Cyclists braved the cold and flurries near Lake Macbride State Park on Saturday for the Lake Macbride Fat Tire Classic, an annual bike event bringing cyclists from across the state to Solon.
Presented by Sugar Bottom Bikes and The Solon Centennial Lions Club, cyclists rode either a 15 or 30-mile path around the lake, tackling a mix of terrains on mountain bikes with extra-wide tires built for the challenge.
Nathan Kullbom, manager of Sugar Bottom Bikes and event organizer, stood at the finish line outside Lake Macbride Golf Club, tracking cyclists’ finishing times.
“The course is unique; it uses all sorts of terrain,” Kullbom said. “We’re on grass, gravel, hiking trails, snowmobile trails, deer trails — just a wide mix.”
In addition to the mixed terrain, Kullbom said the 30–mile route featured around 2,300 feet of climbing elevation gain.
“Which is a lot for Iowa,” Kullbom said. Wayde Stover, an avid cyclist, said he often rides his fat-tire bike on trails near his home in Des Moines year-round but had never competed in a fat-tire race before.
“It was awesome,” Stover said of the scenic route. “Super fun course, lots of variety.”
As he trains for an upcoming 60-mile gravel bike race, Stover said participating in the Fat Tire Classic provided good practice.
However, as other cyclists crossed the finish line with rosy cheeks and flecks of snow speckled on the layers of clothing shielding them from the cold wind, Stover said he was slightly disappointed with the weather.
“I was a little bummed there was no snow on the ground,” Stover said.
Having seen pictures of past races where cyclists navigated inches of snow on their fat tires, Stover said he would have enjoyed the
challenge. But on this year’s race day, while flurries swirled in the air, none had accumulated on the frozen ground.
Another cyclist embracing the light snowfall was Iowa City resident Jenna McCoy, returning for her second year in the race.
“The snow was great,” McCoy said. “Any sort of precipitation adds a level of fun to a race, like being a kid playing in the snow.”
Riding alongside McCoy was Solon resident Siri Felker, a first-time participant.
“It’s such a good course,” Felker said. “It’s all the best parts of this area in one 30–mile experience.”
Felkner said she often bikes leisurely but had little experience with racing before the Fat Tire Classic.
“The challenge was expected, but there’s always a level of brutal you’re not prepared for,” Felker said. “You can know it’s going to be hard, but then you’re riding over a frozen pile of cow turds.”
With a laugh, McCoy insisted that riding across icy farmland — frozen cow turds and all — only added to the fun.
Traversing more strenuous parts of the route, Felker and McCoy said they were motivated by the presence of the other cyclists.
“You get herd confidence,” Felker said.
Both plan to participate again next year, saying that training for and riding the race kept them active during a time when many tend to stay indoors.
“It’s breaking the hibernation,” McCoy said. Jeff Storjohann, participating for the second year in a row, echoed that sentiment.
“Because we’re all out of shape this time of year, it’s a good time,” Storjohann said.