Fat Bike: Loppet, Puoli, Tour

City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival

Fat Bike: Loppet, Puoli, Tour

Name: Marathon, Pouli, Tour Fat Bike
Start: 2026-02-01T12:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-02-01T15:00:00+00:00

Fat Bike Loppet (26.5K): Sunday, February 2: 12:00pm

The Fat Bike Loppet is typically a point-to-point race (usually around 30K depending on trail conditions), providing a unique chance to ride your fat bike on the groomed ski trails (where fat-tire bikes are not normally allowed), mostly following the exact same course as the Loppet skiers – but this year (2025) due to lack of natural snow the races will all be on the snowmaking loop at Wirth Park.

Fat Bike Puoli Loppet (18K): Sunday, February 2: 12:05pm

This 20K is typically a point-to-point fat bike race is a truly unique experience that takes racers over the parkways and through the woods to a grand finish in front of The Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park. But this year (2025) due to lack of natural snow the races will all be on the snowmaking loop at Wirth Park.

Bikers of all ages and abilities will be challenged and thrilled by this beautiful urban course. Go for your best time, or simply enjoy this unique bike experience that features an incredible mix of urban biking and wooded natural trails.

Fat Bike Tour (9K): Sunday, February 2: 12:10pm

Enjoy the beautiful urban wilderness of Theodore Wirth Park in this recreational event, perfect for fat bikers of all ages and abilities. The Fat Bike Tour is approximately 10K, making it a great introductory distance for novices and an enjoyable outing for veterans with a grand finish at The Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park. The Tour course will skip North Finger & La Squadra for a 4.5km loop.

A Word on Bikes: What Can I Ride?

To preserve the trails, participants must use only fat bikes defined as bikes with 3.8” tires or more and less than 10 psi tire pressure.
Tandem fat bikes are allowed and welcome, but are not eligible for awards. Loppet and Puoli tandem riders must each register and contact registration@loppet.org to ensure the proper results are shown.
E-bikes are allowed but discouraged. E-bikes are not eligible for awards.

GALLERY

Register

Fat Bike Loppet

Registration Opening October 7

Register

Fat Bike Puoli Loppet

Registration Opening October 7

Register

Fat Bike Tour

Registration Opening October 7

Register

Fat Bike Tour Youth (16 and under)

Registration Opening October 7

Register

Proceeds from the Fat Bike Events benefit the Loppet Foundation. Learn more about the Foundation’s mission, vision, and values.

Registration and transaction fees are non-refundable, including in the event of delay, rescheduling, or cancellation of an event or program. An event or program registration is not transferable to another person or another event for any reason, including injury. Participating under another person’s name will result in disqualification.

A Note About the Data We Collect

Schedule & Packet Pickup

Schedule

Thurdsay, January 30: 4pm-8pm: Packet pick up at Utepils Brewing

Friday, January 31: 4pm-8pm: Packet pick up at The Trailhead

Saturday, February 1: 7:00am-2:00pm: The Trailhead, Packet Pick up

Sunday, February 2:

7:00am-12:00pm: The Trailhead, Packet Pick up
12:00pm: Start Fat Bike Loppet
12:05pm: Start Fat Bike Puoli
12:10pm: Start Fat Bike Tour
8:00am – 3:00pm: Bag Drop
10:00am – 3:00pm: Changing Area in Trailhead locker rooms (showers not available)
10:00am – 3:00pm: Utepils Beer Garden and Festival Village
10:00am – 3:00pm: Finisher food inside the Trailhead

Course & Map

Marathon – 5 laps; Puoli – 4 laps; Tour – 2 laps

Course Markings

The courses are marked with colored arrows on sandwich boards located at trail junctions. Course marshals may also be present at critical junctions to guide and cheer you on.

Aid Stations

The aid station will be located at Par 3 and will be stocked with water, electrolyte drink (Gatorade), and some energy gels.

Transportation & Bag Drop

Parking and Managing Your Bike

BIKERS TAKE NOTE: The shuttle buses can not accommodate bikes. But you still have numerous options:
- Park at the Mortenson Parking Lot and bike to the start as your warmup.
- Parking is limited in the neighborhood near the start but since you are on a bike, you can park a little further away and just ride in. Bike back to your car after the race as a cool down.
- You can figure out a dropoff and pickup with a friend (see info below).
- Figure out the Metro Transit buses to get you, and your bike (!), to the start and/or finish.

Dropoffs and Pickups

Pickup in Theodore Wirth Park: Dropoffs and pickups will be allowed at the Chalet (1301 Theodore Wirth Pkwy), approx 1/4-mile walk from the finish at the Trailhead. Please note that access to the Trailhead will be closed at Hwy 55. You will need to approach the Chalet via Plymouth Ave from the east or Golden Valley Rd from the north. The Trailhead is unavailable for pickups. Your fans are also welcome to park at Mortenson Parking Lot and you may walk (approx half mile) from the finish to their vehicle or take the Trailhead-Mortenson shuttle bus. We recommend that you consider putting dry walking shoes and socks in your race bag.

Road Closures

For your information on getting around race morning (and for your spectator race fans to know). Note the road sections and closure times below.

Theodore Wirth Pkwy from Hwy 55 to Plymouth Ave: Saturday (7am-2:30), Sunday (7am-12pm)

Bag Drop/Bag Claim/Changing Area

Bike Racks available outside the Trailhead
Indoor Changing Area at the Finish – Trailhead locker rooms. Showers not available.

Festival Village & Post-Race Party

Refreshments! All skiers (that are of age) get one free beer (or alternative soda) at the finish at the Trailhead! Please have ID available. Additional beer may be purchased on site by participants or spectators.

Chili! For years, the Loppet has served Captain Ken’s Chili at the finish line. It is our goal to do that again in 2024. Just what a tired skier needs to start the recovery process!

Sponsors! Our sponsors help make everything happen and better! Please visit and thank them for their support. We are sure you will have some fun with them, too!

Indoor Changing Area – Trailhead locker rooms. Showers not available.

Race Bibs: In an effort to reduce the waste generated by thousands of bibs, the Loppet will collect all bibs at the finish. We wash and reuse the bibs from year to year. Please return your bib after the race. Thank you for helping us reduce waste and move toward greener events!

FESTIVAL VILLAGE

Awards

Fat Bike Loppet Awards:

Awards for the top three three male, female and non-binary overall finishers.

1st Place: $300, Hand crafted award

2nd Place: $150, Hand crafted award

3rd Place: $75, Hand crafted award

Awards ceremonies will take place at the finish area podium as soon as results are posted.

Fat Bike Puoli Loppet Awards:

Hand- crafted awards to the first three male, female and non-binary finishers.

Awards ceremonies will take place at the finish area podium as soon as results are posted.

Double Loppet Challenge: Challenge yourself, and double your fun by participating in two winter festivals! Bike in any of the City of Lakes Loppet fat bike races and bike in the Vasaloppet Fat Vasa, and earn your Double Loppet Award. Since the Vasa is first on the calendar this year, Double Loppet fat bikers pick up their Double Loppet award at the City of Lakes Loppet. Get your medal at a table near the finish line.

Volunteer

The Loppet needs help in all capacities supporting the participants during the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival.

All Festival volunteers will receive an exclusive winter volunteer hat!

Please sign up to volunteer by clicking the button below. If you have any questions, please email volunteer@loppet.org.

Volunteer Signup

VOLUNEER

OUR SPONSORS

Official Beer sponsor

Tortor Quam Malesuada

Nibh Purus Sem

Ultricies Venenatis Commodo

Become a Corporate Partner

City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival

FAQ

Can I change my race distance or transfer my entry to a friend?

The deadline to make race distance changes is 4:00pm on the Friday a week before the race. After that, a registrant wishing to change to a shorter distance will need to register and pay the full fee for the new race distance.
You can change which event you registered for through RunSignUp. Click here for a video on how to switch your registration and instructions to help with troubleshooting. Event transfers can be made up until 11:59 p.m. on May 13.

What does my entry fee go towards?

Entry fees go towards the production of the event and The Loppet mission of connecting people to the outdoors through experiences that grow community!

When will the participant guide be published?

Typically we send it out to registered participants and post it on the event website about 1 week ahead of the event.

Are there any special group discounts?

Email events@loppet.org if you’re part of a run club to see if there’s a way for us to partner with each other.
As a way to recognize the Dakota land we run with and steward, all Indigenous people can participate in any Loppet event for free by emailing events@loppet.org and requesting a discount code

Are dogs allowed at this event?

While we love your furry friends please leave them at home for these large Loppet events.

Are strollers allowed?

The Juneteenth Fun Run is fully on pavement and is our stroller friendly course. All other event courses are not conducive to strollers (CityTrail Loppet, Utepils Trail Loppet, City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival, Luminary Loppet). Spectators are welcome to have strollers around the venue though.

Who do I contact about the race if I have a question?

The Loppet Foundation
1301 Theodore Wirth Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55422
events@loppet.org
612-604-5330
Registration: registration@loppet.org
Sponsorship: sponsorship@loppet.org

I have special accessibility requirements, who can I talk to about this?

Reach out to events@loppet.org and we can talk about how we can support you.

Do people ever take walking breaks during the race?

Yes! This is your race, take the breaks you need to feel good during your event. All Loppet races have course cut off times, check the participant guide for the course cut off time that you have to be finished by.

I’m a spectator, where should I watch or what do I need to know?

Check the Mtec app to see if there’s live tracking for the event.
Check the course and transportation sections of the website for details
Loud cheering, fun signs, cowbells, noise makers, music are all highly encouraged. Please keep cheers and signs positive and respectful.
Food & beverages are available for purchase at the finish line (best to bring your credit card!)