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North Point: Fat biking in the Yukon

There are obvious benefits to riding a bike—transportation, exercise, recreation, adventure, endorphins. Less tangible, yet no less important, is the community that builds around cycling. Cycling attracts all types, and that shared passion can serve as the glue that maintains connection. That’s certainly the case in Whitehorse, Canada, where the long, dark winters can test residents in different ways.

The capital of Yukon, one of Canada’s three northern territories, Whitehorse sits at the base of several surrounding mountains along the wide valley of the Yukon River, which lies within the shared Traditional Territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta'an Kwäch'än Council.

Founded in 1998, Icycle Sports Bike Shop serves as a community hub and meeting place where cyclists gather before and after rides. During the winters, where the northern latitude can mean almost 20 hours of darkness per day, a community of fat bike enthusiasts is committed to staying active. When the trails are groomed, text messages are sent, headlamps are taken off the charger, and together, pedals are turned. Among those bikes being ridden, Giant’s Yukon E+ is built & designed for riders who see winter as a season to embrace, not an excuse to hibernate.

Fat bikers laugh after a winter group ride.

Jonah and his gang of rockstars at Icycle Sports Bike Shop.

Snow y cabin surrounded by mountains.
Situated along the wide valley of the Yukon River, Whitehorse is surrounded by Grey Mountain to the east, Mount Sumanik to the northwest, and Golden Horn Mountain to the south among others.
Trail work being down to a snowy bike trail.
As one of the volunteers from the CMBC, this guy keep miles of fat bike trails groomed throughout the winter on his DIY groomer the “Rory dog”.
Mechanic working on fat bike in shop.
The Yukon E+ comes with 4.5-inch wide tires and studs so you can choose how much traction is needed.
Electric fat bike sitting in the snow-covered woods.
The Yukon E+ is optimized for winter riding, with large, winter glove-friendly buttons on the RideControl Ergo controller, studdable 4.5-inch tires, swaged chainstays for winter boot heel clearance, and foam brake lever covers.
Fat bikes on car rack.
The Yukon E+ was designed for riders who see winter as a season to embrace, not an excuse to hibernate.
Headlight on a mountain bike in the snow.
With only about 6 hours of sunlight each day in the winter months, most fat bike rides require lights such as options found in Giant’s Recon E light series.
Fat bikers riding snowy terrain.
Fat biking offers a community for cyclists determined to get outside during the long, dark winters.
Fat biker riding his fat bike in the woods.
Ride farther, ride faster—there's no off-season with the Yukon E+.
Fat bikers riding snowy along frozen terrain.
The Whitehorse area has over 80km of groomed winter trails, all located on the Traditional Territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta'an Kwäch'än Council.
Moon over snowy winter land.
We encourage everyone to be respectful on these lands and to practice gratitude and sustainability in all areas of the Yukon.

To learn more about The Indigenous Peoples who came before us, and respectful travel in the Yukon please visit indigenousyukon.ca.