Brian Hansen has been racing for decades but has never experienced the unique qualities of a 906 Adventure Team event. That all changed when he found himself at the start of the 2025 Polar Roll Fatbike race. It was a race to the single track as Brian, Jeff Abitz and Steve Scherck spiked their heartrates, on the leg searing climb out of town. Brian and Jeff were both in the top 25, awarding them good (not great) snow conditions, as in not yet stamped into "mashed potatoes", for the duration of their race. Jeff stopped twice to air down his tires, which was a necessity to navigate the deep snow. Steve stopped for about 20 minutes to assist a fellow down rider. Jeff matched his best Overall Rank with another (this makes three) 19 place. Perhaps a deep snow specific tire will help in the future. Brian's fantastic 23rd place, on this unknown course, is more impressive than Jeff's "six year race veteran" result. Steve's upper midpack finish, is a solid result, especially considering the aid mentioned above, and being forced to ride/hike on the rapidly degraded trails. Interested in this race? Take note: Deep snow fatbike racing is a unique discipline. You have, maybe, a foot wide trail to work with. Let a front wheel wander and you will auger in, often with a trip over the handlebars. Here are our results:
Full Results: my.raceresult.com/326090/     - Jabitz
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There was snow! It was no snow, or all the snow!, in the three race Snow Crown Fat Bike Series this year. Race #3, brought all the snow! and wrapped the series on the fancy Ariens Nordic Center ariensnordic.com/ Nordic ski trails. The lack of wider, deep snow specific tires, tortured Diablo Cycling in the 4-5" base layer. Jeff Abitz participated his way on to the Elite 50+ podium with a 3rd of 3. Brian Hansen earned his way on to the Advanced podium with a 2nd. Andrew Knickerbocker was reminded that drop bars, and deep snow, don't mix well. There were no DNF's! Thank you to George and Sarah Kapitz, owners of www.brokenspokebikes.com/ who continue to organize and direct this series. Here are Diablo Racing's results: Elite Men (14 total) - 5 laps (1-49) 11 total Andrew Knickerbocker – 11th, 14th overall Masters (over 50) 3 total Jeff Abitz - 3rd, 12th overall (not great but he won some shorts at the raffle) Advanced Men (15 total) - 4 laps Masters (over 50) 4 total Brian Hansen - 2nd, 7th overall Full Results: results.itsracetime.com/results.aspx?CId=17095&RId=1391    - Jabitz
Before their annual party, Cranked Bike Studio delighted us store fanatics, with the 1st Annual Frozen Fiasco Fat Bike Race. The course consisted of a .41 mile lap around the Studio, with lots of tight twists, a pinwheel, and a gravel straight. The faster people completed over twenty sub 2:30 minute laps. About a dozen racers raced, with the last 1-2 people to finish the lap getting pulled until there was one person riding. Fresh? off the prior night's two hour Snow Bully race, Diablo Cycling's Brian Hansen, Andrew Knickerbocker and Adam Koenig brought their fatigued legs and hearts to make it a race, for what Jeff Abitz was heard saying, was his "A" race of the the year! Really Jabitz? As the laps ticked off, Brian and Jeff found themselves rounding the last hairpin corner, with Jeff immediately opening up a two up sprint. Jeff's fresh legs, and two earlier PBR's, gave him the couple feet to win. A jacketless? Evan Benoit came in third. Adam Koenig was close behind, but the official results are unknown. Andrew Knickerbocker suffered from an early flat tire, forcing him to run a few laps. (Did I mention he rode 21 miles to this race?). Following the race, Cranked hosted a terrific, and well attended party with food, bartender, and beverages. This was a fundraiser, for Friends of Hartman Creek State Park, to purchase a snowmobile, to groom the winter trails. On this day, Cranked Bike Studio gave back to the cycling community, with a donation of $625...Amazon will never do that. To donate, see: friendsofhartmancreek.square.site/product/donation-snowmobile-for-trail-grooming/88    - Jabitz
The Snow Bully offered a rare opportunity to race the fast, grassy and rolling cross county ski trails of the Iola Winter Sports Club www.iolawintersportsclub.org/. There was just enough snow, in several critical corners, to demand focus on this physically demanding circuit. This night, was the only time the trails were open to fat bikes. Fat Bike Racers chose between one hour or two hour races. All three attending Diablos chose the longer option. Two Hour Category - 34 total 18-34 Male Andrew Knickerbocker - 4th, 8th overall 35-44 Male Adam Koenig - 4th, 15th overall 55+ Male Brian Hansen - 1st, 10th overall Full Results: results.performancetiming.com/results.aspx?CId=16541&RId=815 Sorry. No images, but Scott Cole shared a course video below:   - Jabitz
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