2018 Fat Bike World Championships
There’s still plenty of snow for great fat biking in Crested Butte. Photo by Neil Beltchenko
The adage that when the skiing is bad the fat biking is great has reached new levels across Colorado in 2018. According to the National Resource Conservation Service the state’s current snowpack is 60% of normal, and only 40% of where things were at the same time during last winter’s monster snow year.
Nearly 200 riders toed the start line for the third annual Borealis Fat Bike World Championships.
While that’s obviously bad news for Colorado ski resorts, it’s resulted in some fantastic fat biking opportunities, especially around Crested Butte, which last week played host to the third annual Borealis Fat Bike World Championships. Instead of being covered in powder, area trails are dry or packed in, making for superb two-wheeled adventures in the woods.
Heading out for five laps of the East Valley loop.
The four-day bacchanal of all things fat kicked off with the North Village Classic, where a looping circuit challenged 36 solo riders, plus a dozen 2- and 4-person teams. The 1.5-mile course was near perfect, as the track stayed firm and there were plenty of places to pass throughout the hour’ish long race. The story was similar two days later for the world championship race, where 196 riders (111 in the long race, 85 in the shorter affair) chased glory around a perfectly groomed 5.8-mile loop just east of town in the shadow of Mount Crested Butte. Here’s a video from the folks at Borealis that captures the action.
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuvNrrxeU2c
Ashley Carelock and Tony Baca took this year’s women’s and men’s world titles, with Amy Beisel and Ami Stuart rounding out the women’s podium, and the ageless Travis Brown and Daniel Johnson completing the men’s top three. (Full results from both days are HERE.)
Away they go. That’s MTB Hall of Famer Travis Brown on the Trek. He ended up second overall and easily won his age group.
In between racing, there was lots of beer drinking (thanks, Upslope) and a demo day and grooming expo. After racing was done, Crested Butte Mountain Resort opened up one of its chairlifts and skier-cross courses to fat bikes for some high-speed and high-bermed action. Perhaps full-time fat bike lift access is the answer to what to do in these low snow years. Check out this Instagram post to see what we mean, then scroll through the photo gallery below for more from Fat Bike Worlds.
Getting some air. Photo by Neil Beltchenko
Fat bike attire ran the gamut. This guy was ready for the after party from the get go.
The Borealis mobile office was in the house. The well-regarded fat bike maker served as title sponsor for the third year in a row.
Plenty of Borealis demo bikes were available.
Upslope was in the house pouring adult beverages all weekend.
No shortage of amazing scenery at the North Village venue.
Plenty of burger and brats, but no branding this year.
Racing under the shadow of famed Mount Crested Butte.
Scooby-Doo made an appearance.
There were also plenty of vikings.
Another viking. Too bad about the NFC Championship.
Racers were all ages, including this unstoppable 69-year-old.
Just need to add a zero and it’d be the perfect Colorado number plate.
45NRTH was among several winter brands showing off their wares.
Ice (sweat) beards were commonplace on race day.
Mtbr features editor Jason Sumner spinning laps on the highly capable Canyon Dude.
Local fat bike pied piper Dave Ochs was the man on the mic during the North Village race.
One of several grooming devices on display during the demo day. Creating great fat bike track is truly an art.
Travis Brown spent much of the day off the front.
A good place to be.
The local trail association (CBMBA) has helped make Crested Butte a true fat biking destination.
The North Village race commenced with a Le Mans-style start.
The four-day event wrapped with some lift served riding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
Not a sign you see everyday at a ski resort.
Not the lift line we’re used to seeing.
No fat bike racks yet. Instead you load on your lap.
Cheers to another awesome Fat Bike Worlds. We can’t wait for next year.
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