Fat tire cyclists coming down the backside of Rice Ridge March 4. In the soft snow conditions, many of the riders said they needed to air down their tires to get the traction they needed.
Riders enjoyed a groomed single track section as part of the course.
Race Organizer Mike Lindemer staffing the Beer, Bacon & Bonfire Aid Station six miles into the ride.
Megan Fisher and Dan Poole of Missoula with Fisher's dog Betsy. This was their first year participating in the ride. They did the 30 mile ride and experienced "all forms of weather and tasted all of Montana," said Fisher who said she fell and ate the trail. They both enjoyed the ride. "Everyone was super kind and [the route] offered great views," said Fisher.
This year's logo for the Seeley Lake Sasquatch Fat Bike Ride was developed by Mark Kues and Mike Lindemer.
SEELEY LAKE – Lindey's Prime Steak House and SLE Outside hosted the second annual Sasquatch Fat Tire Bike Ride March 4. A dozen riders said they saw every kind of weather Montana offered except cold, which would have been a welcome change to help set the trails. However, they all had a good time and enjoyed the route.
Instead of leaving from SLE Outside in downtown Seeley Lake, Race Organizer Mike Lindemer said they left from the Warming Hut on Morrell Creek Road to avoid the mud. Riders had the option of a 10-mile, 20-mile or 30-mile ride.
Samer Khodor from Missoula did the 30-mile ride with his friend Mark Gilmore, also from Missoula. Khodor said when they started the ride it was raining,
"We saw sleet, snow and sun," said Khodor. "We saw a little bit of everything Montana has to offer."
Khodor and Gilmore enjoyed the beer, bacon and bonfire aid station about six miles and one hour into their ride. After a beer they "got the courage" to do the long route, said Gilmore.
Khodor said the single track was fun but a challenge in the warm conditions. While it was groomed, his bike would float for a while and then sink.
Khodor's GPS recorded three hours and 38 minutes of moving time, 28.4 miles and an elevation gain of 2,900 feet.
After the ride, participants gathered at Lindey's for a burger and stories. They all joked about being alive and not having any injuries.
"What's great about riding a fat tire bike is when you fall down, you keep all of your skin," said Megan Fisher of Missoula who is a para-cyclists gold, silver and bronze medalist with Team USA from the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games. "It's a unique experience and gives a different perspective of the same area [versus driving the roads in a vehicle in the summer]."
The consensus was low tire pressure was the key to traction in the soft snow conditions. Riders varied in their recommendations of three-five pounds of pressure in the tires.
Lindemer was pleased with the ride and how it went. He just wished the weather would have been more cooperative.
Bruce Harrop of Polson, Mont. said he heard about the ride last year but he had missed it.
"I wanted to do it this year," said Harrop. "Why not be outside on a nice day?"
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