Category Archives: Fat Bike Race

Congrats to Dan & David: Tuscobia 160 Fatbike Race Podium Finishers

December 31, 2017 Tom Kolesnik

Super congratulations to Dan Lockery and David Ristau for conquering this year’s Tuscobia 160 Winter Ultra Fatbike Race – both on the podium!! Dan finished 2nd in 19:17 and David 3rd in 20:40! Results HERE

Word is that the high humidity and frigid temps were a big challenge for many (high DNF rate), but our local MB tough dudes rose to the challenge!

Chapeau buds!

Cheers, Fat Tom K

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/

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

Fat Bike Race

Dan Lockery: Drone view while fatbiking the ITI Race

March 5, 2017 Tom Kolesnik

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

Birch - Pembina Valley, Fat Bike Race

“Last Greatest Show on Snow”: 2WR’s Birch Fatbike Race – 19 Mar 2017

February 17, 2017 Tom Kolesnik

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

Fat Bike Race

Actif Epica: Final Update from the trail

February 16, 2017 Tom Kolesnik

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

Bison Butte at Fort Whyte, Fat Bike Race, Race Report

2WR’s Fort Whyte Fatbike Race was a Blast!

February 13, 2017 Tom Kolesnik

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:

32634863050_9d68f912ab_k — Wayne out for one last sweep of the course.

32975270146_948f3b51f5_k — It’s a family endeavour with 2 Wheel Revolution. 🙂

32201440583_a489576742_k — Large crowd of excited Fatties! 🙂

32975278046_5682b17dbe_k — Lou checking to ensure tire pressures are low enough to roll and ‘float’ on the groomed trails – not rutting allowed here.

32975271346_df29e02d00_k — Robert Paige and his Xtreme Sports Medics Safety Team are THE GO-TO Medic Team for outdoor sporting events in Manitoba and the cycling community depend on them – always!

33016740865_0ea97bb4c3_k — No pressure … really! 😉

32975234746_664d6724a7_k — 30K Experts ready to roll. Adrian & Liam (Fat Levels Team) in the spot light.

32890640911_a50daa70c7_k — ‘Lou Fatinski’ Rolling His Fatty’ …

32171963684_3a0839827f_k — Jonathan’s all smiles! 🙂

32171974714_b6185e09f8_k — Keith knows how to pop a wheelie (and ride a unicycle for that matter)!

33016832155_f57888585c_k — Seriously, half a second later I was pop’n just like Keith! 😉

32201423993_041366b0c3_k — Gregory ‘G-Mac’ McNeill doing what he does best – himself! 🙂

32634786780_3629427893_k — When the Race Organizer, Groomer and Director serves you free beer … you know you are spoiled and arrived in Fatty Bike Heaven! Thanks Wayne! 🙂

32171853474_8d9f33eea6_k — Stojak!!!!!!!!

32975238646_4923971545_k — Right on Janice! 🙂

33016687935_edc3e2934a_k — Well done Christa!

32861313922_d556b66975_k — G-Mac and Wayne … you can feel the love!

33016694665_33e6f4b51c_k — Well dressed Champions!

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

Arrowhead 135 Ultra, Fat Bike Race

2017 Arrowhead 135 Ultra Race: Manitobans Conquer

January 31, 2017 Tom Kolesnik

Lots of Manitobans conquered the always challenging 2017 Arrowhead 135 Ultra Race held in Northern Michigan.

How tough is the race, well I will just quote from their website:
“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. Our average finish rate is less than 50%, the finish rate for new racers is much lower.”

Congrats to Dan Lockery (2nd Place in the UnSupported Category), David Ristau, KC Turczak, Pete McAdams, Dallas Sigurdur, Sue Lucas and Thomas Woods (Honorary MB’n from MN)!

Results here:
http://www.arrowheadultra.com/index.php/results/2017-results

Check out the Live Tracker here (*not all racers had Spot Trackers):
2017 Arrowhead 135 Live Tracker
or Click Here:

Cheers, Fat Tom K

Bison Butte at Fort Whyte, Fat Bike Race

Excitement Building for 2WR Fort Whyte Alive Fatbike Race – 12 Feb 2017

January 26, 2017 Tom Kolesnik

Posted for Wayne Bishop of 2 Wheel Revolution (2WR):

“Thanks to some more amazing help things are tracking in! Trails are very delicate now so please respect the signs and our process! It is gonna take a monumental amount of work but the foundation is being laid for an amazing day of Manitoba Fat Bike Race Series. If you liked Falcon your gonna love The Fort! Sign up now as we will be shutting Registration down on Feb 7.”

Giddy up MB Fatties – see you all there! Now get registered …

Cheers, Fat Tom K

Fat Bike Race, Fat Viking Race

Honourary MB Fatbiker Nina Gassler’s Fat Viking Race Report: Fatbiking.eu

January 25, 2017 Tom Kolesnik

Not only did our ‘Honourary MB Fatbiker’ Nina Gassler organize, direct the Fat Viking 175 Winter Endurance Race in Geilo, Norway and then race superbly to 2nd Place overall and 1st Women … she also posted a nice race report on “fatbiking.eu”! Well done and congratulations my friend Nina!

Check out the report HERE and below:

Thanks Nina!

Cheers, Fat Tom K

Fat Bike Race, Fat Viking Race

Fat Viking 175 Winter Endurance Race: Fat Tom K finishes (just)!

January 24, 2017 Tom Kolesnik

So, now that I have had time to rest and reflect and in response to fellow Fat Viking 175 racers commenting on my ‘circumstances’ – here’s my recap: In short, I finished – just!

Nina Gassler organized and raced an amazing Fat Viking 175 (181 Kms for me – oops, I followed a few others tracks on a wrong turn section and back-tracked) and was my local encourager to persevere (as was my wife Lori and our two adult sons Brett and Jordan), when I started the race with a low energy/hydration level – my mistake eating a camping meal that was laced with MSG (my personal trigger) which gave me a nasty migraine headache the day before the race and made it hard to hold down food.

Once I got going (after racing back to the ski hut at start time to get my water bottles that I accidentally left behind at a cabin a ways away – mistake two), which lead to some wandering around to find the first trail entrance area after leaving the Vestfalia Chalet start line (GPS issues – mistake three).

From there it was a glorious, icy and challenging route that I started before sunrise and ended after sunrise. The views were spectacular and the soul searching was instructive!

Here’s some pictures to tell my race story:

2017 Fat Viking 175 - Maps View — Nina Gassler had originally planned the FV as a 150 Km route, but with this year being an unusually mild and low snow Dec-Jan, she lengthened the route to 175 and had us riding more up into the alpine areas where the XC skate ski tracks were better.

2017 Fat Viking 175 - Vertical View — So … up up up up and up we went! Over 8500 feet of vertical assent – a thigh burner indeed!

2017 FV 175 Pic 21 — Early in the race we ride up (ahem – push up) the side of a ski hill slope to get to the better alpine XC ski tracks that were a joy to ride. *This pic was borrowed from a ride earlier in the week.

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics 1 — The race started well before sunrise and I reached the upper alpine area and was rewarded with this view looking back toward the valley east of Geilo.

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics 2 — I am putting on my best ‘smile it’s all good’ look here, but in fact I was already doubting my decision to race as my usual riding strength and energy level was just not there.

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics - thanks to Nina selfie video — I stopped to record a ‘selfie’ video message of thanks to Nina using my Go Pro on my helmet and here’s a still frame. Making this message did perk up my spirits.

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics - View of long track ahead — But this long section that followed was a bit daunting at the time.

16114924_10211982202700067_4252937494538948328_n — This picture is courtesy of Nina Gassler, who was way ahead of me and returning past me from an ‘out & back’ section. She encouraged me on. Later she told me I looked ‘white as a ghost’ and did not expect me to finish (neither did I then, but I smiled anyways)!

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics - View of Mtn — After completing the Ustaoset out & back section, I returned to this now familiar spot beside the Prestholt Mountain. It was inspiring and I knew that a long downhill section was just ahead.

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics - Fat Bike POV — This was my most familiar view for many hours … ‘Mr. Moonie’ my Surly Moonlander fatbike served me very well – not one glitch on this ride! 🙂

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics - alone view on XC ski track — I rode most of the race by myself and in the end that was for the best. I could manage my body’s responses as I just kept pedalling!

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics - passing XC skier 1 — Occasionally there were opposite direction XC skiers – who were always very friendly! 🙂

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics - passing XC skier 2 — This skate skier was nice enough to move over almost onto the classic tracks and since I was actually riding fast for a change (downhill), I made sure to greet & thank him with “Hi Hi … Tusen Takk” (Hi – Hi again … Thank You)! 🙂

16195140_10212188799378831_633961508847519481_n — This is a media released picture of me a few hours later as I rode into Check Point 1 at Havsdalen. At the time I was considering quitting as my body was fading because my usual race energy foods were not appealing or staying down. My energy drinks were keeping me going. Fortunately for me the rest stop (complete with hot porridge) got my body responding, stomach filled and off I went … back to my usual long ride eating/drinking routine. 🙂

16177943_10102023258501151_3959626264677155058_o — In this borrowed picture of Andrew Mucklestone (taken by Ben Shanson – both of whom trained with me this past week), you see what a lot of the race course was like when it was not icy …

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics 4 — A fair amount of the route on the lower altitude sections was iced up and I was glad to have my 4.8 inch 45N Dillinger 5 tires fully studded! As it was, you still had to be very careful, especially when the track had a center high-point or any off-camber sections.

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics 5 — It was on one off these sections that ‘Ziggy’ rode up from behind me (much to my surprise). I said: “Hey there, I thought I was the ‘Lantern Rouge’ [last rider]?” Turns out Ziggy got held up getting to the race start and he had successfully made up a few hours on me already!

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics - follow Ziggy 1 — So off we went together – for a while anyways.

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics - follow Ziggy 3 — It was on uphill sections that I quickly realized I was working way too hard to keep pace and wished him well to press on at his own speed. Thanks for the company Ziggy! 🙂

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics 6 — Chatting with this dogsled musher, who was training his dog team was a nice distraction.

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics 7 — Fading light on the long section from CP1 to CP2 (& also CP3) at the Dagali Hotel.

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics 8 — I took this picture after a difficult section. I ate some more solid food and paced around for a while then hoped on and rode.

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics 9 — A welcome sight – CP2/3 at the Dagali Hotel. I recall thinking – ‘if only the race was just 150 kms’! Thanks for the extra 25 Nina! 😉 Btw, notice the wheel from another bike … there were riders there who were heading back from the next out & back section. Really nice to chat with them, get advise on the next section ahead for me and the optional ‘ride on a lake’ or ‘ride a path beside it’ and then turn around at the end. They all (including Kathi Merchant) advised not riding the lake (Andrew had fallen in!).

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics 10 — This is what the next out & back section along Seterdalen Road to and along Ossjoen Lake to Aan-Turisthytte (turn around point). I was glad I put fresh batteries in my GPS at CP2, because there were more than a few spots where some tracks went in different directions! Also, I just kept riding until the tracks stopped on the road and then for a bit – then panned my GPS view over to see that I was past the end of Ossjoen Lake. Time to follow my tracks back to Dagali and CP3.

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics 11 — Back at CP3, I was the last racer to arrive.

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics 12 — Fortunately CP3 was staffed by wonderful volunteers (Members of the “Fat Viking Society”) Margit and May-Britt! They were like ‘Guardian angels’! They insisted that it was okay for me to nap for 30 minutes (the most I would agree to – I resisted, but they insisted!) and I awoke feeling like I could eat (unlike when I arrived). Thank you both – Tusen Takk! 🙂

2017 FV 175 Pic 8 — The long dark ride back from CP3 was along a reverse route partially and an especially hard long uphill section I am sure many racers imagined ‘it must end soon – no really?!’ I was pleased that I was able to pedal on for long periods and small breaks to feed and drink. This was the spot (at 170 Kms) that I felt I was going to finish; but also where I realized that with 10+ kms to go; that my mistake of following the wrong tracks at one point (and back tracking) had resulted in bonus kms … no awards for that though! 😉

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics 13 — This sight I only captured only because I stopped to pee and look around. Glad I did!

Definitely my favourite view of the 2017 Fat Viking 175 Race! I knew from my training rides during the week that I recognized the spot and that it was now all downhill to Geilo!

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics 15 — From this intersection, the route was well travelled and solid all the way to the finish line.

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics - Finish Line — A borrowed picture, but this sight was very welcome after 25+ hours! Having Nina Gassler, Kathi Merchant and few others there to congratulate me was a bonus – very classy! 🙂

2017 Fat Viking Race Pics 17 — Back at our ITI Fatbike Training Camp group cabin, it was very quiet until I tiptoed in (I tried) and was warmly welcomed and congratulated by fellow sleepy racers who had finished many hours ahead of me. I was the ‘Lantern Rouge’ and my bike’s colours matched.

A big shout out of thanks to my fellow ITI Trg Camp Participants – Nina Gassler (our local Guide, Race Director and Top Female FV175 racer), Patrick Stevens, Jarmo Jarvinen, Stefan Chmel, Tobias Bos, Constantijn, Andrew Mucklestone, Alejandro Garcia Wolfrum, Daniele Andriano and Jess Dicks! It was great to get to know you all – you are Top Notch!

Another shout out to Kathi Merchant (ITI Trg Camp Guide and ITI Race Director), who raced the FV175 well and finished long before me; yet was awake and present at the finish to welcome me in – classy act!

That’s all – time to work on a race video.

Cheers, Fat Tom K

Fat Bike Race

2WR’s Falcon Ridge Fat Bike Race a HUGE Success

January 18, 2017 Tom Kolesnik Leave a comment

What a great start to 2 Wheel Revolution’s Manitoba Fat Bike Race Series … the Falcon Ridge FB Race was a HUGE success!!

Check out this sweet video of the Falcon Race made by Continue Digital:

Check out Gregory McNeill’s pictures at his flickr account here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/116655655@N05/sets/72157675512747564

Event, Fat Bike Race, Groomed Trail Ride, Informative, Pictures, Race, Ride Report, Uncategorized, WestMan, Winter Singletrack

You get what you give

January 3, 2017 gregorycharlesmcneill 2 Comments

Over the last few years, Wayne Bishop has worked hard to bring to the community a club that instills the ideology ‘Give Love – Get Love’.

All of the monies generated from Two Wheel Revolution (2WRVLTN) through sales of hats, mugs, shirts, memberships and race registrations get put back into developing new course venues and events.

Wayne has gathered like-minded individuals into his club and is constantly recruiting locals to join. The members are doing it because they love what they do, and people who love what they do are willing to sacrifice. This allows 2WR to lean towards being inclusive with the community, rather than exclusive.

With all of the volunteer power and the non-profit approach to capital, 2WR can give lower entry fees for racers, again expanding the possible number of people who will be able to try out a race. This also results in more spectators with family and friends coming out to cheer.

Even Wayne’s beautiful wife Kim and their two sons, Ryder and Chase, work hard in their free time to keep the machine running. Ryder, who is eleven, has the awesome responsibility of being the club’s secretary.

“Being secretary, there is always some challenges but nothing that can’t be done.” says a positive Ryder. “Sometimes tasks are frustrating but I overcome it and try to get the task done. I really enjoy what I do and it is fun to open up my laptop and have a surprise in my inbox. Every day is enjoyable, even with challenges.”

Well get ready because 2WRVLTN has a good show happening on Sunday January 15^th, at Falcon Ridge in the Whiteshell Provincial Park.

Veteran Provincial racer Ken Stojak rode the course last weekend, and was very impressed. “The Falcon Ridge Trail has it all and more. There are climbs, single track sections, downhills, switchbacks, all with out of this world scenery. There are epic views with the ‘On Top of the World’ loop and when crossing the lakes.”

Another long-time sportsman who has raced inline-speed-skating locally for decades is Greg Carrigan. He was out with Stojak and Paul Lapointe doing a pre-ride last weekend and this is what he had to say, “There is something of everything for everybody. Plus there are real nice people running the Chalet and a good burger! I believe if new fatbikers are doing the 10 km after the first tough climb (where they will learn how awesome a fatbike climbs (with the correct tire pressure), they will have a blast!”

Bishop finishes with describing the course, “The course is a 10km loop comprised of a complimentary mix of wide open coastline lake ski trails, tight single track with amazing views and some flowy Fatbike groomed trails that descend back to the chalet!”

“The day will start with a racer check in and tire pressure verification. Some schmoozing and a race start at 11:30 with 5 minutes between classes.” he adds. “Spectators can experience the resort, tubing, live music and all things falcon. Racers will get a meal and beverage, trophies and some Prizing for special efforts, sportsmanship and just general awesomeness! Ideally the outcome from this race is to promote Fat Bikes in MB parks and at Venues with the purpose of creating opportunities for future riding locations!”

https://squareup.com/store/2-wheel-revolution

Fatbikes For The Win FFTW

Fat Bike Race, Winter Singletrack

Falcon trails looking great for the 1st MB Fatbike Race Series event

December 29, 2016 Tom Kolesnik Leave a comment

Reports are coming in from 2WheelRevolution and Wayne Bishop (our new ‘East-Man’ Fatbike Groomer extraordinaire!) that the trail grooming at Falcon Ridge is shaping up “super-sweet” for the 1st race of their 2WR Manitoba Fatbike Race Series!

So it’s time to move past excitement and register to race or take part (there is a $25 ride option) on Sunday 15 January 2017 at Falcon Ridge (in Whiteshell Provincial Park).

Check out the awesome grooming Wayne has already completed …

Getting excited? Hmmm … okay, check out the slick race trophies:

Not excited enough yet? REALLY?? SERIOUSLY??? … Okay, check out the scenery:

That’s what I thought … see you at the race! 🙂

Fat Bike Race

MB FatBike Race Series – Got my ‘Tee’

November 26, 2016 Tom Kolesnik Leave a comment

Look what I ordered and just got … saaweeet!

Wayne Bishop and the 2wheelrevolution folks are putting on a series of three Manitoba FatBike races this winter … all on sweet groomed trails thanks to the Wildcat Groomer he has recently picked up and a ‘sled’ to pull it ta-boot!