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On the World Famous Birkie Trail in Cable, Wisconsin!
The Fat Bike Birkie, Presented by Freewheel Bike, is the premier on snow bike event in North America. Riders test their skill and endurance on the professionally groomed American Birkebeiner Ski Trail!
THREE events to choose from: The Big Fat 47K, The Half Fat 21K, and the un-timed Fun Fat 10K Tour – there is something for every rider!
Two days of fun! Friday – Check out the Fat Bike Birkie EXPO and Fat Bike Demos! Saturday – Race day and a Post-Race Party in the Great Hall!
Fat Bike Birkie is an Open-Class Bike Race
There are no restrictions on the specific tire size allowed. The Birkie groomers are some of the best in the world and have the goal of providing a firm surface to ride on for the races. However, we cannot control the weather and the course conditions can vary widely, from hard packed to soft powder. Just like in the Birkie Ski race, Fat Bike Birkie participants are free to choose different equipment based on the conditions of the course. We recommend that participants be prepared to race in any course condition, on a bike equipped with at least 3.5 inch wide tires.
E-bikes are not allowed for any event of the Fat Bike Birkie.
No special equipment classes will be recognized in the Fat Bike Birkie results or awards. Tandems bikes are allowed, but there is not a special class. Each tandem rider must register and contact registration@birkie.com to ensure the proper results are shown.
| | May 1 through September 19 | September 20 through November 14 | November 15 through January 30 | January 31 until full |
| 47 km or 21 km Race | $65 | $75 | $85 | $95
|
| 10 km Tour | $55 | $65 | $65 | $75
|
All Big Fat 47K participants must be at least 18 years of age on race day. All Half Fat 21K and Fun Fat 10K participants must be at least 13 years of age on race day.
Race/Event Change Request
The deadline for requesting a change in race/event distances is Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at 4:00pm CST. Request a race/event change here.
2020 Birkie Green Gear Bag – SOLD OUT FOR ALL 2020 RACES!
Two Full Days of Fat Bike Birkie at the Birkie Trailhead in Cable!
Friday
| Courses Open for Pre-Riding | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Expo / Bib Pick-Up / Bike Demos / Birkie Store | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
Saturday
| Bib Pick Up - In the Great Hall | 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM |
| 47 km Fat Bike Birkie - The Big Fat | 9:00 AM |
| 21 km Fat Bike Birkie - The Half Fat | 9:15 AM |
| 10 km Fat Bike Birkie - The Fun Fat Tour | 9:30 AM |
| Expo / Bib Pick-Up / Bike Demos / Birkie Store / Brats + Beer! | All Day |
Post-Race Party for All Participants--Food! Plus your first beer is Free!
Spectators and families can purchase meal tickets, too! | 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM |
| After Party at the Sawmill Saloon, Seeley, WI - CAMBA Fundraiser with raffle/auction & more! | 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM |
Avoid the race morning rush and pick up your bib at the Fat Bike Expo located in the Great Hall at the Birkie Trailhead. Open from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm on Friday, March 6.
- Fat Bike Birkie EXPO — Great Gear and Guidance from FBB Sponsors
- Fat Bike Demos All Day
- The Birkie Store, with Great Birkie Merchandise
- See CAMBA Raffle Prizes / Silent Auction Items from Fat Bike Birkie Sponsors
- Free Coffee from Hayward Coffee Company
Race Day Bib Pick up available on Saturday from 7:30 to 8:30 am.
Both races and the Tour will start and finish at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead in Cable, WI.
The Big Fat 47K course will go out on the Birkie Classic Trail after the Powerlines and return on the Birkie Skate Trail to the Powerlines where it will come into the finish on the Birkie Classic Trail. The Half Fat 21K course will ride out the Birkie Classic Trail after the Powerlines to Timber Trail where it will enter the 21K only course. The Fun Fat 10K Tour will ride on a mix of Birkie Classic Trail, smaller ski trails, and the 21K course before finishing the same way as the Big Fat 47K and Half Fat 21K races.
Interactive Course Map
Experience the race again or for the first time! Roll over the epic hills on the legendary Birkie Trail, witness the race rollout, ride along with the pace cameras, check out the Half Fat 21K and Big Fat 47K courses, and feel the rush as you virtually ride the Fat Bike Birkie. This interactive map experience has it all!
The race course will be ridden clockwise starting with the Birkie Classic Trail and finishing on the Birkie Skate Trail!
Fat Bike Birkie Course Timetable
| Big Fat Aid Stations | Distance from the Start (K) | Cut-Off Time |
| Timber Trail Southbound | 8 | 10:00 |
| Fire Tower Southbound | 14 | 10:30 |
| Boedecker Southbound | 19 | 11:00 |
| Boedecker Northbound | 29 | 12:15 |
| Fire Tower Northbound | 34 | 12:40 |
| Timber Trail Northbound | 38 | 1:20 |
| Finish | 47 | 3:00 |
| 21K Aid Station | Distance from the Start (K) | Cut-Off Time |
| Timber Trail | 8 | 10:15 |
| 16K | 16 | 11:20 |
| Finish | 21 | 12:30 |
Pre-Riding the Course — When & Where
The Fat Bike Birkie Race Courses will be groomed and marked for pre-riding on Friday, March 6 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Please follow signs carefully.
Please note that riding bikes on the Birkie Trail during the winter is only allowed on the days designated for the Fat Bike Birkie event. However, winter bike riding can be accessed from many of the trailheads utilizing the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association trail system. Trail conditions can be found on the CAMBA Winter FAT BIKE page.
The Big Fat (47K) race will feature 4 start gates. Riders will be placed in one of these gates based on their best finish time from the previous 3 Big Fat or Half Fat (21K) races. Riders without a result in the past 3 Big Fat or Chico (now Half Fat) races will be assigned to Gate 4.
2020 Big Fat Gate Assignments based on BIG FAT results
| Big Fat Gate | 2019 Big Fat Finish Time | 2018 Big Fat Finish Time | 2017 Big Fat Finish Time |
| Gate 1 | 1:46:27 to 2:02:25 | 1:48:11 to 2:04:25 | 2:05:09 to 2:23:55 |
| Gate 2 | 2:02:26 to 2:26:54 | 2:04:26 to 2:29:18 | 2:23:56 to 2:52:42 |
| Gate 3 | 2:26:55 to 3:00:58 | 2:29:18 to 3:03:55 | 2:52:43 to 3:32:45 |
| Gate 4 | 3:00:59 + | 3:03:56 + | 3:32:46 + |
2020 Big Fat Gate Assignments based on CHICO (now Half Fat) results
| Big Fat Gate | 2019 Half Fat Finish Time | 2018 Half Fat Finish Time | 2017 Half Fat Finish Time |
| Gate 1 | Achieved with Big Fat results only | Achieved with Big Fat results only | Achieved with Big Fat results only |
| Gate 2 | 53:58 to 1:02:04 | 55:48 to 1:04:10 | 55:58 to 1:04:22 |
| Gate 3 | 1:02:05 to 1:14:28 | 1:04:11 to 1:17:00 | 1:04:23 to 1:17:14 |
| Gate 4 | 1:14:29 + | 1:17:01 + | 1:17:15 + |
Gate Upgrade Requests
Gate Upgrade Request Deadline is 4:00pm CST on Friday, February 28, 2020.
Requests for gate upgrade based on other fat bike or mountain bike races can be made here (the on-line form will be added at a later date). There is a $15 fee required to process these requests. To be used as a qualifying race, the race must meet certain criteria based on strength of competition, distance, and course elevation profile, determined by the Event Director.
Elite riders may request to be placed in Gate 1 at any time by sending a request and credentials to elite@birkie.com. Riders will be placed on a wait list and notified of placement in February.
There are no gate assignments for the Half Fat 21K race or the Fun Fat 10k Tour.
Fat Bike Birkie Overall Trophies will be presented to the first three male & female finishers of both races.
Cash Prizes for the first three men & women in the “Big Fat” $500 | $250 | $100
Winners must be present at award ceremony to receive the cash prize.
Age Class Awards will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place riders, male and female, in each age class for the Fat Bike Races.
- Big Fat – 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
- Half Fat – 13-17, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
Award Ceremony Times
- 11:30am: Overall Big Fat 47K & Half Fat 21K Winners and Half Fat 21K Age Group Winners
- 12:30pm: Big Fat 47K Age Group Winners
Post-Race Parties
Starting at 11:00 am, riders are treated to a free post-race party with great food by the Corner Deli, Birkie Brewski Ale, or soda. Spectators can eat for just $5.
Stick around for the After Party on Saturday from 4:00 – 8:00 at the Sawmill Saloon in Seeley hosted by CAMBA! This event is a fundraiser for CAMBA FAT BIKE and will include their raffle prize drawings and silent auction from Fat Bike Birkie sponsors and more. It’s a party you don’t want to miss!
Check out all the details here.
Presenting Sponsor
Want to get involved, see this event up close and personal, and be part of what makes Birkie events great? We’d love to hear from you! Contact the Birkie at 715-634-5025 x:2,2 or click here for available shifts. There is no obligation — we’re happy to answer your questions. Contact us today!
