Fat Fun at the Lake Macbride Fat Tire Classic

In the years before there was a Surly Pugsley (2005), modern fat tire bikes were developed to ride the sands of New Mexico and the snows of Alaska. No wonder, then, that even as fat bikes have become commonplace year-round, their true calling and favorite playground is still in the snow.

February 12 Nathan Kullbom, the Solon Centennial Lions Club, and Sugar Bottom Bikes will take full advantage of that fact with their fifth annual Lake Macbride Fat Tire Classic.

"You should get a fat bike and do it," says Race Director Kullbom, "It's pretty amazing. Scenic trails and areas most people have never even seen, let alone biked on before."

All photos courtesy of Hanson Photo Design.

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published   in   cooperation   with

"This is a fun race around the Solon/Lake McBride area," said Rob McKillip of CRANDIC Racing. "It's the one time of year you're allowed to ride some really fun trails in the park."
It's true: the scenic trails and beaches of Lake Macbride State Park are usually strictly off limits to bicycles. "Fat tire bikes," explained Kullbom, "were one of the conditions from the park ranger to ensure no damage to any trails."

Aside from Lake Macbride, the course has included bike trails, snowmobile trails, pavement, and gravel. This year it adds an extra five or six miles for 31 miles total. Depending on conditions, organizers expect the new route to take racers anywhere from 2½ to 6½ hours. 

For less of a ride there's the fun ride option, an 11 mile out and back on the pea gravel trail along the north shore of Lake Macbride. But if you're tempted by the challenge, Kullbom points out that "the race is not really for novices if they plan on doing the whole route, but it’s pretty easy to opt out up until about mile 20 and head back in if it becomes too much."
​Also new for 2022 is the option for a three-person team event. It's the full 31 miles, and it's not a relay. "The three person team idea was to encourage new riders and add an element of teamwork and camaraderie," said Kullbom. 

"All three team members have to finish together. If someone is slower the others have to help them with the pace. If someone breaks down or flats everyone is in it together to resolve the problem." What a great idea!

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"The Lake Macbride
​Fat Tire Classic is incredibly well organized and an absolute blast of a ride. Nate consistently puts together a great route, and the swag (always top notch) gets better and better each year!
I also really appreciate that this event is a fundraiser."
​Julie Mock, Iowa City

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Race and Ride for a Cause!  ​

All proceeds from the Lake Macbride Fat Tire Classic will be used for charitable causes by the Solon Centennial Lion's Club.

​The Solon Lions Club's involvement was no accident, explained Kullbom. "Longtime SBB customer and Solon Lions club member Jay Profitt approached me with the idea of a fat tire ride in Lake Macbride State Park to raise money for the Lions Club. Right away I knew what I wanted to do and what trails and route to use.  The first year the route was multiple laps of very hilly terrain in the park and was touted as too difficult by many. Over the years we have refined it to create the best event possible. But since the beginning the Lions Club and the community of Solon have been integral parts of the race and make up a vast majority of the volunteers involved.​

Dress   for   success

Whichever event you sign up for, it's important to be prepared. 

"Weather and snow are huge variables in fat bike racing," said McKillip. "Be sure to practice beforehand. Ask others. Feel other racers' tires to compare pressure to yours.
"Dressing for cold weather is a never ending experiment. I basically add a layer (or swap in a warmer layer) for every ten degrees colder, then subtract a layer for every notch in intensity (standing around, slow riding, fast riding, training, racing).
"Never wear cotton, or anything tight. Loose wooly layers are best. You should feel a bit cool at the start. And be ready to zip and unzip layers as you go up or down hills."

Rob McKillip

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Winter   riding   Conditions

Nate Kullbom

"We’ve had the race four years in a row now with no cancellations or delays, which is pretty amazing," said Kullbom. The issue, of course, is potential damage to the trails. With or without snow, the ground must be frozen solid to avoid damage.
"We plan for  the second week of February because that is the most likely time to have snow and frozen conditions, thus avoiding mud." So far, that's worked out well.
"I handle the bike industry swag, the registration and promotion, the course design, course marking, and the timing and scoring of the actual race. ​

"Jon (Yetley, owner of SBB) spends three or four days and nights grooming the course with a snowmobile and pull behind single-track groomer while I walk or snowshoe the course with a backpack full of course markers, a drill with a two foot long spade bit to drill into the frozen ground, and a mallet to pound the stakes in.  We also provide GPS route maps, but it’s good to have both. Typically every year there are one or two snowmobile or groomer breakdowns or issues getting them stuck  because the course is so steep and treacherous."
Arduous work, certainly, but ultimately worth it. "We’ve had tons of people sign up all four years so far. They keep coming back. The beer and bacon checkpoint is second to none, and the after party is great."
​No wonder folks keep coming back!

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Sugar Bottom Bikes' fifth annual Lake Macbride Fat Tire Classic is Saturday, February 12 at the Lake Macbride Golf Course in Solon. Follow it on Facebook. Register for the 31 mile race, the 31 mile team race, or the 11 mile fun ride today at BikeReg.com.

All photos courtesy of Hanson Photo Design. Check out the rest of their 2020 Lake Macbride Fat Tire Classic album and much more at Hanson Photo Design.

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