February 4 was an odd winter day in Canaan Valley. The snow was warm from higher temperatures during the previous days, while new snow fell on top of that in chunky flakes. Strong winds blew across the open plane in front of White Grass Ski and Touring Center, and that Sunday morning’s temperature was close to freezing.
While most were inside prepping for the Super Bowl, which was to occur later in the day in dramatic fashion, a few were suited up for a race. On bikes. In the snow.
The Mountain State Fat Bike Champs were held at White Grass for the second year in a row. The race course was all on White Grass property. The course loop was 2.2 miles. There were two races; a XC race clocking in at 11.2 miles and a 22.4 mile XXC race.
As a mountain biker himself, White Grass Owner Chip Chase was ready and willing to open up the trails for the event. “The people that came out for the race were great,” Chase said. “At White Grass, we like to be a part of another person’s sport, and it’s very similar to cross country skiing, it’s human powered and quiet.”
Chase offered up use of the property without charge this year, “Which was really awesome of him,” Race Promoter Zach Adams said.
The idea for a fat bike race began three years ago, and the official Mountain State Fat Bike Champs made its debut last year. “The whole idea was to have a fun, fat bike event on groomed trails,” Adams said.
The emphasis on fun continued this year. “The race scene is still interesting, it’s not a super serious race. It’s a lot of people coming out to see what fat biking is like,” Adams said.
This year’s numbers were down only slightly, pulling a solid 59 racers to the event. Most racers trekked to White Grass within a three-hour driving distance. One racer made the journey all the way from Indiana.
As the idea of a race event grew beyond promoting the sport of fat biking, ways to raise money were brought to the table. This year, racers paid $25 in advance, or $35 the day of, to race. This year’s proceeds went to New Historic Thomas, which in turn will be put toward construction of the Thomas City Park trails.
In addition to the signup proceeds, Stumptown Ales hosted a fundraiser the night before and contributed a dollar from every beer purchase to New Historic Thomas.
As the local purveyor and supporter of biking in the area, Blackwater Bikes is instrumental in the Mountain State Fat Bike Champs.
This year, the shop sponsored the aid station. Bacon, beer, hugs, high fives, and other provisions were made readily available to those biking past the Spring Orchard Shelter. “I think there’s obviously some serious racers, but we’re probably more promoting just the fun of the event,” Blackwater Bikes Owner Rob Stull said.
Blackwater Bikes also supplied racers who were new to the sport with rentals. Stull and the team at Blackwater Bikes have been in the fat bike business for a few years now.
The shop rents fat bikes out, which in turn, may help some tentative bikers jump right into the sport without having to buy a new one right off the bat. “More and more shops are selling new fat bikes, but for folks to be able to come in the door and try one out, here it is, come try it, you don’t need to buy one,” Stull said.
The winter conditions in the Allegheny Highlands produce opportunities for fat biking that are uncommon in the Mid-Atlantic region. “From an economic standpoint, it’s allowed me to expand our seasons and offerings in the slower months,” Stull said.
Blackwater rents fat bikes for $40 a day. The shop is open in the winter on Monday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
As the sport grows, local fat bikers are looking for an opportunity to cultivate groomed trails specifically for fat bikes. Adams is already looking ahead to next year’s event, with hopes of obtaining a trail groomer to improve access and fluidity.
