Fat Bike Lean in the Snow

Yesterday, Salt Lake City citizens awoke to several inches of snow everywhere outside. It was the first real snow dump I have witnessed during my short time here in Utah. Last winter was a let down, and this one has been only slightly better. The cars and driveway at my place were buried under 7-8 inches of snow. To help out my fellow roommates and the city, I shoveled our driveway and cleared my truck from the street before the plow trucks could schlepp through. 

Ever since I moved to the Holladay area, I have been a frequent visitor of Creekside Park. It is a multi-use park that is larger than it initially appears on a cursory glance. It's claim to fame is its disc golf course, one of the first in the country to be built. My friends, roommates, and I play the course on a regular basis. I love walking through the tall trees, the rolling fields, and along Cottonwood Creek. As winter drew closer, I would try to imagine what the park would look like after a good snowstorm. I don't have to imagine anymore.

Vivid Contrast of Snow and Water The snow at the park was deeper than at my house, especially in the open canopy areas. Luckily, I had my snow bibs and boots on for this ride. Snow kept sticking to the insides of the rims of my wheels, and I had to stop every so often to shake it loose. The ride was slow but contemplative; it gave me time to take in my surroundings. There was no one else around, apart from the birds and ducks.

A Wild Fatbike in a Tree There was some heavy lifting involved on this ride as I would come across some fallen trees in my path. It took great effort to avoid touching the low-hanging branches and bringing down a world of cold on my exposed, tender neck. The air was very warm and moist, my jacket quickly shed from my back. Snow was sticking to every part of the bike now.

Winter Landscape Scene by Cottonwood Creek Hanging Leaves Over Cottonwood Creek

Pedaling up the open, rolling hills on the backside of the park was difficult thanks to the slushy snow; There was definitely some hike-a-bike. However, riding down the hills was a blast! I felt like I was hovering just on top of the loose snow as I descended. Up and down, up and down. All that was missing was the ski lift.

Fatbike Resting by the Water

My ride meandered back into the woods and along Cottonwood Creek where I found a paddling of ducks silently floating on the water. As I watched them, there arose a loud, low sound of falling snow. In the same moment, a flock of ducks burst through the snow-clouded air and quivered down to the water's edge, shaking off the loose snow from their wings. I was kicking myself for not having my telephoto lens handy with me. That shot would have been spectacular!

You Can Lead a Fatbike to Water... I heard another whooshing sound behind me. This time, however, it was a man on cross-country skis. He slowly glided by without noticing me down by the water. Preserving the silence of the air, I decided to not say hello but to mount my porcine pony, my beefy bronco, my fat filly, my stout stallion (and so much more), and chart a path back home. After riding through thick, wet snow for a long time, the firm sensation of concrete under my tires was strange, not unlike getting off of a trampoline.

Water Play in Cottonwood Creek

Fatbikes never cease to amaze me! I've been riding mine for years now, and I still get giddy when I get out and ride. They bring out so many emotions reminiscent of childhood, that fun, carefree feeling of freedom. I would encourage my reader(s?) to go ride a fatbike, nay, ride a lot of them! Each fatbike has its own personality and geometry. Find one that suits you best and go ride anywhere you want, when you want, and have fun!

Cheers!

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Ash Grey Winter Sky