Fat Bike World Championships Roll into New Richmond, WI

According to past race director and Fat Bike Worlds mastermind Dave Ochs, the event was borne from the notion that “We love to bike… and we love to have a good time doing it, so why not extend the season and throw a kick-ass biking party in the middle of winter?”  The event has been held five times in Crested Butte, CO and made a late switch last year to Pinedale, WY due to COVID.  “It’s an amazing way to get people outside and an amazing way to get people into different sports” says Ochs about fat biking, “everyone can ride a bike!”

This year’s race arrives for the first time in the midwest to quaint New Richmond, WI.  Multiple venues will be showcased including New Richmond Golf Course (NRGC), Sather Nature Center, and 45th Parallel Distillery.  The four lap 2022 Borealis Fat Bike World Championship Race p/b Pure Fuel along with the half-distance Fun race, will kick off at 10:00am on Saturday and traverse a fast, rolling 6+ mile groomed course through the golf course and nature center over and along the meandering Willow River. Expect an epic finish chute and finish line that will be as memorable for spectators as it is for riders.  Other race events that will bookend the big show on Saturday will include a timed fat bike obstacle course on Friday night under the lights and a speedy circuit race on Sunday morning.  Riders can accumulate points from all three races to complete the Omnium.  Omnium awards will be given for the top men and women accumulating the most points from the three events, in addition to awards for the top finishers in all other races.  There will be ample opportunity for up and coming grinders to get in on the action with juniors categories for riders from 12-18 years of age.  The youngsters (14 and under) will have their day to go fast on Sunday morning at the Kids Race following the community pancake breakfast presented by Anderson’s Maple Syrup. 

Plan to spend a full three days in beautiful New Richmond, located less than an hour from both Eau Claire, WI and MSP International Airport in Minneapolis, MN.  Take in all of the weekend activities and ride the local trail systems in and around the city. Nearby trail systems in addition to the NRGC and Sather Nature Center include Whitetail Ridge in River Falls, WI and the new WiKi Trails at Willow River and Kinnickinnic State Parks near Hudson, WI.  Borealis Fat Bikes will be available all weekend to test ride or try a fat bike for the first time.  Explore local breweries on the Wisco Brewery Tour, check out the endurance sport and cycling industry vendor booths indoors and outdoors, enjoy a tasty local Wisconsin Old Fashioned cocktail, and watch people slay laps on some killer trails and jumps. It’s for all types of riders and spectators from the pros to the costumed, fun-loving enthusiast.

The fields will be limited so register now for the 2022 Borealis Fat Bike World Championships p/b Pure Fuel! Check out the website for access to a completely free Premier Training Systems 12-week Fat Bike Worlds Training Plan that starts November 8!

Schedule at a Glance

Friday

Free Borealis Fat Bike Demos, Vendor Expo, Packet Pickup, and pre-ride the course at NRGC

Bourbon, Bikes, & Brews Tailgate Party, DJ, and bean bag tournament at 45th Parallel Distillery

Saturday

Free Borealis Fat Bike Demos, Vendor Expo, Packet Pickup, Food & Beverages at the NRGC

2022 Borealis Fat Bike World Championship Race p/b Pure Fuel & Fun Race start at 10:00am

Awards Ceremony and Borah Teamwear After Party at 45th Parallel Distillery

Sunday

Anderson’s Maple Syrup Community Pancake Breakfast

Circuit Race

Little Berds Kids Race p/b Berd Spokes

Circuit Race Awards and Omnium Awards

This year’s event is presented by Borealis Fat Bikes and Pure Fuel, with support from Anderson’s Maple Syrup, 45th Parallel Spirits, Lift Bridge Brewing, Borah Teamwear, Bike Stud, Berd Spokes, Premier Training Systems, and Bike Jacket.  Marketing and promotion is also supported by Travel Wisconsin. 

The host of this year’s event, the Big Ring Flyers-Apex Cycling team, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  The 115+ member cycling club based in western Wisconsin is dedicated to creating an opportunity for its members to improve their personal fitness and athletic performance, have new and rewarding experiences in cycling, and meet new people through cycling and endurance sport.

Visit fatbikeworlds.org and the social pages at @fatbikeworlds, sign up for email updates or contact Race Directors Chris Stevens and Cheryl Iverson at info@fatbikeworlds.org for more information.