
1st Fat Bike Festival in Cannon Beach
1st Fat Bike Festival on the Oregon Coast, set for April 20-22.
The very first Fat Tire Bike Festival on the Oregon coast is set for April 20-22 in Cannon Beach, with iconic Haystack Rock as the backdrop.
Friday night kicks off with Fat Bike Festival skills competitions, obstacle course, and bonfire at Tolovana Beach, just steps from the Tolovana Inn. Family-friendly, participants and spectators will enjoy Fat Bike fun activities. S’mores and local craft brews will be served. Public Coast and Pelican Brewery will provide complimentary beverages. All are welcome to attend this event, at no charge.

On Saturday, morning, riders will meet for a 14-mile beach ride. The Fat Bike Festival ride will start at Ecola Creek, past Haystack Rock, to Arch Cape and back. Along the way, there will be several “poker stops” where riders will pick up a playing card and enjoy snacks. Fat Bikes will be available to demo as well.
Riders will also learn about the local ecology. Members of the Haystack Rock Awareness Program will share information and treat participants to Mo’s Famous Clam Chowder.
But, you don’t need a Fat Bike to participate.
“Fat Bikes with four-inch tires cruise along the sand and leave less of a trail than a footprint,” according to Danielle Crowder of Oregon Bikes & Events. “
Whatever bike people feel comfortable riding on the sand is fine.”
Saturday will wind down at Public Coast Brewing where riders will gather to see who won prizes, based on the poker hands they collected during the day. Prizes include stays at the Tolovana Inn and other items provided by area businesses.
On Sunday, in honor of Earth Day, participants will be joining forces with Surfrider Foundation for a Fat Bike Festival Beach Clean-Up. Certain plastics collected will be given to local artists to be made into jewelry. The creations are sold to help fund stewardship and environmental educational programs.
The Fat Bike Festival is fairly affordable family-fun. The cost to participate in the ride is only $12; $10 if you are a member of Oregon Bicycle Racing Association.