Category Archives: Global Fat Bike day

Global Fat Bike day

7th Annual Winnipeg GFBD Ride – Sat Dec 1st 2018: It’s going to be a Huge Blast!

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Giddy Up Winnipeg area Fatties – it sure looks like our 7th Annual Winnipeg Global Fat Bike Day Ride planned for Saturday December 1st 2018 is going to be Bigger and Better than ever! 🙂

Winnipeg GFBD Ride 2018 - Banner 8b

Four days ago, I announced our Wpg GFBD Ride Leader’s Team plans and invited local fatbikers with a Public FaceBook 2018 Wpg GFBD Ride Event and we already have over 100 looking at attending!  That’s a larger number than in previous years when 100 riders actually joined the ride.  In fact, because there are plenty of riders who are not on social media or chose not to commit until a few days before GFBD, it sure looks like this will be our biggest.

Here’s the plan:

No costs … just bring a smile, your fatbike (borrow or rent one – but we are inclusive, so a MTB can work for most or all of the route and you can parallel the Seine River on roads if necessary), toque and a helmet of course (silly helmet covers are always welcome 😜).

Just like in previous years – we will meet outside at:
The Forks Canopy/Tower Atrium area at 12:00 Noon, Sat 1 Dec 2018:

2017 Wpg GFBD Ride - Route Recce Pic 1

2017 Wpg GFBD - Tom's Pics 1

We will organize and then head off on our ‘Media Ride‘ at 12:15 (led by Keith Holm, Lou Fatinski, Guy Anthony, Chris Black, Jonathan Letkemann and myself) …

Screen Shot 2015-11-28 at 7.21.43 PM
Here’s the ‘Media Ride’ section from the Forks ‘Canopy – Atrium’ start to the East side of the Red River across from the St Boniface Cathedral via the Esplanade Louis Riel Footbridge.
2017 Wpg GFBD - Tom's Pics 2
Riding down from the Forks Market area.
2017 Wpg GFBD - Tom's Pics 3
Here’s Keith Holm (orange helmet) leading our ride up towards the CMHR.

we will ride across the Esplande Louis Riel Bridge …

2017 Wpg GFBD - Tom's Pics 5
High Fives (and Low Fives) are always welcome as we cross the bridge.  Here’s one of our ride guides Guy Anthony (yellow bike) leading the way.

We will arrive at 12:30 at our usual Group Photoshoot on the East side of the Red River down from the St B Cathedral …

2017 Wpg GFBD - Tom's Pics 7

2017 Wpg GFBD - Tom's Pics 8

… 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.

2017 Wpg GFBD Ride Grp Pic - Gregory McNeill

After our group photo we will head of on the same route as last year as one group (about 90 minutes from the Photoshoot to the Chilifest Pitstop).

Depending on weather and road/trail/river conditions the route may change, but your current ride route will likely be:

Wpg GFBD 2018 Ride - Route Full Loop
This the same route as last year and it worked really well.
From the Photoshoot we will head north along the Red River shoreline trails …
2017 Wpg GFBD - Tom's Pics 9
2017 Wpg GFBD near Whittier Park - Blake's Pic
Great picture taken by Blake Anderson (he climbed the old toboggan tower by Whittier Park)!
and then into Whittier Park to ride the single-track trail …
2017 Wpg GFBD - Tom's Pics 10
Riding the Whittier Park single-track trails.
and south onto the Seine River shoreline trails  …
2017 Wpg GFBD - Tom's Pics 11
Riding the Seine River single-track trails.
We ride trails until south of the Westeel Plant until just east of the top end of Youville St, where we will exit the shoreline and up onto roads …
2017 Wpg GFBD Ride - Route Recce Pic 15

 

and ride south on Youville Street for three blocks, cross Marion Street via cross walks (light controlled):

2017 Wpg GFBD Ride - Route Recce Pic 17
Marion Street crosswalks (light controlled).
We continue south on Youville St for another four short blocks south to Dubuc St to head east until we can access the Seine River edge trails off of Dubuc St for short distance then onto the Seine River (well frozen safe section) south for about 15 minutes of beautiful winding sheltered river riding …
Gregory's 2017 GFBD flickr Album 3
Here’s some of pictures of us riding onto the Seine River taken by our Official GFBD Photographer Gregory ‘G-Mac’ McNeill who will be active again this year.
2017 Wpg GFBD on the Seine - Blake's Pic 1
Here’s a great view of us riding onto the Seine River captured by Blake Anderson.
2017 Wpg GFBD - Tom's Pics 15
Solid frozen/firmly packed snow conditions last year made our ride on the Seine River ideal!
2017 Wpg GFBD Ride Grp Pic on Seine River
Here we are reformed as a group on the Seine River.
We exit west off the Seine River by Humboldt Ave and ride west via more quiet roads …
2017 Wpg GFBD Ride - Route Recce Pic 23
to Kingston Row/Crescent …
2017 Wpg GFBD Ride - Route Recce Pic 24
2017 GFBD riding to chilfest pitstop - Gregory's Pic
… leading to our “Chilifest” pitstop at a fatbike-friendly home on Kingston Crescent near Kingston Park (arrive +/- 2:00-2:15 PM).
Gregory's 2017 GFBD flickr Album 5
2017-wpg-gfbd-at-the-chilifest-blakes-pic.jpg
After ‘chillin’ time, you can head home or back to the Forks via Churchill Parkway directly to the Forks (30 minutes) or head homeward as best suits you. We will have guides heading back to the Forks leaving the Chilifest pitstop at 3-ish, 3:30-ish & 4-ish.
2017 Wpg GFBD Ride - Route Recce Pic 33b
Of Note:
This year we are fortunate to have the Safety Support from Robert Paige of Xtreme Sports Medics.  He and his Medics Team will be following our route with his fully equipped Medical Vehicle and always ready to respond (not that we should need their help).
Xtreme Sports Medics Banner Collage
* 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. 🙂
*Btw 2, like last year there will be other riders and groups that will likely meet up in their part of the city to ride as a group to the Forks to join in or who may wish to have a group ride after our Wpg GFBD Ride – excellent, the more the better.

1. There is usually a group that rides in from the NE (Transcona).

2. There are a number of guides and riders who are planning to meet at the Elm Park (BDI) Footbridge at 11:00 AM to ride to the Forks – Keith, Chris and I will be with that group.

3. There will be a group riding from Woodcock Cycle Works (WCW) on St Mary’s to ride to the Forks – Nic Robitaille is the WCW Lead Guide.

 

Check out my video of our 2017 Wpg GFBD Ride:

Any questions or route conditions updates, please make a comment or email me through the ‘Contact Form’ on this site.
Cheers,
Tom Kolesnik
‘Fat Tom K’

 

Global Fat Bike day

Global Fat Bike Day: 2018 Banner Icon Released

So Fat-Bike.com has released the Banner Icon artwork for the upcoming 2018 Global Fat Bike Day, which will take place as it always does … the first Saturday in December:
December 1st, 2018:
https://fat-bike.com/2018/08/global-fat-bike-day-2018/

GFBD 2018 Logo 1

GFBD 2018 Logo 2

Looking forward to all the different Manitoba GFBD rides that will take place, like in previous years in places like Brandon Hills, RMNPark, Portage, Winnipeg, etc …

Cheers, Fat Tom K

Global Fat Bike day, Video

Fat Video Time: 2017 Winnipeg Global Fat Bike Day Ride

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Once again our 6th Annual Winnipeg Global Fat Bike Day Ride was a blast, with more than 55 riders taking part and having casual fun and connecting while riding and sharing stories over hot chili and drinks!  🙂
Check it out:
Thanks again to Gregory ‘G-Mac’ McNeill for the great pics (especially our ‘iconic’ group picture), to my Lori K who hosted the chilifest (sore wrist precluded riding this year) and our ride organizers and guides Keith Holm, Guy Anthony and ‘Lou Fatinski’.  🙂

Global Fat Bike day, Group Rides

6th Annual Winnipeg GFBD Ride a HUGE success!

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Wow, that was a BIG FAT BLAST of GFBD fun! 🙂

Once again our 6th Annual – 2017 Winnipeg Global Fat Bike Day Ride had more than 55+ local fatbikers out for a fun ride on trails, pathways and even the frozen Seine River, plus a chilifest get-together to swap fatbiking stories, make new friends and plan upcoming adventures!

Great fun times thanks to our official photographer Gregory C. McNeill and volunteers ride guides Keith Holm, Guy Anthony and ‘Lou Fatinski’.

Here’s the STORY OF THE RIDE THROUGH PICTURES …

So two of our GFBD Ride Guides – ‘Lou Fatinski’ and Keith Holm were so excited on the way to the Forks that they popped wheelies almost the whole way 😉
We gathered at the Forks at Noon and had a chat about upcoming fabiking rides and races. We also quickly discovered that everyone wanted to ride the longer route … cool! 🙂

So off we rode our fatbikes down to the Red River (well okay, we did gladly welcome a few friends who didn’t have a fatbike to ride, or like Bass – had loaned his to another – nice guy).
Keith Holm leads the way as we rode toward the Cdn Museum for Human Rights and the Esplanade Louis Riel Bridge.
Our lead guide Keith Holm is all smiles … even when not popping a wheelie! 🙂
Just across from the St Boniface Cathedral we rode down to the Red River again.
It’s quite the sight … a beautiful Winnipeg vista and 55+ Fatties riding down to our now classic GFBD photoshoot location with Gregory McNeill waiting to capture the scene.
Cruising down the steps from the St Boniface Cathedral to the GFBD Photoshoot by the Red River – Credit: Gregory McNeill
Official 2017 Winnipeg GFBD Ride Group Photo – Credit: Gregory McNeill (MCA Volunteer of the Year!)
Cruising along the Red River edge trail toward Whittier Park.
Back of the group riding along the Red River near Whittier Park – Credit: Blake Anderson
Cruising the Whittier Park trails.
Cruising the Seine River edge trails.
There he is … Gregory McNeill doing what he does so well … capturing pictures of us riding and making us look cool (well at least good)!
Riders on the Seine River edge trails – Credit: Gregory McNeill
Guy Anthony – super GFBD Ride Guide – was smiling during the whole ride (mind you most people do while riding a fatbike) 🙂 – Credit: Gregory McNeill
Nice photo of us riding down onto the Seine River – Credit: Blake Anderson
It was great to get down onto the Seine River …
Okay, so I step to the side to capture some footage and who almost runs into me? Come on David Ristau … really?! 😉
Conditions were excellent on the Seine River for an easy cruise … studded tires or not. 🙂
The Seine River was a great place for a large group fat bike ride! 🙂
Impromptu group photo I snapped when we were finishing our sweet ride down the Seine River.
After a short ride down some fairly quiet city streets, Keith lead the group to our Chilifest Piststop – Credit: Gregory McNeill
Yes – there were several fat bike parking options at our GFBD Chilifest Pitstop.
Time to park the bikes and chat about our love of fatbikes and …
… and make new friends and plans for future fatbiking adventures! 🙂

Lot’s more pictures and video’s to post, put for now make sure to check out Gregory McNeill’s flickr account GFBD post here:   Winnipeg GFBD 2017

or click on the images below to link there too …

Until next year … let’s keep ‘Rolling our Fatties’! 🙂

Cheers,

Fat Tom K

Global Fat Bike day, Group Rides

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

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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

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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

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

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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.

 

Global Fat Bike day, Pictures

GFBD Ride Bys and High Fives

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There are lots of great pics and vids yet to be shared from our 5th Annual Winnipeg Global Fat Bike Day Ride.  But first, here’s some up-close and personal snaps of my fellow Winnipeg GFBD Fatties as they make Ride Bys and give High Fives as they cross the Esplanade Louis Riel Bridge enroute to our group photo-shoot rendezvous with Gregory.
Yes Charles, we always include you too bud … but, hint – crowd source! 😉

* Btw, that’s the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in the background.

Global Fat Bike day, Group Rides

That was a big fat GFBD blast!

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Our 5th Annual Winnipeg Global Fat Bike Day Ride was a Big Fat Blast!  We had over 75 riders connected with our main ‘Media Loop’ and our 3 separate routes after that all ended at our chili-fest hangout!

There lots of pictures and videos floating around already, but for now … here’s our Group Picture captured again this year by our very own fatbiking photographer Gregory McNeill:
gfbd-2016-winnipeg-group-pic-3

Global Fat Bike day

Time for our Winnipeg Global Fat Bike Day Ride – Sat 3 Dec 2016 – 11:30 AM

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Giddy up ‘Fatties’, it’s time for 5th Annual Winnipeg Global Fat Bike Day Ride on Saturday December 3rd 2016 starting at 11:30 AM at the Forks. We had 70+ rider out last year and we had a blast, so let’s make this year bigger and better!

winnipeg-gfbd-ride-2016-banner

We will meet at The Forks Canopy/Tower Atrium area at 11:30 AM, organize and head off on our ‘Media Loop’ at 11:45 (led by Jason Carter, Keith Holm, myself and others) to ride across the Esplande Louis Riel Bridge to arrive at 12:00 at our usual Group Photoshoot on the East side of the Red River down from the St B Cathedral, where our very own Gregory McNeill will be waiting to capture our gathering and then we will ride south behind the St B Hospital to the Norwood Bridge and the “Green Bridge” back to The Forks.

There are then three riding route options:
SHORT “Hop, Skip & Jump”: Forks to the BDI Bridge and ‘Casa Fat Tom K’s Place’ for a “Chili-fest” pitstop. Route 8 kms via the Churchill Parkway with Lori and Tom K leading.

MEDIUM “When Ducks Skate”: Forks to the Assiniboine Park Duck Pond and back to the Forks, then south via the “Hop, Skip & Jump” Route to the “Chilli-fest” pitstop. Route is 26 kms to Tom K’s Place, with Keith Holm leading with assistance from Brian Dyck and Big “Lou”.

LONG “Barclay-Burchill-Gauld Maraton”: A special “Quest” Route designed and lead by Jason Carter. Route is 42 Kms and my take as long as 3 & 1/2 hours to return to the Forks (less for speedy and crafty folks), then south via the “Hop, Skip & Jump” Route to the “Chilli-fest” pitstop or via vehicle if you parked at the Forks.

This is a ‘Fat Bike’ event, so ideally you will be riding a fat bike (3.7 inch tire width +), however if you don’t have one yet, you have a few options:
1. Sign out a ‘Demo’ Fat Bike from a conveniently located Bike Shop – White Pine Bicycle Co (http://www.whitepinebicycleco.com/) located in the Forks Terminal Building. Brendan at WhitePine has offered them for free use in connection with our GFBD Ride and will be there at our 11:30 gathering.
2. Ride your MTB and we will welcome you to see what all the fatbiking fun is about … we know you want one! 🙂

Here’s the Press Release:winnipeg-global-fat-bike-day-2016-press-release-v3

 

 

Event, Global Fat Bike day

5th Annual – Winnipeg Global Fat Bike Day Ride: 11:30AM Sat Dec 3rd 2016

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winnipeg-gfbd-ride-2016-banner

Giddy up, mark your calendars and get ready for our 5th Annual Winnipeg Global Fat Bike Day Ride on Saturday December 3rd 2016 starting at 11:30 AM. We had 70+ rider out last year and we had a blast, so let’s make this year bigger and better!

We will meet at The Forks Canopy/Tower Atrium area at 11:30 AM, organize and head off on our ‘Media Loop’ at 11:45 (led by Jason Carter, David Cobb, Keith Holm, myself and others) to ride across the Esplande Louis Riel Bridge to arrive at 12:00 at our usual Group Photoshoot on the East side of the Red River down from the St B Cathedral, where our very own Gregory McNeill will be waiting to capture our gathering and then we will ride south behind the St B Hospital to the Norwood Bridge and the “Green Bridge” back to The Forks.

Details are yet finalized, but after the Media Loop, their will be a variety of ‘short-slow’, ‘medium’ and ‘longer-faster’ ride route options and opportunity to ride over a period of one to three plus hours, with ride leaders and ‘back of group’ guides.
We also hope to have a social connection aspect to the ride, which can involve venues at The Forks (details pending) and a local ‘Fatbiker Friendly’ home location (details pending).

Here’s our 2014 Wpg GFBD Ride Video:

Here’s our 2015 Wpg GFBD Ride Video:

This is a ‘Fat Bike’ event, so ideally you will be riding a fat bike (3.7 inch tire width +), however if you don’t have one yet, you have a few options:
1. Sign out a ‘Demo’ Fat Bike from a conveniently located Bike Shop – White Pine Bicycle Co (http://www.whitepinebicycleco.com/) located in the Forks Terminal Building. Brendan at WhitePine has offered them for free use in connection with our GFBD Ride and will be there at our 11:30 gathering.
2. Ride your MTB and we will welcome you to see what all the fatbiking fun is about … we know you want one! 🙂

Check out at our FBM FaceBook GFBD Event – HERE
Also check out our brand new Twitter Account – HERE

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW, BUT TIME TO GET READY!
SEE YOU ALL THERE!! 🙂

winnipeg-gfbd-ride-2016-wheel-icon

Global Fat Bike day, Ride Report, Video

Global Fat Bike Day 2015 – Having a Blast in Winnipeg, Eh!

Tom Kolesnik’s Post:

Check out my Winnipeg GFBD Ride 2015 VIDEO:

Our 2015 – 4th Annual Global Fat Bike Day ride in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada was even BIGGER and BETTER than last year!

Almost 70 Fat Bikers gathered at the Forks in the heart of Winnipeg to start our GFBD ride (or joined us along the way).
Some rode a shorten route, some longer, but all enjoyed a great day of early winter fat biking on a beautiful sunny day.
Our official photographer Gregory McNeill did the honours again on the East side of the Red River at our now standard perfect riverside spot.
GFBD 2015 Group Pic 1
This year Gregory was riding his new Fat Bike and still carrying all his cameras and tripod … hardcore tough that guy … just the way we like him!

Our route this year (after our Prologue across the Red River and back to the Forks) took us west along the Assiniboine River walkway and river=edge trails, through Wolseley, along Wellington Crescent and on the Assiniboine Park ‘Monkey Trails’ to the Park Duck Pond Shelter (no need for it this year). Then we made our way south to Fort Whyte Park via Assiniboine Forest pathways and to our 3/4 route goal of ‘IKEA Hill’ and a short steep up to another group photoshoot.

FatBikeManitoba.com Banner 2 - GFBD 2015 - Bison Hill

Most of the still large crew made a pitstop at the Buffalo Cafe (funny name – since we call them Bison in Manitoba and there are actual Bison at Fort Whyte Park in a large enclosure field).
Onward east now took most either along the MacGillvary pathway or Bishop Grandon Greenway to the Wildwood Park area and north to the Elmpark (BDI) Bridge and the official “Casa Fat Tom K’s” Pit Stop … chili-fest, suds and hot ‘toddies’. Good times! 🙂