In Alpine areas there’s a new cr aze with a view to enjoying the mountains with a verv e
and passion within a rather different discipline.
It goes under the name of Fat-bike, and represents the latest trend to consume the Alpine regions during the winter season. Anyone who hangs around specialist fairs or shops can’t fail to have noticed the phenomenon.
They differ from the standard mountain bike because of the extraordinary size of the wheels which are designed to encourage exciting bike outings along snow trails. Let’s start with the tyres. Usually on a fat-bike they’re 4” wide although you can find them even thicker on
certain models. The whole idea behind this innovation is to allow bikers to move along on pretty soft terrain, even when covered in snow. It’s not unreasonable to suggest that the fat-bike is a natural extension of the bicycle designed for the beach, capable of overcoming the resistance that the sand throws up to the tread.
It’s a simple enough principle: increasing the surface area of contact with the ground thus guaranteeing the sensation of “floating” along. It’s an interesting breakthrough for biking enthusiasts in wintertime. So, special tyres for rather special bikes. Naturally in order to accommodate tyres of such dimensions, special wheels, forks and hubs are the order of the day. All sorted. Yes indeed. A very special bike guaranteeing very special experiences. And Valle Spluga too is ready and waiting. But perhaps for those engaging in this discipline for the first time, it’s worth setting out alongside someone with experience in order to quickly adapt to technique and pick up the finer points.
Our local valley is a joy, but there are many other Alpine resorts with much-appreciated winter trails for bicyclists. And it’s a good idea to check accessibility, authorisation and conditions prior to heading off. In Valle Spluga, Paolo Angaroni is only too pleased to organise outings making good use of his local knowledge and invaluable Fat-bike experience. There’s no better master of his trade.
