Author: Sam Kislia
Staff writer
From better traction in the mud to a smoother ride in the snow, a fat bike’s huge tires let you roll where you couldn’t roll before.
What is a winter fat bike?
Some of Wisconsin’s most attractive natural areas become inaccessible after snowfall each winter. But a trend called fatbiking is changing that! When you see the huge, balloon-like tires on these fat bikes, you’ll immediately understand where the name comes from. Fat bikes have extra-wide rims with low-pressure tires so you can ride on tender terrain such as snow.
Where can I ride?
In the winter, whether you’re riding groomed single-track trails, frozen lakes, or fresh powder, fat bikes extend the biking season and add a whole modern experience for winter adventurers. Please note that fat bike riding on most snowmobile and cross-country ski trails is NOT legal, but there are some exceptions, so always check with the land manager before heading out. Trails often have restrictions on minimum tire width and maximum tire pressure, so regular mountain bikes aren’t always suitable for fat bike trails.
The Department of Natural Resources provides guidelines on where fat bikes are permitted and International Mountain Biking Association provides cyclists with tips on best practices for fatbiking.
Northwest Trails
There is so much to see when fat biking in northwestern Wisconsin. Drive across frozen Lake Superior to Madeline Island. Don’t want to experience this adventure yourself? North Coast Cycling Association hosts group rides on Saturday mornings as long as sheltered ice conditions exist. Hayward and Cable have 20 miles of groomed trails that are some of the best in the state for winter fatbiking. In Neillsville you’ll find 18 miles of trails designed specifically for this sport. It’s truly a fat biker’s dream!
Ice Road – Bayfield AND Madeline Island
CAMBA trail system – Hayward AND Cable
Levi’s mound – Neillsville
Whitetail’s back – River waterfalls
Woolly trail – Polk County
Northeastern trails
In northeastern Wisconsin, you’ll find drops, twists, and scenic views on some of the fat bike trails. WinMan Trails, located at the North Lakeland Discovery Center, offers 1,300 acres of frozen turf ready for fat biking. At Newport State Park, pedal along Lake Michigan’s 18 miles of shoreline. Some trails are unkempt or primitive, while others are groomed for a smoother ride. Whatever your preference, there are certainly excellent opportunities to enjoy fat biking on the attractive trails of northeastern Wisconsin.
WinMan’s traces – Vilas County
Sunny Valley Trail – Wausau
Primitive Entrepreneurship Trail AND Mud Lake Trail – Rhineland
Newport State Park – Ellison Bay
Southern Trails
Cyclists find the hills in Wisconsin’s southeastern corner perfect for winter sports. The Kettle Moraine State Forest, popular with mountain bikers in the summer, has several trails where fat biking is permitted in the winter. Silver Lake Park in Kenosha County has several loops of single track trails groomed to perfection, and you can see them on the lake in the dead of winter. Closer to Madison, CamRock Park is a great place to ride when it snows. Feeling competitive? You’ll also find great fatbike events at some of these parks.
Silver Lake County Park – Kenosha County
CamRock Trails – Cambridge
John Muir AND In the footsteps of Emma Carlin – Barn
Lapham Peak State Park – Delafield
Minooka Park – You are awake
When do Fat Bike events take place?
Sweaty Yeti – Yeti Festival – Neillsville
It’s a weekend full of fat tire fun, winter camping, and typical Wisconsin winter fun in the snow at Levis Mound Trails.
Fat Birkie Bike – Cable
This is the only winter period when cycling is permitted on the Birkie Trail system. Don’t miss your chance to fat bike on snow-covered, groomed trails that also feature American Birkebeiner.
Bicycle on the water – Bayfield to Madeline Island
This unique winter cycling event allows fat bike enthusiasts to cross frozen Lake Superior from Bayfield to Madeline Island.
More information about other events can be found on the website Snow Crown Wisconsin Fat Bike Series AND Great Lakes Fat Bike Series.
Who rents fat bikes?
Do you want to try this sport before investing in a modern bike? As the sport grows in popularity, fat bike rentals will become available. So hop on one and try it out. Here are some locations you can start with. Reservations are usually recommended.
Backyard bikes – Barn
ZuZu pedals – Port Washington
Riverbrook Bike and Ski and New Moon Bike and Ski – Hayward
Nor Door Sports and Cycling – Fish Cove AND Sturgeon Bay
Looking for more ideas? Check out more fatbike events around Wisconsin to plan your winter adventure, or tell us about the perfect routes you’ve discovered in a comment below.
Ready for some refreshing outdoor fun? Check trail conditions and find out before you set out Wisconsin Trail Report.
