Ferncliff Forest Fat Bike Fest
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The eight inches of snow over most of the Hudson Valley last week set up some pretty sweet conditions for Revolution Bikes and Ferncliff Forest Fat Bike Fest on Sunday.
Around 80 riders showed up in balmy 30-degree temps to ride the trails and raise some funds for the Ferncliff Forest. The forest/game preserve was created by the Astor family with the stipulation that it never take government money and it always be free, so voluntary contributions are an important source of funding. There are 10 miles of trails over the 200 acres. Members of the Ferncliff Forest Board are also fat bikers. They came out ahead of time and snowshoed over the trails to knock the snow down for riding. Ed, Tim, and Jeremy chatted with me a bit about riding and the forest. Tim let me ride his purple Motobecane around the less technical loop in the park. It was my first time on a fat bike and oh wow what a difference some fat tires make. Compared to my Cannondale SuperX cycle-cross bike the ride was like, well like riding on air. I floated over obstacles on the four-inch Surly Nates. Tim said the PSI was probably a bit high, around seven lbs. Rider Mary Grehl was riding a Surly Pugsley with the tire pressure at around 4 PSI. She said she adjusted the tire pressure for the conditions, which were much firmer at 9:30 when she started out for the day. Riders gathered for chili and a raffle of prizes from Revolution Bikes after riding. The tomatillo chili donated by Rhinebeck Bagels was ridiculously good. Related StoriesFat Bikes and the Whitetop Highway
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