Category Archives: Grooming Winter Fatbike Trails

Fat Video Time: “Cold Spokes” – Volunteer Fatbike Trail Grooming

WOW!  Check out this very inspiring video just released on YouTube called “Cold Spokes”, which tells the story of the volunteer trail groomers keeping the network of winter fatbike trails open for riding in Michigan, USA.

As they describe it:
“The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is home to roughly 80 miles of groomed [winter Fat Bike] trails. It is the largest network in North America. These trails exist thanks to the contributions of local land owners and government entities, and they thrive thanks to the volunteer efforts of a handful of dedicated hard working people.”

Enjoy:

I must say this video has come along at a very pivotal time for me, as I am about to commit to some ‘soon to be announced’ endeavours in support of increased winter fatbike trail access and grooming, support to our growing local fatbike race series and for me personally to enable more Fatbike Adventures in Manitoba.

So, I too will soon join the ‘gang’ of Manitoban fatbikers who own one of these sweet rigs … the SnowDog,

 

It’s not hard for me to imagine these SnowDogs out on Lake Winnipeg … making recon trips and grooming a track:SnowDog Pic - 1

Plus hauling gear and or people as needed:
SnowDog Pic - 2

Here’s to more adventures and fun ahead … ‘Rolling our Fatties’! 🙂

Cheers, Fat Tom K

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.”

Kevin Braun Manual Groomer - 1

Kevin Braun Manual Groomer - 2

Kevin Braun Manual Groomer - 3
Looking like good ol’ corduroy! 🙂

Well done Kevin!

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.

st Norbert Trail Loop - 6 Feb 2017 - Marty Roy - 1

st Norbert Trail Loop - 6 Feb 2017 - Marty Roy - 3

st Norbert Trail Loop - 6 Feb 2017 - Marty Roy - 2

st Norbert Trail Loop - 6 Feb 2017 - Marty Roy - 4

st Norbert Trail Loop - 6 Feb 2017 - Marty Roy - 5

Post Edit Addition on 10 Feb:
Marty’s back at it again …

St Norbert Trail Loop - 10 Feb 2017 Marty Roy - 1
Behind those ‘shifty eyes’ of Marty’s is a dedicated trail groomer always innovating … check out his modified tire pull with garden rake!
St Norbert Trail Loop - 10 Feb 2017 Marty Roy - 3
Slick! 🙂
St Norbert Trail Loop - 10 Feb 2017 Marty Roy - 2
Nice results too! 🙂

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):
St Norbert Loop Trail - TrailForks

Cheers, Fat Tom K

St Norbert Trail Loop: Marty joins Kevin with Drag Grooming

I noticed that Marty Roy has stepped up recently to help groom the short loop of trails out at St Norbert.  Kevin Braun has been very active with snowshoe and manual drag grooming on the St Norbert Trail Loop for a while, so great to see Marty in action.

Here’s a few pics that Marty had posted online:

St Norbert Loop Trail - Marty Roy Feb 2017 - 1

St Norbert Loop Trail - Marty Roy Feb 2017 - 2

St Norbert Loop Trail - Marty Roy Feb 2017 - 3

Well done Marty!  Let’s hope we have a bit less new snow and some cold nights to set the track firmly.

For those not familiar with the St Norbert Trail Loop, check it out at TrailForks online here: https://www.trailforks.com/trails/st-norbert-loop/
or click the image below:
St Norbert Loop Trail - TrailForks

Cheers, Fat Tom K