Category Archives: Fat Bike Race

Fat Video Time: 2019 Fat Viking Race in Geilo, Norway

October 22, 2018 Tom Kolesnik

Check out this excellent Fat Viking Race Promo Video just made by Mattieu Leroux, who I have been connecting with over the last few months about his plans to race the FV150 this year in Geilo, Norway, which is organized by Race Director and Fat Viking champion and my friend Nina Gassler (I did some fatbiking and bivy camping on Lake Winnipeg with her in 2016 and race the first FV175 in 2017):

The Fat Viking is an excellent Winter Endurance Race held in stunningly beautiful Geilo, Norway in very hilly terrain (big ski hills, lots of multi-use XC ski trails, etc) with usually lots of deep snow and challenging winter weather conditions.

Race Director Nina Gassler has built a strong organizing team (The FatViking Society)!

Are you ready for a Challenge worthy of a Viking?

Not sure yet? Okay then, check out my little video from racing the 2017 FV175:

How about these maps and views from the race (Btw January 2017 was a very unusually warm period in Geilo and so in the lower terrain it was very icy, so we all rode fully studded tires and needed studs on our boots as well! Last year they had tons of snow before and during the race!):

That’s what I thought … of course you are ready!

Links here:
http://www.geilo-aktiv.com/no/fat-viking

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fatviking/

Cheers, Fat Tom K (1st year addition Fat Viking)

Fat Bike Race, Group Rides

2WR Announces: 2018-19 MB Fatbike Race Series & Social Events Schedule

October 19, 2018 Tom Kolesnik Leave a comment

Posted for Wayne Bishop of 2 Wheel Revolution (2WR) – it’s out on social media:

“As we kick off another start to an amazing season we have some new sponsors, tricks and additions. New venues for races and rides. So get on board and be prepared. All New race routes and a lil secret trail special for the Moonshiner.

Race Schedule as follows …
Birch Mountain – Sunday, December 9, 2018
Falcon Ridge – Sunday, January 13, 2019
The Forks – Sunday, February 10, 2019
Bison Butte – Sunday, February 24, 2019

Social Schedule as follows…
Intro to Fatbike – Saturday, November 24, 2018
Moonshiner – Friday, December 21, 2018

More dates TBD

Check out 2WheelRevolution.ca for more info”

He He He … now that’s got me excited! How about you? Giddy Up Fatties! 🙂

Cheers, Fat Tom K

Actif Epica, Fat Bike Race, Informative

Actif Epica 2019: Race Registration is Live

October 16, 2018 Tom Kolesnik

Posted for the Actif Epica Race Team (posted to the AE Site Registration Page today):

“Registration is now live for Actif Epica 2019, the weekend of February 15th-17th. Sign-up is available via Webscorer:
(https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=155624)”

So giddy up Fatties … time to register and get training for a terrific winter ultra race challenge! 🙂

Need some perspective on the race then check out my video “Actif Epica Race 2014 – Meeting the Challenge”:

* BTW, when the video ‘appears’ to end at 3:49 – keep watching and you listen and be inspired by the Ultra Foot Racer (now avid fatbiker) Gregory ‘G-Mac’ McNeill, when I walk into the finish with him along the Red River approaching the Forks! This is exactly when G-Mac and I first bonded and fellow adventure friends and partners! He is awesome in many ways – athlete, adventurer, photographer, volunteer, stalwart friend …

Cheers, Fat Tom K

Fat Bike Race, Informative, Uncategorized

Congrats to Nina & Dan: Alaska ITI 350 Race Finishers

March 2, 2018 Tom Kolesnik

WOW! Super congratulations to both Nina Gassler (Honourary Manitoba Fatbiker) and our very own Dan Lockery for finishing the Alaskan Iditarod Trails Invitational (ITI) 350 mile race on their fatbikes! The conditions were tough and they rose to the challenge! Super congrats to Nina, who was the Women’s 350 Champion!

Fat Bike Race, Pictures

Great Pics: 2WR’s Fort Whyte Fatbike Race – 25 Feb 2018

February 26, 2018 Tom Kolesnik

Posted for Gregory ‘G-Mac’ McNeill and 2 Wheel Revolution:

2WR’s 2018 Fort Whyte Fatbike Race was an awesome success and you can see it all for yourself, right here at the Race Flickr Account:

Here’s a few to wet your appetite – enjoy!

Awesome times were had and once again an impressive event put on by Wayne Bishop and his 2WR Team members and volunteers!

Cheers, Fat Tom K

Fat Bike Race, Video

Fat Video Time: 2WR’s 2018 Falcon Ridge MB Fatbike Race

February 24, 2018 Tom Kolesnik

Here’s a video I made using my new Mavic Pro drone and Go Pro camera at 2 Wheel Revolution’s Falcon Ridge Manitoba Fatbike Race held on 14 Jan 2018.

I’ve been really busy with preparations for upcoming fatbike adventures on Lake Winnipeg next weekend, but I found some time in the last few days to give proper editing focus to this video.

Conditions at the race were excellent but challenging with new snow that had been groomed well on wooded singletrack and open lake sections that also wound around the Falcon Ridge ski hill, up to the ‘Top of the World’ Lookout and across High Lake before returning to the ski chalet. At the chalet there was live music, hot cooked food and beverages to go with a casual and fun party atmosphere!

Best quote of the weekend about how was it out there? … Kathy: “Awesome – Winter Wonderland!” Yes – IT WAS just that and more!

I hope this video captures the excitement, fun and community that is fatbiking and racing in Manitoba … all thanks to Wayne Bishop and his 2WR Team of members and volunteers! Enjoy:

This should get you pumped for the next race in the 2WR FB Race Series, happening tomorrow Sun 25 Feb 2018 at Fort Whyte Alive in Winnipeg! 🙂

Sadly, I will not be able attend the race tomorrow 😦 … as I will be doing on a snowmobile recce and trail grooming day on Lake Winnipeg with big support from Kevin Champagne (his snowmobiles).

Bison Butte at Fort Whyte, Fat Bike Race

Get your vibe on: 2WR’s Fort Whyte Fatbike Race – 25 Feb 2018

February 20, 2018 Tom Kolesnik

Posted for Wayne Bishop of 2 Wheel Revolution:

It’s a vibe ….. come get yours on . It’s the people, for the people and about the people. Make a friend, make a rival and make your own path!

Register for the FortWhyte Alive stop [2nd of the MB Fatbike Race Series] in the heart of Winnipeg brought to you by Lake of the Woods Brewing Company
Park at the main lot get your bike and gear and spin to the Siobhan field house. Two left turns and follow the road.

Get changed in the heated facility, leave your gear, change of clothes and race supplies at the field house.

Please Pre reg soon, so we can make sure we have lots of food for you! Don’t and I WONT guarantee you a lunch. Help me help you!

Stoked to raise an elbow with you all!

Jade SignWorks is my hero …… great guys led by the one and only Mark Seel.
You know he is champion by the way he came through in the clutch. Another great friend of the 2WR, making sure you all are taken care of. Thanks for the support, making 2WR stand out and most of all, pride in what you do. Check these bad boys out. And he doesn’t even do trophies! INCREDIBLE.

I’ve been busy grooming the Bison Butte sections and it’s setting up super sweet!

Thanks to Olympia Cycle & Ski and Bikes & Beyond for their continued support!

See you all soon!

Actif Epica, Fat Bike Race

Actif Epica Race is underway: Check it out Live on-line or in Person

February 17, 2018 Tom Kolesnik

Posted for the Actif Epica Crew:

Returning again this year, we will be hosting a live blog for the Actif Epica race weekend with links to our social media, live timing and race updates. http://live.actifepi.ca/welcome-to-the-actif-epica-2018-li…/

This year’s Actif Epica Spectator’s guide brought to you by Tetro Design (http://www.tetrodesign.com/) is now available to download for spectators, support crews, or anyone that is interested in finding out more about our event and the route. The guide is available here: http://actifepi.ca/spectators-guide/

Some of local fatbikers and previous AE racers will be active today and into the night as Roving Responders (I’m partnering with fellow Westman Fatbiker and AE Finisher Steven Sloat who’s coming out all the way from Shilo!).

Plus Robert Paige and his Xtreme Sport Medics Team will be there to ensure that everyone is safe!

Cheers, Fat Tom K

Arrowhead 135 Ultra, Fat Bike Race

Manitoban Fatbikers Conquer the 2018 Arrowhead 135 Ultra Race

January 30, 2018 Tom Kolesnik

A huge shout out and congrats to all our fellow Manitoban Fatbikers who took on the challenge of the 2018 Arrowhead 135 Ultra Race which is super tough!

How tough is it? Well … “The Arrowhead 135 is recognized in the book “The World’s Toughest Endurance Challenges” by Richard Hoad and Paul Moore as one of the 50 toughest races in the world. It is a human powered Ultra Marathon taking place in the coldest part of winter in the coldest city in the lower 48 states.”

Well done Dan Lockery, David Ristau and Pete McAdams!
Live Tracker Details HERE

Special congrats to Dan Lockery, who as the 1st Place (Unsupported Category) Fatbike Finisher – WOW, super tough rider indeed!

Cheers, Fat Tom K

Fat Bike Race, Fat Viking Race

Amazing Finish of the 2018 Fat Viking Race in Norway: Nina Gassler Rocks it!

January 27, 2018 Tom Kolesnik

WOW!!!!!!!
Our very own ‘Honorary’ Manitoba Fatbiker Nina Gassler (actually she is German, but is a ski instructor and fatbike tour operator in Geilo, Norway) has just accomplished a ‘for-real’ EPIC fatbike race accomplishment worthy of a VIKING!

She was the only racer to complete the full distance of the long course of the Fat Viking Winter Endurance Race in very difficult conditions (bad enough snowfall that most racers had to pull out or be re-routed to the finish via a short-cut)!

Congratulations Nina, you truly are my German-Norwegian Fatbiking Hero!

Cheers, Fat Tom K

Fat Bike Race, Pictures

That was a blast – 2WR’s Falcon Fatbike Race a Big Success!

January 14, 2018 Tom Kolesnik

Almost 90 racers took part in an awesomely successful and fun race out at Falcon Ridge Resort … all thanks to Wayne Bishop and his 2 Wheel Revolution Team of members, volunteers and a the good folks at Falcon Resort. Check it all out on social media and here:

Falcon Ridge Race 2018 Drone Pic 1

Falcon Ridge Race 2018 Pic 1

Falcon Ridge Race 2018 Drone Pic 12

Falcon Ridge Race 2018 Drone Pic 15

Falcon Ridge Race 2018 Drone Pic 18

Editor’s Later Addition:
I had the pleasure of using my new drone and my trusty GoPro camera to capture the all the action and fun of the race … here it is:

Cheers, Fat Tom K

Fat Bike Race

There’s still time to register for the Falcon Fatbike Race

January 13, 2018 Tom Kolesnik

Posted for Wayne Bishop of 2 Wheel Revolution:

There’s still time and access to register and join 80+ of us at Falcon on Sunday to race or ride (that is an option). See you there! Great Fatty times ahead!

https://www.facebook.com/2wheelrevolution/posts/2021464934804756

Cheers, Fat Tom K

Fat Bike Race

Falcon FB Race Plate pickup: 7-9 PM 10 Jan 2018 at the Peg Brew Co.

January 10, 2018 Tom Kolesnik

Giddy up MB ‘Fatties’ it’s time tomorrow night to pickup our race plates for this Sunday’s MB Fatbike Series Race at Falcon Ridge!

So a few of us are starting our journey to the Peg Beer Co. for food, bevies and good social connecting by gathering at my place/Red River FB Crossing at 6 Bells (6PM) and riding to the Peg via Churchill Parkway.

Post Event Edit:
Good times were had by many and there was swag …

Great FatBike Racing times ahead! 🙂

Cheers, Fat Tom K

Fat Bike Race, Informative

2WR Report: Good News from Falcon for Fatbike Racing Ahead

January 9, 2018 Tom Kolesnik

Posted for Wayne Bishop of 2 Wheel Revolution:
*Editor Note: Wayne is referring to how awesome the fatbike trail grooming and support for his upcoming MB Fatbike Race on 14 Jan 2018 at Falcon Ridge Resort is looking …

“Out of my mind…. so happy and humbled by the support of my family, old friends, new friends and newly aquatinted riding mates.
It takes so many people to make a success of these races. So many talented people that make 2WR what it is!
Locals supporting locals….so many amazing humans have aligned for one day . You are all stars in my eyes. HUMBLED .Thank you for your time, vision, expertise and blessing!”

Fat Bike Race

Race Plate Pickup Night – 10 Jan 2018: 2WR’s MB Fatbike Race Series

January 1, 2018 Tom Kolesnik

Giddy up MB Fatties … great times ahead for racing and riding (you can join the race as a rider as well – cool option) thanks to Wayne Bishop and 2WR with the first race at Falcon Ridge Resort on Sunday 14 Jan 18!

But first, join your fellow fatty racers and pickup your race plate on 10 Jan at 7-9 PM at the Peg Brew Co. and enjoy some beer, food, swag and stories!
FaceBook Event Here

Cheers, Fat Tom K