The Nelson Cycling Club’s annual Fat Tire Festival held in memory of local avid cyclist Cam Alexander is fast approaching.
Held August 23 to 25 at various venues around Nelson, the festival celebrates a love of all things bicycle, and helps to raise money and awareness for the Nelson Cycling Club.
Friday night kicks off in Nelson at 5pm at the parking lot on the corner of Baker and Hendryx with bike decorating, followed by the bike parade down Baker Street. Then stay for “BikeFest,” an evening of fun, free events including the show ’n shine (bring your fanciest, oldest, or funkiest bike down), Kootenay Krawl (slowest one wins!) or the popular last wheelie standing competition.
If you are not comfortable joining in the racing, then Saturday is the day for you. In the morning they have a relaxed group ride featuring the Smallwood Trail system. Or starting at 11 a.m., you can hop on a shuttle with Footsteps Eco Adventures to Giveout FSR for the BlackJack DH Shuttle Ride — collect your cards to make 21 and win.
At 3 p.m., you can head up to Mountain Station for the poker ride. The day’s events wrap up at 5:30 p.m. at the Uptown SportsBar at the New Grand Hotel for the Roots, Rocks and Rhythm Party where you can reminisce about the days’ events and collect prizes. They will be raffling off a signed Troy Lee Designs D3 Helmet at the party.
Sunday is the Nelson Cycling Club‘s chance to showcase the new trail developments that have been going on at Morning Mountain. There’s the new uptrack, featuring a low grade and easy switchbacks, and the extended, buffed out downhill course with a spectator friendly finish. The day features the adult and kids cross country and downhill events.
Come out to participate or just to spectate – it’ll be worth it. The Whitewater Fresh Tracks Express truck will be serving food all day.
Thanks to all the event’s sponsors, this should prove to be the best Fat Tire Festival yet .You won’t want to miss a moment of it.
Check out www.nelsonfattire.com for all the details and to learn how you can volunteer during the weekend.