Fat Tire Challenge Sigel 2012

This year's edition of the Fat Tire Challenge in Brookville PA had it all - Thrills, Spills, Gore and Glory... and the most adorable Lil Fat Tire kids on wheels to ever grace the series (now in it's 7th year). Aside from a few unfortunate ferns I sat on while shooting pics of the race, no wildlife was harmed in the documenting of this race!

Pick your poison - 14 mile (Sport) or 24 mile (Expert) promised some nice double track logging path, huge climbs on narrow single track, and the famed, notorius Rock Garden (more on that later). All that against a  backdrop of dense forest, blooming mountain laurel and overlooks so lovely that you might even forget how horribly your lungs are burning, your quads and charley-horsed calves are screaming... you might even smile! Ok well, maybe not. :p



The Lil Fat Tire kicked off first, with 32 kids rolling out at 9.45 am for two to three 1/2 mile loops (the big kids do more).

Lil Kids Fat Tire getting ready to blast off!

The race briefing for the grown-ups' race took place after prizes were awarded to the winners of the kids race. This year, everyone's ankles would be adorned with timing chips, and stagger started. This development was much welcomed by racers, as the mass starts of previous years had given rise to some impressive bottlenecks accompanied by colorful language!

Team ESI in their baby blues. Eric Shick Insurance was also one of the race title sponsors.

Riders rolled out ten seconds apart

After I saw the last of the riders off at the start, I hurried over to the third-way point where I proceeded to stalk passing riders. I love that this course is supporter-friendly. I arrived at that point just on time to see the lead expert rider Jordan going off course! (He lost a good 10 minutes, eventually placing third). I hid myself amongst the shrubbery, snapping away. Pic quality with Spencer's indestructible Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 was spotty (note to self: use my own Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 next time!).

What do you think this dude is trying to tell me? :)

I even spotted a couple of unicyclists! Truly a brave breed of rider.

At mid-point, volunteers handed out hydration and nutrition (sponsored by Gu and Vitamin Water), all the while cheering on riders.

Photo credit: Fattirechallenge.com

Further down the trail at mile 11 are the Rock Gardens, a 150 foot boulder-strewn stretch that most folks consider unrideable. 

The Rock Garden. Photo credit: Fattirechallenge.com

A face plant in the Rock Garden did not deter this chap from
going on to win the race in his category.
Photo credit: Fattirechallenge.com

This Fat Tire Challenge gets better and better every year, with Race Director Michael White at the helm and backed by generous sponsors and volunteer support. There's so much sponsored swag that nobody goes home empty-handed. This year's food was outstanding - the breakfast burritos sold at the Relay for Life food booth were among the delicious hot-grilled lunch items available. We'll be back!

Check out my 400 race pics HERE, Dr Sprocket's race video HERE and the Official FAT TIRE Page for results, pics and more!

xo Gracie

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