When winter comes around in Ontario most of us fair weather riders put our bikes away. But 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 are the fat tires that help you “float” over loose, soft terrain, be it snow, sand or soggy soil to have an easier and more enjoyable ride.
photos Paulo LeBerge
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 as there is plenty of friction at work as the fat tires plow through the snow.
Fat bikes come with wide handle bars, 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 a two feet of powder is going to be tough. Ice is more manageable but still treat with caution as any bike can slip from under you in a blink. (studs help)
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.
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. As with anything new, some locations are a little fearful of the new and the unknown, so check before you go.
Many summer ride locations on this site’s map pages are cross country ski locations in the winter. Be sure you are welcome and give lots of space to skiers as you have better braking and turning then they do. And never ride over the 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 kilometers to ride if you find a quiet side loop. Use caution as these snow machines need as much respect as cars.
Check the Weather and Snow Depth
Where to Ride a Fatbike in the Winter – Ontario:
my close to Toronto favourites – free, few hills, no crowds:
Whitchchurch, Long Sault, Eldrid King, Palgrave, Glen Major
Durham Forest – free, groomed loops
Ottawa – river park trail
Groomed with Trail Fees
Albion Hills – Black Trail only
Horseshoe – 9 km on snowshoe trail and beyond into Copland forest
Ottawa – Gatineau Park
Where to Rent a Fat Bike:
Approximate full day bike rental rates 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 got’m
Horseshoe – $38 for 2 hours
Hardwood – $46
Albion Hills – $50
Algonquin Outfitters – Huntsville $45
Parry Sound Bikes – $50
Liv Outside – in Bracebridge ~$42
Oxygen Bike Co. – Toronto $59
Trek Bicycle Store – London $70
And a quick review of the going price for a NEW Fat Bike $1000 to $6000+ with most in the $2000 range (still too high for a bike with no shocks and few gears, you might want to wait a few years…unless well you can’t)
Here are a few websites for more info:
Here are a few websites for more info:Fat Bikes.ca – more on winter clothing
Now get out there and have some fun you crazy kids!
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.