WHITEWATER NEWS (behind Beachburg) —Mother Nature co-operated and Sunday’s spring-like day in winter was perfect for the Fat and Frosty Fat Bike Social held at Riverside Whitewater B
rewery at the intersection of Grants Settlement and Fletcher roads.
“It’s just an opportunity to get people out on the fat bike,” said Tim Ward, one of the organizers from BORCA. “Show them what the area has to offer. We have some excellent trails.”
BORCA (Beachburg Off Road Cycling Association) organized the day-long event. It included a fun ride in the morning, an obstacle course just before lunch and then after lunch, another opportunity to ride the trails. The day ended with supper at the Lakeside Whitewater Brewery in Cobden.
BORCA recently purchased a Snow Dog Groomer, which has greatly improved grooming the trails, Ward said.
“Groomed trails opens the entire sport,” he said.
Sunday was just a day of fun, he said. There were about 40 participants, and while there were a few from this area and Petawawa, there was also quite a few from the Ottawa Mountain Bike Association.
A fa
t bike is one which has tires that are wider than 3.6 inches, Ward said. They cover a larger surface area, which means they float on the snow.
It’s unfortunate, but for now, fat tires cannot be put onto road and mountain bikes, which means the purchase of a new bike, he said.
The trails are marked and it’s preferred that if the snow is not hard packed, those not using cross-country skis, fat bikes or snow shoes, stay off of them.
BORCA member Cameron Dube explained that if the walker leaves deep foot prints, it makes for uncomfortable riding for those on fat bikes.
However, Ward added, the trails in the Beachburg Renfrew County Forest are shared by both walkers and fat bikes.
The outside loop is for the fat bikes while the interior trails are used by the hikers/walkers.
BORCA is now gearing up for the next big event, which is the Spring Chicken mountain bike cycling event, which is Saturday, May 12. It begins and ends at the Beachburg Fairgrounds, with a children’s event prior to the adult event. For more information, go to the BORCA Spring Chicken facebook page – registration closes Friday, May 11 at 1 p.m.
