Our fat biking confidence was running full tilt when we arrived at Inland Woods and Trails in Bethel on a recent sunny Sunday. The four of us were fat biking beginners amped by the enthusiasm that comes with trying something fun and new. We filled out our rental forms, donned our helmets, and eagerly chatted through our masks (COVID times) as our bikes were rolled out of the Inland Woods and Trails rental center, which is tucked into the back of the Bethel Inn Resort.

Inland Woods and Trails manages multiple trail systems in Bethel, including the Bethel Community Forest and Bacon Hill. The trails at the Bethel Inn Resort are on what in warmer seasons is known as a “golf course.” It’s an excellent place to cross-country ski, which is my usual mode of travel there (usually followed by a swim in the inn’s outdoor heated pool, although that option isn’t available to day visitors this year).

But on this day, we were here for the wheels.

Like so many other novice riders, we were lured in by knobby tires and fantasies of tight turns on tree-packed winter trails. And I was pretty sure we were about to be awesome at this.

While the true source of my optimism is unclear, I suspect it has something to do with those plump tires (they’re the reason fat bikes are called fat bikes—the “fat” references the fat tires). Those charmingly pudgy wheels remind me of the cushy inflatable inner tubes we use for lazy river floats on slow summer days. I figured the bike ride would be nearly as gentle and easy-going. I fancied those fat tires would float on the snow as though they were inflated with high-powered helium, and my body weight would be the only thing preventing the bike from lifting off toward space.

It wasn’t exactly like that. Probably you saw that coming.

The bike, as it turns out, is not a hovercraft. But it still turned out to be a wonderful way to roll along the packed and wide multi-use trails, and the turns through the woods were even more thrilling.

There were some tip overs along the way and some impressive bailouts into the snow. We had to stop and catch our breaths on some of the longer inclines. My quads burned. Apparently all the Covid-time exercise didn’t prepare me for this.

Fat biking is more challenging than I gave it credit for—both to the legs and lungs—but we had a glorious time. I particularly loved the Winter Helix and Bingham Loop trails, which wove through the trees and gave us novices a welcoming taste of winter riding in the woods.

We rode with big grins, whooping loudly as we went, screaming “weeee” on the curving downhills.

 

The conditions were grand, too, both because of the snow and sunshine and also because Inland Woods and Trails does a fabulous job maintaining the trails here. Between the maps and trail markers, it’s easy to navigate the terrain (although we did unwittingly end up on a trail not meant for fat bikes. That was my fault).

After two hours of riding and smiling, we returned to the rental office and bid farewell to our bikes. And we departed the Bethel Inn as true fat bike fans, but not before sitting in the sun to enjoy a post-ride outdoor lunch. While we brought our own snacks, you can order food from the Millbrook Tavern, which is right on site, and enjoy your meal or beverage at a fire pit table or inside one of the “igloos.”

Not a bad way to spend the day.

Inland Woods and Trails

At Bethel Inn Resort, 21 Broad St, Bethel
Fat bike rentals and trails in one location. Rentals include a helmet and cost $40 for two hours, $50 for three hours, and $15 for every additional hur and $45 for three hours, plus a trail pass: $16/day, $13/after. Afterward, enjoy lunch at the adjacent Millbrook Tavern. FMI: woodsandtrails.org