It’s as if our inner child’s dreams have come true. A multi-day festival is launching in 2017 which is dedicated to playing in the snow, and riding bikes. What more could we ask for?
A traditional fat bike has pretty wide tyres, anywhere from 3.8-4.5 inches. At first they were welcomed with uncertainty, and treated as another flash-in-the-pan gimmick. However, much to many people’s surprise, they started to gain momentum. This was especially seen in countries that actually got snow – not the British snow either, but the REAL deal stuff.
In light of its niche popularity, the first Snow Bike Festival has just received UCI accreditation for 2017. Taking place at the end of January in the stunning region of Gstaad, Switzerland, the festival will take the form of a multi-stage event and a night time elimination race.
Cycling across Greenland on a fat bike
The four stage race will vary in lengths between 25km – 35km, and in difficulty. Although the whole event is geared towards promoting the sport for competitive action, it’s also keen to encourage new snow riders to take part.
There’s also going to be an Eliminator night time race, just to mix it up a little. Small groups will race on a short track, under dazzling floodlights as they try to eliminate one another for the top spot.
The UCI accreditation makes this event the first ever bike event, on snow. It allows riders of fat bikes, mountain bikes and plus bikes to take part and earn UCI points. Not only this, but it allows the opportunity for the big racers to earn prize money in excess of 7,000chf / £5,700.
The UCI Snow Bike Festival will run from January 19th – 22nd 2017. For more information about the event, and to register, head over to their website here.
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