Redhead’s inaugural global fat bike ride

Written By Matthias

NEWS FROM MATTHIAS: BLOG POST 1

Redhead Mountain Bike Park hosted their 1st Annual Global Fat Bike Day group ride on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Seven biking enthusiasts traveled from Hibbing, Chisholm, Grand Rapids, and Duluth, Minnesota. Some riders rode the trails for their first time and already are planning additional rides this winter and in the spring of 2025.

The ride started at the trailhead and meandered (sometimes a slippery and sliding meander) over the Glen Line, South Boneyard, Brightside, Tough Mama, and Zen trails, and concluded back at the trailhead. (These are the trails that are routinely groomed at Redhead, although this group rode prior to the first grooming which contributed to the slippery conditions.) Pat Cassingham, representing the 30 West Bike Shop, located at Minnesota Discovery Center, shared his in-depth trail knowledge and passion for biking to guide this ride. The riders experienced a winter wonderland of adventures and 30-degree weather with smiles on their faces and laughter that could be heard echoing throughout the mountain bike park.

As the Redhead Ambassador, I look forward to riding with this group in the future and for planning future group gatherings at the park. Brock (one of the riders in the group) enthusiastically shared that “this was a great first fat tire bike ride” and that he “can’t wait to see how the Global Fat Bike Day ride grows at Redhead Mountain Bike Park” in the years to come.

Matthias

Growing up, I looked at the ore mining dumps surrounding Hibbing and vividly recall being 13 years old and thinking how cool it would be to mountain bike on trails amongst all the small mountains of leftover rock. I reunited with my number one past time of mountain biking in 2023 and enjoy the peace and serenity of the sport in addition to sharing my passion with others. I bike to reconnect and recenter.

I have ridden the Barr trail at Pikes Peak in Colorado, numerous other Minnesota MTB trails, and UP Michigan trails. I plan to continue finding new biking adventures around the country and promoting others to get outdoors.

Fun fact: My son challenged me to create a YouTube channel showcasing my biking and other fun gallivants. I aspires to surpass my son’s subscriber and view numbers. My YouTube channel has been a fun and unique bonding opportunity with my son. You can follow me on YouTube at @akaGuyThompson

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