FAT BIKING IN THE VALLEY
PIVOT SERIES
FEBRUARY 8, 2025
“Your doing what?” “Fat biking?” This is what I’ve been hearing all week. Fat biking isn’t exactly new, so is it my age that is causing the surprise? The time of year? It is winter and there is snow on the ground. But that is the genius of the under-inflated fat tires. They allow you to bike on less-than-ideal surfaces (sand, snow, slush, mud). I’d never tried it but realized that it was a work-around to me getting on the cross-country ski trails. I’d been advised by my physical therapist to skip skiing this year lest I fall and twist the knee which was still in recovery from last year’s surgery. The fall wasn’t the main concern. It was falling while my foot was attached to a ski. The stationary bike was part of my rehabilitation and made the knee feel great so….
Newbies like me are advised to start on groomed trails. These trails are usually shared with cross-country skiers and snowshoers. The easier riding conditions and proximity to assistance far outweigh the risk you may experience in navigating around these other users. There are several places that offer fat bike rentals and trail passes in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I chose Waterville Valley Nordic Center.
What’s the old saying about not forgetting how to ride a bike? Well, it’s not the bike that is the issue, it’s the surface you are riding on. And that takes some getting used to. One of the reasons I picked Waterville Valley was that I knew there were extensive but not highly trafficked roadways throughout the resort town. The roads and parking areas, although plowed, retained some snow cover and would be good training ground for me and the fat bike. I rented my bike, got my trail pass and off I went.
I traveled up and down all the roads connecting the many houses, condominiums, hotels, inns and resorts. I enjoyed not only the scenic mountain views that are ubiquitous in the valley, but also the various building styles of the different lodging options. Each community seemed to have its own unique personality. Exploring neighborhoods and looking at houses is something I like to do in other locations on a regular bike and during walks. It’s not only the architecture I find interesting, but the owner’s choice of exterior and yard décor. I think the dwelling place is often an extension of the dweller and I can’t help but wonder what each owner is like. Even the mailbox tells a story – or at least allows you to invent one. Maybe I’m just nosy. Maybe this quiet reverie is how I disengage from the ever-present worries and demands of daily life. Am I the only one?
It was quiet with few cars passing by. Most of the time, I only heard the pleasant sound of my tires squishing the snow. A few people were walking about. One older gentleman snapped me out of my thoughts by asking about my ride. Then a younger woman. Although they appeared to be locals, they were both surprised that I had rented it right in the Valley. Just then it occurred to me that I hadn’t seen anyone else on a fat bike. In fact, when I called to see if I needed to reserve a bike the day before, the shop attendant was positive that that would not be necessary. There were plenty of cars in the many parking areas and it was a beautiful weekend day. Perhaps everyone else was on the trails which I needed to get to. I had been out for over an hour. My legs were warmed up, I was comfortable on the bike and over snow and my knee was holding up fine.
I headed back to the center of town to link up to several easy trails, the easiest being the loop around the pond. These are generally flat trails with little grade in either direction. I was told to ride in the middle, away from the x-country ski tracks. I was also instructed to yield to any skaters coming up or down the middle. Peddling was more difficult over snow with a deeper base. Felt like the bike had good hold when flat and going downhill. There was some tire slippage on the ascends. Not sure I’d be able to hold the grip on steeper trails but too inexperienced to know for sure. Some fat bike tires have metal studs to help with grip – I don’t think my bike had those. I worked up a good sweat in little time on the trails. Definitely a good workout. Good for the body. Beautiful, snow-laden, wooded scenery. Good for the soul. After another hour, I had had it. Definitely something I will try again. Another way to enjoy the outdoors in the winter.
(A little boy, around eight years old and in cross-country skis, looked up at me as I was riding back to the town square to return the bike. He yelled back to his father as I passed, “did you see that?!” Good for the ego.)
After a morning of fat biking in the cold, I was in need of some warmth. My desire to check out a new food truck venue outweighed my concerns about remaining outside while I found some nourishment.
DANDELION EATERY
Located in a food truck court called Campton Commons, this food truck dishes out an eclectic choice of grub. I would describe half the menu offerings as comfort food with an elevated twist: Smoked Gouda mac and cheese, Zanghi fried chicken, pulled pork and chicken sandwiches treated with your choice of Asian, BBQ and American finesse and Meatloaf Sub with caramelized onions. The other half as an EPCOT-like culinary tour: Chicago Italian Beef, Sesame Noodle Bowl, Butternut Squash Rosotto and Japanese Braised Pork. I went with the Mac and Cheese topped with some pulled pork. It was heaven. This is a dish that can easily be too much: too salty, too tangy, too cheesy. Not so at the Dandelion Eatery.The pasta and the pork were well crafted and the flavors well balanced.
I ate in an area with high top tables and chairs, set a top a covered wooden platform, and closed on three sides. Vinyl tarps covering the exposed front of the structure kept the wind out and allowed the sun to warm up the small space. They also had chairs around a fire pit for use.
Dandelion Eatery, 41 Southmayd Rd., Campton
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