Fat Bike Birkie Named the U.S. National Fat Bike Championship

HAYWARD, Wisconsin (January 29, 2014) – The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is proud to announce that its second annual Fat Bike Birkie on March 8, 2014, presented by Freewheel Bike, has been named the U.S. National Fat Bike Championship race. Part of the Great Lakes Fat Bike Series and the Wisconsin State Fat-Bike Race Series, the Fat Bike Birkie is the final race of the season and offers the opportunity for America’s top fat bike athletes to compete in the U.S. National Fat Bike Championship race.

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For Details and to Register

The Fat Bike Birkie is a once-a-year chance to ride a fat bike on the world-famous, snow-covered, and beautifully groomed American Birkebeiner Trail system. With distances of 47K or 20K, this is a great event for all abilities. The trail is wide enough to accommodate both expert riders and newcomers to fat biking. The challenging hills of the Birkie Trail will test expert riders for endurance on the long course or speed on the short course. Both distances include great climbs and fast down hills that are perfect for fat bikes.

“We are very excited and honored to have this designation as the U.S. Championship,” said Ben Popp, Executive Director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. “Riders can expect a world-class biking experience out on the Birkie Trail. We are inviting 15 to 20 top U.S. riders, including a few from Alaska. We’re also offering a winner’s purse for the long race, so expect some great competition!”

Capped at 500 Riders – Register Now

The race is capped at 500 participants. Currently about 150 spots are still available. Riders interested in racing this first ever U.S. National Fat Bike Championship race should register now at www.birkie.com. The entry fee is only $55 if you register by March 1.

“Last year’s event easily reached its cap of 300 riders, and we are expecting to hit this year’s cap of 500 riders within the next few weeks” said Popp. “The winner’s purse will be $500, $250, and $100 for the top 3 men and women in the long race.”

Jorden Wakely of Grayling, MI, was the 2013 winner with a smoking time of 1:48:30 on the long course. He’ll be returning this year to defend his title.

“I am very excited about this year’s Fat Bike Birkie,” said Wakely. “Last year it was one of my favorite races–perfect trails and awesome competition. Very cool to hear it has been named U.S. Fat Bike National Championship. It should draw even faster riders and bigger crowds.”

Awesome Riding Experience

The course this year will be very similar to last year’s big loop course, again starting and ending at the Telemark property. Returning riders will have a chance to beat their previous times. All riders will get a taste of the famous Birkie Trail, including sections of the Birkie Skate Trail, the Birkie Classic Trail, and the Kortelopet Trail. The course will be open Friday, the day before the event, so riders can check out the terrain and the grooming.

Chris Campbell, Birkie Trail Manager for the ABSF, has high expectations for conditions for the 2014 Fat Bike Birkie. “The snow this year has been plentiful, and if the weather continues as predicted, we will have a very compacted base that should be firm and fast and make for great riding in March. The course will be groomed and ready for this event.”

Overall and Age-Class Awards

In addition to the winner’s prize purse, special U.S. National Fat Bike Championship awards, crafted by local artist Sara Balbin, will be given to the top male and female overall winner for each race. Fat Bike Birkie age-class awards will be given to the first place male and female riders in each of five age classes. All participants will receive a great-looking T-shirt and post-race chili feed.

Post-Race Party

Plan to party after your race! Immediately following the event there will be a chili feed with craft beer on tap, provided by the Cabin Stop of Hayward, all in the big heated tent at the finish line. Then, at 7:00, the party continues at Rivers Eatery in Cable. Head over for this fat bike after-party hosted by the crew at Fat-Bike.com.

Thanks to Our Sponsors – The Fat Bike Birkie, 2014 US National Championship Race, is presented by Freewheel Bike. Other sponsors include the Cabin Stop of Hayward, Life Time Cycle, Riverbrook Bike & Ski, Fat-Bike.com, Hammer Nutrition, and GU Energy.

For more information about the Fat Bike Birkie and other American Birkebeiner events, like the Birkie Trail Run & Trek on September 27, 2014, visit www.birkie.com, email birkie@birkie.com, or call the Birkie office at 715-634-5025. * Note that fat bikes and mountain bikes are not allowed on the Birkie trails during the ski season, with the exception of race day.