Fat bikes are generally categorized
as mountain bikes. The only difference
being the extra-wide tires really. During
my last ride, I thought about how I seem
to ride mine more like a gravel bike.
Backcountry exploration is what I yearn for. Wandering through the woods. Wallowing in the forest’s silence. Just me and my bike. The steady harmony of air moving in and out
of my lungs. The crunch of my fat studded
tires rolling over these ice roads. As
much as I appreciate the grooming efforts of all those who maintain on our
local winter fat bike trail systems, I quickly get bored with multiple laps of
a smaller loop. I go over things again
and again enough in my mind. I don’t want
to be doing the same when I ride. The intention
is to get away. To keep going. Further and further. Passing through. For me, it’s never about speed or how many
watts I’m pushing. It’s simply about this
meditative movement. Pedaling Zen. Something therapeutic about this effortless working
pace. Something restorative about quietly
spinning pedals with a steady heart rate of 120 beats per minute. This perfect speed. This perfect effort. This perfect therapy. This winter fat bike season has come to an
end. With day time highs mostly above freezing
now, it’s time to hang up the winter riding tool. And share some highlight shots from the last
few months.