winter 2022 update
When winter comes around in Ontario most of us fair weather riders put our bikes away.
But Fatbikes (or is it Fat Bikes?) are a new design of mountain bike that enables riders keen on riding year round to get out of the spin classes and do real riding.
This new trend evolves our bike sport to new possibilities and one day I see it in the winter Olympics.
These new bicycles are a hybrid of the MTB concept.
The obvious difference you can see is the fat tires that help you “float” over loose, soft terrain, be it snow, sand or soggy soil. A base on regular MTB tires to have an easier and more enjoyable ride.
What also has changed is one crank gear up front, fewer speeds to change and a lower gear ratio. These bikes are not made for speed or big hills as there is plenty of friction at work as the fat tires plow through the snow.
Fat bikes come with wide handlebars, disc brakes on a wide fork frame, but few have shocks. You just don’t need them on the soft stuff. Tires may have studs for ice and tire pressure is a low 10 psi or less.
With the fat soft tires and wide handlebar stance, riders have firm control and keep moving beyond what a typical MTB could handle.
There is a limit naturally, traveling through half a metre of powder is going to be tough. Ice is more manageable but still treated with caution as any rubber bike tire can slip from under you in a blink.
Metal studded tires come to the rescue giving a rider firm traction maneuvering on precarious icy patches.
In a way riding on snow would give you a soft landing when a fall comes. Still wear a helmet over a thin toque cause those trees are not moving.
Keeping warm is an issue and requires a change in tactics. How to keep your feet, fingers and drinking water from freezing is a concern. You may opt for flat pedals and winter boots, or covers for riding shoes and your bar handles. Lots of accessories are coming out to fill this niche.
photos Paulo LaBerge
If you cross country ski you know all about the balance between staying warm but not sweating too much, as this moisture will chill you out eventually.
One has to dress in layers and peel before overheating. Remember that the days are short and be certain not to get lost. That’s definitely more of a problem than in the summer.
So with that short intro where can you ride your Fat Bike in Ontario? The simple answer is everywhere you could with your summer bike. Well almost… there are exceptions to this new sport.
Many summer ride locations on this site’s map pages are Nordic ski locations in the winter. Be sure you are welcome and give lots of space to skiers as you have better braking and turning than they do. And never ride over the ski tracks set in the snow, that’s just bad etiquette.
Most MTB, forest parks and rail trails on this site have easy routes to try. Also up north snowmobile trails are a possibility with hundreds of kilometres to ride if you find a quiet side loop. Use caution as these snow machines need as much respect as cars.
Below is a list of links to get you on your way. Rent first then buy into it later.
Check the Weather and Snow Depth, before you Go
Where to Ride a Fatbike in the Winter:
First, try my Fatbike Tag on this site for ideas…
My close to Toronto favorites – free, few hills, no crowds:
Whitchurch – flat, easy, just north of Toronto
Bendor – easy rolling hills
Long Sault – hilly, small fee north of Bowmanville
Eldred King – gentle grades, sandy too
Palgrave – north of Albion Hills and similar
Durham Forest – free, groomed loops!
Glen Major – beside Durham for more action
Farther away from Toronto
Northumberland – free, hills, large area north of Cobourg
Dufferin Forest – south of Collingwood, some grooming
Hydrocut – Waterloo
Guelph Lake – Guelph,
The Pines – Woodstock, some grooming
Turkey Point – on Lake Erie, snow depth could thin
Ottawa – river park trail
Forest Lea – Pembroke
Limerick Forest – N of Prescot
Larose Forest – south of Ottawa
Kivi Park – Sudbury
Torrance Barrens – Bala
Algonquin Park – Minnesing, Rail Trail
BRMC – Bracebridge
Shuniah Mines – Thunderbay
The author of this site, Dan Roitner has recently published a new Mountain Bike trail guide. This book is full of ideas on where to ride your Fat Bike this winter.
Buy it for cheap from this site, as an eBook or Paperback
+ Groomed with Trail Fees $
Why would you pay when you can ride for free? Well, a few times the snow base is ideal for Fatbike riding. There may be too much snow and you are getting nowhere fast burning up energy. Or it could be icy and lumpy, no fun either.
A groomed path sets up the snow base to roll easier with better traction. Climbing and zipping down winding tracks become manageable and fun too. Your regular MTB with not-so-fat tires can take on these trails too if permitted. Check first.
Albion Hills – Black Trail only
Horseshoe – 9 km on snowshoe trail and beyond into Copland forest
Hardwood – Barrie lots to ride
Highlands Nordic – Collingwood – New trail
Georgian – Parry Sound
Walden – Sudbury
Hiawatha – Sault Ste. Marie
Gatineau – Ottawa area
…more details and maps on this new post – Groomed Fat Bike Trails in Ontario
Rail Trails – And then there are many Rail Trails in Ontario that one could Fatbike on. Granted they are flat and straight, but if you want to put in some mileage they go on forever.
Most Rail Trails allow snowmobiles on parts of or the full length of the route. Some are popular snowmobile highways and likely not a good experience (or safe). Lesser traveled routes may be found and other Rail Trails, where sleds are banned, you will have no one but only the odd Nordic skier or hiker in sight.
photos Paulo Laberge
Where to Rent a Fat Bike:
Approximate full day bike rental rates are below, some shops do half-day and hourly rentals. Also, the price gets better if you rent for additional days. Call ahead to be sure they have them as some locations have very few.
Horseshoe – $38 for 2 hours
Hardwood – $ 50
Albion Hills – $56 (8 bikes, different sizes) no reservations
Algonquin Outfitters – Huntsville $45
Parry Sound Bikes – $50
Try Sports – Parry Sound $48
Liv Outside – in Bracebridge ~$42
Kamikaze Bikes – Collingwood $50
Friday Harbour – Lake Simcoe $25 for 2 hours
Adventure 360 – Sudbury $65
Velorution – Sault Ste. Maire $50
The Pines in Woodstock ON is a members only facility. One day passes may be purchased in advance on CCN Bikes for $10, which may be used as a credit (one time) against an annual membership of $35. Please respect closures and policies of our club when using the facility. The Pines is currently closed for logging until at least end of March 2020. Check Woodstock Cycling Club on Facebook for updates.
Liv Outside has its own 8 kms groomed Liv Bike Park trail system that is opened for fat bikes in winter. We have bikes for rent at the store or bring your own. Daily trail pass is $10 per person.
For more information check our website at https://livoutside.ca/fat-biking/
Thanks for passing on this info to our riders, I was unaware. Looks like there is plenty to do up there in Bracebridge, outside. :^)
Algonquin Park also has the Old Railway Bike Trail open to fat biking in the winter from Mew Lake Campground comfort station to Rock Lake. http://www.ontarioparks.com/parksblog/explore-algonquins-snow-covered-forests-from-the-seat-of-a-bike/
Fat Bike rentals available from Algonquin Outfitters in Downtown Huntsville. http://algonquinoutfitters.com/equipment-rentals/
Good to know did not think you were run a winter rental too.
Ottawa – South March Highlands (SMH) in the west end is good. Gatineau Park is good too but technically it’s Quebec.
Check Ottawa Mountain Bike Association website for maps and other details
Thanks for the info Sean. Ya I know its Quebec but so many Ont. go there I mentioned it.