By Peter “Fish” Case.
Fat biking… is dead, they say! “I’m not riding one of those ridiculous-looking things. Those bikes are like taking a tractor to a NASCAR track.” These are just a few remarks you’d hear from the haters who don’t want to invest the money in rediscovering that childhood feeling of glee—bombing a trail or gliding over sand or snow on 7 PSI. I got a Trek Farley 7 at Burrows Sports in Brattleboro, Vermont, this year, and it’s quickly become my primary way to pound through the woods. The beauty is I don’t have to stop riding this thing in the winter. Remember, “there’s no bad weather, just bad clothing.” To add to that age-old Vermont saying… “and bad tires.”
We live in the age of the bike. Gravel is the hottest commodity right now, followed by mountain, road, and recreational biking. These categories span half of spring, all of summer, and most of fall. Then, maybe, we dust off the winter sport gear to continue our outdoor addiction—and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that! But your love for cycling is number one, and let’s face it, nobody should put baby in the corner. Fat biking is more than just a sport or a mode of transportation; it’s a way to embrace the outdoors, challenge yourself, and find joy in unexpected places. The thrill of conquering different terrains, the physical and mental benefits, and the opportunity for exploration make fat biking an exciting and fulfilling activity. Whether you’re looking to stay fit, explore unbeaten paths, or simply enjoy a unique riding experience, fat biking has something to offer. So, grab a fat bike, hit the trails, and get ready for an adventure you can enjoy year-round. That’s not to say you can’t tackle similar terrain on a regular 29er—you can, and I do. But adventures just seem so much cooler on a 4.5-inch-wide tire.
Fat biking is like riding a monster truck—but for your legs. Imagine a bike with tires so wide they look like they could crush a watermelon without trying. These chubby wheels let you plow through snow, sand, and mud like a boss, turning even the dullest terrain into a playground. You’ll feel like a kid again, bouncing along trails with a goofy grin plastered on your face. In the case of my newfound “trail whale,” Trek’s Farley 7, with its cushy front suspension fork and 4.5-inch-wide Gnarwahl Tires, I find myself exploring the woods completely differently. This bike is stable and handles well for something I’ve nicknamed the Bumble Beast (it’s yellow and black). I tear through the woods now with a newfound sense of purpose. Whether it’s steep climbs, tight switchbacks, or rock-strewn single tracks, I tackle it all with a grin, weaving seamlessly through the forest as if I’m part of the landscape. It’s the perfect partner for adventure.
My love for cycling began like most people’s—riding around the neighborhood with all the other hoodlums, pretending to be a motorcycle gang (that still listened to their mothers). We were constantly building Frankenbikes, cutting the forks off other bikes to create completely structurally unsafe choppers. I bring this up because, during one of these weeklong rebuilding and re-engineering sessions, I think we invented the fat bike! It’s true. We came across an old motorized minibike and thought it would be cool to put its tires on an old Schwinn Stingray. Several problems arose—like having to bend the frame to fit the tires, filing the slots where the bolts would slide on, and trying to find compatible gearing and a chain. We did it! We named her Kitty Hulk (a nod to the Wright Brothers and our then-favorite Marvel hero, The Hulk). The Schwinn we butchered was green, so it fit. Much like the Wright Brothers’ first flight, we got the bike to roll. It was like pedaling a piano, and the front fork was so compromised that the tire wobbled uncontrollably until the frame gave out, sending me straight through the ape hanger handlebars. But the hook was set, and decades later, fat bikes became a thing.
There are many fat bikes on the market now, but when it comes to handling and movement, the Trek Farley 7 stands out—a robust fat-tire bike made for versatility and adventure. It’s not the only Farley in Trek’s line; the 9, 5, and 9.6 also offer the same level of fun and adventure. You can find them all at Burrows Sports on Main Street in Brattleboro, Vermont! Snow on the ground is no excuse to stop riding, and the Trek Farley line enables that mindset. With tires you can stud (or not), the aggressive tread keeps you upright and ready to see furry woodland creatures up close.
Simply put, fat biking is about exploring diverse landscapes and taking on challenging conditions with comfort and control. It offers a different, exciting way to enjoy the outdoors on two wheels. Or—if I’m being completely honest—I just wanted one! So, what are you waiting for? Fat tires and fun await!
