Softserve: The key to climbing in the snow on a fatbike

When first starting fatbiking, it's common to pedal too hard, as many people are used to mountain biking where hard pedaling is often required. However, hard pedaling can be a big mistake when riding a fatbike on snow, as it can cause the tires to lose traction and spin out.

When I first started fatbiking, I was guilty of this mistake. I was used to applying a lot of force to the pedals, but soon realized that this was causing the tires to lose traction and I was unable to maintain control.

After learning about soft pedaling, I was able to adjust my riding style and start riding more effectively on the fatbike in snow. By maintaining a smooth and steady pedal stroke, I was able to conserve energy, reduce fatigue, and maintain control on the snow.

There have been rides where I am in my granny gear, and pedaling at 60RPM - sometimes less.  Barely enough to stay upright.

Soft pedaling is the key to not breaking traction on a fatbike in snow because it allows for a more controlled application of power to the pedals. When riding on snow, it's important to avoid abrupt movements that can cause the tires to spin out and lose traction. Soft pedaling helps to distribute the power evenly, giving the tires time to grip and maintain traction.

By maintaining a steady and smooth pedal stroke, you can avoid putting too much weight on the rear tire and causing it to break traction. Soft pedaling also helps to conserve energy, as you can keep a consistent pace without having to push too hard on the pedals.

Additionally, soft pedaling helps to prevent fatigue, as you can keep your heart rate low and reduce the stress on your legs. This is especially important during longer rides on snow, as the effort required to maintain traction can be tiring.