Shelltrack Fat Bike Race

Presented by 509 Cycles
Silvercreek Park in Manitowoc, WI
December 16, 2017
https://509cycles.com/snow-crown-series/​

Fat bike racing. Is it really racing? Is it mostly a party?
Is it a place to let your freak flag fly? 
                                           Yep.
 If any or all of these attributes are of interest, you MUST attend these George Kaputz productions. 
509 Cycles https://509cycles.com/ kicked off the first race of the 2017/18 Snowcrown Wisconsin Fat-Bike Series with the Shelltrack Race along the shores of Lake Michigan. The event was hosted by Mark, Sean, and a pile of hula hoops with complimentary refreshments provided by Hinterland Brewery.
Complimentary means free! Refer back to the "MUST attend" part above and do it.

 Jeff Abitz bummed a fat bike from a teamate and jumped into his first race, and second ride,
with the Advanced category hot shots.
The guy's (okay my) lack of fat bike experience was evident with all his (my) rookie errors.
For example, he was a little lazy running to his bike on the start, later realizing it is almost impossible to pass in deep snow (you gotta ride in the groove!). And the beer shortcuts?
They were good for knocking off at least a minute a lap. He (ME!) would have excelled here!
The race winner stopped for seven of them. Lessons learned.  

 Ted Schaff proved he can ride anything fast offroad, riding his loaner bike to a 7th out of 34 overall in the Advanced category.

                                                           Diablo Cycling Participants
Advanced Category:
Jeff Abitz
Ted Schaff - 7th

Intermediate Category:
Joe Cleaves
Shawn Nelsen
​Scott Niemi
Scott Barclay

The next Snow Crown race is Sunday, January 14th in Suamico, WI.
https://www.bikereg.com/fat-camp
Racing or not, I'll be there.
​- Jabitz out.