Getting "fat" in the off season

Getting Fat in the off season

Ah the off season.  A time to kick back and relax on the coach catching up on movies and beer consumption.  Warm memories of the past season's triumphs and tribulations fading into the dark corners of my brain.  No races to anxiously prepare for for another several months, and just days upon days of early nigths and long slumbers.... or so I thought.

I got about 1 month into the off season before I started to get nostalgic for some serious mt biking and outdoor workouts.   I hopped back on the bike to squeeze in as many rides as I could get, even riding on new year's day in temperatures hovering just around 25 degrees.  There was no snow or ice yet, but the cold was bitingly fierce. 

I was ready for telemark and back country skiing and indoor weight training workouts, but there was no snow, just very cold temps.  Then a few flakes began to fall and ice started forming on all my favorite trails.  The temps were too cold for comfortable mt biking, and the snow wasn't deep enough yet for the back country... so I started to shop. 

I have known about fat bikes for several years now with several of them showing up on local trails and races.  I always thought of them as a passing fad, but this year I took a serious look at them.  I thought what a great way to enjoy the iffy months (October-April).  The months where the weather is very unpredictable and the trail conditions equally so. 

I did my research as best I could, determined my price range, and started hunting.  I didn't want to break the bank on a bike I knew I wouldn't ride all year, and I wanted a simple, but tried and true design.  I settled for a chromoly frame, knowing that chromoly is indestructible, although heavy, but would last me a long time and fit into my price range.  Components and brakes I was flexible on, although I'd want the best my price range could afford.  I had my eye on the Fatboy (entry level trim) but couldn't find a local bike shop that had any in stock, and there was no one who could give me an estimate on their arrival.

However, I did find one bike shop that had a different model still in stock (although a previous year's model).  It was for a bike built by a company I had never heard of before.  The bike had everything I was looking for in my price range, and as a bonus, it was on sale!  So I picked it up.  The Maxi is not the lightest of bikes, but it is very fun to ride.  It is very stable, offering 4" tires, and just an absolute blast.  I've been so happy with it that I have found myself riding in all sort of conditions, from a bitterly cold 8 degree ride, to a snow storm ride, to a bush whacking snow trail run.  I've even started entering fat bike races.

As for the couch, the movies, and my beers? They'll have to be enjoyed by someone else; 'cause I've got riding to do :)