Winter Rides in Fairbanks
Just because it's winter is no reason to stop riding! Winter fatbike tours are a great way to meet people, get some exercise, and learn about the winter trails around Fairbanks. Below are the regular fatbike tours we hold, as well as some other ones we know about. If you know of any more, please contact Eric Troyer: fbx.cycle.club (at) gmail.com. If you are new to winter cycling, check out our page on winter cycling.
Gear Needed: To ride in the winter, besides the bike, you also really should have food, water, lights, and some spare clothing. Additionally, the well-equipped winter rider has pogies (big handlebar mounted over-mitt things), warm footwear, basic tools, pump, tube...that sort of thing. Find out more on our Winter Riding Tips page.
Rent a Fatbike: Don't have a fatbike? We know of a few places in town that rent them: Goldstream Sports, Beaver Sports, CanoeAlaska, Bankstown Bike and Ski, and UAF Green Bikes. Goldstream and Beaver also do occasional demo rides.
Fairbanks Cycle Club Rides
Note: Rides are weather- and ride-leader dependent. Check ahead if you want to make sure they are happening as scheduled. All riders on FCC rides must be members of the Fairbanks Cycle Club (temporary memberships are available) and must wear a helmet. All participants must sign a liability waiver form at least once a year. Download the form and see more information on our Insurance page.
Semi-regular rides mostly held on Sundays, but occasional rides are held on Saturdays. Some are for beginners, others are for more advanced riders. We'll let you know ahead of time. Check out the schedule on our SOS page.
Fatbike rides held most Monday nights during the winter when we have sufficient snowfall. These are intermediate-level rides, but we try to keep the pace brisk to stay warm. Find out more on our Fat Tire Monday Nights page.
Hour-long rides on Sundays and Wednesdays. Find out more on the ride page.
Other Rides in the Fairbanks Area
BEAVER SPORTS THURSDAY NIGHT RIDE
DESCRIPTION: Beaver Sports offers an intermediate-level ride starting at the shop on Thursday evenings. They head out onto the ADMA/Creamer’s Field trails. They have some demo fatbikes that can be reserved.
START TIME AND PLACE: Thursdays at Beaver Sports; typical schedule is meet at 5:15, ride at 5:30, but call ahead to make sure.
DURATION: They try to make it back by 7 p.m. before the store closes.
CONTACT INFO: Website
MORE INFO: Check the Beaver Sports Facebook page (including the event page) for ride updates.
GOLDSTREAM SPORTS RIDES (Tuesdays and Saturdays)
DESCRIPTION: These are generally harder rides. Riders on this one need at least advanced intermediate winter biking skills and you need to be fit. Make sure to bring bike lights, water and snacks. No temperature cut off.
START TIME AND PLACE: From Goldstream Sports; Tuesdays at 6pm or 7 p.m.; Saturdays at 8 a.m.
--The Tuesday ride has two start times. The earlier ride is more moderate (road ride pace average 16-18mph). The later one is full-on hardcore (road ride pace average 18-20). If you're not sure, check out the earlier one first. Saturday rides are full-on hardcore.
DURATION: Usually about 1.5-2 hours and go 12 to 15 miles.
CONTACT INFO: Website
BANKSTOWN BIKE AND SKI SHOP RIDES
DESCRIPTION: Low-key group social rides from Bankstown that usually head to one or more local businesses, usually a brewery, distillery, eatery, or other drink/eatery in close proximity to trails / paths.
FREQUENCY: Fridays, weekly, weather permitting.
START TIME AND PLACE: Fridays at 6pm at Bankstown, 360 Old Chena Pump Rd, Suite C
DURATION: 2-4 hrs, individuals can plan their ride / social threshhold to their level and break away at any time.
CONTACT INFO: 907-947-2453, 10 am - 6 pm, Mon-Fri, 10 am - 2 pm Sat.; bankstownbs@gmail.com; website.
PEDALS, PINTS, AND POLES
DESCRIPTION: Low-key group social rides/skis on the Chena River from Latitude 65 Brewing Company. Cohosted by Bankstown Bike and Ski. Lights are encouraged. Joring -- dogs attached to a bike or human -- allowed. Studded tires recommended for bikers.
FREQUENCY: Every other Tuesday, weather permitting.
START TIME AND PLACE: Tuesdays at 6pm at Lat 65, 150 Eagle Avenue (Bankstown will be there at 5 with bike and ski rentals, first come first served. Bankstown techs can also assist you with getting your wheel lights setup if you arrive early.)
DURATION: Easy out and back, choose your own adventure and turn around whenever you want to be done.
CONTACT INFO: Bankstown: (907) 947-2453, bankstownbs@gmail.com; website. Lat 65: (907) 328-7748; website.
ROVE CO
DESCRIPTION: Low-key, no-drop fatbike rides on area trails. These are alternated every other week with cross-country ski outings. (As of November 2025, these were on hold due to lack of ride leaders. We hope they will resume soon.)
START TIME AND PLACE: Meetups are usually start at 6pm on Wednesdays. Place is often decided a day or two before the event.
DURATION: Usually about 2 hours.
CONTACT/MORE INFO: Website; Facebook page
UAF GREEN BIKES
UAF Green Bikes sometimes offers periodic winter rides around campus. Check their Facebook page for announcements. (They started offering weekly fatbike rides on Tuesday nights in February 2025 with free rentals, preference given to students and UAF affiliates.)
DEMO RIDES
Beaver Sports and Goldstream Sports also offer occasional fatbike demo rides. Watch their Facebook pages or the FCC Facebook page.
On Your Own Adventures
The Fairbanks area has a ton of places to go winter biking. Check out our page of Suggested Fatbike Rides in the Fairbanks Area. Knowing what the temperature and wind is doing is important for winter recreation. Here are several good sources of information.
Also check out this page: Winter Group Ride Starting Points in the Fairbanks/North Pole Area
Multi-day Rides
Want to combine fatbiking and winter camping? We recommend doing a cabin trip. A couple of great recreation areas are near Fairbanks. Check this page for more info.
FCC Ride Leader Guidelines and Tools
[All photos on this page are courtesy of Heath Sandall, who is both a fantastic rider and phenomenal photographer.]
