Fat bike riders added to trail users
Dan McClelland
by Dan McClelland
On the recommendation of town recreational trail boss John Gillis, the new all-season, multi-use trail in the forest around the golf course will be open to riders of bicycles with what are called “fat tires.”
They will be able to finesse the trail network henceforth, just like skiers, snowshoers and hikers do now.
The new on- and off-the-road bikes, with knobby, over-sized and under-inflated tires, can also be used on the nordic trails built on the golf courses cart paths too in the winter.
A few of the new bikes were on display at last year's Brewski event at the golf course.
John's request to the board last week involved the purchase of a pull-behind groomer that is specifically designed for fat tire bike grooming.
Late in the meeting the board voted unanimously to buy a new fat bike groomer in the amount of about $2,500 with funds that have been donated to the town by skiers there in recent years.
The first place it will be used to groom will be on the cart paths of the golf course where many of the nordic trails are located.
“Today the skiing was great. We have rain coming Saturday and maybe ice. Monday we could be back on our ski trails with fat tire bikes and not hurt a thing,” Mr. Gillis said at the Thursday meeting.
“We're trying to give more recreational opportunities to people,” he told the board members, who were eager to hear it.
“We're the trifecta” of trail systems in the North Country. “We're free, we're groomed and we're dog friendly. No one does that anywhere around!”
He said the local trail system attracts people from all over the Northeast and Canada. “Go up their any weekend and you'll see out of state plates in the parking lot.”
“Last winter I ran into a couple from Rochester who come to Tupper each winter and stay for a week to ski our trails. It's a cheap vacation for them!”
“All they pay for is their meals and lodging and the recreation is free!”
Councilman Mike Dechene, who serves on the town board's golf course committee, said he has received many compliments about the trail system in recent years. “And that was before this new trail. Skiers have told me the system is fabulous and the scenery is beautiful.
He said he thinks the fat tire bikes will be most welcome there.