Last
weekend, just outside of Steamboat Springs, CO, the Bear, a 105 and 50 mile fat
bike race, took place. The race was put on by Jon Kowlasky, of Steamboat
Springs. The race was sponsored by numerous local businesses from the area,
including Big Agnes, Honey Stinger, and Moots. The race started and finished at
Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse, about 20 miles from Steamboat Springs. The race offered
two distances, a 105 mile and a 50 mile. 12 people started in the 105 mile race
and 31 started the 50 mile race. The 105 mile course had over 10,000 feet of
elevation gain and the 50 mile course had just under 5,000 feet of climbing.
Photo
by David Dietrich
I
competed in the 50 mile event. This was my first ever fat bike race. I am a mom
and an elementary school teacher and fat biking is fairly new to me. I was a
runner, competing in half marathons, before I met my husband. Bryon, my
husband, bought me my first fat bike last winter, after I had our daughter,
April. I have enjoyed fat biking with our little family on weekends and after
work. My husband competed in the Fat Pursuits, put on by Jay P this winter, but
because we have a young daughter, I was unable to compete with him. For this
event, Bryon agreed to watch April, so that I could race.
The
race began at 7 am, outside Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse at just over 8,000 feet of
elevation. The course wound up the road, from the roadhouse, to the village of
Hahn’s Peak, before hitting snowmobile trails. There was a layer of new snow
covering the groomed snowmobile trail that led out of Hahn’s Peak, from the
previous night. The wind was blowing and the temperature was in the mid 20’s
when we took off. The course climbed almost immediately after reaching the
snowmobile trails. The racers began to spread out at this point. Some racers
took to pushing their bikes up the first long climb, others adjusted air
pressure and pedaled. By the time I reached the first hill, the leaders had set
a decent wide groove with their tires. I was able to pedal up most of the climb
during this first section, on my Salsa Beargrease.
The
first 20 miles were rideable and fast. The course climbed steeply the first 5
miles, but then was followed by long steady climbs and descents from mile 5 to
20. When I reached the first aid station, at mile 20, about three hours had
passed. The first aid station offered water, soup, and a variety of snacks. I
grabbed a piece of warm bacon to put on my turkey sandwich, some water, and a
couple of vanilla cookies before heading on my way. At this point in the course
the 105 mile racers headed one direction, into Wyoming and the 50 mile racers
headed another direction, to complete a lollipop.
Photo
by David Dietrich
After
leaving the aid station the course became more difficult, as myself and the
other riders reached the steepest sections of the course. The course climbed to
9,800 feet during this portion of the race. Tall trees were on either side of
the trail and the wind was whipping, causing drifts across the trail at times.
The grades on the hills were steep. Multiple times I looked down at my Garmin,
as a pushed my bike up the steep ascents and saw the grade of the hill was
between 15-20%. At this point of the race, hike-a-biking was the only option.
The snow was soft and although I adjusted my air pressure more than once, I
could not ride through this section of the course. This was the first time I
have really had to hike my bike for any real distance. I found it very
difficult and because there was no one else around me, I struggled through this
portion of the race. The hike-bike-section went on for about 2 miles and then
there was finally a down hill. The hills rolled in a sense through the next
section, but they were still steep enough walking was necessary at times on the
uphills.
After
coming out of the forest off the steep section of the course, the trail opened
up into what I assume is a meadow in the spring. The wind was whipping at this
time and I was pretty tuckered, so I stopped to eat some chocolate and drink my
hydration mix. At this point a few riders caught and passed me.
I
continued pedaling through the open area and then back into the woods those
last 10 or so miles. The course hit a road just over 5 miles from the finish
that passed the Columbine Cabins, where the second and final aid station was on
the 50 mile course. I chose to check in at the aid station, but not stop, as I
was only a few miles from the finish. The course turned from the road, back to
the snowmobile trails until the course reached the village of Hahn’s Peak
again. I could see the few racers ahead of me, turn into the town. I was happy
that I was almost to the finish. I was so happy to see my husband and daughter
at the finish. They are my number one training buddies. I had primarily trained
for the event towing my daughter in her Burley trailer. This was the longest
ride I had completed on snow or without Bryon and April. My first fat
bike experience proved to be challenging, but fun at the same time.
Overall,
I learned a lot from my first fat bike race. I learned that hike-a-biking is
something I need to work to be stronger at. My time slowed a lot during that
time the course was not rideable. I need to look into vapor barriers for my
feet. My socks were soaked from sweat by the finish. I found that the other
clothes I had brought along and worn were perfect for the mild temperatures,
the day of the race. I need to practice going down hills. I lost time to others
around me on the down hills. One thing is for sure though, I am hooked on fat
biking after this experience and can’t wait to get out there again. The
Togwotee Winter Classic is next month, hopefully I can use what I learned from
the Bear to do my best there.
Photo
by David Dietrich
