Fats Biking Do’s and Don’ts

As a brand new father, I’m challenged for each second of the day, with little or no time to work out. I’m an avid bike owner within the summertime, so winter is normally after I acquire a couple of kilos after which attempt to sweat them away on cross nation skis and snowshoes. What’s wanted at occasions like these is a fats biking do’s and don’ts information to get me going…

Final 12 months our buddies at Garneau have been type sufficient to lend us a couple of ‘Gros Louis’ fats bikes for us to check our winter coaching attire. Sure, fats bikes—these winterized bicycles with the loopy fats tires carving snow at excessive speeds whereas everybody else trudges via slush, snow, sleet and different pleasant surprises winter saves for pedestrians.

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I shortly realized how enjoyable these big-wheeled bikes are, and extra importantly, how pleasurable and useful they are often on your physique—if you understand how to take advantage of these grownup toys, like this Garneau Gros Louis 1 2018 of mine:

Being an avid fats biker—or ought to I say, winter biker who rides a fats bike—I believed I’d share a couple of fats biking do’s and don’ts for anybody already transformed or eager to attempt it out.

DO layer up. Fats bikes are designed to be ridden in freezing temperatures, and also you’re going to sweat. When you’re sporting materials with poor breathability, your sweat will keep in your pores and skin, then freeze, then freeze you. My private go-to combo? A merino base layer with a breathable shell over prime.

DO defend your most uncovered physique elements. Your toes ought to keep heat and comfortable in winter biking boots, and your fingers ought to keep dry and toasty in breathable gloves that permit your fingers to correctly attain your brake and shifter ranges concurrently. Any backcountry gloves from Black Diamond are a certain wager.

DO lube up earlier than and after every journey. Bask in some butt safety to forestall chafing earlier than your journey, then lube your chain after every journey, as snow would possibly get caught inside and rust it when melting.

DON’T neglect your helmet. Some say crashing in fluffy snow is enjoyable—and it’s. But when karma isn’t in your aspect, in between these fluffy pillows are very arduous bushes. Your head crashing onto a kind of could end in a concussion. So please, select security over model, particularly driving within the woods. If in case you have an enormous head like mine, Giro ski helmets will work fairly properly

DON’T journey exterior of the groomed trails. Fats bikes are enjoyable on fats bike trails. When you break the paths, you break the enjoyable for everybody. It is a key respectful fats biking do’s and don’ts.

DON’T use water bottle cages. This would possibly sound bizarre, however you’ll most likely be driving in freezing climate. Maintain your water near your physique warmth. Carrying a biking jersey with again pockets on your bottle beneath your shell will preserve your water liquid (and smartphone not dying within the chilly). After biking a number of klicks earlier than a hydration break, nothing beats good ol’ liquid water. An ice block caught in your bottle is…not optimum. (Though when you run out of water, consuming snow is advisable!)

DON’T journey with a canine, except your canine enjoys working continuous with a doggy jacket on.

Lastly, DO journey with as many buddies as attainable! Fats biking is sort of a Massive Mac on a late night time out. It tastes higher when shared with individuals who know what you’ve been doing previously few hours—besides with out the guilt.