December 7, 2024 - Dating back to 2012, Global Fat Bike Day is celebrated around the world on Dec. 7. Across Canada and the USA including the UK, Finland, Malaysia and more, the fat-tire crowd is still going strong as their two-wheel love affair with winter continues.

Versions of fat-tire bikes can be found dating back to the early 1900s, but in the 1980s frame builders in Alaska began experimenting, no doubt inspired by the renowned 1,600 km Iditarod Trail. By the late 1990s Alaskan innovators, like avid bicycle builder and designer Mike Gronewald, were creating history as he coined the now household moniker, “fat bike”.

The fat-tire craze continued to grow and in 2005 the first production units began rolling off the line in Minnesota with Surly Bike’s Pugsley. Soon after, every major brand was offering fat bikes and riders fell in love with the opportunity to keep their wheels spinning all winter long.

Beyond Global Fat Bike Day there are countless events across Canada and the US, in virtually every province and state where you can find a start line, or just get outside to strut your stuff – four-legged friends are welcome, as well as electric fat bikes that are also gaining in popularity.

Check out this fabulous winter fat-biking video by Travel Yukon that captures the wonder of winter on two wheels and then some.