Winter Fat Biking
For those accustomed to the endorphin boosts associated with shredding berms, landing drops, and cruising down flow sections, winter can feel like an unwelcome interruption in mountain-biking bliss. While some riders choose an absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder approach and take a break from biking altogether during winter months, others find ways to keep their metatarsals moving with indoor riding, trips to warmer climates, and/or snow riding. One increasingly popular form of winter pedaling is fat biking. Here are a few tips for getting started.
Find a Bike
Fat bikes have much wider tires than typical mountain bikes, which makes them safer and easier to ride over snow. Many cycling shops sell fat bikes. If you’re new to the sport, however, you’ll probably want to try one out first by renting. Avoid the temptation to switch out the flats on your fat bike rental with clip-in pedals. You will want flat pedals because you’ll get on and off your bike much more frequently than you do on dirt trails.
Choosing a Trail
Snowshoe trails, snow-covered roads, and snowmobile trails can make great paths for fat biking. In addition, many trails groomed for Nordic skiing allow fat-biking in the wider, skate-skiing area. Some areas even have specific fat biking trails! Make sure that fat biking is allowed on the trail you choose, and follow all posted guidelines. Never bike in the designated ski tracks at Nordic areas. If you bike on snowmobile trails, consider wearing blinking tail lights and reflective clothing. In addition, stay to the right and yield to snowmobiles. Regulations vary considerably by area, so do your homework in advance. If you rent a bike, ask for path recommendations at the shop. Find links to some of the Utah trail conditions in our Clinic Journal.
Avoid avalanches
As with any winter mountain sport, make sure you are familiar with current avalanche conditions. Check your local avalanche forecast, and avoid riding on or below avalanche-prone areas when risk is elevated.
Set Realistic Expectations
Fat biking on snowy surfaces is substantially slower than on packed-dirt trails. Realistically, beginner fat-bike riders will pedal about a fourth of the distance in winter conditions that they would in dryer seasons. Start with low mileage on flat paths, and gradually increase your distance and elevation gain as you become more familiar with the sport. Expect to crash, but keep in mind that chances are good that the landing will be relatively soft. And don’t worry—even though it’s slower, it’s still a lot of work and provides a killer workout!
Dress Properly
Snow weather is usually cold weather; however, that doesn’t mean you should wear your ski bibs to ride. For winter biking, you should dress like you would for Nordic skiing or alpine touring. Layer up! As a general rule, wear enough to be a little cold when you start riding. Even when it’s freezing, your body will generate a lot of heat within a few minutes. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer next to your skin (merino wool and synthetics like capilene are good options). Carry a puffy or fleece mid layer, and wear a windbreaker or light ski shell for the chillier, downhill sections of the ride. For the southern portion of your body, wear standard bike shorts with weather-resistant or winter-cycling-specific tights. Breathable gloves or liners will generally be sufficient for climbing, but you’ll likely want an insulated glove (or lobster-style cycling gloves) for the ride down. Make sure your gloves allow you to break and shift effectively! Many winter bikers wear either a wool buff, cap or ear band beneath their regular biking helmet. Some riders wear ski or snowboarding helmets for winter riding, but keep in mind that they are much warmer than regular helmets. Warm hiking socks and water-resistant hiking boots are good options for your feet (my winning combo after frequent frozen toes is now Sorels with charcoal toe heaters). Gaiters will keep your feet dryer and warmer. For very cold riding, consider investing in pogies or Bar Mitts for your hands, and shoe covers for your feet.
Tire Pressure
One of the biggest differences between summer and winter riding is the amount of pressure needed in your tires. For packed, harder snow, your tire pressure should be around 6-10 psi. For softer snow, your pressure should be about 1-5 psi. You read that correctly! The ideal pressure will change depending on conditions, so carry a pump and experiment with various pressures. Riding with low pressure will increase the area of tire in contact with the snow, and the increased friction will give you more traction and help you avoid creating ruts.
Be Courteous
Always follow general trail etiquette and Leave No Trace principles. Do not leave ruts in snow – either decrease your tire pressure or turn around and come back another day. If you need to walk your bike, avoid creating boot holes (“postholing”) on groomed trails. Instead, walk to the side of the path if possible.
This guide is just the tip of the iceberg – do some research and head for the hills. As always, be safe and have fun!
