Here’s a belated race report by Robert Sorenson from the Chequamegon Fat Tire 40 from Sept. 17. If you’re not mentioned in this article, I’m pretty sure you’re the only one.

It was 12+ years since I completed my last Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival. Back in my day “fat bikes” were simply known as “mountain bikes.” A dozen years ago I rode a fully rigid Breezer Storm for Team Nordik in Green Bay (Josh and Lisa Hanson owned the shop at the time). I originally bought the bike from Dominic Petit and Michael Geraths in 1994 and I still own the bike and ride it as a commuter. Man, I love that Ritchey Logic tubing.

This year I rode a Santa Cruz — a carbon hard-tail with 27.5 tires – bought from JB Cycle & Sport in Howard. It’s a fun ride and I managed to take 29 minutes off my best time to make it a great day of racing in mud and a little rain (despite my rear derailleur failing at mile 33).

 

The best part was seeing and riding with old and new friends. The guys from Gryphon Velo always make the day fun as do old friends friends like Dale and Dave Mangin and their families.

 

You want to see a great collection of Breezer bikes? Ride with the Mangins. They have Storms, Lightnings, and Thunders in all colors. Add in my newer Breezer Lightning and it was a complete set.

I’ve raced Chequamegon with Bill Withbroe (ed: aka “My Friend Bill”) many times and it’s still great riding with him.

Morgan Fisher joined us this year for her first taste of the Fat tire weekend, riding in the Short and Fat with Bill. The smiles on their faces as they crossed the finished line were a testament to the fun they had.

It takes a lot of people and businesses to make these races a success. I have to pass on my thanks to Skratch Labs, JB Cycle & Sport, Specialized Bicycles, Downtown Auto, Classic Renovations, Robinson Metal Inc., Borah Teamwear, DeFeet and others supporting the team.