The big wheels take to Victoria Park
Riding the 'fat bike' is a way to keep fit and make new friends
TRURO, N.S. – A slippery trail can make for tense moments.
But Angela Macneil came well equipped for a winter ride. She had a “fat bike” with thick tires that gripped the snow and ice of Truro’s Victoria Park.
“The ice is making me a little nervous but it’s all good,” said Macneil, from Truro, as she hit the trails Saturday. “This is my first time and I just love being outdoors and I love mountain biking, walking and hiking.”
She joined about 20 other fatbike riders, most of whom were first-timers like herself, for an introductory clinic led by Mike Knowlton from Hub Cycle in Truro.
Like many riders at the beginner session, Macneil rented her bike, saying “I’ll give it a shot and see if it’s a keeper or not.”
Meantime, Sharon Robertson, also from Truro, has been an avid fat-bike rider for several months. She brought her own bike to the beginner class to brush up on her skills.
“It’s amazing,” said Robertson. “You’re in nature. You’re just enjoying being outside and meeting new people. It’s just a fun thing to do.”
Robertson normally skis with her husband during winter. The couple were unable to do so this year, as her husband suffered a health issue that kept him off the slopes. This led the couple to buy their own fat bike, allowing them to stay outdoors and remain active.
Helped by her previous fat biking experience, Robertson rode confidently across snow, ice and rough ground. Macneil had no trouble keeping up with her, flashing a big smile as she rode past.
“Oh, I love it,” said Macneil of her new pursuit. “It’s fabulous, the fresh air and actually the camaraderie, too, meeting new people, it’s great.”
Knowlton and his students rode 10 km of trails in Victoria Park. At intervals, he would stop the group to deliver a new lesson on how to safely cross difficult terrain.
The lessons started even before riders headed off, with Knowlton testing tire pressure to make sure it wasn’t too high. A slightly lower pressure allows tires to better grip slippery surfaces, he told his students.
Knowlton taught his fat biking beginners how to make wide turns to keep their balance on icy or uneven ground. He warned riders to maintain their momentum without building up too much speed, which can be dangerous.
A useful tip for bikers on icecovered trails is riding on areas with snow or grit, to improve their tires’ grip.
“Ice is only scary if you let it be scary,” said Knowlton afterwards. “Tire pressure is key.”