Intense Training, Ass Branding and Whiskey Stations: A Look Inside a Fat Bike Race

Sure, it might not have the same intensity of competition as the Tour de France, but then, how many Tour riders stop for whiskey while riding through the Alps? Visit Crested Butte photo.

While Crested Butte, Colorado is known for its extreme skiing, storied mountain biking history and picturesque setting in Central Colorado, it has also become a haven for fat biking, with the Fat Bike World Championships having been hosted in Crested Butte for the past three years.

The four-day event is filled with two races, a demo day and even some lift-serviced downhill riding. Those days are accompanied by fat tires, low pressure, costumes, beer, grilling food, and smiles for miles. In a town that likes to party, this event is no outlier, yet it maintains a sense of seriousness, at least for the first few racers.

Worlds, as it’s known, is certainly an attention grabber, regardless of how intense the actual competition may or may not be. The main races, held on Saturday, bring in anyone from pro road riders to off-the-couch-beer-drinking hooligans with two offerings: A five-lap, 30-mile “championship” race and a three-lap, 18-mile fun race.

We caught up with eleven folks on race day to get a better understanding of their intentions during the race, community involvement, seriousness, or lack thereof. Here are their short but sweet interviews in order from before, during and after the race.

Amy Beisel, a Fat Bike Worlds champion. Long live the Queen. Visit Crested Butte photo..

What’s bringing you to Fat Bike Worlds this year?

I’ve done it the past three years and I’m actually looking to defend my title … Well, I took first in the inaugural year, so I’m actually looking to get my title back as I took second last year.

Are you nervous?

Very nervous, I want to throw-up right now.

Who do you race for?

I am riding for Fatback, a bike company up in Alaska. I’m also riding for Kenda, they’ve got my back, I love Kenda, I’m also supported by Gu.

What PSI are you going to run?

I think I’m going to run 6 PSI in the front, 6 in the back. It’s firm and if it gets a little soft I’m going to let some air out.

Ashley Carelock, who is looking to claim the throne. Visit Crested Butte photo. 

What brought you to Fat Bike Worlds this year?

First: I really love fat biking, there something about it that is super fun. Second: Last year I came and I think I was in third and my chain popped. I got it back together with the help of a good friend, Cullen, and then it popped again, at that point I was done.

What did you do after that happened?

Ohhhh…I just drank whiskey. I think I drank whiskey with you!!!

(Editor’s note: The writer assigned to this story worked selling whiskey at last year’s event, so this is true)

Whats the goal this year?

The goal this year is…

A. To finish.

B. To burn all my matches, my coach told me to do that, and I think that’s a good thing for me. I would like to win, I would like to make the podium, but I think bike racing is about more than just that. It’s about our community and it’s about going out there and doing the best that you can.

Amy raced with you a few weeks ago during the Lone Cone Fat Bike Challenge. You’ve been training hard, no?

I have been training hard. I think I beat her (Amy) by almost 15 minutes. A lot of that is tire pressure and of course it’s going to come into play again today. I don’t think it’s going to be as much as a problem as the Lone Cone where we were stopping and letting air out.

What PSI will you be running?

I’m at about 6-7 right now. I think that will be good, we’ll see, but I don’t think I should go any more than that because I think it will get rutted after a few laps.

Bryan Phillips can cook a mean burger. He's also been known to brand some butt cheeks. Visit Crested Butte photo.

Why are you here today?

Oh my gosh, I’m giving back. I don’t ride a bike or ski or snowboard so this is my way of giving back to the community.

What are you doing here today?

I’m grilling burgers and brats for a whole bunch of crazy fat bikers. We will go through 400 hamburgers and 300 brats.

Are you going to brand anybody?

I’m not going to brand anybody!

(Editor’s Note: In the inaugural year, one winner was branded with a forged metal branding iron that was used to brand the participants burger buns. The ass branding occurred after food was served, of course. It appears the iron did not make a presence this year.)

What else do you do business wise?

I own Coal Creek Distillery here in Crested Butte, Colorado. We make bourbon and whiskey and you can get it locally, regionally and we’re always expanding distribution.

Sure, it's frigid, but hey–Crested Butte is still a hell of a lot sunnier than Britain. Visit Crested Butte photo.

What brought you out here, Keith?

I bought a fat bike a few years ago and I think it’s awesome. I love riding in the UK on the mud and the slippery stuff, but I wanted to ride it on snow. Three years ago, when they did this event for the first time I happened to Google where to ride and Fat Bike Worlds popped up, so I thought, I’m going to come ride that.

You have been to Crested Butte for the past three winters, but have you been here in the summer?

Yeah, I’ve been here in the summer and have done a bit of biking, it is fantastic as well.

What do you enjoy more, summer or winter?

You can do a lot more in the summer, but the thing about this event is the social side of it as well, which is awesome. It’s got a real great vibe, and that’s why I enjoy winter in Crested Butte.

What’s your plan for staying hydrated during the races? Does it rhyme with “deer?”

I might have one or two, yeah!! [Laughs]

What’s your ultimate goal of the day?

Obviously, I’m a little bit older, I’m not as fit as some of these guys, and the altitude is a real issue, so for me it’s all about taking part and having a good time. I’m just going to attempt the three-lapper, do a half-decent time, and just prove it to myself that I can do that. So I’m not a contender for prizes or anything but it’s just great to come and ride. Just looking around now, the environment, and the people, it’s just fantastic.

Who hasn't entered a bike race wearing a fur coat? Visit Crested Butte photo.

Why are you out here at Fat Bike Worlds today?

This is my third year, and really it’s because I love to bike.

How old are you?

70. Well, no: I should say I’ll be 70 a week from today.

What are your goals today?

I’m just going to do one lap because I have to be in Creed at a wedding at 4:30pm, but my goal is to do the fastest lap I can. I did three laps last year because I was not in a time crunch.

What brought you to Crested Butte today?

Basically, the beautiful people, but secondly the beautiful, epic, world-class fat biking on snow, in the most unbelievable venue you could ever find.

So what is your goal today?

My goal today is to pick off everyone else as they die and I will finish, and they will not.

How many drinks do you plan to have out there?

I’m going to have as many drinks out there are as handed to me, and then I’ll put them in my belly.

Anything else?

Make sure to quote me on this, "I love Neil Beltchenko, XOXO."

Wintle came to have fun, and profess his love for the writer of this story. Visit Crested Butte photo.

What brought you out to Crested Butte today?

When I moved to Colorado I knew I needed a fat bike for the snow, then I saw there were races and I thought, ‘Why not?’

Last year you took third overall, what’s your goal this year and who is your competition?

The goal is to win. I’m not quite sure if Rob or Alex [the duo who outpaced him last year] are here, the goal is to stick to their wheels and see what happens.

What brought you out here, Ben?

Well, I did this last year, ‘cause we have a crazy friend who lives here in Colorado, and the altitude nearly killed me, so this year we’re going slow. It’s also not -17ºF, so that’s a good thing.

You are currently in last place, how do you feel about that?

I feel great, that’s where I want to be. I’M RIGHT WHERE I WANT TO BE!

Get back at it!

Alright!

(Editor’s Note: Ben was in last when he stopped at the “whiskey aid station” for this Q+A. He was also the last finisher, but he beat out plenty of the people that did not finish or even sign up for that matter.)

What’s your cycling background?

So, I started riding mountain bikes when I was five years old, and then when I was 16 and 17 I became a national champion. Later on, I went to Europe to race on the road and later on I went to Texas for college, Midwestern State University. I raced for Elbos for a few years and now I’m racing for the 303 Project, a road bike team in Boulder.

What was the draw of Fat Bike Worlds?

I’m really good friends with Greg Mathias from Fatback Bikes in Alaska, they invited me to ride their bikes and to have fun. I love mountain biking, especially for off-season training. Last week I went to Alaska to race the Frosty Bottom, and now I’m doing this. It’s more of a preparation for the season but I’m having a blast.

What bike are you riding?

A Fatback Corvus.

What other plans do you have coming up this year?

I might do one more race on the fat tires and then I’m going to start training camp with the boys in Redlands, California. Hopefully we do Tour of Utah and the Colorado Classic and some international races, and hopefully nationals in Mexico, so, we will see.

Number one: Baca crossing the line in the first place. Visit Crested Butte photo.

What were your goals for the race?

My goal for Fat Bike Worlds is to be out on course having fun and cheering on my fellow racers. I’m that person with a “woo-hoo” or a “great job” for every rider out there. I don’t race much so I’m never sure how I will feel once I get rolling. If I’m feeling it, I put my head down and go for it, otherwise I just ride my race and have fun along the way. It’s always fun to represent the shop on a podium and I’ve managed a third place in the three-lap race, in my class for the last two years.

Why does Fat Bike Worlds work in Crested Butte?

I think Crested Butte is the perfect venue for this event because it’s a laid-back town that knows how to have a good time, and Fat Bike Worlds is about having a good time. The two main venues for races are convenient to town and provide stunning backdrops for the event. also think the fact that we are a cycling centric community makes us a great place for Worlds. Many locals ride bikes around town and to and from work all year round so it just fits right into that vibe.

What is the economical benefit of an event like this to your bike shop?

Fat biking is awesome but it is relatively niche still as a portion of sales in your average bike shop. Having an event gives people the opportunity to learn more about the sport and try it out risk-free. It also brings people in the industry together who are making products for fat biking or selling those products (like me) to talk about what’s working and what’s not. The shop gets a boost during the event in the sales of fat bike accessories and apparel and our rentals are busy throughout the weekend also.

Excited for next year?

I’m so excited for next year! I have a list of notes for myself of ideas that popped up over the last week. The event went great and I know little additions and tweaks here and there can only make it better. A bunch of my employees want to participate in the Saturday race next year and I have vowed to come up with a good costume, and that I won’t be afraid to hit the booter next year!

Why Fat Bike Worlds and why in Crested Butte?

Because fat biking needed an event with the energy and ability to throw down with not only fun courses, but the most amazing scenery in the world, costumed characters, and a crew that knew how to throw a party. And in true CB style… why throw just a race, why not make it Worlds!

Anyone get branded this year?

NO, but Ashley Carelock, the girl who won was close to getting a tramp stamp until I showed her the video of the first year’s branding.

What was the silliest thing you saw on Saturday?

Silliest…. I liked all the vikings! Especially the two girls who just had the biggest smiles and the best time. Oh, and the e-bike on course… not cool.

How many participants on Saturday?

I believe 197 race starters.

How many people would you think this event brings into town?

Over 600 people. Some groups came with entire families, some brought support and friends. It seemed like no one traveled alone. I know the hotels from Mt. CB all the way to Pioneer Guest Cabins (Crested Butte South) were full of fat bikers.