Nakkertok, part one.

Well, that went all right.

About 48 people showed up to see what Nakkertok could offer fatbikers. Despite the soft conditions (temperatures went up plus 4), the reviews from folks coming back to the cabin for food and drinks were positive.

Making vege chilli for the masses!

Generally speaking, folks loved the terrain, which is ridable, provided the right conditions. The steeper, more backcountry parts of the system were hard slogs, as the trails had not set from the grooming due to pretty severe cold, and the warm temperatures made it worse as the day went on. The cabin and the woodfires were great to start and end the day in.

Apres-fatbike attire in the great cabin that Nakkertok has.

Jon in the woods.

Was that to say the trails were unridable? No, folks were out for hours at a time, but it was more of a slog and more hike a bike sections than you would expect from a groomed trail. Still, people had a good time. The folks at Nakkertok and the skiers out on the trails were friendly, which is what really matters with a test event like this. Figuring out the grooming for the trails is just a matter of experience for the folks up there.

Greg, Marcel and Ted coming back for a looooong loop.

The best thing is that Nakkertok has decided to let Tall Tree Cycles sponsor a fatbike event during their loppet weekend! A loppet is a XC ski event that is more of sportive event than a race. The challenge is to complete the whole distance, in this case going from Nakkertok North to Nakkertok South, not to be the first across some line. There are checkpoints along the whole 25km(ish)route, so if someone is in trouble, or going really slow, they are not abandoned on the course. And there is food at the end!

We (LPP and Tall Tree) are calling it The Floppet.

A cabin full of bikers and skiers. No fights broke out.

Details are being hashed out, but the Floppet will be on Sunday, Feb 22nd. There will a gear and rider shuttle from Nakker South in the morning (bring a blanket to protect your bike), and a back pack shuttle going back to the south campus. Fatbikers will be leaving after all the skiers, so there will be 250 or so skiers packing down the trail for you. At the end will be food, drinks and desserts. Once the details are sorted, I'll post it all up on here by next weekend at the latest.

Until then,

Flounder.

Parking.

Nakkertok, this Sunday, Jan 18th!

Hello.

     Sorry this is coming so late, but finalizing everything took a while, and there some family health issues that needed to be taken care care of, so forgive me. Frankly I have been updating the facebook page more often, which has been unfair to those who do not facebook. I apologize to all of you.

       But hey, the important new is this: This Sunday is the first time the Nakkertok ski area will be allowing fatbikes on their 30 km of trails. This oughta be fun! Now, here is how the day is going to go:

• Drive to 139 Route du Carrefour
• 20 bucks per adult. Kids can come for free.
• Everyone has to be on a bike with 3" tires or wider.  
• We'll be at the chalet between 9:30 -10 am. When we get there, give us a few minutes to set up.
• When we're set up, we'll take your money, get you to sign a waiver (mandatory), and give you a trail map and explain some of the unmarked possibilities.
• Come when you want, there will be someone at the cabin all day.
• We'll be making coffee, tea and hot chocolate(powder) so have a drink, and go ride! we encourage you guys to go out,  and experiment Do a loop, come back, eat, go out again. You will have until four. After that, we'll be gone, and the cabin will be locked up. 
• Note: it is your responsibility to have tools and a map in case you get lost or have a mechanical. There will be no patrols. If you are going to push the 4pm curfew, bring a light.  
• If you do come back after 4:30, your stuff will be outside the cabin. Maybe we'll leave you a bowl of soup. Can't promise it'll be warm, however.    

   Speaking of soup, around noon, there will be some veggie soup, a veggie chili or stew,  and bread for folks to nosh on. There will be some water brought, but since there is no running water at the main cabin, we encourage you to bring your own to fill bottles, as we will be be using what we have for warm drinks first.

       Now for a few points on behaviour(I know; suckballs, but we are guests here):

• No booze. No cracking a six-pack open in the cabin. Maybe a discreet flask shared out on the trail, but this can't be like other fatbike events. Boo.
• You yield: if you see a skier, you make sure they pass unhindered.  Up or down, no matter. if you are passing, be very verbal and polite. Remember, this isn't a shared trail: this is their turf, and they are graciously letting us be there. Let us be gracious too. Smile, talk to them, share your flask.

See you all on the 18th!
-Flounder.