Revelers at this year’s Winter Carnival in Old Forge, set for February 14, 15 and 16, will have the opportunity to witness or participate in a new event on Sunday: a Winter Fat Bike Festival.
The event will include fat bike demo rides and a 20-minute timed race that encompasses the base of McCauley Mountain and a portion of the mountain’s nordic trail system.
Often described as “mountain bikes on steroids,” fat bikes are versatile bikes equipped with over-sized tires—up to four-inches wide—that are specially designed to ride on packed snow and other surfaces, such as sand.
The fat biking concept was developed in the late 1980’s in Alaska by cyclists looking for a way to navigate snowy trails.
Their prototype was made by welding the rims of three mountain bike wheels together, which allowed them to feel as if they were floating atop the snow.
“Fat bikes are becoming increasingly popular, especially for bike enthusiasts looking for that four-season riding experience. I think this event will satisfy the curiosity of those who have seen people riding around town on them,” said Ted Christodaro, operator of the McCauley Ski Shop.
The event is sponsored by the Central Adiron-dack Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA) and coordinated by the owners of the Epic Bike Shop of Fayetteville who will be providing the demo bikes.
Registration for the Demonstration Fat Bike Race begins at 11 a.m. at the cross-country yurt. The fee is $5 and the race begins at 1 p.m. Group rides begin at 2 p.m. Helmets are required.
More information is available by calling the McCauley Ski Shop at (315) 369-3144.