By Kate Bartlett
As the winter months continue to unfold, many are looking for a way to embrace this snow laden time of year. Members of the WNY Mountain Biking Association lean into the winter weather and head out on the trials no matter what mother nature has in store. Mountain bikes turn to Fat Tires bikes, and they keep pushing their pedals on the trails.
Dee Dippel, Vice President of WNY Mountain Biking Association and owner of both Loud Performance in Bemus Point and Loud Underground in Ellicottville, looks forward to biking in the winter months. “Our members put on their fat tires and embrace riding throughout the winter,” says Dee. “Western New York has some of the best winter riding in the country.”
Fat tire bikes offer a smoother ride over the winter terrain with a wider tire size and slightly different gearing. “The fat tires allow the rider a better experience riding on the snow, rather than sinking through the snow.”
Point State Park, Whalen State Forest, Harris Hill
State Forest, ant the Trails at Loud) and Cattaraugus
County (Allegheny State Park, McCarty Hill State
Forest, Golden Hill State Forest, and HoliMont) locals
don’t need to travel far to fi nd a good ride. “We are
fortunate to have a solid group of volunteers who
groom the WNY trails. We share a passion for riding
in the winter, and understand that a well-groomed
trail makes all the difference.”
With groomed trails in Chautauqua County (Long Point State Park, Whalen State Forest, Harris Hill State Forest, ant the Trails at Loud) and Cattaraugus County (Allegheny State Park, McCarty Hill State Forest, Golden Hill State Forest, and HoliMont) locals don’t need to travel far to find a good ride. “We are fortunate to have a solid group of volunteers who groom the WNY trails. We share a passion for riding in the winter, and understand that a well-groomed trail makes all the difference.”
Winter biking offers a different pace than other seasons. “The trails have something different to offer in the winter. Snow and ice make the ride a bit slower at times. The bike glides over the snow differently than grass or mud; I love the crunch of the snow the tires make.” Every trail in WNY has something different to offer, and weather conditions add to the variations. “It’s always different, every season, every year; the trails and the sport is constantly changing.”
The WNY Mountain Biking Association holds various events through the winter months to keep the momentum going through the season. The group aims for monthly group rides at Allegheny State Park on Friday evenings, with the next being February 16. “It’s a great way to get everyone together and meet other fat bike enthusiasts. Rides are typically about 1.5 hours and riders tend to stay after to hang out, snack and chat.” A Fatbike Party will also be held at Genesee County Park from 9-noon on February 11th.
Loud Performance is hosting their annual Fat Tire Frenzy event on February 3rd in Bemus Point. This event was started to gather the mountain biking community for a fun, competitive day of racing in the winter. Events include cross country race, dual slalom race. Final details to be released closer to the event as they can be weather dependent.
“We’re fortunate to have a solid membership base in WNY. It’s a great community of likeminded individuals with a passion for the great outdoors,” says Dee..
Groomed trails provide a consistent surface for all trail users. The work put in by the WNYMB community is appreciated by trail-goers of other varieties as well, including snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. “Winter is such a beautiful time of year. I encourage everyone to find 3 things they do outside in the winter months. From biking to skiing, snowshoeing to ice fishing, there’s so many ways to embrace the season and enjoy it rather than endure it.”
For more information visit wnymba.org and follow Loud Performance on Social Media for updates on seasonal events.