Racers leave the starting line during the Penn Cycle Puoli Fat Tire Loppet in Minnesota. Local cyclists are trying to bring a similar event to Norwich this February. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH – A group of cyclists have set their sights on organizing a winter fat bike race, dubbed Fatnango Fat Bike Extravaganza, to take place in Norwich on February 16.

Jason Miller presented the idea to the City of Norwich joint committees on Tuesday, December 4, before committee members unanimously passed a motion to consider approving the event at December 18's common council meeting.

"We're trying to host a community supported, family-friendly cycling event," Miller told the joint committees last Tuesday. "We're trying to expose our parks, as well as our Greenway [Trails], and promote some of our outdoor activities regarding fitness, adventure, and some of the businesses in town. The ultimate aspiration is to become an annual event, such as the Turkey Troy or Allegro Run."

A fat bike, Miller explained, is essentially a mountain bike with 3.5 to 5 inch tires, ridden primarily in the snow, slush, or mud. Miller, along with Rob Baker of the Galena Growlers Mountain Bike team, Dan Sepello and Sara Behrmann of Action Cyclery LLC, and Kevin Cruz of the Greenway Trails committee, have formed a race committee to bring the Fatnango Fat Bike Extravaganza to fruition this February.

"The city and city council and youth bureau and the parks committee have all asked a bunch of great questions and have been very supportive of us getting this organized and off the ground in such a quick fashion," said Miller. "It's one of the awesome things about living in a small community, that we can come together quickly and make something happen for each other and for the community."