Rossland Fat Tire Festival – it’s a wrap!

Source: Ryan Kuhn

It’s taken a week for me to sit down and write the recap of the First Annual Rossland Fat Tire Festival. Why? Because it took that long to recover and grasp what a remarkable success it was. From a unique all-mountain race format to a successful home-grown slopestyle course to a hypothermic blizzard that forced our army of 150 bikers to retreat from the 7 Summits, we may have a bona fide classic in the making.

Read on for the whole weekend recap and pics,by Ryan Kuhn (jahosafats@hotmail.com)
All photos by Vince Boothe (unless otherwise noted)

Rossland, auspiciously dubbed the “Mountain Bike Capital of Canada,” was once lauded as a premier location for mountain bike racing. However, volunteers move on, riders changed focus and famous events (including Canadian Nationals and North American Championships) became a thing of the past. But now a new spirit has arisen to carry on the tradition, and I’m proud to be a part of what will become a renowned racing venue once again.

Dreadhead All-Mountain Challenge-

The vision for the all-mountain challenge was to create a race that maximizes the versatility of today’s all-mountain bike machines. Utilizing the recently completed Red Top trail to the top of Red Mountain (405 meter climb) and the revitalized, old BC Cup downhill course (finishing where the climb began), the stage was set for a lung-busting, break-burning challenge.


The intent of the race was to equally weigh the uphill climb result with the downhill result to equally favor XC riders and DH riders alike. We developed a points system based on place-based results for the uphill leg and downhill leg separately, and combined them to determine the overall victor. This had riders strategizing the best bike to ride – some chose XC bikes to kill the uphill portion and survive the downhill. Others put a front derailleur on their DH bikes and hammered their way up with the goal of smoking the field on the DH. It reminded me of the early years of UFC with Judokas in Judo-gi’s fighting boxers in shorts and wrestlers in tights. I imagine in the future we will see true all-mountain (5-6”) bikes be the most competitive overall…but that’s next year!


The event kicked off at 9 a.m. for the uphill. Times ranged from Rossland local Rob McNair’s overall best 29:12 minutes to upwards of 50 minutes. Competitors had a 45 minute wait at the top before they strapped on the mandatory full-face helmets (shuttled to the top for the riders) and pinned it to the bottom.


There were some impressive times for the steep, dusty and loose course, but Eric Goss (aboard his Giant Glory, which he rode to the top in 31:22!) dropped the field with a blazing 3:33. Goss took the Open Pro category for the overall victory. Click here for full results.


Judging by the fun vibe and smiles among all the racers and volunteers alike, it’s safe to say the Dreadhead All-Mountain Challenge was a huge success. With the growing popularity of Super D and All-mountain racing, it’s likely to be a great event for racers looking to have a great time on their bikes and enjoy the relaxed vibe for which Rossland and Red Mountain are famous.

Huck en Berries Bike Jam-

Pulling off a slopestyle course with virtually no budget is a massive challenge to say the least. Jam organizer and local Rossland ripper Rory Belter lead the charge and rallied an impressive line up of volunteers and in-kind donations/support to make the inaugural event a huge success. Judging by the stoke from the riders on the course, the impressive spectator turnout and smooth sailing event, it’s safe to say that next year will be even bigger and better.


The Huck en Berries course was built near the Red Mountain day lodge at the bottom of the resort near the finish of the Dreadhead. The one location for both events meant a great opportunity for spectators to grab a burger and beer and watch all the festivities. Props to Red Mountain for allowing us to put on this event!


Features on the course included a truck gap, the “morning” jump that consisted of a log launch to gap, and a gnarly step-up to a scaffolding platform to drop. Some features catered to the intermediate rider as well – uncommon to slopestyle.

With a small, start-up event that didn’t promise huge pay-outs, the caliber of the competitors was yet to be seen. While there was opportunity for all skill levels to try the course in a supportive and chill environment, we were also lucky to witness some sick riding. Results were based on a rider-judged jam format with competitors getting at least four official laps in.


Most notable ripper was the advanced category victor, Johnny Korthius of Lethbridge, Alberta. Johnny was busting out sick tricks all day including a backflip onto the intimidating step-up (which also won him best trick) and solid 360s off the big drops. Alan Sutherland of Castlegar, BC and Andre Nutini of Rossland/Warfield, BC rounded out the top 3 advanced riders. For complete Huck en Berries results, click here.

Seven Summits Poker Ride-

This was the 5th year of the Seven Summits Poker Ride and it certainly was one to remember. In sharp contrast to the dusty conditions of the Dreadhead on Red mountain, the skies opened up Saturday evening and poured all night. Participants awoke to more cold, rainy weather, but undaunted they lined up at 7 a.m. for the Adrenaline Adventures shuttle to the beginning of the Seven Summits trail at over 5,000 feet elevation.

The Poker Ride is a non-competitive event that emphasizes fun and inclusive participation. The ages and skill levels varied greatly for the 36-kilometer ride, and despite the weather there were some awesome costumes and a great vibe in the air. However, Mother Nature was winding up for her worst…


I volunteered at one of the card stations (Gibbard’s Junction) and hiked through sheets of rain and fog to get to my station. To say it was miserable was an understatement. By 9:30 a.m. and with most of the 150 participants on course, it was clear that things were looking grim. As I and Presley hunkered down under a tarp, we were greeted by the first rider to arrive – Rossland local Stewart Spooner. He was in rough shape and very cold, and if you know Spooner, you know that’s saying something. Just up the ridge from us in one of the most exposed alpine areas, it was snowing sideways with strong gusting winds.


After much discussion and relaying via radio with stations earlier in the ride, it was clear that many of the riders were not prepared for near-hypothermic weather. The difficult decision was made to usher the remaining riders down the “out” trails where we arranged hot beverages, soup and blankets for participants, some of whom were very cold.


Fortunately we were able to account for all the riders and the volunteers quickly mobilized to get everyone back to the Lions campground where food, beer and festivities awaited. Of course there was disappointment for many of the out-of-town riders (a record number in fact, making up the bulk of participants), but it was widely acknowledged that it was the right call and any dampened spirits were lifted by the fantastic after-party. Card stations were set up in the field so people could draw their cards, many kegs and “emergency” cases of beer were consumed, and in the end there fond memories of a successful day.


Props to Revolution Cycle and Service owners Tyler Merringer and Caroline Rousselle for organizing this fantastic annual event.

Final thoughts-

That’s a wrap on the First Annual Rossland Fat Tire Festival. It’s safe to say the whole weekend was a remarkable success for an inaugural event. The volunteers who chipped in (you know who you are) were the heart and soul of the festival. Without you none of this would have been a reality…thanks again!

Planning is already underway for next year’s fest, which we hope will include more musical entertainment and possibly some new racing venues. Check out www.rosslandfattirefestival.com for more details soon!

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-Ryan Kuhn is a regular Pinkbike contributor and is proud to represent Devinci Bikes, Revolution Cycles and Service, Nema International, SMX Optics, Adrenaline Adventures and Point 1. He lives in Rossland, BC, Canada.

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