The 2017 Pie Burner Put To Bed….

The Sunday before the ride, trail conditions were perfect!! Come the Friday before the ride it was 44 degrees and raining!!??

Mother threw a monkey wrench at us; but the ride still went off without a hitch. Saturday mornings temperatures were perfect, mid teens…… with only a high of 28ish.

Studded tires were the buzz word of the day; certain sections of the trail were like a skating rink. Multiple riders went down multiple times; with only one having to pull out after 6ish miles. He’s alright, but bruised up good.

56 riders showed up; and the event got some long overdue local love from the Hibbing Daily Tribune, thanks Mr. Tony Potter!!

With this events growth, look for some changes to come for the 2018 version of the Pie Burner. I’m thinking of having two groups of riders leaving at different times, but arriving back at Palmers within an hour of each other. More on that in the coming months.

When we reached the halfway point, half the riders gladly headed back to Palmers Tavern and waiting for the rest of us to finish up the long route. All the long route riders returned between 3:30 – 4:00 pm.

Eating, drinking and ride giveaways were handled in time; and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

A huge shout-out to my family, again!! You guys rock!!

Also a shout-out to the volunteers, without you this ride would not be what it is!!

And to all the sponsors….. I DO NOT have words for how much your generosity helps this event thrive…. THANK YOU!! Especially Surly Bikes!!

And to Sandy and Brooke; and staff at Palmers Tavern your willingness to work with me and go above and beyond is greatly appreciated!!

Then today I was made of aware of a nice “kudos” write up by fellow fatbiker Sheri Schrock of Cohasset, Mn. In the Hibbing Daily Tribune. Sheri was the nice lady who was pedaling the sweet Otso Voytek on ride day.

Sheri on ride day…..

Thank you for the kind words Sheri, and by those words….. we know what we’re doing, is being done the correct way!!

Here’s a few shots (out of a few 1,000 photos) thanks Zack….. of the day

We’ll see you in 2018!!

2017 Pie Burner Leg 3 Recon Ride ✔️

Conditions are perfect as of right now. Temperatures are good….. enough snow-cover to make things interesting, and just enough ice to keep a rider honest

Things look to be coming together to make the 2017 ride one to remember!!

A few shots from Sunday’s pedal.

Pie Burner Recon Rides

The past two days have seen me riding the 1st two legs of the 2017 Pie Burner….. snow cover isn’t horrible, but I do foresee some trail breaking on leg 3 of the ride…… I’ll know for sure at some point in the next 7-8 days.

There will be plenty of frozen water to ride upon…. plan accordingly.

Things are looking promising to be an awesome year to check out fat biking in the heart of northern Minnesota’s Iron Range!!

A few shots from the past two days…..