EKW Cyclocross Race

We are all set and ready to go for next week's CX race.  The course will be set up on Friday, so feel free to bike on down to EKW for a fun evening or night ride.  If cyclocross is still foreign to you, check out some Youtube video's and come early on Saturday.  The recreational category will start  at 9:30am no matter what the weather is like.  If you get there early, any one of the Fat Fish would be happy to show you the best and safest way to dismount and remount on your bike at high speeds.  This course will have a couple barriers as well as all the terrain that makes a Cross race sweet.  Look at the map below and these pictures of the great EKW park.  We will start in the grass at the green circle and go in the direction of the arrows.  Park where ever you like, but the Mountain View Pavilion is going to be our base for the day.  Cost is 4 dollars to get into the park for residents.  The race is free and prizes will follow the completion of all the races and after all the course is picked up.  If everyone helps pick up tape and flags and arrows, we aught to be finished in about 10 minutes.  

We are so pumped for the race.  If you have any questions ask us on Facebook or email at fatfishracing@gmail.com

See you next week.  If you can, check out the last of the Cheyenne Cross Series this upcoming Sunday!  Their courses are great and the competition is top shelf.  

CX vs XC

Last weekend was amazing!  Cross Country (XC) race on Saturday at Bates followed by the Cyclo-Cross (CX) race on Sunday in Cheyenne.  Check out the pictures below to figure out which one you think looks the best.  I loved them both, but now that I did my first ever CX race.... I got the cyclocross bug.  

Cheyenne has two more races in their series.  So for the next two Sunday's, get down that way for some serious cowbell ringing, elbow rubbing, hurdle jumping action.  Go visit those relatives you've been avoiding,  take the wife down to Fort Collins for some shopping or tour the beautiful botanical gardens of Cheyenne.  Then while you are down there, get on your bike for an hour and rip it up with the great guys down there at their series race.  IT IS WORTH THE DRIVE!

Bates Epic

Nothing beats a long bike ride.... Other than a long bike ride with your friends!  We are so excited to ride again this Saturday at Bates Creek with all of you.  The weather could get a little wet, so please be prepared.  A light jacket inside your hydration pack or very small backpack would be a smart idea.  Some other items to put in your pack might be an extra tube, energy bars/candy bars, multi tool and a picture of your loved ones should you get so lost we never find you.  

Last details "I think":) 

Ride starts at 9:00AM  

The drive from Casper will take about 45 minutes, so please allow enough time to get there and start on time.  The directions are in the post below.  

Can't wait to see you on Saturday morning!

The End of the year Epic

 We have an exciting and fast course set up with details of the trail below.  We are going to have some baked goods and tons of water for everyone, but any food or beverages that you would like to share would be fantastic! There are going to be TWO racing options for you depending on how epic you want to take it.  One 13.2 mile lap for the short course and Two 13.2 mile laps for the long course.  

You can do this!!!!  This race will be the final cross country challenge of the year and should be easy after a great summer of riding. 

How to get to Bates:

From Casper follow Wyoming Highway 220 west approximately 18 miles.  Turn left (south) onto Highway 487.  Continue Approximately 20 miles & turn left (east) on Bates Creek stock trail road (county road 403).  Drive up dirt road 2.2 miles looking for a cattle loading dock this will be the parking area, start & finish.  Free camping is allowed and a few of us will be there Friday night in case you want to join us.  

Trail break down from beginning of CR 403

2.2 is parking, start/finish

2.5 pass by stock pond on right

2.8 ride to top of hill

2.9 double-track goes right, stay on main road

3.4 at bottom of hill

3.8 top of hill

4.4 come to fork in road.  Turn left (north) on double-track.  Go through gate just off the main road

4.5 go through gate

4.6 faint double-track goes left. Stay on main dbl-tk

4.9 begin uphill

5.3 at ridge top.  Good view of Gates drainage

5.7 Trail forks. Go right.  Look for old windmill off to the right about 200 yards

6.3 go through gate

6.6 trail forks, stay right

7.3 go through gate

8.1 come to saddle on ridge

8.7 pass by stock pond. Trail goes left around pond

8.9 top of saddle, with water tank

9.0 go through gate

9.2 back on county road

11.2 back at fork (4.4 mile) continue down road to start

13.2 finish 

This is going to be so sweet!  Hope to see you there

Race TONIGHT!!!

One last thing before I head up the mountain to set the course with Leif........  Tonight will be the last time that we will ASK for donations to Joshua's Storehouse.  The Fish will gladly take any donation to them at any time of the year.  But, this being the last series race will make this the last time that we ask for a dollar. So please, grab that dollar sitting on your dresser, grab the refried beans that have been in your cupboard for 5 months now, or anything else you would like to donate (Jay say's they are pretty short on volunteers down there ;).

Also, I just noticed a comment on how to get information about the Fat Fish.  Well, if there is anything about us that you would like to know, just email the team at fatfishracing@gmail.com.  I am pretty prompt with my emails and an email is a little less public than the blog :)

See you tonight!

Monday Series Finale

I can't wait for Monday to be here and get the Series Finale under way.  The 2.2 mile loop is super fast with lots of opportunity for passing.  This is a course that is great for spectators too!  So if you don't want to race, bring your bike and ride around to different viewing spots.  As always, there will be some food for everyone after the ride and some drinks to wash it down.  Free prizes will be given away and awards to the top three in each category will be given.

Here are the things to know:

Who: The Fat Fish Racing Series Finale is open to all types of riders.  As long as you have at least one wheel, you can compete in the ride.

What: A mountain bike race!  A 2.2 mile loop that the A category will race 3 times and the B and W category will do 2 times.  There are hills, loose rocky road and tight single-track.  Another good name for this course would be the "equalizer" because it doesn't favor anyone.  The climber has just as much chance of winning as does the technical rider

When: This Monday night at 6:30pm.  Sept 12th

Where:  Meet at the lodge parking lot on Casper Mountain.  If you don't know this, just google the Casper Mountain Nordic Center and you'll find it.  We have the parking lot available for us that night only.  The lodge will be closed, so bathrooms at skunk hollow are recommended for use.

Why:  Because it's the last series race of the season!  Because it's free.  Because mountain biking is the most fun way to exercise on the planet.  Because the air is cool and a beer always tastes better after a good workout!  Because we all want to know who is going to win the A, B and Women's races (man they are close).  AND because YOU CAN!

Glendo Trail Building THIS SATURDAY!!!!

All volunteers, Just a friendly reminder that our two final trail building volunteer days is approaching  rapidly. As always,  we love to get together with individuals while at the same time accomplishing some  well needed goals. The Glendo volunteer day will be held the week before Gowdy and is scheduled  for September 10th.  This will be all day trail building with a caviot.  During this volunteer day, we  would like present an overview on trail development since the fall of 2009 when construction began  and future trail goals for Glendo State Park.  We will meet at Two Moon campground group shelter  at 9am and work/talk till appox. 3 or 4pm.  We encourage you to come up and stay the night either  Friday or Saturday nights.  After the trail building, which will consist of relative flat trail building through  Two Moon Campground, we will ride or hike the trails.  While we are continuing to secure a lunch  sponsor, lunch will be provided. Meet at Two moon group shelter at 9am. An extremely important component to hosting a good volunteer day is knowing how many volunteers  to feed.  Please let me know in 5 days in advance if you plan on coming out to either Gowdy or Glendo. As always, we continue to thank each person who has dedicated their free time to help us  accomplish Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites & Trails goals. Your help provides park  visitors with recreational opportunities that leads to enhanced quality of life and healthy life  style choices. All volunteers should bring sunscreen, good work shoes, hat and gloves. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 307-777-8557   --  Sincerely, Paul Gritten Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites & Trails Non-Motorized Trails Coordinator