Tag: Fat Bike

FAT BIKE FRENZY – A WINTER CYCLING FUN FEST.

Fat Biking in February – a Perfect Antidote to Cabin Fever

Terry customer service heros, Cam and Lisa, gave fat biking a try for some winter cycling fun, and found out why people love fat bikes so much. This activity could be both the most fun you can have on a bike AND the most fun you can have in the snow.
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Cam’s first fat biking adventure

As a Vermont transplant, I had never been on a fat bike before Sunday. Being a true opportunist I was excited to try something new, and any intimidation I felt for the behemoth of a bike standing before me melted away the second I was in the saddle. I was initially surprised with how light I felt and how maneuverable the bike was. Like a kid kicking off their training wheels, I was speeding out of the parking lot and onto the trails in seconds.

The conditions were a bit icy so I limited myself to a novice route, which I was thankful for as my new-found hubris might have encouraged me to try and top the mountain. I could spend all day on one of these, getting lost in woods and thought. Weaving around the trees and barreling down the hills was the most winter fun I’ve ever had, I felt unstoppable. After having such a blast outside I didn’t want to go back in, so I spent the rest of the day with wind-marked cheeks and a smile from ear to ear, playing on the frozen lake with my dogs. I shed the cycling tights but wore my Sunblocker Jersey and base layer into the evening.

I was colorfully and comfortably dressed in our new Sunblocker Jersey in Color Jungle, Petite Coolweather Tights, and Wool Cylosox. I started off the sunny 30 degree day with a Sherpa lined jacket but by the time I hit the hills I was able to shed off that layer and ride down in just my Sunblocker with my fantastic Craft baselayer underneath. The Flex Chamois offered me continuous comfort throughout my ride and perfectly countered the stiff standard saddle that was on the demo bike. My partner who rode the track without padding was jealous to say the least. I was biking in my Blundstones, which I would like to say is out of the ordinary for me, but actually is my go-to for winter cycling. The Wool Cyclosox kept me warm and were perfect for moisture wicking, while gripping my foot in the proper cycling position in my not-so-proper footwear. Overall, I couldn’t have been better prepared in my all out Terry outfit.

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Lisa was fully prepared and still surprised!

My fat biking day began with lots of layering! I started with a Soleil long sleeve top as my baselayer and my Coolweather Tights for padding and warmth. I pulled a Mandarin Thermal jersey over the Soleil and added a headband, neck warmer, sunglasses and some warm winter gloves. On top of all this I added a fleece vest and a short down jacket.I arrived at the demo on a chilly day, and had a bit of a wait for a bike, so I pulled wind pants over my Coolweather tights, and switched my headband for a hat…I was much toastier and still feeling limber enough to ride.

Dakota tags along for some fat bike fun

I was paired with a “small” fat bike but it still looked huge! These things are beasts! I was assured that my fat bike only weighed about 30 pounds, and I was amazed at how light it felt once I got going! I was surprised to find how maneuverable a fat bike is. It looked to me like it would be hard work to ride, but I found that on packed trails I could cruise easily and felt like I was floating along. I had a blast and can’t wait to go again!!
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Check out this post for a closer look at the ins and outs of winter cycling gear.

February 9, 2020
FAT BIKE FUN.

I wish I was a hard core cyclist, you know the ones that bike all year round no matter how cold or icy the roads or trails are. Unfortunately I am not, I like to be warm, but one day I decided to give Fat Biking a try. I wanted to see what all the rage was about.

We went to the Catamount Family Center in Williston, VT. The day was a 20 below 0° day so lots of layers were of key importance. Since it was so cold we had the entire trail network to ourselves.

The trails were a mix of smooth crushed gravel double track to start, then we went to the single track which was a mix of buffed out, rooty, and rocky. There was a nice mix of flat, rolling hills and some steeper hills. The day we went there was only a few inches of snow on top of frozen ground and ice! We made the first tracks of the day.

We started out on the easier flatter trails to get used to the bike on snow and the big tires, and worked up to the single track w/ roots and rocks.

I haven’t been on a mountain bike since college, and I found the fat tires made it more enjoyable and easier to get around. I normally ride my road bike with skinny tires. Fat tires are amazing, they can go over anything!!!!

The Fat bike was pretty easy to maneuver. The one thing I learned was to stay seated when climbing or you spin out and fall over 🙂

After a few spin outs and a few falls we got the hang of it and spent 2 hours exploring the trails. The Fat bike handled every type of terrain and went over pretty much anything from big rocks and stumps to big logs, and it handled very smoothly.

I think an experienced mountain biker could go anywhere on a Fat Bike, but the deeper the snow the harder it might be! Fat Bikes are not very light. Rumor has it they are not as fast as a road bike or a bike w/ skinnier tires.

If you get a chance, go buy a fat bike or rent one. It is a fun way to burn calories in the winter and you warm up pretty quick even on the coldest of days.

February 8, 2018
RIDE RESOLUTIONS.
As we begin the new year, conversations turn toward resolutions whether it be saving money, ditching bad habits (or starting up great new ones), and most often – weight loss. Many of us want to ride more in the upcoming year without the focus on losing weight. Here at Terry, we put together some alternative ride resolutions designed to keep you riding without weighty worries.
- Put more miles on my bikes than my car
- Due to my knee injury, I resolve to follow my doctor’s order and get back on my bike to get my knee strong again!
- Find a safer bike route to work.
- Start riding with a new group.
- Plan my cycling schedule while my commitment is strong!
- Get a trailer and take my puppy for a ride.
- Plan more adventures on the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail.
- Ride around Grand Isle with my wife – all summer!
- Spend time spinning before heading to the climbing gym.
- Learn how to build my own bike.
- Register for a community ride that benefits a local organization (Click here to check out our 2016 ride calendar).
Share your ride resolutions below and tell us where you hope 2016 takes you!
January 5, 2016
GEAR GUIDE: WINTER RIDING GLOVES.

Any rider who has braved snow covered trails, icy winds and side blowing sleet know that cold hands can ruin a ride before it even begins. So, let’s give a hand to arguably one of the most important pieces of equipment necessary for cold weather riding, warm and wearable winter gloves.

Here are our top picks for warm digits into single digits:

Road Riding 20° and Up:

Power SO Lady Road Glove.

These Power SO Road Gloves pack a punch, with reflective and hi-viz details that also serve as a beacon on the road. A WINDSTOPPER® membrane makes them completely impervious to wind and acceptable in the wet. The addition of a thermal lining, women-specific fit, foam padding on palm and silicone forehand gripper give these gloves just the right balance of warmth, grip and finger sensation in the just-below-freezing temperature range.

Road Riding 20° and Below:

Road WS Thermo Lobster Glove.

We have several women on staff with Reynaud’s disease, making it nearly impossible to ride in cold/wet conditions without fear of frostbite. Then we found this option from GORE®. If you’re taking your road riding to the extreme, the Thermo Lobster is about as warm as it can get without a battery. This glove features all of the benefits found in the Power SO Lady Road Glove above, but in a 2-chamber design that keeps the fingers even warmer while still allowing you to shift and brake.

Cold Condition Mountain Biking:

MTB WS Thermo Lady Glove.

This women-specific MTB glove by GORE® is new to their line and true to its name. The insulated glove comes complete with WINDSTOPPER® technology offering the unparalleled warmth riders have come to expect from Gore gloves but with the added benefit of strengthened lining between thumb and forefinger for an improved, MTB-specific grip.

Crazy Cold Commuting and Fat Biking:

45NRTH Cobrafist.

This insulated fat biking pogie is weather resistant to the extreme and unbeatable when it comes to cold weather gear options that maximize dexterity. The Cobrafist is protective enough that you can wear pretty minimal gloves in extreme conditions and still have full range of motion for braking and shifting.

Let us know what gloves you reach for as the temperature drops – we’re always on the lookout for the next hot thing.

Stay warm and happy riding.

January 4, 2016
HOW TO COMMUTE DURING THE DEEP FREEZE.
There’s cold, and then there’s winter bike commuting.

On snowy days, take the time to stop and smell the frostbite.

Coming from Montana, I thought I could handle any weather that Vermont blew my way – but when wind chill kicked the temperature down to almost 40 below zero last year, I was a bit out of my element.

When you commute during this cripplingly cold season, you need more than great gear (my recommendations can be found here) you also need some serious mental discipline. As your wheels are spinning it’s easy for certain thought patterns to pop up in your head:
- I wonder if I’ll still have fingers when I get to work…
- At what temperature will my eyelids freeze together?
- Has time – along with everything else – also frozen?
And although there’s no way to completely kick those thoughts, here are some of my tricks for feeling the warmth of gratitude towards your icy trudge.
- Remember all of the bugs you encounter during the summer? Well that isn’t a problem now.
- What about the insane bike traffic, dogs on leashes and toddlers toddling – nope, none of that anymore either.
- Nose continually running? That’s okay! There’s no one else on the bike path to interfere with your air-hanky.
Winter commuting is a different beast. It’s slow going, so remember to stop (or just ride slowly, so as not to freeze) and appreciate that you have the opportunity to be here with crisp air in your lungs and wind in your hair.

See you out there!

Whitney McKiddy
December 4, 2015
BIKEPACKING: TINY ADVENTURE; BIG FUN.

A Micro-Adventure Awaits.

Chugging down the rail-trail.

Watching the sun set at Kettle Pond.

The first time I heard the word “bikepacking”, a light went off in my head – I knew this was going to be my activity of choice for my Surly Pugsley (named Wednesday). The activity is defined very much as it sounds, a combination of biking and backpacking, an off-road tour, and can last for weeks or less than 24 hours. This type of adventure has absolutely exploded in popularity in the last 5 years and along with it, specialized bikepacking gear has entered the bike scene.

Bikepacking equipment, like most bicycle accessories, range from the high-end, ultra-technical, chic, custom bags to very basic and minimalistic parts to facilitate gear attachments.

Porcelain Rocket specializes in beautiful, functional and custom bikepacking bags that minimize bulk and maximize awesome –

Loaded Mr.Fusion by Porcelain Rocket

Before going custom, I decided to try the Outpost series by Blackburn, a great value for technical gear –

Outpost Handelbar Roll by Blackburn

Outpost Seat Pack by Blackburn

After buying all of the special equipment, I was champing at the bit to head out on the trails and yet, I waited 5 months to set off on my first bikepacking trip.

The biggest factor in my hesitation was wanting to make sure I went on the best trail, something remote and endlessly beautiful, something not too difficult but challenging enough to keep it interesting. This trail may indeed exist but it is not the trail we ended up traveling. After much deliberation, Wednesday and I set off towards a section of the Cross VT Trail on a late Friday afternoon. There was a moment of hesitation as we started off towards the rail trail–that it would be crowded with large families and dogs–but it turned out to be just treacherous enough to leave us bounding down the path in total solitude.

Unsurprisingly, bikepacking is my new favorite activity – it has the capacity to be a huge adventure on a grand scale but also exists as the perfect weekend micro-adventure. Somehow carrying everything you need to survive (for less than 24 hours) on two fat wheels, straight into the forest makes even the most mundane surroundings absolutely marvelous.

My only advice, no matter your equipment or how much time you have, ride out and spend a night under the stars.

– Whitney McKiddy

September 10, 2015
HEADING FOR THE HILLS.

I have always preferred the certainty of road riding to mountain- relatively well paved roads, intuitive turns with an occasional pothole or cow pie as the only obstacles to a meditative ride.

Trying my luck on the Cliffs of Insanity.

However, with insane winds getting in the way of a couple of long bike days I decided to dust off Wednesday, my beloved Surly Pugsley, and head for the hills.

Fortunately, in Burlington we have some incredible mountain trails for all skill levels within our reach. My choice? Catamount Outdoor Family Center. They have over 20 miles of trails and also offer trail running, cross country skiing and winter fat biking access during cooler months.

After about two hours I was sweaty, covered in mud, and totally in love with the trails.

Within ten minutes of going on the green route, I B-lined towards tougher trails. Now–you have to laugh with me while watching the video below. I thought I was shredding some seriously technical routes and watching it after it looks like a dirt filled sidewalk–albeit a VERY fun dirt sidewalk.

June 12, 2015
We’re Going FAT.

Whitney and Wednesday.

After deciding that I wanted to commit to winter bike commuting in Vermont, I knew that I was going to get a fat bike. The first decision was, of course, what fat bike to choose now that many major bike companies are manufacturing them. This past summer when I purchased my first road bike I read as many reviews as possible before I decided which bike would be the best match for my needs. I read about responsiveness, what components may need to be replaced, the weight, how well it climbs – this is where it got tricky with the Fat bike decision. For every Fat bike I looked at, there was only one review, “OH MAN THIS IS SO FUN,” and while reading this I thought, “great, it’s fun, but what else?”

I ended up purchasing a 9-speed Surly Pugsley, knowing that I would be going off the beaten path on this baby. I decided to get a frame that could be repaired if it got damaged and with a bike that is inherently heavy, weight was not a major factor in my decision. I was nervous about learning how to shift on a bike that was so different than my road bike, and I was also worried that it would be too heavy to get going anywhere. The moment that I hopped on the new bike (named Wednesday), I understood the reviews and all I can say is, OH MAN THIS IS FUN!

Whitney McKiddy

October 31, 2014