US Open Beach Fat Bike Championships March 14th, 2015

Now for futher info.... The US Open Beach Fat Bike Championships is a race like none other in the USA. Being held on an all sand course along the pristine shores of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina this course will prove both challenging for competitors and fun to watch for families and fans. With the recent and fast rising popularity of Fat Bikes, bikes with tires wider than 4″, riding a bicycle in the thick sand has become easier than ever. Combine Fat Bikes with an ever changing beach and the competitive spirits of a bunch of bicycle riders and we couldn’t help but design a race.

The course will start in front of the host resort, The Blockade Runner Beach Resort, and traverse whatever mother nature has sculpted for us. Laying out the course with several elements in mind, tight turns, fast sections at low tide, crossing deep truck tracks, climbing up and rolling down naturally occurring berms from long shore erosion, with of course the safety of spectators, the course will be a multi-lap event that keeps racers in sight of the spectators the whole time. By keeping the racers tight the event will encourage spectators to line the course and heckle their favorite racer or cheer for their family member.

The start of the event will be a standing start with the Beginner racers starting first, the Sport racers next, then the Expert racers following. The Expert race is expected to take 2+ hours and cover over 25 miles. The course will be marked with tape and flagging so that all turns are visible and to keep spectators from wandering into racers. The course will not be closed to spectators but volunteers and signage will help to ensure that bystanders know of the racers presence. As mother nature often does in the winter time, She has not disappointed us this year. The long shore currents have started building up rollers along the immediate waters edge as well as cutting a ledge that is close to 3 feet in sections. Some years this ledge has been up to 10 feet which would make for some serious climbing. The Beginner category race will consist of two laps which will take approximately 30 minutes. The course is the same for all racers with the Sport and Expert racers riding more laps. The age groups are as follows, 10-15, 16-35, 36-45, 46-55, 56+ both female and male. Fans are encouraged to bring cowbells and whistles to jeer and cheer for their favorite racers.

The entry fee for this years inaugural event is $42.00 (after 3-1-15 goes to $50). Entry includes: your race entry, race t-shirt + the opportunity to win a coveted @colabbottleopeners custom engraved bottle opener.

*A portion of the proceeds of your entry fee also go to support the Wrightsville Beach Foundation.

For Fat Bike riders tire pressure is key for racing on sand. Tests have been done with multiple tire pressures and the best, most efficient pressure for a 26X4.8″ tire is right about 8 psi. This low pressure seems to allow the rider to float over the thicker sugar sand while giving enough pressure to allow for speeds over 20mph along the hard packed sand. This course is designed to test the fitness of racers while allowing fat bikers new to sand riding enough practice time the Friday before the event that they will feel confident to test their mettle and their machine. The maintenance required on a Fat Bike post beach ride is as simple as a good rinse. It is advisable to rinse with fresh water and lightly lube your chain. You will use your gears on the beach! If the wind is blowing as it often does it is equivalent to climbing up a mountain. However, when you have a tail wind…. you will be a big ring king. OH and did we mention that this event is going to be fully supported by RED BULL and their Wings Team #redbullgivesyouwings

SPONSORS: Bike Cycles, Blockade Runner Resort, CoLab Bottle Openers, Addiction Sauces, Specialized, Triwilmington, Surfberry

For more information or how to be a sponsor email Shawn@bikecycleshop.com