As our bye wraps up, we approach the last segment of this year’s Fat Bike Challenge – S8 – the finale. Cue the dramatic music. For this one, we remain on the west side and visit the largest park in the state – Kensington. Big, beautiful, windy, with punchy climbs and quick descents. S8 is theoretically straight forward and simple for those chasing the cake, but becomes more complex and strategic for those chasing points, as you’ll see below.
While we wanted to stay on dirt, the conditions for the week and trail conditions just aren’t going to be consistent enough for all of us to ride on, so this coming week forces us onto pavement. Yes, we don’t love it either, but we’re throwing a little changeup into the mix this week – drafting is allowed. Details below:
- Drafting other riders currently part of the FBC is allowed. Let’s not get roadie friends off Zwift to come out for a tow. Form your alliances and strategy however you wish with fellow FBC’ers.
- As with the current rules, fat bikes are required. No pulling out road/gravel bikes and launching into a flying-V formation to help a fat bike for a fast time (that does sound kinda fun though).
- Overall, the goal is to be able to ride with friends and ride together, no matter your goals. Play the wind, the climbs and determine if your group can stick together, or if it gets popped and splintered into oblivion before the final right turn and lead-up to Spring Hill.
- The segment is not unique so filtering by week within Strava will show the relative FBC leaderboard.
Lastly, entry into Kensington requires a park pass unless you ride in from elsewhere into the park. There’s a parking lot just after you enter the park and the start of S8 is right there.
For the cake!
