Hugh Jass Fat Bike Series Review
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| www.hughjass.bike/ |
"I Don't Do Cold," was what I would say when they'd try to get me to jump on the fat biking train. Up until November of last year my winter activities consisted of indoor soccer and the gym. You couldn't catch me out in the cold, much less riding a bicycle in it! Yuck, NO THANK YOU.
Then I met a guy, it's always about a guy isn't it? The plan of our first "ride", which is code for "date" to a cyclist, was to meet at the Hugh Jass Fat Bike Race at Minooka Park and then go out for dinner afterwards. Great I gotta go ride a big slow bike in the cold? Ahh but the things we will do....
Wheel and Sprocket, the bicycle shop that hosts the series, offers fat bikes to rent for racers. The total expense to enter the race AND to rent the bike was only $50.00. My first time on a fat bike was during a race on a rented bike wearing my hiking boots, sweat pants and a winter coat. Anyone can get out there and try it!
These races are mass start. There are two groups that go out seperately. Beginner and Advanced. If you are new, you need not be intimidated. The length of the races vary from 5-8 miles for beginners and 9 - 15 miles for advanced. The courses vary in style, some are made up of single track and cross country ski trails, a few are similar to a cycle cross course, golf courses and one even has a section on a lake. The locations are near the Milwaukee area, most at popular Mountain Bike trails. Minooka, Alpha Trails, John Muir, Grand Geneva, Trek headquarters to name a few. The courses are chosen with the beginners in mind. You're not going to run into anything that is to technically advanced, anyone can ride them.
During the races the riders will often be asked to take a beer shortcut, hammerschlagen between laps, wear themed outfits, run over obstacles and turn in their number plates at the end, (which are paper plates) among other goofy things to make it more fun.
The ambiance of these races is all about having a good time. People aren't getting nearly as worked up or stressed about racing as they might before other races. Only a few are really there to try and win. The rest are there for the challenge, gaining bragging rights among their friends, being bad asses, playing in the snow and drinking beer.
The Date/ Ride was a success, I ended up winning that day and turned to Ryan, "This is going to be an expensive weekend!" The very next day, George Kapitz, Owner of Broken Spoke Bikes, called me after seeing my facebook post. "Thought you didn't do cold," he said. A girl can change her mind can't she? Bought a Salsa Beargrease fat bike from him right there, joined his team and I've been hooked ever since!
Ultimately these races are a great way to meet super cool people with common interests. The type of people who want to push themselves physically, get outdoors and not take themselves to seriously. Just another way to get out and PLAY!
You can follow the series at:
