Lapham Peak hosting new fat bike race series

The enthusiasm for fat bikes has spurred more than a growth in tires, but also a sharp increase in opportunities to race through the winter.

The Lapham Peak Fat Bike Race Series, on the trails in the Town of Delafield, Wisconsin, is the latest addition to the expanding race calendar throughout the Midwest.

Three-dozen riders turned out for the first event in the series on a cold Thursday night, November 20, and organizers expect more through the next six outings in the series.

“I think the fat bikes have opened up winter to a lot of people who are cyclists and are interested in riding all year,” said Ron Stawicki, one of the series organizers. “The bikes are new and a ton of fun to ride and people are into it.”

Stawicki works at the Wheel & Sprocket shop, in Delafield, which is sponsoring the series and offers rentals for those looking to try the wide rides.

The races are held on a four-mile loop of mountain bike and horse trails, starting at 7:30 p.m. When the snow cover is sufficient, the course will be packed and groomed.

Registration costs $10, with the proceeds funneled back into trail maintenance at the Lapham Peak Unit, part of the Kettle Moraine State Forest.

Upcoming races will be held on December, 4, 11 and 18, and January, 8, 15 and 22.

Check out the Facebook page for the Lapham Peak Fat Bike Race Series for more details. A few photos taken at the December 11 night race can be viewed here.

Riders in southeast Wisconsin can also ride their fat bikes in the new race category in the Wisconsin Winter Trail Assail Series, three events in Waukesha County parks that also include cross-country skiing and snowshoe races. Dates for those races are January 18 in Minooka Park, January 24 in Nashotah Park and February 14 in Nashotah Park.

Check out the full slate of 2014-2015 upper Midwest fat bike races – including those in the Wisconsin Fat Bike Series, Great Lakes Fat Bike Series and Short’s Brewing Fat Bike Series (Michigan).

Tom Held writes The Active Pursuit blog for silentsports.net.