Omar gets the skinny on fat biking

I spent five years as a bike messenger in Ottawa, riding in all the conditions this climate could throw at me.

So, fatbiking... no problem, right?

This marks the first winter fat bikes have been allowed on some Gatineau Park trails. So I decided to give this two-wheel phenomenon a spin as part of our "Cold Play" series.

Omar goes fat biking in Gatineau Park

9 years ago

Duration 0:42

Omar tries fat biking for the first time in Gatineau Park.

'Give it a shot'

I met my guides Sandra Beaubien and Fred Michaud at the entrance to Gatineau Park.

It wasBeaubien's persistence in her roleas president of the Ottawa Mountain Bike Association that finally led to the park's firstofficial fatbike trails opening this year. As forher buddy, Michaud... he's just a cycling addict, always ready to ride..

"It's fun!" Beaubien promises. "We had a demo day a few weeks ago and we had over a hundred people trying it out for the first time. So it's growing, everyone's interested and ... just give it a shot, it's fun."

Not as easy as it looks

So what's the big, fatdeal? Sure the flats are a breeze. But geton a single-track trail through the trees and rolling terrain,and suddenly you're pumping your legs just to maintain themomentum you need to stay upright.

And that makes sense when you think about it. Your tires are four to 10 centimetres wide with very low pressure. Theyget lots oftraction, but it also takes a lot of energy to get up a slope. So in 20 C,you're sweating within minutes.

Why are my legs burning after a short ride?AdamKourakisof mobile bike shopVelofixhas a theory.

He says itall depends on the snow. If the trails have been packed down hard, you're going to find itrelatively easy to pedal, and you're going to go much faster. Light fluffy snow is going to make for more pedaling. Think of the pistons in your car as it inches forward, digging for traction on a snow-covered road. Yup ... this can be gruelling.

Try before you buy

"If you're buying a fatbike my tip for you is to start by looking at what kind of riding you're actually going to do," Kourakis advises. "If you're going to be doing more hardpack and more trail riding, then you get a fatbike that's more geared towards that. If you're going to be doing a lot of opentrail and a lot more softriding, getsomething more for that."

Fat biking in Gatineau Park is exhilarating.As soon as you stray from the wide, main trails, you're on your own, rolling through snow-covered forest. It's quiet. You're warm. The air is crisp and the scenery changes at every turn. You might feel the sudden urge to stop, sink into the blanket of snow and take it all in. Or if you're biking withBeaubien... pick up the pace and enjoy the adrenaline!

"I like it that you've got to be paying attention all the time and there's a lot of twists and turns, quick downhills, quick uphills. It's fun!"

Even falling is fun, when you're landing on asoft bedof snow.And if you'refat biking for the first time, rest assured that's going to happen!

Tips for fat biking in Gatineau Park

9 years ago

Duration 1:24

Sandra Beaubien, president of the Ottawa Mountain Bike Association, offers tips on fat biking in Gatineau Park.