Crested Butte, Colorado – The inaugural Borealis Fat Bike World Championships presented by Odell Brewing Co. in Crested Butte was held from January 27-31, 2016.
Through nothing short of a miracle, the impending ‘Snowpocalypse’ forecasted for Saturday’s Fat Bike World Championship race held off. The race kicked off at 11am. The start line was jamming with over 255 racers. It was an awe-inspiring scene as the gaggle of riders took off on Crested Butte Nordic Trails with Mt. Crested Butte as the backdrop for a very competitive race. Participants raced 6.5 miles laps that came right through the heart of the Village packed with enthusiastic spectators.
Utah’s Rob Squire topped the men’s race over Taylor Sheldon and Travis Brown. Amy Beisel won the women’s race.
Despite over 12” of freshly fallen snow, Sunday’s downhill race went off for committed fat bike enthusiasts that chose bikes over skis that morning. There were over 25 riders that experienced the thrill of downhill fat biking at Crested Butte Mountain Resort/EVOlution Bike Park that day. A lucky few even had the opportunity to load the chair lift with their fat bikes despite skeptical looks from confused skiers. Though we anticipated far greater participation during Sunday’s event it was enjoyed by those that were in no rush to get home before the inevitable road closures outside of Crested Butte.
The inaugural Borealis Fat Bike Worlds Championships by Odell Brewing was an event packed with excitement from start to finish. It was an unforgettable event for everyone that came out to be part of it, including the organizers. The Crested Butte/ Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce is excited, planning, and looking forward to doing it again in 2017!
For full results, see: cbchamber.com/events/fat-bike/
