Deron and I used to ride bicycles far and fast. When we lived in St. Louis, Mo we rode bicycle all the time, 1000 miles per season was normal for us. We were Sled Dog Drivers and loved to ride bikes. We stayed in shape riding and I trained my dogs, and kept them in shape with a Bicycle Springer Attachment. We had been talking about riding bikes here, but we live waaaay out on the Prairie. 2014 we decided to buy inexpensive bikes to see how much riding we would do.

We bought 29"ers, Genesis Mt. Bikes. They are actually very nice bikes. We had over 350 miles on ours between May and October, and we did not stop riding there. We started thinking, looking and test riding, to upgrade our Genesis Bikes.

I had seen the FATTIES and loved the look, but when I saw them in person and started test riding them.....even at Walmart, yes, an old fat lady riding FATTY Bicycles around different Walmarts. I rode both the Dolomite and the Beast, fun, but heavy...and heavy was what I was trying to get away from with my Genesis.

At Local Bicycle Shops (LBS) I rode and fell in love with the Salsa Mukluk. Then we rode the top of the line of the FATTY Trek puts out. WOW! After that, looking at Mt. Bikes, well, I wanted a FATTY. But boy the prices! They cost as much as our horses each did.

Deron and I are not opposed to buying and paying for a Good Bike and they ARE expensive in most people's eyes. We have both spent a LOT of money for good bikes. Those good bikes are in WI, still in storage from when we moved here. Thus we had to buy bikes in the first place to ride.

The cost of the FATTIES is not really what stopped us from buying one. The fact that I did not know how much I would ride one. How many miles I would actually put on one. I am old and fat and have lung issues. We used to Race Sled Dogs, but for health reasons I had to quit. So? The question is? How much real Snow riding will I be able to handle? That is why I/We hesitated on buying the FATTY.

I was so interested in the FATTY Bikes that I did a LOT of on line research on all the different brands and types and models and tires and wheels and weights and ....... I learned a lot. I really did go and Test Ride a lot of different FATTY Bicycles, even around a discount store!

I am riding mostly for my health. And my health has improved an unbelievable amount since I started riding our bicycles, I have also lost weight. So the cost? The health issue seems to cancel out using the excuse of the cost of the bicycles not to buy them. In fact, the cost of the bikes has been an investment in our health. Deron's too.

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We bought my FATTY in Oct 2014, and I ride it often and much. This update, dated 2017-09-07 I have well over 1700 miles on it. I also own, now, a very nice Mountain Bicycle that I ride the most often. But my FATTY I ride on the Prairie here where we live and in the Winter and when my Mountain Bicycle is down for repair. I LOVE THIS BICYCLE AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM!

I finally talked Deron into buying himself a Fat Bike. He researched what he might want for over 6 weeks. We visited Bike Shops. He watched video reviews. In the end, he bought a 2018 Motobecane Boris The Brute. The paint/color is called Chameleon, it is different in different light, or changes how you look at it... It is 2 x 10 and has a 4.8 Tire on delivery. Biggest you can get.

The day he bought it an article came out in the Rapid City Journal about how they are trying to make trails approved for Fat Bikes (when the snow comes) that are groomed and not shared with snowmobiles.

Deron's new bicycle arrived earlier and fast than we expected. After he finished putting it together we drove (50 miles one way) to town for the trial ride on pavement. OH IT WAS FUN! We only rode 7 miles, but it was later in the afternoon....

I LOVE THE COLOR AND THE BICYCLE! Deron has offered for me to upgrade my FATTY, we shall see.

Jan 10, 2018 Deron and I got up early.....
Made sure we had everything we needed.....including the video camera
and off we drove to the Sugarloaf Trail Head of the Mickelson Trail in Lead (pronounced as in, not follow)....

The plan to ride the 5 miles (The Trail Map says, 4.8 but we ride around the parking lot til the odometer says, yeah, your good, even number) to Englewood, take a short break, and ride back.

How HARD could it be???? It is JUST 10 miles.

Harder than I thought it might be!
And Half way to Englewood is on a pretty steep incline.....in some areas HILL! Some hills on the way back, not near as bad.

It also turns out that riding on snow, any snow, IS GRUELING! (at least for me!) And since you ride in those low (easy <read, crank, crank, crank, fast and hard ~ I call this dink dink dink!> gears) You are moving your feet at about each and every minute! (she says huffing and puffing in memory) I HATE DINK DINK DINK!

Deron, just rode along, enjoying the sights and smells (lots of pine) and chatting away. Me? Sighs. I had to stop often because my heart was POUNDING and I was BREATHING so hard. BAHAHAHAH

Deron thinks I need a bike upgrade. He says that his ride was not near as bad. (I have 10 years on him and he is a well built man.....me? I think THAT is what the problem was)

The wind kept 'picking up', and I was soaked under my layers that I needed to keep on so that the wind and air would not freeze me.

There were other prints on the trail. An unshod horse, snowshoes for a very short while, another Fatty Bicycle, walking, another, smaller foot walking with a medium sized dog.....

10 miles was long and hard to get to the end of. But I am so glad we rode that. How did I keep myself going? The Black Hills is home to many, many, many Mt. Lions....... I just reminded myself that Lions like the old and weak! <laughs and winks>

Would I go again? That is ride that 10 miles on snow again??? 5 miles, yes. 6 miles, yes. 10 miles? <sighs> Maybe. But it sure won't be tomorrow and I might pack a LUNCH rather than just a snack this time. AND! I would switch bikes with Deron.

Yesterday Deron went and checked the prairie....and we got out!

Snow is/was very deep in some areas, and with last nights wind, I am not sure we COULD get out today. <sighs> And. Dang It. We are sitting in the middle of the map they are showing for a 'Major Snow Storm', starting tonight. They are saying 8". <sighs heavy again> I really really really hate this. More each year, time/life wasted.

ANYWAY! Deron had a very, long, hard work day, they started calling at 6 am and he finished this morning at 3 am.....but, He works in the front seat of the suburban while I drive when we got to town. It is well over an hours drive each way. And. In town? Better, faster, Internet.

SO! <smiles> WE TOOK A 5.281 MILE BIKE RIDE! It was slow, the roads were snow covered and icy....AND FISHTAILY FUN! Temp was 8 degrees! Wind? Not too bad, it was less than 20 MPH! I could not ride with my sunglasses, they fogged up so bad, I COULD NOT SEE! In the photo, behind us, THAT is how all the roads are....SNOW AND ICY FUN!

WE LOVE THOSE FAT BIKES! LOVE THEM!

(Blue colored letters ~ for freezing cold! So THANKFUL FOR POGIES!)

And. DANG IT! There is a Big Fat Bike Ride/Meal/Pub in Rapid on Saturday.....bet we have to miss that cause of snow (Praying Not!).....We missed the Full Moon Fat Bike Ride last week....stuck here with snow. <sighs then snorts!>

Photo of two fools with freezing foreheads! Hax3

Please join us in the Yahoo! Groups discussion with fun folks that love to chat about loosing weight, riding and driving Equine as well as chatting about Bicycles.Does My Butt Look Big In The Saddle.

-- The Does My Butt Look Big In The Saddle Team
Thu, 13 Nov 2014 15:29:47 -0500