The Highlands Fat Bike Series is what happens when you mix snow, singletrack, and a cycling-obsessed community that refuses to let winter be an “off-season.” It’s part race, part reunion, and part excuse to play outside when the thermometer says otherwise. Riders show up with four- to five-inch tires aired down, soft, pogies wind blockers on their handlebars, and the kind of optimism you only see with Type 2 adventure enthusiasts.
Locally produced by Sarah Myers of the Deep Creek Adventure Bureau (@DCABfun) and Zach Adams of Trail Labs, the series ties together the West Virginia and Maryland geography known as the Allegheny Highlands or Allegheny Mountains.
“Most of my summer is spent building trails, so winter is when I finally get to slow down and ride them myself. Fat biking gives me the chance to reconnect with cycling and enjoy the trails,” said Adams.
Fat biking uses extra-wide tires at low pressure on a mountain bike frame to float over snow. Think of it as the snowshoe of bicycles: more traction, more stability, more ways to keep moving when the snow depth would stop a typical bike. While your summer XC course aims for consistency, a winter course in the mountains changes by the hour. Sun, shade, wind, overnight temps, and other riders turn the same race course into different trails lap to lap.
The result? A course that rewards strength and patience. Riders who stay light on the bars and keep momentum do well. Those who over-brake on the ice or plow straight through soft “sugar” learn quickly why tire pressure and body position matter as much as leg strength.
The five-race series held last winter delivered packed, frozen trails, a soft snow base, and the ultimate fun finale at party-central White Grass Ski Touring Center.
This year, there are four races across two states in the series. The first event will be held at the Lions Club Park in McHenry. The second race will be in Davis. WV and the third will be back in Maryland at Herrington Manor State Park. The final race and season party will be hosted by the
Blackwater Bicycle Association at the White Grass Ski Touring Center.
Ed Stanley, a new fat bike rider from Cumberland, embraced fat biking at the McHenry race. “I enjoyed the fat tire bike experience. I have never done anything like that before. I have ridden gravel bikes and on the GAP Trail extensively. I will definitely be riding a fat tire bike again,” Ed shared.
There’s a particular electricity at a winter cycling start line. Helmet liners pulled low. Buffs up. Goggles down. Someone’s doing arm swings to stay warm. Someone else is testing tire pressure one last time. One favorite memory is the rolling start at the Lions Club race in McHenry, where the pack of about 50 riders spun through the slushy start in legitimate blizzard conditions of an active snow and 30mph winds. It’s truly something special.
From the start, riders spread out. Some discover confidence early, others recalibrate after that first slippery washout. The race rewards quick learners. By the second lap, the cautious are riding smoother, and the bold are realizing where caution pays off. By the third lap, those interested in placing in the top few are jockeying for position, while the adventurers are focused on digging deep to just get it done.
Shoutout to everyone who makes the Highlands Fat Bike Series more than just a race. At the aid stations, it’s bacon, hot drinks, and encouragement that keep riders moving. At the finish, it’s shivers turning into smiles over shared pizza that make the cold worth it. It’s the energy and camaraderie that
brings riders back year after year.
These races don’t happen without local support. The local shops keep bikes rolling, volunteers stoke the fires, land managers open access, and sponsors cover the details like timing services, fencing, promotions, and banners. Add in fans ringing cowbells, spectator dogs in sweaters, and a post-race scene that feels like a winter tailgate, and you can see what this series is really about. It’s racing at the core, but it’s also community, celebration, and insight into the best of what the Allegheny Highlands has to offer.
The Highlands Fat Bike Series is the official winter race circuit in Western Maryland, but riders are out all season long. At Herrington Manor State Park, fat bike rentals make it easy for anyone to try, and group rides pop up whenever the conditions line up. Night riding is part of the fun, too, since it gets dark so early, riders regularly roll under the stars. Experienced veterans coach newcomers, and women’s participation continues to grow thanks to beginner-friendly outings and a welcoming, supportive atmosphere.
Thanks to everyone who came out and made the Highlands Fat Bike Series such a blast. Whether you raced for the podium, finished with a smile, or just came to cheer, you’re part of what makes this community so special.
Follow Deep Creek Adventure Bureau on Facebook or Instagram to stay connected and see what’s coming next. Starting with snowy singletrack and adding spring trail rides and year-round Thursday Womens+Casual Mountain Bike Rides, we’re building opportunities to ride, explore, and celebrate the region’s incredible outdoor assets.
“Give fat biking or mountain biking a try; it just might become your new favorite hobby,” said organizer Sarah Myers. “I have so much respect for those who are willing to get out of their comfort zone and try something new. That first ride is about rediscovering strength, experiencing joy, and becoming part of a community.
Let’s Ride!”
Written by Sarah Myers / Zach Adams.