The Fast Viking

Wow! That was FAST. 

Race Briefing and Mandatory Kit Check

Welcome to the Fat Viking 2023

Did we mention this race has been fast? So much so, we believe the 2023 edition should be known as the Fast Viking.

Conditions under tyre were prime for good progress on the white stuff today with everyone finishing before 11pm, only sixteen hours after the flag dropped, well ahead of the cut-off at 3pm tomorrow. The hardpacked and windblown snow on the course this year made for some very fast riding as resistance under the tyre is less. Unpacked snow can be ruinous to a fat biker's average speed!

![PXL 20230128 100858281](//videos.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/73cNGbd2VcV3tJdr1jRdky/b9d4dc137ef7f38aa9e90dc0d1f0157c/PXL_20230128_100858281.mp4)

*Check out the hard packed snow and ice under tyre in Nina Gässler's video from during the event.*

Race Director, Nina Gässler and fellow competitor Emily Benham Kvåle battled it out across the white landscapes of Geilo for Nina to finish a mere 9 minutes ahead of Emily after nine and a half hours of racing, in fourth and sixth overall, respectively.

![PXL 20230128 100215183](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2nsN57503raWkZ2BJRxVNd/6ee72a814e1776bf1cc3f698d58b6e9d/PXL_20230128_100215183.jpg)

One name many British dotwatchers will recognise is Naomi Freireich, and will be pleased to see she made home and dry after 14 hours and 45 minutes of riding, taking third woman in her first winter event. This just goes to show, all those kilometres on the turbo are excellent training for snow-riding!

Many of us in the Northern Hemisphere who were treated to some rare snow-riding during the recent cold snaps will know just how much fun riding on snow can be, but also how attritional it is. We take our helmets off to all those riders who managed themselves in the cold conditions for a whole day of riding.

The Fat Viking does things a little differently, and for those who cannot make it to the race in Norway, it encourages those all over the world to take on their own fat bike ride on the weekend of the event, known as the Global Fat Viking. On the Facebook group, we see riders from all over North America and Europe taking on their own fat bike rides. We love to see it!

*All photos from Nina Gässler*

Fat Viking Global - the Fat Viking anywhere, as long as it’s on a fat bike. 

![227165B3-178E-4858-9A8A-76C8AFD421DF](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2X57XPGJTG81jyJGxkMgbA/f867cddb2c7d393473ea6b95763a49fc/227165B3-178E-4858-9A8A-76C8AFD421DF.jpeg)

I must confess, it was only when I started DotWatching that I heard of such exciting things as the Fat Viking. With such niche conditions required to race a Fat Bike the events are like gold dust, hard to come by and even more valuable because of the conditions. Magical sights, exciting conditions and new wildlife all on a different kind of bike!

![9C91BA39-DECD-4D87-A839-6D441164DBEE](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/74S2qjZYaPYFueh62ZbcsX/633568bf61a430f846b2bdc6f4b17c0c/9C91BA39-DECD-4D87-A839-6D441164DBEE.jpeg)

This year there has been an EXPLOSION of riders trying to get a piece of that magic with the Fat Viking Global. Ride any of the three FV distances on a fat bike and post on the race socials to prove you’ve completed the event. 

![80F4584E-7DB2-4AE7-90CC-75E112082C29](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7ccKv8Kqgfv3rRb8GkTtdg/5de00b5654c1f8d3921ba67c86802c77/80F4584E-7DB2-4AE7-90CC-75E112082C29.jpeg)

We’ve seen riders in Calgary, Saskatchewan, Kokkola, Thunder Bay! With such a global presence, particularly in the snowy northern parts of the USA and Canada, maybe we’ll see an uptake in these one of a kind events. 


Fat Viking Global, what a stir! 

# And the Top 10 Are In  

 With the conditions as expected this race wasn’t just fast, it was F. A. S. T. Fast. 

 ![4F201050-AEC2-41A1-BE82-963F9B06D8A8](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7GhyTCwnnZRqPzd5p0c1Nd/c27b0ef70a85916099c193dc5e29ea01/4F201050-AEC2-41A1-BE82-963F9B06D8A8.jpeg)

We had a race for the “unofficial Open Dutch Fat Biking championship” with Renger Jellema leading Tobias Bos. Both were going at quite a lick, with Tobias making a last minute surgeabd may take the crown! Keep an eye out as they go toe to toe for the finish line. Although, by the time I upload this post Renger may have made it in!!

![545DE5DE-2AC6-4368-9753-2F9E71D9C63B](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3BI0VF3vaHTsnb0B3hxhXm/dbbea1dc65eaa8ecbaea8177848d0964/545DE5DE-2AC6-4368-9753-2F9E71D9C63B.jpeg)

In the front it was undeniably close throughout but Tor-Epsen Jolma seems to have made the decisive moves and outpaced Justinas Leveika by around 30 minutes even though they both reached CP2 at Digali at the same time (1135 this morning). 

![4C570916-9F53-414A-9E58-2B96CC0B1D37](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/57xEtZnC816F76SAErFAW5/41376c0626e20f76923e0a7c6cfb4aa5/4C570916-9F53-414A-9E58-2B96CC0B1D37.jpeg)

Stian Ulberg pulled into the finish just after the front two after reaching the checkpoint significantly after them. Next is the Race Director and fat-biking legend Nina Gässler. Nina pulled into the finish moments after Stian with a cumulative time of just over 9h 30m. We’ve also been lucky to receive some POV images from Nina to add some context to the course. 

With so many experienced ultra distance racers and fat bikers out on the course, the perfect conditions and high end field led to a pretty impressive race. With all racers expected and on track to finish before 12 it may be a one day wonder. 

![C89FCCCC-CDF1-407C-B8C6-8612E673DA27](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4JpwIbYFhEvxQgFzUK1Gn2/a198e9deea938ca26cb65b05a2f9fb51/C89FCCCC-CDF1-407C-B8C6-8612E673DA27.jpeg)

In the 150km race we’ve had 2 DNFs, Steven Nijweide and Roger Nodeland. Finishing just after leg 1 and leg 2 respectively. 

![C9EC8F0D-2732-4421-B04B-F5A9334006D8](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4zeGM9oOYH5gX8JYS4Lm3o/d66b182b032489a41ad20fdb06679a58/C9EC8F0D-2732-4421-B04B-F5A9334006D8.jpeg)

Still out on the trail we’ve got 21 riders pushing through into the night. With so many hoping to finish before a full day has passed we’ll be able to add some more stories in the morning! With high winds, it could see riders having a little more to contend with than just the snow. if all riders were in before midnight this would be a Fat Viking First, finishing the same day that they started. Unless conditions deteriorate this could be an interesting watch.

![9B36D877-9082-429D-80BB-43301B93AE76](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3j3myXlo622kYRyj4NWdfB/7e98274b02e177def4e53cd34ddc5c82/9B36D877-9082-429D-80BB-43301B93AE76.jpeg)

__Note - please click GPS Sporing for tracking__

thanks to Steven, Antii, Brendan, Jiska and Jono for the updates.


Photos by Jiska Verhoeven.

# Mandatory Briefing

This afternoon at 5pm, 33 riders met at the Vestlia Resort for briefing, GPS collection and kit check.

![20230127 171954](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4gzVCrtiWHoTY11APIUXTm/2c7b6681f3bd536469af7ddbd397a38a/20230127_171954.jpg)

Many races have a mandatory briefing, but this one has a twist. Every competitor has a mandatory kit check consisting of certain key items which competitors cannot start without:

- Windproof insulated jacket 
- Windproof insulated trousers
- Extreme weather/expedition mittens
- Thermos
- Emergency food of at least 1000kcal
- Eye protection
- Face protection
- Chemical handwarmers (at least 3)

This may seem extreme to many however, with wind chill being the biggest obstacle on many parts of this course exposed skin can succumb to frostbite and skin damage in a matter of minutes. Protecting the face and hands is imperative.

Eye protection is important to combat the wind but also to prevent snow blindness. The snow reflects and further intensifies the bright sun and can cause issues for the riders.

![f5f7aa68-8e85-4308-b5a4-53032b835569](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6cdEsAWGi5PEyzTEsOmRFH/24c81e51fc64ff843ec329b0d2fa0e38/f5f7aa68-8e85-4308-b5a4-53032b835569.jpg)

*photo by Jono*

The riders are briefed on the routes, any changes last minute and where the checkpoints will be. With manned checkpoints being compulsory, for at least 5 minutes, the riders will need to know exactly where they are. Even though the minimum is 5 minutes, many riders will choose to stop for longer to warm up, take on some calories and dry off. These will be key tactical moments during the race as frontrunners will have to make the decision between stopping for longer and pressing on.

# Weather Report from Steven

We're looking at decent weather with mild temperatures however, the competitors really need to look out for strong winds in the first leg. With winds up to 14m/s it could be enough to slow progress. In recent days the tracks have frozen over nicely so the under-tyre conditions will be speedy.

In the final hours of the FV150 the riders will need to watch out for snowfall with a predicted 15cm of snow starting early in the night.

Stay tuned as we keep you updated throughout the race.

__Photo by race organiser Nina Gässler__

# The [Fat Viking](https://www.fat-viking.com/en), a winter fat-biking race that is perfect for experienced riders and newcomers alike.

Unlike many other fat-biking snow races, the Fat Viking is aimed at a multitude of riders. Offering a training camp the week prior, bike rentals and supported checkpoints, Nina Gässler offers an entry into the mysterious world of nordic endurance racing.

The three distances are the FV50 (km), FV100 and the FV150, with a cut-off of 32h, 21h, and 11h respectively. With relatively lenient cut-offs, those looking to just have a taste of the snow can tackle the 50km. But don't let that fool you -  riding in snow is a different beast. 50km may seem brisk for an ultra-cycling race but as far as snow riding goes, this is a definite challenge. 

A race aimed to bring the Alaskan racing to Norway, the Fat Viking 150 is an official qualifier for the Iditarod Trail Invitational. However, to qualify for the 350 mile or 1000 mile race other experience may be required. This does make the FV the perfect kit test and last challenge prior to the ITI for any of the European competitors, hence why it attracts experienced and newcomers alike!

# The Routes

The route follows snowmobile routes and cross-country ski tracks through the Norwegian snow. With two official checkpoints for the longer two races and potential to buy food and drink along the way, racers won't find themselves in the uninhabited wilderness for too much of the race.

The official route is released just prior to the race. 

# The Global Fat Viking

A recent addition to the Fat Viking is the [Global FV](https://www.fat-viking.com/en/gfv). This allows riders to do a virtual race wherever they are on their fat bikes. With many places covered in snow at this time of year, it is a tempting prospect for many plus-sized tyre enthusiasts out there. There's no entry fee, you just have to provide proof of riding a bike with 3.8in+ tyres over any of the three FV distances.


Tracking and commentary for the 2023 Fat Viking snow race in Geilo, Norway: With three distances on offer, this fat-biking snow race gives riders the chance to tackle the elements. Suitable for experienced cold weather cyclists, this adventure is the best way to kick off the season.

Fat Viking 2023 Tracking

With three distances on offer, this fat-biking snow race gives riders the chance to tackle the elements. Suitable for experienced cold weather cyclists, this adventure is the best way to kick off the season.

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