St. Fatty’s Day punctuates a gigantic season for fat biking as the final NMFBS event hits Gaylord. The race that started it all wraps it up in 2013 at Marsh Ridge. The cream of the fat bike crop will venture north to Marsh Ridge for the second edition of St. Fatty’s Day Fat Bike Race. With extra points on offer and the overall titles still up for grabs.
The course has been confirmed, at least provisionally, with some minor changes to last year’s circuit. The start and finish climb will remain, though the golf cart climb looks to be chopped. With the amount of snow in Gaylord, the ascent would be nearly impossible on a fat bike. The famous bridge section is also unrideable because of downed trees and snow, so expect a more technical route at the base of the ridge. The highlights of the course will remain; high speeds, wide open trails and well-groomed snow will make for an forgettable battle for the series’ big guns.
Chris Kushman will ride as the series leader, and it will be up to every other rider to try and take the lead off him. It will be a team affair, with all Einstein racers still in the mix for the title. There will be no holds barred from the gun, with Kushman needing to stay on the podium to make sure he’ll take the overall. Expect Jorden Wakeley and Jason Lowetz to be off the front early, with the likes of Ryan Kennedy also looking to move up. It may come down to alliances on the road, with the fast-starting Wakeley and Jason Lowetz working to get away from Kushman and Kennedy, both of whom need to take podiums on the day to be on the podium for the series. It’s Wakeley’s race and series to win, and he’ll ride with the most to lose. Don’t be surprised if the it comes down to the final few laps and, as always in fat bike racing, tire selection.
The Women’s race will come down simply to attendance. Series leader Chelsea Strate is still undefeated in 2013 after another win at Inside Out Cyclocross this past Sunday. Her main threat is Christina Peek, who will need to take the victory on the day and look for some help in order to prize away the series win. Other women starters won’t have the points series to look after, so expect some brave moves early to try to get away from Strate and Peek.
Registration is still open and the after party is the talk of the town. Expect nothing but a good time.