Big Winds and Big Tires at the 2016 USA Fat Bike Nationals
For the second year in a row, the Fat Bike Nationals were held at Powder Mountain, Utah. With the forecast calling for cloudy skies and a chance for snow it was a treat to have sunny skies the entire day. Big winds picked up and were blowing hard making the riders struggle with a headwind most of the race. Different from last year, all tents and spectators were moved down to the starting line. It was nice to have them together this year and gave it a better vibe as far as bringing the spectators, food, racers and families together. There were plenty of demo fat bikes to be tested for adults and even kids.
Racers were put up against some non-stop winds all day including a headwind that I am sure slowed a lot of competitors down. There was a lot of excitement at the finish line for the Pro Men, as just feet before the finish line rider Robert Squire, with a bike length lead over Alex Grant, suddenly slipped out and crashed. Alex had to swerve to miss him and snatched the win. It seems like they were both good sports about it. In addition to the excitement, the wind had plans to keep things spicy at the award ceremony and blew 5 or so tents out of the crowd hundreds of feet down the hill. Lucky no one was hurt and awards proceeded without a hitch.
Although it seemed like there were less spectators this year due to the grim weather forecast, there were still plenty of people who showed up and it was a fun atmosphere.
1 Emma Maaranen, 2 Rebecca Blatt, 3 Rebecca Gross
1 Alex Grant, 2 Robert Squire, 3 Josiah Middaugh
Full results here.
MENTIONS: @stevelloyd
Racers were put up against some non-stop winds all day including a headwind that I am sure slowed a lot of competitors down. There was a lot of excitement at the finish line for the Pro Men, as just feet before the finish line rider Robert Squire, with a bike length lead over Alex Grant, suddenly slipped out and crashed. Alex had to swerve to miss him and snatched the win. It seems like they were both good sports about it. In addition to the excitement, the wind had plans to keep things spicy at the award ceremony and blew 5 or so tents out of the crowd hundreds of feet down the hill. Lucky no one was hurt and awards proceeded without a hitch.
Although it seemed like there were less spectators this year due to the grim weather forecast, there were still plenty of people who showed up and it was a fun atmosphere.
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 The Turner boys showed up and stoked as always for a good race. |
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| Last year the tents were all in the parking lot. This year they were right at the finish line, which was nice for a more put together feel for spectators and racer alike. |
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| Dj Yeti keeping good music blasting all day long. |
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| Got the itch to fat bike to ski? Scott has the solution with these cool saddle bags for skis that mount to the back of the bike. |
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| The weather called for cloudy skies and snow for the race. It was nice to have sun the entire day. Other than the wind it was a perfect day. |
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| Winds were off the chart for most of the race and even blew tents hundreds of feet down the hill at the award ceremony. |
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| This berm was somewhat difficult for a lot of riders this race. More than one rider went down here. These guys charged it no problem. |
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| It was down to the last few feet with Robert Squire in the lead by a few feet when he slid out. Alex Grant was able to snatch the win by feet. It was pretty intense. |
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| Good sportsmanship between these two. It was a battle to the last 10 feet. |
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| Alex Grant taking first on his Cannondale. |
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| Kids fat bikes are becoming more common. Saw a had full of these around the evert. |
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| Family! Stoked to see everyone coming out. |
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| Hula skirts are all the rage for events these days. |
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| Pushing hard for the finish line. |
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| Little groms were out and about having a blast. |
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| Peace! Only good vibes at the race. |
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| People were stoked. Friends, family, a sunny day. What more could you ask for. |
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| Lots of snowshoes at the demo tents. There was a snowshoe race following the fat bike event. |
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| Sections of trail were a bit loose and some could not keep the rubber side down. |
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| Some bling for those who charged. |
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Full results here.
MENTIONS: @stevelloyd
Author Info:
Member since Sep 27, 2009
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PS How did the fat bike fall over? I thought they had sooo much grip everywhere.
Serious question: can fat bikes race in hardtail class of other races?