Fort Worth Mountain Bikers to Host Fat Tire Festival

By Nicholas Olivier, communications intern

The Fort Worth Mountain Bikers Association is a small, but passionate group of off-road cyclists dedicated to bringing the biking community together by building trails, hosting events and providing educational programs. FWMBA, pronounced “fwumbah,” was recognized as a 501c3 nonprofit organization in August 2006 and has grown to about 100 members. The organization has agreements with the City of Fort Worth to build and maintain trails at Marion Sansom Park and Gateway Park. The group’s members have donated over 6,500 man hours of volunteer work towards the trails.

Among the events hosted by FWMBA is the series of Tuesday Night Time Trials. The set of eight races began in March and ended June 21st, alternating between Sansom and Gateway parks. I own a mountain bike and used to ride beginner’s trails as a teen, so naturally I entered the final race of the series. I showed up at Sansom Park and quickly realized that I might be unprepared. Most other participants wore Camelbacks (water packs) and had shoes that click into the pedals on their high-end mountain bikes. I came equipped with a water bottle and tennis shoes. I started out strong enough before losing track of the trail and having to backtrack for about 20 minutes. Afterwards, I was huffing and puffing my way to the finish line, coming in tied for last place alongside the one other newcomer to the series. I finished one lap (approximately 5.5 miles) in 90 minutes. That week’s winner finished two laps in 42 minutes. The good news is that Streams and Valleys has agreed to help fund signage for the Sansom Park trail so that other newcomers won’t have the same problem during next year’s series.

This Sunday, FWMBA will host its inaugural (and hopefully annual) Fort Worth Fat Tire Festival, July 10. Held in Gateway Park from 8am-2pm, the event features many different types of mountain bike events for riders of all ages and skill levels. The schedule includes a Kid’s Cup, an “on-and-off-the-bike” Adventure Challenge, and a Time Trial Finale. The “Fat Boy Crit” race allows riders over 200 lbs., called Clydesdales, to compete on a special oval course and is likened to “NASCAR on two wheels.” The event will also feature live music and wonderful Mexican food from Lanny Lancarte, owner of Lanny’s Alta Cocina. Lanny, an avid biker, will be providing burritos and iced coffee for breakfast and then tacos and tamales for lunch.

A $15 donation includes one meal ticket, an American Apparel t-shirt with FWMBA logo, a water bottle and a koozie. Proceeds go towards Phase II of the Gateway Park trail build, including over 200 feet of elevation and spectacular views of downtown. The organization estimates that the 5.5 mile extension will require 1000 volunteer hours per mile. To learn more about the Fort Worth Mountain Bikers Association and its events, click HERE. To subscribe to the official FWMBA podcast, The Mountain Bike Whisperer Radio Show, search for it on iTunes or click HERE.

Click HERE to view photos of the final Tuesday Night Time Trial and podcast recording.

Click HERE to view videos of the bikers in action.

Have you explored the trails in Gateway Park and Marion Sansom Park? Did you know Fort Worth had such a thriving mountain bike community? Do you plan on attending this weekends Fat Tire Festival?