Dan Lockery has been spotted online while racing the Iditarod Trails Invitational (ITI) Race in Alaska … by a drone video freeze frame (pun intended):
Cheers, Fat Tom K
All posts by Tom Kolesnik
G-Mac’s Flickr Account: 2017 Lake Winnipeg Fatbike Crossing & Campover
This beautiful picture of our “Fattie – Not So Frozen – Dozen” enjoying some bonfire time at our campsite on Lake Winnipeg last weekend is courtesy of our very own fatbiker friend and photographer extraordinaire Gregory ‘G-Mac’ McNeill.
The rest of Gregory’s excellent pictures from our “2017 Lake Winnipeg Fatbike Crossing and Campover” adventure are on his flickr account here:
https://www.flickr.com/…/116655655…/albums/72157680968774465
Thanks again G-Mac for capturing our adventure so well!
Cheers, Fat Tom K
The ‘Fatty – Not So Frozen – Dozen’ Rocked the “2017 Lake Winnipeg Fatbike Crossing & Campover”
Our “Fatty – Not So Frozen – Dozen” took on the “2017 Lake Winnipeg Fatbike Crossing & Campover” on 25-26 Feb 2017 and ROCKED IT! 🙂
We rode from Grand Marais, Manitoba 35 Kms/22 Miles across to Gimli (for lunch of course – thanks to Jeffrey Badger for the free drinks at Kris Fish & Chips) and then back to the middle to camp over night.
We rode on the “Closed for the Season – early due to recent snow melt” snowmobile trail that was still marked and providing a roughened icy tread remnant with some old and new thin snow cover.
Those with studs were better able to ride all of the surface, but with lower tire pressure those non-studded faired fine (a few spills happened early on with the icy close to shore section covered by a wisp of fresh snow that made it hard to see what was really icy). After about 4 Kms the trail was much better with snow pack.
Thankfully, our recce ride the day before the weekend confirmed the trail conditions and the ice pressure ridge gaps that had developed just out from the Gimli Harbour and likely further out! With that info, we had Kevin Champagne step up with his brother Peter to join us with two quads and foldable ramp to allow safe gap crossings!
Kevin & Peter also transported some firewood for us … added bonus! We enjoyed a night around a bonfire, complete with special beverages, snacks, tall tales and entertainment (Ken’s fireworks – Just little ones – no SAR or 911 callouts).
After our morning ‘boil offs’ for breakfast and water bottle refills Gregory arranged our group photo shoot and then we rode back to Grand Marais for lunch (okay – a few speedsters enjoyed brunch :-])!
Wakey wakey time in my Big Agnes 6-Person tent. Only five of us slept in it and that was perfect actually. Pete McAdams is in the back and L-R was Gregory (already up), Alfred Barr (Para Rescue toque), me and David Ristau (that’s him smiling cuz he’s so warm).
As Gregory put it when we were chatting after sunrise:
“This is AWESOME – look at that [view], that’s what we came here for – it’s beautiful!”
Thanks for joining in guys:
Gregory C. McNeill, Alfred Barr, Keith Holm, Jonathan Letkemann, David Ristau, Lindsay Gauld, Paul Lapointe, Pete McAdams, Bradley D Paul, Ken Stojak and Tony Kinal. A great group of fellow winter adventurers!
It was a terrific adventure for all and a lot of fun ‘ta boot’!
A big shout out to Wayne Bishop who had offered to groom a track across the lake for us, but the recent melt off made that not required. In normal conditions, our trip would have been difficult to impossible without his Wild Cat groomer!
Big Sponsorship thanks to:
– Rick Shone and Garrett Tremblay at Wilderness Supply Winnipeg (assistance with Base Camp Tent)!
– Ken Berg and Alisa Mayberry at Mountain Equipment Coop Winnipeg (camping meals)!
It was a terrific adventure for all and a lot of fun ‘ta boot’! 🙂
Cheers, Fat Tom K
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* These pictures were added later in Post Edit … in Memory of RCAF SAR Technician Alfred Barr who died during a training parachute jump from an RCAF C-130 Hercules aircraft (that I used to pilot) … just 10 days after he had adventured with us as a member of our ‘Fatty-Not So Frozen-Dozen’.
Alfred – you are not forgotten!
Next year we will return to again to “Camp Barr” on the middle of the lake during the “2018 ‘Alfred Barr’ Lake Winnipeg Fatbike Crossing & Campover” adventure!
Always a SAR Brother – RESCUE!
Major Tom Kolesnik, RCAF
Former 435 Squadron C-130 Hercules SAR Pilot
Lake Winnipeg Recce Report: All Good for a Fatbike Adventure Weekend!
Lake Winnipeg Recce Report:
It’s going to be a great weekend!
On the Grand Marais Side: All the puddles are solid frozen now and the trail is well defined and rough (generally good traction) with the trail markers in place. No problem riding with no studs, but studs are a bonus and with them you can enjoy riding on the smooth areas. Very little snow left until you get out a few kms. The usual narrow cracks are no issue. Plenty of people out ice fishing using trucks.
After riding out a fair ways on the Grand Marais side, we could confirm no major pressure ridge or cracks and that the riding surface got better after about 4 kms. Then we drove around to Gimli.
On the Gimli side, we rode out from the harbour and looked for the main trail leading to an expected pressure ridge crossing point …
We discovered that the usual pressure ridge about 400 metres out from the Harbour had increased recently (we were warned) and stepping or jumping across was not an option.
We are looking at a way to bridge it with ramp support from our quad friends (thanks Kevin & Peter Champagne). Safety will be the priority, but we did find a good spot to cross (preferably with ramps).
So, all is good for this weekend!
Studded tires would be a bonus, but not required. Just ride on the rougher sections and straight line on the smooth parts.
We have two quads (with loading ramps for crack-crossing) in support thanks to the amazing Kevin & Peter Champagne! 🙂
Cheers, Fat Tom K
Brandon Hills: Marty, Rick & Christa hit the Fatbike Trails
Saw Marty Roy’s post after he Rick and Christa enjoyed a great day riding on the sweet Brandon Hills Fatbike Trails (hey it’s winter so not so MTB now – Eh!).
Looks like they had a great time and appreciated the grooming done by ‘Trevor’ (Westman Trail Assoc – I believe). Check it out here and in person:
Looks like I need to get out there myself.
Alas, I am off to recon Lake Winnipeg for our Lake Winnipeg Fatbike Crossing & Campover adventure coming up this weekend.
Cheers, Fat Tom K
Actif Epica: Check it the Live Blog
Posted for the Actif Epica Team:
We won’t be logging into Facebook during the race. Keep your eyes on our LiveBlog for updates: http://live.actifepi.ca/
I will be out active as a Roving Responder and posting to AE Twitter and the Live Blog.
Cheers, Fat Tom K
“Last Greatest Show on Snow”: 2WR’s Birch Fatbike Race – 19 Mar 2017
Posted for Wayne Bishop of 2 Wheel Revolution:
“The Last Greatest Show on Snow is stopping for our 3rd and final race at Birch. Come out to what you expect … the best! 10 Km ride, 20km and 30 km race.”
Check out the Birch Race FaceBook Event:
Cheers, Fat Tom K
Actif Epica: Final Update from the trail
Posted for the Actif Epica Trail Crew:
“Final update from the trail:
We were out marking the approach into the city last night starting at the lead up to the floodway. Snow cover was firm enough to drive part way down the road. The opposite end near hwy 200 is walk-in only so we hiked along the South side of the floodway, driving in stakes as far as the Crow Wing Trail signs. The trail has plenty of foot traffic near the public parking lot. Further East we encountered less foot traffic and were punching through the snow in places. You can expect the floodway to have a mix of soft and firm footing although the warm weather may result in more of the former.
Snow in the city has been melting and the forecast for Saturday is suggesting near or above freezing during the day with some cooling overnight but warming up again on Sunday. This is shaping up to be one of the mildest event days we have had in a few years but don’t worry, that brings its own set of challenges.
Two more sleeps! See you soon.
Trail Crew”
See you all out there on the AE Trail.
Cheers, Fat Tom K
Lake Winnipeg Fatbike Crossing & Campover: 25-26 Feb 2017 – We’re a Go!
So, if you’ve heard rumours of some fatties planning to sleep out on the middle of Lake Winnipeg … their true and we are a GO!
‘Behind the scenes’ a group of six of us local fatbikers have been planning a new adventure to take our previous fatbike crossings of Lake Winnipeg (as part of Jeff & Candy Badger’s annual “Polar Bear Run/Bike Crossings”) to another level of planning, coordination and challenge.
The result is that our core Planning Team has a plan and 4-6 more riders are joining us. It looks like there will be 10-12 of us – including Bradley, an American from NY (who I met last year when he was taking part in a fatbike training camp on Lake Wpg).
So … we will take on the first (Annual?) of the following adventure:
The “Lake Winnipeg Fatbike Crossing & Campover” on Sat/Sun 25-26 Feb 2017.
– We will have several guides/experienced fatbikers in our group and I will be Lead Guide for our adventure.
– We will do this as a cooperative activity.
– We will be using the ‘Closed to Snowmobiles’, but still marked “Snowman #17 “Piston Popper” Snowmobile Trail from Grand Marais to Gimli (approx 35 Kms) and riding back to the center of the lake to campover.
– We will have the support of several snowmobiles (or quads depending on the snow depth on the lake) thanks to Kevin Champagne and his Brother Peter – thanks guys!
– We have received some sponsorship support from MEC Winnipeg in the form of camp meals and snacks! Thanks MEC – always good to have extra food on hand!
– I have also received sponsorship support from Wilderness Supply in Winnipeg, that has allowed me to acquire the Big Agnes 6-Person 4-Season Tent for use on this and future adventures. Just used it on the river behind my house – a nice base camp tent:
Thanks Wilderness Supply – you rock!
– Thanks to one of our Planning Team members Alfred Barr (local fatbiker – who is also an RCAF SAR Tech at 435 Squadron based in Winnipeg) we will also have the use of an Iridium Sat Phone! Thanks Alfred, but I hope you don’t mind us calling for pizza delivery! 😉
– Some of us will be riding with fully loaded bikes:
– Others will use ‘Pulk’ sleds behind their bikes (like Ken just made for this trip):
– While we will be bringing meals to cook on the lake and extras, we do plan to enjoy a hardy breakfast at the Sand Bar Inn in Grand Marais on Saturday before we start and a lunch on Sunday on our return. We also are planning a late lunch at Kris Fish & Chips in Gimli (owner’s Jeff & Candy Badger have promised a free first drink – thanks you two!).
– Our very own fatbiker-photographer extraordinaire Gregory ‘G-Mac’ McNeill will be riding with us and snapping pictures that will no doubt make us look even more adventurous than we will be …
– We are doing this adventure as a ‘simple – but well planned‘ and cooperative adventure. We will work as a team and make it a fun and safe adventure.
This is going to be a blast! 🙂
Any questions or interest, you can contact me at:
tomkolesnik@gmail.com
Cheers, Fat Tom K
2WR’s Fort Whyte Fatbike Race was a Blast!
Wow!!! That was a Blast! Wayne Bishop, his 2 Wheel Revolution Team and a bunch of volunteers just served up a huge Fatty Race and Fun Fest! Many local fatty racers and some just out to ride and check it out had a great day of racing, socializing and building community! I enjoyed myself immensely! 🙂
Thanks Wayne, your excellent family and 2WR Team!
Check it out in pics:
Yup – a total Blast indeed! Can’t wait until Race three in the series … next up Birch on March 19th 2017 …
Trophies are on the line! 🙂
Cheers, Fat Tom K
Ride Report: Actif Epica Recon Ride – 12 Feb 2017
Posted for Dan Lockery and the Actif Epica Trail Crew:
“AERecon Ride #5 Report – February 12, 2017
For the final recon ride we chose a section of trail that would represent some of the varied trail conditions that participants may encounter on event day. That meant a trip back to St. Malo and we headed South along the route to the Senkiw Suspension Bridge.
The temperature was warm to start, around -8C (~18F) with a steady wind from the West. The forecast high was calling for above freezing later in the day.
We met up in St. Malo at the checkpoint (and starting location for the classic route), with four riders and one course marking official (thanks Dallas!). Road conditions leading into/out of St. Malo were wet, but much less icy than our previous warm weather ride when it had rained.
The first dirt road section heading away from St. Malo was passable with wider tires but saw the MTB’s struggling and walking on occasion. When we reached the highway crossing we compared notes and decided to split up. The MTB’s detoured to the suspension bridge so they could hike in and check things out. The rest of us continued on through the trail sections where conditions were near perfect to begin with. The trail has been well used by sleds and we made fast progress until arriving at the fenced off section that had not seen any sled traffic in some time. We were walking through there in mixed snow depths until arriving on gravel at the other end.
After passing through Senkiw, the gated trail is walking-only down to the bridge with soft and deep snow conditions due to shelter from the trees and minimal deer traffic. Once past the field, things improve closer to the bridge. Turning back and by the time we met up for coffee/lunch, icicles and snow were melting as the day heated up.
Since then, we have been out along the Southern end of the route and had a look at some of the fields. Mud has started to poke through the snow in places and with warmer weather on its way later in the week we might be riding/running the edges of the trail to avoid getting bogged down in our “Manitoba-Mud” on any dirt sections (the mud won’t let go without a fight, we advise you avoid it if possible!).
Thanks again to all that were able to join us for the recon rides this season. We had a great time getting to know and ride with you over the past few months. To those traveling to get here, have a safe trip. We look forward to seeing you all on Friday at gear-check and the pre-race meeting!”
St Norbert Trails: Kevin’s New Groomer
So Kevin Braun (stalwart groomer of the St Norbert Trail Loop) has done some more innovating …
“Last year I was able to just use snow shoes to keep St. Norbert groomed. This December was epic for snow, so I built pull groomer, 17″ wide, good results, but a little narrow. So, now we’ll see how the 24″ wide version works. Total cost, less than $20.”
Well done Kevin!
Cheers, Fat Tom K
Invite to Actif Epica Recon Ride: 12 Feb 2017
Posted for Dan Lockery and the Actif Epica Trail Crew:
“One week to go. That means we are planning our last recon ride for this year’s event:
Date: Sunday, February 12, 2017
Time: 9:00am
Location: St. Malo, we will meet at the checkpoint location (in the parking lot at the arena)
Purpose: To scout the trail conditions and put up some course marking from St. Malo to the Senkiw suspension bridge along the Crow Wing Trail (note: this is part of the longer courses, 160km and 200km).
Who: The trail crew will be riding at a slow rolling pace (on fat bikes) and would love it if you brought ANY type of bike and joined them (bring friends on bikes too!).
The Plan: To put up course marking materials, take a few pictures of trail conditions and enjoy a fun, sociable ride from St. Malo to the suspension bridge (and just beyond). We will return along the same route and the distance estimate is about 37km to the bridge and back, adding in a short bit of planned extra distance south of the bridge might push that up to 40km round-trip at most. We will roll out at 9am from St. Malo and as always, if you happen to be late, you can follow our tracks and the Crow Wing Trail signs (white arrow on blue background) to catch up with us as we will be stopping periodically to take pictures and put up course marking. We estimate the total riding time to be approximately 3.5-4h. Also, there will likely be a post ride discussion over coffee/food at a local establishment should you feel so inclined and have the time to join us.
Important Note: All participants join us at their own risk (e.g. please be safe, wear appropriate winter riding clothing, a helmet, bring blinky lights for improved visibility, enough food and water for the ride and a basic repair kit). Citing a famous quote, “YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU”, so please respect the nature of a winter riding adventure, it can be unforgiving.
Hope to see you on Sunday!”
2WR’s Fort Whyte Fatbike Race: Looking Great for Sunday, 12 Feb 2017!
Posted for Wayne Bishop of 2 Wheel Revolution:
“Froze my towkis off today … conditions will be great …..and super solid for the weekend! Registration closes Thursday night and all prices will be increased by 20 $. So log in at shop at 2wheelrevolution.ca now and sign up. We need your support to make things like this happen! And if you can’t make it this weekend get some merchandise or donate to the cause.”
“So here you have it!!! A great rock hard course 9.55 km at an average 30 minute lap! There is a out and back 2 way section to the Sterling Lyon Parkway!! A mix of single, double track ,climbing and pathways. You will see deer, bison and the leaders will definitely see a owl! Please no riding on course until Sunday, we have worked our asses off getting this ready for all.”
So Giddy Up Fatties – see you all on Sunday!
Cheers, Fat Tom K
St Norbert Trail Loop: Marty’s Dragging Again
Here’s a St Norbert Trail Loop Update from Marty Roy, who’s been busy dragging and grooming the trail:
“Get it before the DEER! St.Norbert is in great shape again.
Last picture shows the path going down and across the river to the start of the trail.
Post Edit Addition on 10 Feb:
Marty’s back at it again …
Thanks Marty! You and Kevin Braun are the best … out in St Norbert, anyways! 😉
Here again is the TrailForks info for the St Norbert Trail Loop (Click the Image Below):
Cheers, Fat Tom K
FatBikeManitoba.com 