Fat Bike World Championships mega gallery

Fat Bike World Championships mega gallery

Fat tires and fun times in Crested Butte, Colorado

Josh Patterson / Immediate Media

Published: February 1, 2016 at 3:00 pm

Last weekend, the picturesque ski town of Crested Butte, Colorado, played host to the inaugural Fat Bike World Championships. Fat bikers were treated to groomed racecourses, an advocacy summit on the future of fat biking, a seeming endless stream of Odell's craft beer and the possibility of getting branded — with a red-hot cattle brand — for victory.

First and foremost, the Fat Bike World Championships was not sanctioned by the UCI, nor any other governing body. It was created in the spirit of the Singlespeed World Championships. Which is to say, this event is equal parts riding and partying, and nobody should take themselves, or the event, too seriously. (For US riders looking for a more structured event, USA Cycling will sponsor Fat Bike Nationals in Ogden, Utah, on February 27.)

Here's a snapshot of the event. Click through the gallery above for even more images from the Fat Bike World Championships.

Turnout was good, with 207 riders participating in the main event: turnout was good, with 207 riders participating in the main event

Turnout was very good for a first-year event, with more than 200 fat bikers taking part in the main event

Taking fat bike fashion to the next level, even though temperatures weren't quite cold enough to warrant a full koala onesie: taking fat bike fashion to the next level, even though temperatures weren't quite cold enough to warrant a full koala onesie

Could koala suits be the future of fat bike fashion?

Fat trikes of different types had a strong showing at the race: fat trikes of different types had a strong showing at the race

Fat trikes of different types

Jake o'connor, owner of reactive adaptations, races to the finish: jake o'connor, owner of reactive adaptations, races to the finish

Jake O'Connor, owner of Crested Butte-based ReActive Adaptations, rides toward the finish line

More proof that aero really is everything. skinsuit, check. tt helmet, check. tt bars, check. rear wheel cover, check!: more proof that aero really is everything. skinsuit, check. tt helmet, check. tt bars, check. rear wheel cover, check!

Aero is everything! (Joking aside, the disc rear wheel actually makes a lot of sense when it comes to preventing snow build-up)

Lieutenant dangle was showing off his tan lines : lieutenant dangle was showing off his tan lines

There's a new sheriff in town, and his tan lines are perfect

We're not sure this counts as a fat bicycle, but boy could this guy carve through corners: we're not sure this counts as a fat bicycle, but boy could this guy carve through corners

Not quite a bicycle, but it was carving through turns where other riders were washing out

The ski mounts in place of the front wheel...: the ski mounts in place of the front wheel...

The Fat Bike Ski mounts in place of the front wheel and is held in place by the fork's 15mm thru-axle and disc mount

The fastest, most capable fat bike at the race, the rokon scout: the fastest, most capable fat bike at the race, the rokon scout

Without a doubt, this was the most capable fat bike at the race. Braaap!

Unlike the singlespeed world championships, which switches locations each year, crested butte has no plans to give up fat bike worlds to another city. until next year, crested butte: unlike the singlespeed world championships, which switches locations each year, crested butte has no plans to give up fat bike worlds to another city. until next year, crested butte

Unlike the SSWC and the SSCXWC, which switch venues each year based on the outcome of some sort of drunken feats of strength competition following the main event, Crested Butte has no plans to relinquish Fat Bike Worlds to another town. After spending a few days there, enjoying the food, the trails and mountain culture, I can’t say I blame them.