Fat biking is an ultimate game changer for cyclists, letting them bike under any condition, through sand, mud, or snow. If you don’t know what a fat bike is – it’s an off-road bicycle with oversized tires and rims, designed for low ground pressure to allow for riding on unstable terrains. It’s also a wonderful way to experience the natural beauty of Algonquin Park in the winter!
(Photo: Justin Arjune)
Here are 3 reasons why you need to go fat biking this winter, accompanied by pictures from our team’s tour along Algonquin Park’s Old Railway Bike Trail, guided by Randy Mitson, Marketing Manager of Algonquin Outfitters:
1. Mountain biking season never ends
At first, the idea of biking on icy patches seemed intimidating, and I was hesitant to try it, so I asked Randy about the bikes’ traction to assure myself that it was safe. He told me that they have incredible traction with each bike’s tires designed with rubber knobs attached to their outer surface that push into the ground to stabilize your bike ride.
(Photo: Justin Arjune)
(Photo: Justin Arjune)
2. There are no obstacles in your path
What’s an obstacle? With Randy’s reassurance, I began pedaling, and quickly figured out that greater speed meant greater stability. After a few minutes, I was rolling over bumpy terrain, whether rock or ice, and just cruising over it with the rest of our team. Randy explained to us that the tire pressures in fat bikes are lower than mountain bikes, helping us achieve greater floatation abilities over uneven ground.
(Photo: Justin Arjune)
(Photo: Justin Arjune)
3. Explore more of nature at a faster pace
Fat biking is a faster way to explore snowy terrains than traditional winter activities, like snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Lucky us, Randy knew the bike paths inside-out so it was unlikely that we could get lost in the white Algonquin Forest. Randy pointed out fun spots to check out on the way, like Ragged Falls, a small, yet powerful waterfall that demonstrates the natural rush of melting glacial water.
(Photo: Justin Arjune)
(Photo: Justin Arjune)
Reflections from Our Tour
Randy, our guide, supplied us with everything from fit saddles to safety helmets. While at first I was nervous to ride a bike on icy terrain, I quickly adapted after discovering how stable my bike felt with its advanced traction and flotation abilities. After our team got adjusted to riding our fat bikes after a few trial rides, we were ready to hit the trails!
If you’re looking to rent from Algonquin Outfitters, their widest selection of bikes is at their Huntsville shop, where they carry Salsa, Divinci, KHS, and BMX brands. If you’re not ready to hit the road yourself, they also offer guided tours.
(Photo: Justin Arjune)
(Photo: Justin Arjune)
* All expenses for this trip were provided for by the Owner, so please keep this in mind, however, I did tell Randy beforehand I was going to write honestly about our bike ride.
About Algonquin Outfitters
Algonquin Outfitters aims to promote the enjoyment of the outdoors & deliver value to their customers by providing a full range of innovative and leading-edge quality equipment, coupled with expert advice, that stems from a shared enthusiasm for outdoor adventure.
For more information on fat biking rentals and tours with Algonquin Outfitters, visit http://algonquinoutfitters.com
About Ecotour Magazine
Ecotour Magazine promotes the emerging Canadian Ecotourism industry to a global audience by highlighting uniquely Canadian destinations, products, and services.
Remember that sharing is caring, and each article shared helps support our cause to raise awareness of eco-minded travel opportunities in Canada!
Join our conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates.
