Fat Bike Test Ride

So Sunday came around and after church, lunch and some chores I put on some bike gear and took the Fat Bike (dubbed: Green Machine) out for it's first ride. I managed to make it out the icy driveway without crashing and to the road. The tires had a little self steer but not as much as I had anticipated. I had reversed the tire direction to see if I could get more traction on the tires for snow. Snow tires will definitely be an upcoming investment (at least before the next winter sets in). There was a strong wind coming out of the west and when I got to Burt Road with the wind at my back I made good time. I arrived at the Taymouth Township Park which is only about a half mile from the house. The main area of the park is closed, however my scouting on the way home from church told me that some of the parking lot had been plowed. I rode around and found that snowmobiles had been all over the park. So I went off road and started riding the snowmobile tracks. Everything was very packed and hard from the snowmobiles and the recent thaw, rain and refreeze. The bike handled really well in the snow and the tires surprised me. Shifting and brakes worked flawlessly. I had a hard time leaving the park I was having so much fun. But I was running out of daylight. So I headed home. The end result was 49 minutes of riding and 5.5 miles.

Green Machine in it's natural environment.

Just nice to get outdoors and ride.

Next test for the bike will be this Sunday, March 2, 2014. I talked JJ into doing the last Fat Bike Race of the season put on by Fun Promotions. It is at Pando Winter Sports Park in Rockford, MI and we will be doing the team race. I will report after the race.

Till then, stay warm!

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