As you might already know, we’re big bike fans here at The Forks. We’re also pretty big fans of winter. So maybe it should come as no surprise that we wanted to put the two together for Big Bike Chill, a weeklong celebration of cycling in the dead of winter!
This year’s Big Bike Chill is set to be a busy one with events happening all over The Forks site. New this year will be the Big Bike Chill Hub and the Big Bike Chill Trail. The Hub will be set up by CN Stage rink and will be your go-to meeting spot for most of the 10-day celebration’s events while the Big Bike Chill Trail will be taking over The Forks Plaza Skatepark.
Kick off the festivities with Woodcock Cycleworks for their Fat Fridays group ride down to The Forks or — if you’re still unsure about riding in the winter — head to the Hub for Green Action Centre’s “Try It Out Day!”, the official wrap up to their Jack Frost Challenge, for free fat bike and snowshoe trials.
Haven’t had a chance to check out the Warming Huts villages this year? Bike Winnipeg and Sputnik Architecture are hosting two Warming Huts Bike Tours at The Forks where you’ll get to hear the unique history of the competition and stories behind some of the winning pieces.
If you haven’t had a chance to see what all the fat bike fuss is about, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to join a group ride as well as an Intro to Fat Biking Class with Wayne Bishop, the groomer of the Big Bike Chill Trail. He’ll walk you through proper attire, body position and maintaining efficient cadence.
And on Valentine’s Day, skip the dinner reservations and join us at The Forks for a Dutch bicycle group ride through the Warming Huts villages before heading into the Market to warm up in the food hall. Valentine’s Day also happens to be Winter Bike to Work Day this year, with Bike Valet Winnipeg, The W.R.E.N.C.H. and Bike Winnipeg all hosting events on site.
Whether you’re a longtime winter cyclist or just looking to dip your toes in the snow, there’s no shortage of bike-related activities this year at The Forks with the Big Bike Chill! Find a full rundown of Big Bike Chill events here.
Photos: Buio Assis/The Forks