Fat bikes don’t bounce. At least not these marshmallow-wheeled beauties. When Oakley and I decided to try our hand at this new activity for Adventure Wednesday, we pictured ourselves careening through the woods, popping over rocks and roots with colt-like grace, but instead we are finding ourselves plodding along as if the ground was covered with mashed potatoes. The energy that our legs expend don’t transfer kinetically to a zip, but rather to a slog. Slowly we squish over every lump and hill. It is like running with pillows affixed to one’s shoes. Soft, yes. Powerful, not so much.
The day is cold—23 degrees—and an icy snow is falling. We are prepared this time, though, and are clad in long underwear, mittens, down coats, wooly caps, socks, and, of course, face masks. They double as scarves in a pinch. Plus, the good thing about working so hard to gather any inertia on these bikes is that we quickly work up quite a sweat, and the cold wind on our cheeks enlivens us.
These days, I feel like I am trying harder than ever to keep us both awake and engaged in life, and part of that is creating purposeful challenge. If we can triumph over self-imposed obstacles, maybe it will make the challenge of COVID-related struggles seem a bit easier. I am trying to access our more stoic natures.
Sometimes this is ugly, and the truth is, many times on our adventures, Oakley and I have knock-down, drag-out fights; “What do you mean you forgot your gloves? I reminded you 10 times!”
“Jesus Christ, don’t tell me we are lost! You are the worst at reading maps!”
”No, we are not stopping for hot cocoa yet. We just started!”
“You are so annoying! Hurry up!”
You can probably guess who says what. Even these fights seem to serve a purpose, and they clear the tension that has built up between us during the week, trapped together in the house. When we make our peace, it feels calmer and more grounded than before.
Today, we ride 12 miles together, up and over icy hills and across wide pastures. There are flocks of wild turkeys in the forest and large patches of florid, green moss striped with streamers of snow. The opaque ice-covered puddles and streams crossing the trail make a most satisfying crunch when we barrel through them. It feels like playing.
We are exhausted when we are finished. Our cheeks, fingers, ears and toes burn with cold, and bellies and backs drip with sweat.
We end with hot cocoa and grilled-cheese sandwiches and talk about doing it again when the real snow comes. When we will squish and strain even more. When the snow will meet our wheels and bandy us about. When challenge, fun and self-imposed adversity will meet again taking us where it will. Where we need to go to get through this.
Whew – I’m exhausted just reading it! I continue to admire not only the physical aspect of your adventures but the mental one too. Y’all are amazing!
I see you so clearly, only my picture is from 1990. You are an incredible writer Leah.
I have enjoyed your posts since before you went cross country and each one has always brought a smile or thoughtful nod from me. Thank you so much for giving me a bit of joy each time your post.
Cant wait to hear about the next fat tire ride!
I so look forward to your stories. I can live vicariously through your adventures. I am an avid cyclist but live in the Northeast and don’t ride when the temps go below 40 or if there is ice or snow. Too dangerous where I live as there are many hills and mountains. How I wish I could be as you are and throw caution to the wind. Thank you for sharing your lives with us. You are someone to emulate.
Very enjoyable read, especially your descriptions of the verbal interchanges you have with your riding partner. Looking forward to the next exerpt!
Add more air to those fat tires—you will gain both bounce and speed.
Thank you! We know have 16 inches of snow so I am ready to try again!
What Sherry said. Tire pressure is critical on fatbikes. Too little air and they are like sloths with anchors. Too much air and they do bounce. They bounce off everything! Not good. And worst of all, there is no one tire pressure that is good for everything. Generally, the smoother the terrain, the higher the pressure you want. If you are questioning your fitness and your sanity the pressure is too low. If it feels like the front wheel bounces off every bump in the trail (or you are sinking into the snow) it is too high. It also sounds like you had 10lbs of clothes and gear on. That never makes one feel quick.
I’ve rolled about 5000 miles on marshmallow tires and it can be quite fun. Don’t write it off after one ride. https://thecandidcyclist.blogspot.com/2019/03/ive-heard-that-fatbiking-season-is-over.html
I will be ready for next time. Now there is 16 inches of snow here-can’t wait to go play!
Your posts are always the highlight of my day. Thank you!
Thank you!
Let’s not rush the snow – it will come soon enough.
Love these winter reports and how you handle the challenges of the relationship between each other and the bikes.
We are adventuring like our lives depend o. It!