The month ahead is packed with racing off all kinds. Here’s some of the highlights you won’t want to miss.

February is the final month we’ll consider the off-season in Michigan, but of course, you can race every weekend from now until July. There’ a lot of outstanding and diverse events on the docket, but kolo t.c. has selected a few you won’t want to miss.

To kick off the month, Northern Michigan Fat Bike Series returns with its second race, Fat Camp! at Timer Ridge. It’ll mark the triumphant return to Traverse City for the four riders from Einstein Racing, all of whom slotted into the top five at the Fat Bike World Championships. A home race under the lights, lined with tiki torches and bonfires, and plenty of s’mores are the perfect party to celebrate Jorden Wakeley’s World Championship win, but the racing won’t be easy. The cream of the fat bike crop will flock the race, which is much easier to get to than the U.P. and should come at a time when racers are starting to look toward the series as a way to build fitness into March.

The next race, February 12, is Fat Tuesday!, another Northern Michigan Fat Bike Series event, but one completely unique in the state. It’s the only mid-week race, and one that will be catered by Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen. Again, the race will be under the lights at the Grand Traverse Civic Center, making it a race sure to be hotly contested. While it may see primarily Traverse City residents on the line, it may be the best chance for someone besides Jorden to win a bike race this year.

The second installment of the Inside Out Cyclocross series is February 24th in Greenville. After an outstanding turnout and exciting race in January, the late February event will be perfect for those looking for some racing miles in their legs ahead of Barry-Roubaix. Expect to see Craig Gietzen, Dan McGraw and the Freewheeler crew back to defend great racing, with the Up North teams sending hearty compliments of riders down for some fitness work. Einstein Racing has confirmed Tim Bottrell with join Mickey Humpula and Chelsea Strate for the A race titles, and rumors abound that Chad Wells will join Ross Gibbs from North Country Cycle Sport. Rob Goepfrich will look to lead the OtS-kolotc.com squad, flanked by Andy Grow and Jason Hall, as well.

Get in some miles, and get ready now for an action packed 2013 race season.