• Saturday-What'sUP February 5 - 08:01 am

Aladino Mandoli was on hand last weekend, to photograph some of the contestents in the World Championship Snow Bike 25K race that was held in Marquette. The race was held on the Noquemanon Trail Network nordic ski trail. This trail is only open to the snow bikes on this one day a year, for the race sponsored by Marquette General Health System. It is a very challenging course with fast descents, curves and beautiful scenery along the way, ending at the Superior Dome in Marquette. Looks like quite an interesting event both to participate in or to be a spectator on the sidelines. Thanks for giving us a glimpse of the action, Dino!

Nice way to get active in the winter and the snow tires on those bikes have got me thinking...hmmmm.

Snow tires for bicycles ... now that's a good idea! Looks like it could be quite a workout pedaling those bikes on the snowy trails. :)

MY, what big tires you have! And I thought the tires were big on my husband's mountain bike. One has got to be in great shape to do that!

Fat Tire

Interesting photos, thank you.

Shirley, you bet me to the exact words in your first sentence, "My, what big tires you have!". It reminds me of Little Red Riding hood. They are huge tires.

Two brilliant minds, Marianne!;)

Been wondering about these bikes, so checked the internet for 'snow bikes' and the article said you can make 'mountain bikes' into snow bikes by adding studded tires (50-100$ per tire) and fenders, to keep the slush off your legs. My question: are the ones above snow or converted mountain bikes? Just curious. TIA

I think they are snow bikes. You’d need the wider clearance between the forks in front and the frame in the back to accommodate the larger tires. Most mountain bikes wouldn’t have that.

Wish I could have raced! @ Shirlohio! the above bikes are a new class of bikes known as fat bikes. They generally have wheels that are about 4 inches wide and require a specialized fork and frame. Surly and Salsa have a variety of fatbike options. But, you can buy studded tires that provide good grip in snow and ice but don't have the tire diameter a fat bike would.

I knew it would be a matter of time until mountain biking would be a year round sport. Living in Arizona it is. I always thought you could ride on the packed trails up there, with a wider tire. This could be the next winter draw for winter visitors. Count me in!