Cold weather enthusiasts looking to keep their winter spare tire at bay can work up a sweat with a fat tire…bike that is. Fat-tire biking is a winter alternative to mountain biking, with tires designed for snow-packed trails that are twice the size of those on a traditional mountain bike. “It’s a little slower and much more comfortable,” says Kate Boehmer of Maine Huts & Trails, a nonprofit network of backcountry trails and eco-lodges that now offers fat-tire biking. “Think a luxury sedan versus a vintage European race car.” However, that’s not to say bikers won’t get a workout. When asked to describe the experience, Boehmer says, “Combine skiing, biking, dancing, horseback riding and trail running, and you’d be getting close.” Maine Huts & Trails boasts a variety of trails for fat-tire biking, many with markers delineating the level of difficulty, not unlike those on the ski slopes. But novices needn’t fear if they accidentally find themselves on a slightly advanced trail: “Unlike skiing, it’s not really a big deal to end up on a trail you’re not quite ready for,” Boehmer says. “Unless you’ve ended up on a serious downhill, simply walk your bike through challenging sections and get back on when you’re ready. Worst-case scenario? You’re just walking through the woods—and that’s pretty awesome.”
Maine Huts & Trails, 496C Main St., Kingfield, Maine (207-265-2400) mainehuts.org
Cold Calls
9 Reasons to Get Pumped for the Snowy Season
By Alexandra Cavallo Oct. 28, 2016
Fat Chance
Cold weather enthusiasts looking to keep their winter spare tire at bay can work up a sweat with a fat tire…bike that is. Fat-tire biking is a winter alternative to mountain biking, with tires designed for snow-packed trails that are twice the size of those on a traditional mountain bike. “It’s a little slower and much more comfortable,” says Kate Boehmer of Maine Huts & Trails, a nonprofit network of backcountry trails and eco-lodges that now offers fat-tire biking. “Think a luxury sedan versus a vintage European race car.” However, that’s not to say bikers won’t get a workout. When asked to describe the experience, Boehmer says, “Combine skiing, biking, dancing, horseback riding and trail running, and you’d be getting close.” Maine Huts & Trails boasts a variety of trails for fat-tire biking, many with markers delineating the level of difficulty, not unlike those on the ski slopes. But novices needn’t fear if they accidentally find themselves on a slightly advanced trail: “Unlike skiing, it’s not really a big deal to end up on a trail you’re not quite ready for,” Boehmer says. “Unless you’ve ended up on a serious downhill, simply walk your bike through challenging sections and get back on when you’re ready. Worst-case scenario? You’re just walking through the woods—and that’s pretty awesome.”
Maine Huts & Trails, 496C Main St., Kingfield, Maine (207-265-2400) mainehuts.org
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