All posts by Tom Kolesnik

I'm just a guy who has a passion for producing videos that capture the adventure of all forms of cycling (especially fat biking) and other outdoor endurance pursuits. “If It Was Easy Everyone Would Do It” is often heard from those who enjoy meeting difficult challenges and persevering when others might not. This is what motivates me as an endurance junkie and videographer!

Global Fat Bike day, Group Rides

Winnipeg GFBD Ride Route Recce – It’s looking great – GIDDY UP!

December 1, 2017 Tom Kolesnik 1 Comment

Quick feedback from my GFBD Route Recce today – IT’S LOOKING GREAT!
The trails, pathways, quiet roads and even the Seine River is actually better than a few days ago!
That small amount of snow we got recently has mostly bonded to the previous snow and ice to create okay conditions on the trails and paths. The Seine River is looking very nice!

The pictures below follow the Wpg GFBD Ride “Longer Route”:
Longer Route – MapMyRide Link:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1872120710

Here’s a photo dump from my recce today and a few from yesterday as well – click on the pics to start a slideshow:

So giddy up – saddle up on your ‘Fatties’ tomorrow, join the fun at the Forks at 12:00 Noon, check out everyone bikes and make new friends!

Oh yah, if you get ‘peck-ish’ after riding for an hour or so after the photoshoot, we have a chilifest arranged at a fatbiker friendly home near Kingston Park. Afterwards, your can ride down Kingston Crescent to the Elm Park (BDI) Bridge and access the Churchill Drive Pathways and trails right back to the Forks (about 30 minutes).

#GFBD2017 #fatbikesrule … thewintertrails 😉

Cheers,
Fat Tom K

Global Fat Bike day, Group Rides

Winnipeg GFBD Ride – Route Map and Weather Factors

November 28, 2017 Tom Kolesnik Leave a comment

Here’s the Route Map for the GFBD Route.

We will meet at the Forks at Noon and ride over to the Group Photoshoot, then separate into the Group Routes and head off to the Chilifest Pitstop via road, trail and river (conditions allowing).

*Note: Due to the mild conditions, we may have to adjust the routing (effect on the Seine River – it’s solid frozen where we plan to ride, but if too much snow melts and it becomes too icy then we will adjust).

If the route(s) need to be mostly quiet and safe roads/pathways or just one shorter route – then so be it.

I will be checking it on Friday – fingers crossed.

See you all at the Forks on Saturday at 12:00 Noon.

Route – Full Loop Map (22.5 Km loop – only 15.1 Km from the Forks to the Chilifest Pitstop):

Longer Route – MapMyRide Link:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1872120710

* We will be watching the conditions develop over the next few days with current icy-mess and and make whatever route adjustments we have to … so our Wpg GFDB Ride will be fun and as safe as possible.

** There’s always risks when we step out our door in the winter – but that’s what we do as we embrace winter as just another great Manitoba season! 🙂

More details were posted earlier here:
https://fatbikemanitoba.com/2017/11/24/2017-winnipeg-global-fat-bike-day-ride-12-noon-sat-2-dec-2017/

Global Fat Bike day, Group Rides

RMNP GFBD Ride – Sunday 3 Dec 2017

November 28, 2017 Tom Kolesnik Leave a comment

Saw this on FaceBook (Public Event):
https://www.facebook.com/RidingNP/posts/1952143181470432

If you’re out in Westman … giddy up and get rolling your Fatty or rent one of theirs! 🙂

Global Fat Bike day, WestMan

Brandon Hills GFBD Ride – Saturday 2 Dec 2017

November 28, 2017 Tom Kolesnik Leave a comment

Saw this on FaceBook (Public Event):
https://www.facebook.com/events/2012725938972321/

Brandon Hills, MB – GFBD Ride:

If you’re around Brandon this Saturday then giddy up and take your Fatty for a night ride! 🙂

Fat Bike Race, Winter Singletrack

Woot Woot – Here comes 2WR’s 2018 MB FatBike Race Series !!!

November 27, 2017 Tom Kolesnik Leave a comment

WOW – more Manitoba Fatbike Racing!!!

Once again Wayne Bishop and 2WR is keeping the MB ‘Fatty Flow Fun’ going into 2018! Can’t wait to be part of the fun by helping in any way that I can assist and racing my heart out too!

Here’s what Wayne had to say with about the race series announcement:
“It’s all coming together ! We are looking forward to getting out and doing our part to bring some good times to a few Sundays in the new year . Help keep
the amazing momentum rolling with promoting fat bikes in Manitoba . Registration is up for Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes brought to you by Lake of the Woods Brewing Company the generous support of Olympia on Portage and Bikes & Beyond. Among a host of others.”

Check this sweet video by Continue Digital about the 2017 Falcon Ridge FatBike Race, the MB FB Race Series and the growth of winter fatbiking in general:

Check out the details and register to race (or ride option) over at: http://www.2wheelrevolution.ca/

Group Rides

Bison Butte Fat Bike Ride – Big Fatty Fun! :-)

November 26, 2017 Tom Kolesnik Leave a comment

Thanks to Adrian Alphonso – our MCA/super “Fat Levels” skilled fatbiker for leading our large group of ‘Fatties’ today around Bison Butte at Fort Whyte Alive. Big Fatty Fun for sure! 🙂

Check out a few of Gregory’s pics and my GoPro screencaps:

Global Fat Bike day, Group Rides

2017 Winnipeg Global Fat Bike Day Ride – 12 Noon Sat 2 Dec 2017

November 24, 2017 Tom Kolesnik 1 Comment

Giddy up ‘Fatties’, it’s time for our 6th Annual Winnipeg Global Fat Bike Day Ride on Saturday December 2nd 2017!

Last year we had 75+ riders out and we had a blast, so let’s make this year bigger, better and always about building community and having fun! 🙂

No costs … just bring a smile, your fatbike (or rent one), toque and a helmet of course.

We will meet outside at The Forks Canopy/Tower Atrium area at 12:00 Noon, organize and then head off on our ‘Media Ride’ at 12:15 (led by Keith Holm, ‘Lou Fatinski’, Guy Anthony, myself and others TBA) to ride across the Esplande Louis Riel Bridge to arrive at 12:30 at our usual Group Photoshoot on the East side of the Red River down from the St B Cathedral, where our very own super Fatbiker-Photographer Gregory McNeill will be waiting to capture our now-classic Winnipeg GFBD group photo.

After our group photo there will be several guided group rides of shorter to longer lengths. Depending on weather and road/trail/river conditions routes may change, but your current ride options will likely be:

Guided Shorter: About 60 minutes – heading east on quiet streets toward the Seine River (south of Marion) to access the river edge trail off of Dubuc St for short distance then onto the Seine River (well frozen safe section) south for about 15 of beautiful winding sheltered river riding until we exit west by Humboldt Ave and ride west via more quiet roads to Kingston Row/Crescent leading to our “Chilifest” pitstop at a fatbike-friendly home on Kingston Crescent near Kingston Park.

Guided Longer: About 90 minutes – heading through Whittier Park and south onto the Seine River edge trails until south of the Westeel Plant until just east of the top end of Youville St, where we will exit the shoreline and ride south on Youville St for three blocks, cross Marion via cross walks (light controlled) and four short blocks south to Dubuc St to head east until we can access the Seine River edge trails and follow the same route as the “Guided Shorter” ride … off of Dubuc St for short distance then onto the Seine River (well frozen safe section) south for about 15 of beautiful winding sheltered river riding until we exit west by Humboldt Ave and ride west via more quiet roads to Kingston Row/Crescent leading to our “Chilifest” pitstop at a fatbike-friendly home on Kingston Crescent near Kingston Park.

After ‘chillin’ time, you can head back to the Forks via Churchill Parkway directly to the Forks (30 minutes) or head homeward as best suits you. We will look as having guided groups heading back to the Forks leaving the Chilifest pitstop at 3-ish & 3:30-ish.

Let us know if you are able to be a ride guide (let’s make all the new riders feel welcome).

* Btw, we will be obeying all traffic signs on our group rides, though we hope to use as much trail as possible … and no one will be left behind. 🙂

More details (specific ride distances and maps, etc) will be posted shortly.

Group Rides, Uncategorized

MCA Fat Bike Ride at Bison Butte – 1:00 PM 26 Nov 2017

November 22, 2017 Tom Kolesnik Leave a comment

Come on out to Bison Butte for an MCA sponsored Fat Bike Ride lead by Adrian Alphonso at 1:00 PM on Sunday 26 Nov 2017.

Adrian Alphonso showing his wheelie skills. Photo Credit: Gregory McNeill

Here’s your chance to checkout this awesome trail riding facility right in the city at Fort Whyte Alive. If you have an MCA licence – excellent, if not – you can sign a waiver. It’s open to the public. More details here at MCA:
https://mbcycling.ca/mca-fatbike-ride-at-bison-butte-saturday-nov-26th/

Grand Beach Prov Park, Groomed Trail Ride, Group Rides

Grand Beach Prov Park FatbikeGroup Ride & BBQ: Oh So Sweet it was!

March 27, 2017 Tom Kolesnik

Our Grand Beach Prov Park Group Ride & BBQ yesterday (26 Mar 2017) was Oh So Sweet!

Our large group of guys and gals took advantage of the last remaining snow covered trails (mostly … except for some puddles, icy and mud … other than that perfect)! 😉
We rode, chatted, laughed and then returned to the Ski Huts at the parking lot and BBQ’d up a Potluck Smorgasbord! Great times indeed! 🙂

Lucky for us, Gregory ‘G-Mac’ McNeill joined us to ride and take tons of pictures … which is AWESOME! Thanks again G-Mac for snapping, processing and sharing.
Check out G-Mac’s GBPP FB BBQ Flickr Album and here are some beauties below:

Hey G-Mac … back at yah! 😉

That was super sweet! Til next time …

Cheers, Fat Tom K

Grand Beach Prov Park, Groomed Trail Ride, Group Rides, Winter Singletrack

Invite to Grand Beach Prov Park Group Fatbike Ride & BBQ: 10 AM 26 Mar 2017

March 23, 2017 Tom Kolesnik

Here it is folks, probably our last chance to gather the Fat Bike Manitoba ‘Herd’ for a group ride on what remains of the groomed winter ski trails at Grand Beach Provincial Park. Btw, we have access because grooming has stopped for the season, but some skiers may still be on the trails. We have ridden there in past years at the end of March with similar weather conditions and had a great time (even when it was a bit soft snow or icy conditions).

Our chat at Birch indicated this Sunday works for a bunch of us.
So, giddy up Fatties – who’s in?
WHO: Anyone with a Fat Bike. Minimum 3.8 inch tires. Maximum 10lbs of air pressure. Be prepared to reduce tire pressure to maintain float.
WHAT: Fat Bike Group Ride and Potluck BBQ
WHEN: Sunday, 26 March 2017. Meet: 10:00 AM to start riding at 10:15 AM and finish 11:30 to 12:00 (then BBQ)
WHERE: The Grand Beach X-Ctry Ski Trails Parking/Trail Head on the East side of the park (see Map link below)
POTLUCK BBQ: We can use the warming shacks and potbelly stoves to cook fireside food, smokies/bacon/scallops,potatoes etc in frying pans (bring one) and/or bring a portable stove.
Bring some food and drink share. There are a couple picnic tables, but a few lawn chairs would be handy.
PARK PASS is needed!
MAPS: http://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/parks/pdf/maps/2015_winter_maps/winter_grand_beach.pdf

See you all there.

Cheers, Fat Tom K

Polar Bear Lake Winnipeg Crossing, Ride Report

Lake Winnipeg Polar BearRun/Bike Crossing: An Icy Treat

March 20, 2017 Tom Kolesnik

Well conditions have been mild for a fair while now in Manitoba and most all of the snowpack on Lake Winnipeg is gone. But that didn’t stop Jeff Badger (long time organizer of the Polar Bear Run/Bike annual event from not only organize but also ride across himself. It was in fact a very ‘Icy Treat’, but Jeff and few other fatbikers made a go of it and survived to share the images. Good adventure fun!

Birch - Pembina Valley, Fat Bike Race, Race Report

Having some Fatbike Fun Again: Thank You 2WR – Birch Race was Great!

March 19, 2017 Tom Kolesnik Leave a comment

Having fun again … we raced our fatbikes on the sweet flowing trails at Birch in the beautiful Pembina Valley … paused after the race to remember Alfred in silence and raised our glasses in his honour … then raised more glasses and enjoyed the spice of life!
Thanks Gregory ‘G-Mac’ McNeill for this great picture and all your support bud!

Here’s G-Mac in action as viewed from my GoPro:

Birch Fatbike Race was awesome today! Excellent flow, well groomed and yes, steep trails; along with great folks and good fun times! Thanks Wayne Bishop, 2WR and all the volunteers for making it a success … just what we all needed after a week plus of sadness after the tragic loss of our friend Alfred.

Gregory at finish line — G-Mac … always at the right spot at the right time! Thanks bud! 🙂

My heart is still hurts, but my lungs and legs feel better and my soul is uplifted! Thank you all for being such a great fatbiking community and terrific people!

Cheers, Fat Tom K

Alfred Barr - We Remember

Fatbikers ride to RCAF Memorial Service for MCpl Alfred Barr and Fat Tom K speaks for our Fatbike Community

March 16, 2017 Tom Kolesnik

Today many of us were able to take part in MCpl Alfred Barr’s Memorial Service at 17 Wing Winnipeg Air Base, to share our sorrow with Alfred’s family, his fiance Steffi Hempel and her family, his many close friends, his 435 Squadron mates, members of SAR Tech Course 49 (the course he graduated with June 2016), members of 1 RCHA (his former unit), members of the greater Canadian Armed Forces, the greater SAR community, and most personally with a group of us fatbikers who rode to the service.

We fatbikers were there to show our respects and share our stories of how much Alfred was a valued member of our Manitoba Fat Biking community, who had touched our lives in many wonderful personal ways. He was such a wonderful young man, who always made rides and adventures more fun, who lifted others up and made us smile … as he always was himself!

I was honoured to speak on behalf of our fatbiking community to express my and our communities’ memories of Alfred.

Here is my speech …

Alfred Barr - We Remember, Group Rides

Fat Bike Ride in Honour of Alfred Barr – 11 Mar 2017

March 11, 2017 Tom Kolesnik

Today more than 20 fatbikers and friends of Alfred Barr gathered at my home and we rode to the Forks and back to my home again to Honour Alfred, pay Tribute to his many wonderful qualities and join in mourning his tragic loss!

I give thanks to all of you who joined me on this ride and an special thanks to Robert Paige of Xtreme Sports Medics who met us at several points in the ride with refreshments served from his Medic Ambulance.

These Badges are Special:
LEFT – is mine from my flight suit when I flew C-130 Hercules aircraft and was a Pilot on 435 Squadron based in Winnipeg flying Search and Rescue missions for over eight years.
CENTER – a badge made in Honour of Alfred by his SAR Tech Training Course Mates
RIGHT – Alfred gave me one of his SAR Tech Course 49 badges when he first arrived back in Winnipeg after he graduated and was assigned to 435 Sqn. I recall giving him a big high-five and he gave me a big hug in return!

This Picture Collage was made for me by the RCAF Graphic Designer at 1 Cdn Air Division HQ at 17 Wing Air Base in Winnipeg – much appreciated:

Alfred – you are not forgotten!

Alfred Barr - We Remember, Informative

Shock and Sadness: Loss of our Friend Alfred Barr

March 8, 2017 Tom Kolesnik

I am in SHOCK and SADNESS to hear of the tragic death of my good friend Alfred Barr and member of the RCAF SAR ‘Team’ who was actively training today as a Search and Rescue Technician at 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron (my former squadron) based at 17 Wing Winnipeg!
There are many positive things I could say right now about this wonderful young man that I know as a fellow fatbiking and adventure friend, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his fiancee Steffi, his and her families, his friends and squadron mates … but as a former member of the RCAF SAR Team I reflect on the motto that he and his fellow SAR Techs adhere to and are committed to: “These Things We Do So That Others May Live”!
https://www.facebook.com/…/rpp.61263506…/10154191884061237/…

NEWS RELEASE: Royal Canadian Air Force Search and Rescue Technician dies in training accident

A Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Search and Rescue Technician (SAR Tech) based at 17 Wing Winnipeg died in an accident during training near Yorkton, Saskatchewan on Wednesday, March 8, 2017.

Master-Corporal Alfred Barr was a member of 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The RCAF’s Directorate of Flight Safety will be investigating the accident and no further information will be released about the incident while that is ongoing.

Colonel Andy Cook, 17 Wing Winnipeg Commander:

“On behalf of all 17 Wing Winnipeg and the entire RCAF, I would like to express my condolences to Master-Corporal Alfred Barr’s family, friends and fellow service members. Master-Corporal Barr was a valuable member of 435 Squadron’s Search and Rescue team, and he will be deeply missed.”
———————————————————————

Alfred Barr – together with our Fatbike group on Lake Winnipeg just 10 days ago …

My friend and fellow fatbiking adventurer Alfred Barr riding just before sunset as we and ten other members of our “Fattie-Not So Frozen-Dozen” ride back to the middle of Lake Winnipeg on 25 Feb 2017 to camp-over on a -25C night … yes we stayed warm, had a blast and Alfred revelled in it all!

We will miss him in all our future adventures! We will miss his genuinely true character, his zest for life and adventure and his caring for all those he interacted with.
These qualities lead him to strive after and succeed in becoming an operational RCAF SAR Technician with 435 T&R Squadron at 17 Wing Winnipeg Air Base. It was during a routine SAR training parachute jump that he died – in the service of being ready to take risks to save other’s lives.
We, his fatbiking and adventure friends will miss him greatly, but his fiancée Steffi, his and her families, his many other friends, his squadron mates, members of the RCAF, CAF and Canada will of course miss and mourn his passing in different and no doubt more heartbreaking ways!

Thank you Gregory McNeill for this and many other beautiful pictures you have taken of us adventuring over these many years! It helps to clearly recall the good times we had together!

Alfred – my good friend …