It was an epic match-up in the Bitterroots: me on my trusty fat bike (“Fatty”) and Mo on her sleek skate skis (“Slider”). Our battleground? The Moose Loop at Lolo Pass, graced with just a skiff of snow atop groomed trails. The weather played nice too, adding to the day’s perfection.
As we set off, Slider initially left Fatty in the snow dust. But it was early, and in the world of endurance, anything could happen. Sure enough, Fatty’s rear tire dug deep into the snow, forcing a bit of a walkabout.
Mo, graceful as ever, glided around the Moose Loop.
But the tables turned over the first pass. Fatty, channeling some hidden mojo, slid ahead of Slider.
In the next valley, the two of us found ourselves neck and neck – a perfect tie. Side by side, we traversed the Bitterroots, enjoying the camaraderie as much as the competition.
Climbing the next pass, Fatty unexpectedly pulled ahead. It seemed Fatty had been holding back, conserving energy for this moment. At the top, I pulled over, waiting for Mo to catch up.
As she reached the peak, we both realized something – our shared love for adventure trumped any rivalry. Fatty, ever the thrill-seeker, decided to push on for an extra 10-mile jaunt to Lolo Hot Springs.
At the hot springs, Slider and Fatty reunited. Over burgers, we reflected on the day’s adventure. The verdict? Both Fatty and Slider are champions of the long, wintry journey.
Boneshakerbike 
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