Fat MuddyGuy’s Post:
Hey all you wnrs, Let’s meet at the Forks Jonston Terminal to do a Whittier Park/Seine River ride. 7:30 departure.
Actif Epica 2013 Video – ‘Up Close and Personal’
Fat Tom K’s Post:
It was awesome …
WNR and this Saturday
Fat KC’s Post:
First off, my condolences to the family and friends of Marty H.
Also, again thanks to all involved re: Epica. WAS A BLAST! …To those of you who missed it – give it a go next yr (solo/ team/ volunteer) you’ll have a blast too.
Any interest in a ride tomorrow (Wednesday) night? Wherever. I have a new seat (my seat broke during last wks ride) and will have a freshly charged light.
Thoughts re: a Saturday ride? “I just wanna ride.” Something local/ urban; something different. I still haven’t ridden the Assiniboine Forest and have not been to Beaudry Park. I’m also interested in a Red River ride (see previous posts) or another Lake Wpg ride. 20 – 80 kms…whatever works for people. I was also thinking about Pinawa. Snoman trails exiting northeast section of town are shared between sleds, hikers and skiers. Could do a bit of a fat bike loop there too.
Trouble in Ottawa
Fat MuddyGuy’s Post:
Looks like our Capital is in need of FATBIKE education. Share the trail. This is Canada in the winter. I’d hate to be told FATBIKES are not welcome anywhere in Winterpeg.
Check out… http://forums.mtbr.com/fat-bikes/fat-bike-access-story-ottawa-canada-838667.html
Remember to be a FATBIKE ambassador all the time. I caught myself disobeying a traffic sign while on my fatbike. Mental note was made.
This sport is new. And as much as we love it, there are people who hate and try to tear down something new because it is new and most likely different. Let’s not give them an inch, give them several feet. In fact stop riding all together to give the walkers the option of walking or waiting for you to ride past.
I stopped to let a couple walk past. They said carry on. I said pedestrians have the right of way. They smiled to each other and waved me through. Most of the winter enthusiasts are just like us. But don’t assume. I would hate to see politics or an accident on the trail paint an X on all our backs. There are many generations of FATRIDERS to come. Let’s usher in this new sport in a humble manner. Remember this is not cycling…this is FATBIKING!
Video: Fat tire riding the river trails with JC
Fat Tom K’s Post:
Made this little video from footage of fat tire riding with JC (alias FatJason) coming back from the Lindsay Gauld celebration at the Forks. We rode the Assiniboine River edge trails from the Hugo St River Trail point all the way to Omand’s Creek. From there we connected to the Ass. Park ‘Monkey Trails’, which were in good shape. Nice to get to know Jason better and compare notes about tackling Actif Epica .
Good times 🙂
WNR 6 Feb 2013 – Video Report
Fat Tom K’s Post:
It was a great WNR with 10 riders out for some fun on the Assiniboine River. Good times were had …
Lindsay’s 1 Million Kms Celebration Video
Fat Tom K’s Post:
Here’s a little video I made to commemorate Lindsay Gauld’s amazing achievement!
This video tries to capture the day of celebrations, the early morning start, the riding along the way and the hosted event at The Forks put on my Paul Jordan and MC-ed by comedian Peter Jordan.
I had the distinct honor and pleasure to ride out (with ‘FatCory’, Vern N. and ‘FatJason’) to Nick’s Cafe in Headingly this past Saturday morning to link up with others to congratulate Lindsay Gauld on his awesome feat of having cycled over 1,000,000 Kms! After a little ‘million candled’ cake (courtesy of Vern & Doris N), a group of us made the ride back into town to link up with more riders on the way to the Forks. There, many more riders braved the -25C temps and rode in peleton style to a waiting crowd of enthusiastic supporters.
It was awesome to see the support and appreciation shown by many close friends, fellow cyclists and many Winnipegers! Close friend and faithful ‘man-servant’ Andy Lockery gave a moving speech, as did other hosts and dignitaries! Lot’s of clapping (muffled by big mitts!) and cheering for a REAL CYCLING HERO! WOW … 1 Million Kilometers (to the moon and back and 1/2 way back again)!!
This video includes some nice pics of Lindsay from various local blogsites (Olympia Cycling Club, WinnipegCycleChick and other interwebs) and my own, plus of course my GoPro HD video footage.
WNR Feb. 6th
Fat MuddyGuy’s Post:
I am planning a ride leaving from a Transcona or Elmwood location. KC, is there a location you could name? I will be inviting a fella named Chris who recently picked up a 9:zero:7. He also lives in Trans. Let’s make a plan via comments.
So the plan so far is Bikes and Beyond at 7 on Wednesday. Riding to Forks area then….
Lake Wpg Ride
Fat KC’s Post:
Rode Lake Wpg with a friend today. Was AWESOME! Could not have asked for a better day or better trail conditions. Sunny. Little wind. Freshly groomed with little blow over. Was very doable but still a work out (gentle to moderate pushing at times – does that make sense?). 55 kms. -20C on the Lake
Hey doesn’t your mom work Saturdays at the Petersfield Motor Hotel?
Locals wondering what the…
Met the groomer and club member at the warming hut; were very hospitable.
Snoman trail leading to the Lake
Approaching the lake trail.
Lake Wpg trail.
Oh yeah to our surprise (despite weak wind) we did not hear sleds approaching until they were almost right with us. Wise to be +++careful riding single track sled trail.
ALSO I have a converted .crs file (.gpx file) for the Actif Epica for those with garmin handheld vs forerunner and edge.
30 Jan 13 WNR Report – Windy-Chilly Gravel Grinder
Fat Tom K’s Post:
It was Cory’s idea of a good Actif Epica prep ride on gravel from in town and south via the Brady Road to the La Barriere area and back. Good plan, so I joined and we met up at the Duck Pond warming shack along with Serge (who was joining us for part of the ride to the Forest) and Charles (who lives down south and was riding home from work). Did I mention that the windchill was -35C with a NW wind of over 30 KMs? No … ahh not that important … not yet anyways!
Oh yah, a quick shout-out to Muddy Guy Anthony for the awesome job he did on the frame bag and gas tank bag he custom made for my Pugsley! Picked them up from Guy via Olympia Cycle & Ski on Portage.
My Pugsley all kitted out – thanks Muddy Guy!
So we rode south through the sheltered forest (see ya Serge) and then cruised south with the tailwind via MCCreary Rd and McGillvray to Brady Rd. We were smok’n along (yes, by fat bike standards), but already starting to notice the windchill. Did I mention that I was the only one with goggles on at this point? No … not important yet! So then it’s time to say good night to Charles as we’re 3/4’s the way down to the Perimeter (he rides this every day … hardcore!).
So we press on south past the Brady Landfill and start punching through our first snowdrifts across the otherwise solid gravel … more drifts … our first turn west (ohh … so that’s how strong the wind is!) … more south until we are abeam La Barriere … decision time!
It was only 20 kms back, but the headwind was going to be a factor and Cory had no goggles with him. Well then, hot drink and snack, put on yer best facemasks and giddy up … it’s the real ‘Grinding’ time. Yup, it was slow going and chest/lower-regions numbing cold … but Cory and I pressed on at a reasonable pace … the lights of habitation and shelter from the wind coming closer oh so slowly. No time for pictures, but it was actually a beautiful thing to see and yes feel! We rode steady back to the Forest pathway (except for the ridiculously long traffic light at Wilkes!) and enjoyed the shelter and pathway trails.
Cory – as we reached the shelter of the Forest
At his point, the ride was easy going with -25C type firm pathways. Seemed pretty fast, but once we arrived back at the park footbridge to split up, I realized we had ridden for over 3 hours and only one of those had been going south. Ah, wind … the great equalizer!
Now Cory says it wasn’t too bad riding back into that 30 Kph headwind -35C windchill with no goggles, but I figure he’s pretty tough, cuz it had to have hurt! Nice ride Cory!
Still hiding from the elements – thank you goggles!
Great riding with ya guys. Hope the forest trails were fun Serge and hope to see ya again at Actif Epica Charles.
Ride proposals for Sunday Feb 3rd
Fat KC’s Post:
Have got 2 ride proposals: (1) launch from the Petersfield Hotel and ride Snoman trails through to Chalet Beach Road and onto Lake Wpg. Ride the lake to Gimli’s Lakeview Hotel for food and beverage and ride back. Projected 80 kms return – comfortably paced and fully equipped (lights and other necessities). This ride can be abbreviated – Petersfield to Wpg Beach might reduce ride to ~60 kms. I have seen some stretch of this trail and it looks very doable. I’m told the lake is tabletop. Or (2) Launch from the 59’er gas station and ride the floodway trail to Lockport. Take the Red River from Lockport up to Selkirk for food and beverage. Projected (guessing) 50 kms return.
I am riding this Sunday either way. Company would be nice. I’d prefer a Lake Wpg run but riding the Red is ok too. …disregard the Gimli to Grand Beach ride (on map)…UNLESS SOMEONE’S INTERESTED! …Goal is to have some fun and enjoy the day; if we make whatever destination – great and if not then that’s ok too.
And congratulations to those who participated in Arrowhead.
Gravel Grinder
Fat Cory’s Post:
Anyone up for an out and back gravel grinder to Labarriere and back via Brady Road this week? As the Actif Epica draws closer, I want to get some gravel miles in on the fat bike. I would either go Monday or Weds night.
Arrowhead 2013
Fat Ian’s Post:
Several MFB regulars are racing Arrowhead 135 this coming Monday. Preview and a link to live tracking is posted here. Although the weather isn’t expected to be particularly cold on Monday (race starts in the morning), it will get colder over the race (cutoff is 60 hours). As well, the snow could be challenging: some fresh, some icy, some warm and slimy. Good times.
I’ll be volunteering at the third checkpoint (Mile 110) to witness the carnage. Will try to get some photos to post next week.
From all the Manitoba Fat Bikers: best wishes for the race to Al, Dallas, Dan, Hal, Lindsay, Morgan. Enjoy the ride and godspeed!
WNR 23 Jan 13: Frosty – but fun!
Fat Tom K’s Post:
Thanks to KC and Cory for the good company and motivation to get out last night on my 3rd long-ish night ride in a row. It was around -30C most of the ride and we got a slow start due a mechanical of mine, but we soon warmed up as we headed south from the Forks with Cory leading us on his ‘Churchill Parkway – Seine River Loop’:
Pathways were all hardpacked and smooth cruising:
Most of the river edge trails were rideable and the Seine River track was solid from the Windsor Park area up until a bit south of Provencher Blvd (just north of Kavanagh Park). The Seine River Parkway trail was mostly rideable from there north to the Robins Donuts at Provencher:
Here’s one last screen cap from my GoPro cam, before the frigid temps killed both batteries (batt backpack does not equal 2 x life in the cold!):
Thanks for ‘pulling’ me along guys. Good times!
WNR Jan 22nd 2013
Fat KC’s Post:
I finally have a Wednesday evening off; have a freshly tuned bike and a new light. Any plans for a ride tomorrow? East, west, BHP, river ride?
FatBikeManitoba.com 