Ogden hosts first Fat Bike National Championships

February 17, 2015

2-14-15 Fat Bike Championships (Ariana Berkemeier) (15 of 15) — Winner of the Men’s pro race Ned Overend, from Durango, CO, throws his arms up in victory as he crosses the finish line. (Ariana Berkemeier / The Signpost)

Cyclists from around the country gathered with their fat tires and spandex to compete in the first ever Fat Bike National Championships at Powder Mountain over the weekend.

Coming from a lineage of competing cyclists, I was excited to witness part of USA cycling history right outside my back door.

It was a beautiful, bright and sunny day that was perfect for the cyclists to compete in. The technical 6.1 mile course wrapped around the top of Powder Mountain and featured numerous jumps and sharp corners, ideal for the fat bikes to glide through.

All eyes were on the men’s and women’s pro race. Starting just 10 minutes apart from each other, spectators quickly dispersed to hike throughout the course to catch a glimpse of the riders. The field rapidly split, leaving riders several seconds, even minutes away from each other. The final climb, leading back to the finish line, seemed to wear away at the riders.

Ned Overend, winner of the men’s pro race, coming in at 1:09:40, was from the Durango Wheel Club. The winner of the women’s pro race was Amanda Miller, riding for Boulder Sports/YogaGlo with a time of 1:27:05.

For more information about the 2015 Fat Bike National Championships, go to http://www.usacycling.org/2015/fat-bike-nationals

Be sure to check out the next big races in the local area:

April 4: “The Big Crit” in West Valley City, Utah
April 18: East Canyon Echo Road Race UCA Series in Henefer, Utah
Every other Thursday April-September: Salt Air Time Trail Series in Salt Lake City, Utah
April 25: Fifth Annual Front Runner Century Ride from Salt Lake to Ogden, Utah
September 3-7: USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships in Ogden, Utah

2-14-15 Fat Bike Championships (Ariana Berkemeier) (3 of 15) — Men’s pro riders line up at the start line eager for the bell to sound off. (Ariana Berkemeier / The Signpost)

2-14-15 Fat Bike Championships (Ariana Berkemeier) (5 of 15) — Amanda Carey (left), Rebecca Rusch (middle), Emily Nordahl and Amanda Miller (right) take off during the start of their pro race. (Ariana Berkemeier / The Signpost)

2-14-15 Fat Bike Championships (Ariana Berkemeier) (4 of 15) — Men’s pro riders take off during the start of the race. (Ariana Berkemeier / The Signpost)

2-14-15 Fat Bike Championships (Ariana Berkemeier) (10 of 15) — Amanda Carey, a rider for Grand Targhee Resort, climbs up the last stretch to get third place in the pro race. (Ariana Berkemeier / The Signpost)

2-14-15 Fat Bike Championships (Ariana Berkemeier) (14 of 15) — Winner of the women’s pro race, Amanda Miller, makes her way around the sharp corner during the race. (Ariana Berkemeier / The Signpost)

2-14-15 Fat Bike Championships (Ariana Berkemeier) (12 of 15) — Charles Jenkins from Logan, Utah, and Rick Wetherald (front), a rider for Athletes on Track, fly over one of jumps on the course. (Ariana Berkemeier / The Signpost)

Ogden hosts first Fat Bike National Championships

The Signpost