Red River Valley: We Don’t Let Snow Tell Us ‘No’

A little mud, ice and snow didn’t stop nearly 140 bikers from enjoying Fargo’s winter bike race.
 
For most people January normally isn’t a time you’d be taking out your bike. But people across the Red River Valley don’t let snow tell them no.
 
“Ice, mud, snow just a really cool race,” says biker Tristan Bukaske.
 
Racer Ridge Krisher was excited to be able to compete.
 
“New Years day I had a bad snowboarding class. I thought I wasn’t going to make the race,” says biker Ridge Krisher.
 
He was also excited for managing to only wipe out once.
 
“Last year I did kind of poor I crashed twice on the ice. So this year I waited till the last lap to crash,” says Krisher.
 
Others weren’t so lucky.
 
“We get a day like this in January yes it’s slippery. Yes the snow is kind of tough but we want to be out and enjoying a day like today,” says Owner of Great Northern Bicycling Company, Tom Smith.
 
Enjoying a race and trying to breathe all at the same time.
 
“The worst part is knowing you have one lap to go and thinking that you’re done before you are,” says Krisher.
 
But cruising through the finish line in first place makes a little mud and a lot of falls all worth it.
 
“The first year we did it, it was crazy to ride your bike in January now it’s not so crazy so we’re seeing more and more people coming out and taking part,” says Smith.
 
Because when it comes to winter people in the Red River Valley are one hardy bunch.
 
“Have to go home and take a shower now,” says Krisher.
 
140 riders is the largest turnout race officials have seen yet.

They are hopeful that number will continue to grow.