Annual Rock the Ridge Fat Bike Challenge at Crimson Ridge returns

With favourable weather, the second annual Crimson Ridge: Rock the Ridge Fat Bike Challenge was a great improvement over the debut event.

"It was basically a blizzard last year," said Crimson Ridge's J.C. Beecroft.

Beecroft said thanks to some cooperation from Mother Nature and work from the Crimson Ridge’s staff, this year's edition had “perfect trails” at the course north of the sault.

Well-groomed trails are a necessity for the 20 and 40 kilometre circuits, of which the later can take up to four hours to complete.

The longer race especially attracts some highly competitive participants, said Beecroft.

“These guys train quite a bit,” he said.

“It’s a good way to benchmark your own performance and see how you’re doing against other competitors.”

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Matthew Webster made the trek from North Bay for the challenge, and told CTV that while it is for fun, but enjoys the competitive aspect as well.

“I enjoy just seeing where I stack up,” he said.

“In the middle or is it towards the front, depending on the day, what did you bring that day kind of thing. So it’s nice to see that. As much as we like to train and think that we go out and prepare for this, it’s really about showing up today and seeing what kind of shape you’re in and what you feel like.”

Two competing at the second annual Crimson Ridge: Rock the Ridge Fat Bike Challenge on Jan. 22/23. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)Though many competitors are just there for the exercise and to enjoy a ride through beautiful trails, like Jeff Baechler.

“You go out and you do your best, but you’re not worried what place you come in. You’re just there to have fun,” said Baechler.

Two youth were also taking part in the event, Lars and Leif Verhoeckx.

Lars said it was nice to be riding side-by-side and at times in front of, so many adults.

“We’ve always liked racing and riding bikes, and we’ve been trying to get into fat biking so we thought it should be fun, a little bit of a challenge,” said Lars.

The pair are used to racing mountain bikes and Leif said there are a few big differences in the winter sport.

“Well on a fat bike you can’t really power up hills because you’ll lose traction,” said Leif.

“(You) just kind of have to take it slow and steady.”

Competitors told CTV News that you cannot power uphill fat biking because you lose traction. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Everyone who completed either the 20 or 40 kilometre challenge received a ‘Rocked the Ridge’ completion prize complete with a wooden medallion.

Everyone who finished one of the Rock the Ridge challenges received a prize. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Officials said the sport has been steadily growing and youth involvement is a testament to that.

The organizers at Crimson Ridge told CTV News they certainly hope that's the case as they are looking for even more participants of all skill levels for next year's event, from across the north and even northern Michigan.

For more information on this event and other winter activities at the site, visit their Facebook page.