With their gigantic, poofy tires, fat tire bikes are not only eye-catching, but growing in popularity. They’re also increasingly being used year-round.
In Wisconsin, people have been pedaling fatties mainly in the winter, when many resorts and recreational areas groom special paths for them. Wausau’s Nine Mile Forest Recreation Area, for example, grooms nearly eight miles of snowy trail for winter fat tire biking.
But fat tire enthusiasts no longer want to stash them in the garage when the snow melts, opting to use them all year long. And why not? You can easily pedal them along the beach, over rocky and rooty terrain, and through mud and water. Sound intriguing? Then rent a fatty and take it out for a spin. Warning: you very well may get hooked.
Photo by Mercedes Tucker
Fall Mountain Biking Events
- Sept. 13-14: Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival
This popular biking festival in Cable features three races: Little Loggers, a 15-minute, continuous loop for kids; Short & Fat, a 16-mile off-road race; and Chequamegon 40, the 40- mile headliner from Hayward to Cable along the famous American Birkebeiner Ski Trail. cheqmtb.com - Sept. 21: Fat Tire Charity Ride of Lake Geneva
Winding through Lake Geneva, Fontana and Williams Bay, this approximately 21.5-mile, unorganized ride offers several rest stops and pretty views of Geneva Lake and Lake Como. Registration fee includes a pig roast. fattireride.com - Sept. 28: Fall Color Festival
Head to the John Muir trails in southeastern Wisconsin for this annual mountain bike fundraiser, where the proceeds support trail maintenance and development. The festival features six races/rides: a 33-miler, 22-miler, 11-miler, 5-miler, parent/child tag-team event and a children’s ride. There will also be food, music and a beer garden. fallcolorfestival.org