Why Ride Fat? 'Cuz Seasons Change

Fish Camp, CA / Sierra National Forest

It was the first snowfall of the season up by Fish Camp on the southside of Yosemite. I racked the fat bike because the weather forecast told me to do so. From an entry point to the national forest by Tenaya Lodge, I set out on a chilly/brisk mid-morning forest road ride, planning to simply go as far as I wanted for a few hours.

Past the stables, the patchy snow-ice-wet-muddy road turned more snowy. When I got to the little cut in to ride back to the waterfall, I was in winter single track bliss.

I stopped to readjust my clothes at the cabin.

At the waterfall, I took some time to hang out.

A beer chilled.

This is one of the best “new” beers (to me) that I’ve had in a long time.

I then climbed and climbed and climbed some more, a gradual incline up through a burn zone and then eventually I descended down to Big Sandy Campground. The snow was deeper.

My time piece said I had more time, so I continued further out the road, stopping short of Little Sandy, taking in the sound of water running over rocks while I ate. Then I got back on my bike and rode all the way back to where I started.

411: Sierra National Forest at Fish Camp has a network of forest roads for “getting lost.” In tiny Fish Camp town, the general store has deli sandwiches. There’s beer there, too. If you want to have a burger, fries, and other food/drink options, the Tenaya Lodge can take care of that for you. Primitive camping is possible in the forest. Check the forest service website for updates on wildfires and any camping restrictions.