what's up in the west
FRESH TRACKS FOR MAY BIKE EVENTS IN FRUITA Fruita Fat Tire Festival + Co2uT Desert Gravel to Share a Weekend Words by Lucie Hanes | Photo courtesy of Stephen Kurtenbach/Fruita Fat Tire Festival
T
he Fruita Fat Tire Festival is back this May
the mountain biking world knows Fruita and the
12-14, 2023 for its 26th year, but with a
Grand Valley’s trails.”
twist this time. Alongside bike demos within the
The cycling industry has come out in full
Bookcliffs Trail System and a product expo in
force to provide more and more support for
downtown Fruita, Desert Gravel is adding to the
the event each year. It now spans two different
excitement with the Co2uT race series. Racers
locations, with bike demos up on 18 Road, while
can choose between five distances (30, 50, 75,
vendors, live music and beer from SKA brewing
100 and 125 miles) that take riders on a tour
keep the party going through the night back in
of the rugged gravel roads northwest of Fruita.
downtown Fruita. Access to demos and group
Those who take on the 125-mile distance will
rides requires a pass, but the festivities in town
even cross over the Utah border before circling
are open to everyone. All proceeds from beer
back to home base … all in a day’s work.
sales go right back into funding the Western
Joining forces has allowed both events
Colorado trail systems.
to take their celebrations of all things bike
The Co2uT gravel series will take place on
culture to a new level. Steven Kurtenbach, event
Sunday, May 14, as the Fat Tire Festival begins
coordinator for the Fruita Fat Tire Festival, and
to wind down. Race director Morgan Murri
George Gatseos, owner of Over the Edge Sports
is aiming for a 50/50 split between male and
— the local bike shop from which the festival
female riders to help promote gender equality
was born — believe that this is the best iteration
in the gravel community on top of designated
of the festival yet.
categories for nonbinary riders and para-
“The life cycle of events is a real thing,”
athletes. He hopes that teaming up with the
Gatseos explains. “There have been some bigger
Fruita Fat Tire Festival will encourage racers
years and some smaller. Even something as
and their families to enjoy the area for all it has
seemingly simple as weather has almost killed
to offer — both on and off the bike.
the event in the past. We’ve rebooted it multiple
Whether you’re racing, riding or enjoying
times trying to find different versions that work
the sights, sounds and eats downtown, this bike-
best. Thanks to all the demos we have available
filled May weekend in Fruita is sure to show off
and the inclusion of Co2uT, this year’s has the
the best of desert life from all sides. :
most to offer.” The festival first started back in April of 1996. Since then, it has woven its roots with those of the town of Fruita itself. “There are reasons Fruita is a world-renowned mountain bike destination, and the Fat Tire Festival is a major piece of that puzzle,” believes Mike Bennet, city manager of Fruita. “From the very beginning, the FFTF has always been about an experience. This experience is part of the fabric of Fruita, why many call Fruita home and why
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