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Story by Tyler Stemerman
umerous ski resorts across Vermont offer mountain biking trail access during the summer
to augment what riders can explore on their own throughout the state’s forests. But why
stop biking just because it is winter? Winter is no obstacle with fat bikes! As the fat biking
community continues to grow, so does the technology of these bikes, which are fitted with oversize
tires made to tackle soft or unstable terrain, such as snow. Modern day fat bikes were first created
in the 1980s as a way for bicyclists to ride on sand-based terrain. The creator, French cyclist Jean
Naud, rode his bike from Niger to Algeria (and later across the Sahara Desert) to demonstrate the
terrain-conquering ability of fat bikes. Today, fat bikes continue to increase in popularity. Races,
tours, and festivals around the world are developing around the sport, for both first-timers and
seasoned experts. Following is a guide for where to start.
28 VERMONT MAGAZINE