Reinventing the wheel with Fat Bikes

Brad Heyman is a member of the Fat Focker’s, a Kamloops fat bike group, and says, “a lot of people refer to the bikes as a snow bike or Winter bike, but they’re not. They’re more of an adventure bike. They’re good all year round.”

The obvious difference between a mountain bike and a fat bike is the tire size.

“They provide flotation on the snow. They give you good traction. You still have to have a groomed surface in order to ride the bike but the design of the bike allows you to go into terrain that you wouldn’t normally be riding with a regular bike,” says Heyman.

The sport first arrived in Kamloops about four years ago and now has about 125 members.

Cheryl Beattie is the owner of the Bicycle Cafe in Kamloops and says, “I think it’s a great alternative to cross country skiing. It’s a great way to get out in the woods. It’s beautiful, quiet and it’s a bit of a workout but not too much. I liken it to classic skiing but more fun.”

The average cost of a fat bike can range from the hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the quality.

Unlike a road bike, fat bikes require low gears so riders can spin easily.

And while at first glance the sport may seem intimidating, people of all ages and sizes are encouraged to give it a go.

As the sport continues to grow in Kamloops, the Fat Fockers are working with the province to come up with designated winter trails near Isobel Lake.

The group is also continuing to fundraise for grooming equipment.

For more information on the sport or if you’d like to donate you can contact the fat fockers on Facebook.

by Jessica Lepp

Reinventing the wheel with Fat Bikes

Our Community