now.
5. Riding in the snow is a great activity when you live in a place like Colorado and don't have the time or patience to deal with driving to the mountains to ski. Why spend 4 hours commuting to a resort to ski a few hours when you can ride your fatty and get a good workout in a couple of hours? Seriously, with kids, this is nice. You can't always abandon your family and head for the slopes...so being able to ride for an hour when the wee lads are napping is a sweet thing.
6. You can never have too many bikes. Judging by the 2 photos you selected for your article...those guys look like they are having a blast...while most people are inside watch reruns. Boo to that. Get out and ride, fatty!
7. Piggybacking on one of your recent articles: once you have a little fat in you, you can never go back. :)
Dec 31, 2014
1. If your friends can't drop a guy on a fat bike on the descent, then they need to go to a skills camp or something.
2. I understand this. It is the same feeling I get from my rigid SS.
3. Can't relate to this...see Albuquerque.
4. True, but in those temps I expect to be in skiis on a lift.
5. See #3
6. True, you can never have too many bikes.
7. I don't like fat.
Dec 31, 2014
Also, I have to agree with jkdouglas's rebuttal to #1 above, and would add that maybe the trail needs to be more technical. Doesn't matter what kind of bike you're riding if the trail is baby-smooth.
Dec 25, 2016
Jan 3, 2015
Of course, in the Northeast, when there is no snow, you can still go ride on the beach. Neither of those worked too well when I was confined to skinny tires. :-)