The 28 Below Fatbike race, presented by Ridge Rider Racing, LLC and permitted by the USFS,  is the Black Hills Premiere Fatbike Race/Ride/Tour.

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The 28 Below Fatbike race is a 50k lolly-pop loop with around 2,800 ft of climbing. It is the only race in the Black Hills that is permitted to take place on groomed snowmobile trail.  Although the race takes place in mid March, the snow conditions tend to hold in the high country of the hills.  This course will test your will and winter riding skill.  It is challenging, and very remote, so we ask that you come prepared, with some experience fatbiking in winter conditions.

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Equipment and items you should be carrying:

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• Bike with a minimum of 3.8" tires required, no smaller tires allowed.

• Helmet is required for all riders

• You should have a warm, insulated, winter riding shoe.

• A variety of layers for warmth and to keep dry

• A pair of warm, winter riding gloves (a pair of extra gloves as back up)

• A headlamp for emergency

• Insulated water bottles and camelback that will keep water from freezing

• A spare tube and pump, with experience fixing a flat in cold winter conditions

 

 

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Course Information:

 

The 50k lollypop loop starts and finishes at  Spearfish Canyon Lodge, near Spearfish SD and follows the groomed snowmobile trails that are permitted by the USFS. Race day is the only day of the year that riders are permitted on the groomed snowmobile trail here. This is an open course meaning there will be snowmobilers out on course race day!  Be mindful of this and only ride on the right hand side of the groom.  Do not ride in the middle or left to avoid a collision and serious injury! 

The first 10k is a beautiful stretch winding up a Canyon with a mild and gentle uphill grade.  The course then takes a turn into a more rolling section which eventually gets steeper and tops out at the beautiful Cement Ridge Fire Lookout, where every rider is required to check in.  This is the only checkpoint/aid station on the entire course, where you will be provided with water and some food items. 

We will either run the course clockwise or counter clockwise and will decide and announce which direction we will be riding before the event takes place each year!

 

LODGING:

All events will take place at Spearfish Canyon Lodge.

Spearfish Canyon Lodge has generously offered all race participants a reduced rate at their beautiful Lodge!  They have blocked off all the rooms at the Lodge for racers, on Friday and/or Saturday night, for $109 for the 2 Queen Bed rooms.   All Suites will be 20% off rack rate.  You won't be able to find a better place to stay, with the event starting and finishing right out the front door! Only 55 rooms are available at the Lodge so don't wait too long to make your reservation!  For reservations call Spearfish Canyon Lodge at 605-584-3435 and you must identify yourself or your group as 28 Below Fat Bike/Ridge Riders (if you don't they will say there are no rooms available, as Ridge Rider Racing has booked the entire Lodge for the event). 

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Thanks to great sponsors and volunteers the race has been a big success with a fun after party hosted right out of the beautiful Spearfish Canyon Lodge. Crow Peak brewery serves up free beer for all competitors, and many prizes are given out at the raffle thanks to Sram/Quarq, Twin Six, Velocity USA, Dirtbags Bikepacking, 1UpUSA, Endurelite, Bad Idea Events, Rushmore Mountain Sports, Two Wheeler Dealer, Acme Bikes, and Black Hills Vision Care!  We also have some great custom trophy's made by Clay Dykstra Pottery for the top  finisher's as well as equal cash mens and womens for the overall winners along with special prizes from our sponsors at Quarq!

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