Fat biking grows in popularity in Sault Ste. Marie
You've probably heard of fat biking by now -- those bikes with four-inch wheels that can handle nearly all conditions, most notably the snow.
In the Sault Ste. Marie area, winter riders gathered Saturday to mark Global Fat Biking Day by traversing the trails of Hiawatha.
And if Mother Mature fulfills her end of the deal, the Sault Cycling Club expects this winter to be one of the best years yet.
“The club’s home trails this year are going to be groomed by Hiawatha themselves, which is super exciting,” said Jack Perrotta-Lewin, of the Sault Cycling Club.
“It’s going to improve the grooming schedule, conditions are going to be better than ever. And the Sault Cycling Club will be grooming our farmer lake loops a little bit further afield. And we’ve got crimson -- they’ll be grooming, as well.”
The Sault has one of the largest number of fat bike riders per-capita, club officials said. And the ride marking Global Fat Bike Day won't be the last this winter season.
“Looking at options as well for some more social rides through the winter. It’ll be on perhaps a little less technical terrain,” said Perrotta-Lewin.
Shipments of fat bikes to Sault stores don’t last more than a couple of weeks. The uptake has risen in the last five years but really took off during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It has continued since then -- people just want to get outside,” said Heather Carter, of the Algoma Bicycle Company.
“So many people have fat bikes now that people who don’t kind of want something to do with their friends and they come in and get one. And it is really almost addictive -- it’s so fun.”
Fat bikes are also good for those learning to ride a bike or who haven't been on one in years.
Experienced riders say the wide tires make balancing a lot easier -- and if you happen to fall, there's no worry about landing on gravel or cement, just a soft snow bank.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.