The 3rd Annual Global Fat Bike Summit will take place over 2 days in Ogden, Utah on January 24-25, 2014. The event brings together dealers, consumers, land managers, fat bike manufacturers and media representatives to promote fat bikes’ low environmental impact, seek access to lands currently off limits to bikes, and explores the potential for local economic growth opportunity such access can bring. The two-day event, co-sponsored by Quality Bicycle Products and Ogden City, combines educational seminars, a fat bike expo, a festival, and a race.
The first day will consist of educational seminars focused on fat bikes’ uniquely low environmental impact and the revenue potential generated by allowing fat bikes access to public lands. Day two presents the festival and expo, with hands-on opportunities for guests to learn more about the bikes by riding them and talking with representatives from various fat bike brands. Races for both advanced and beginner fat bike riders will be included.
Previously hosted in Island Park, ID, the Fat Bike Summit moves this year to Ogden, an outdoor recreation mecca and home of QBP’s west coast distribution center. In recent years, the city of Ogden has been building a reputation as an accessible, versatile center for cyclists, climbers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. The city has concentrated on public land access, trail building, and building in-town bicycle-friendly infrastructure. These investments are reaping rewards (see Ogden’s Bike Friendly Community award elsewhere in this issue), and organizers of the Summit are leveraging this success as evidence of the economic viability of allowing greater land access.
The expo, demo rides, and races will be held in the foothills above the city on the grounds of the Mount Ogden Golf Course and will be hosted by the GOAL Foundation and Ogden City. The GOAL Foundation is a local non-profit that encourages people to “Get Out And Live” through participation and volunteerism at local events. Locations for the educational seminars are still being determined. Information and updates can be found by visiting http://www.fatbikesummit.com .
