The Radavist

Let’s just say that I hate the cold and yet, I really want to do this!

“Chapter Three explores the ever-shifting moonscape of the frozen shoreline of the world’s largest body of freshwater, Lake Superior. This segment was shot over two days in late March 2013 about a half mile offshore within the city limits of Marquette. Over the course of the long winter Lake Superior’s legendary storms create an otherworldly landscape of ice and snow that shifts with each gale. The ice formations, created by wave action and freezing temps, are usually anchored on the lake bottom and can rise from the water up to 30 feet in some locations. Lake Superior’s water temperature hovers right around freezing, and is the leading factor in the region’s high snowfall totals that have influenced the winter cycling culture in this adventure-loving town on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.”

Loving the Cold Rolled series!

Here’s the second chapter to the Cold Rolled series:

“Chapter Two of the five-part short film Cold Rolled: Marquette Michigan’s Snow Bike Route, an action documentary from Clear & Cold Cinema, Salsa Cycles and TravelMarquetteMichigan.com. Chapter Two explores the history and progression of winter cycling culture in the adventure-loving Lake Superior harbor town of Marquette, Michigan.

Marquette’s Noquemanon Trails Network has nearly perfected equipment and techniques used to launch its Snow Bike Route, a 15-mile winter singletrack developed for fat tire bikes. The fast narrow trail features flowy terrain, steep descents and large bermed turns. It’s believed to be the first trail of its kind–but more importantly, it’s pretty fun.

Chapter Two features an interview with Marquette, Michigan native and Noquemanon Trails Network volunteer Mike Brunet who led development of the new Snow Bike Route. Archival newscasts, photos and home video demonstrate the long history of winter riding in Marquette that led to development of the new SBR.”

So rad!

While I love custom frames and supporting local frame builders, the honest truth is, I also really admire brands like Surly, Raleigh, Fairdale and All-City. Why? It’s obvious. They make bikes that are accessible, fun and that’s what matters most: getting people onto bikes.

Of course, with a frame retail considerably lower than a custom one, you can do some pretty special paint or powder. Blue Lug’s custom Surly builds always pique my interest. Bright, clean and a lot more character than the standard, production bike.

This Krampus and Pugsley have me thinking of stripping and painting my Pugs something! See more radness at the Blue Lug Flickr!

And to think, here I was stoked on doing a shallow river crossing this morning and finding a dead deer while out on the fatty. I can’t let my Pugsley see this!

“Chapter One of the five-part short film Cold Rolled: Marquette Michigan’s Snow Bike Route, an action documentary from Clear & Cold Cinema, Salsa Cycles and TravelMarquetteMichigan.com that will explore the history and progression of winter cycling culture in the adventure-loving Lake Superior harbor town of Marquette, Michigan.

Marquette’s Noquemanon Trails Network has nearly perfected equipment and techniques used to launch its Snow Bike Route, a 15-mile winter singletrack developed for fat tire bikes. The fast narrow trail features flowy terrain, steep descents and large bermed turns. It’s believed to be the first trail of its kind–but more importantly, it’s pretty fun.

Chapter One features riding along an ungroomed section of trail that is often packed by foot traffic from Marquette’s active population. This section of trail follows the Dead River and passes under a leaky water pipe that forms curtains of ice in the winter months.”

… and this is the best photo I’ve found on Flickr to commemorate it. Leave it to Porcelain Rocket to deck out this Salsa Muckluck with bags! Also, bike is in little ring because rules don’t apply to fatties. Next year, maybe I’ll post about Global Fat Bike Day a few days before… Did anyone else put in a ride on theirs?

I have no idea what’s going on here, but I love it! Thanks for this, Surly.

I don’t need a special day to remind me to be thankful because it never leaves my mind. Now this goes without saying but I cannot thank you enough for being such rad readers. Yes, even the ones who ruin the comments… Also I’d like to thank the supporters and sponsors of this site, to whom which I’m eternally grateful for everything they’ve done.

Now get out and ride this morning before your family and friends invade!

Photo by Jesse Carmody

I don’t know how I missed out on this one and I don’t know why I’ve yet to visit the Pedaler’s Fork but that’ll soon change hopefully! While this build photo isn’t the same as the bike in the video, I couldn’t help myself from posting it. Something tells me I’ve got fat bike fever… Check out more here!

Fat biking in Alaska and catching sockeye salmon… This one looks good!