I now know for sure that a fatbike can be used as a flotation device in the case of a water landing.

I will say one thing.  If you fall through the ice on your bike there are a lot of potential options to name your Strava ride. 

• Fatbikes Float
• I cannot claim that I have never fallen through the ice on my bike anymore
• Ice fishing and I'm the bait.
• Testing out the new waterproof camera case.
• Fatty Dipping 
  

I know, I know.  Don't tell my mom.  

So there is this one section of lake where it narrows and there is water flow.  It is notoriously thin when the rest of the lake is fine.  To make matters worse, there is a dock that sticks out so a land traverse is not (really) possible. Well, today this particular section of lake looked pretty sketchy even though it was fine a few days ago. Even still I thought, "What the heck?" and went for it.  At 2:45 in this video you can see what problems that caused.

In my favor, I knew I was close to shore and the temp was only about 28F degrees so not too cold.  I think I almost expected to go through. Once I did, I realized how handy it was that fatbikes do float.  Indecently, my coffee mug also floated.  I'm not exactly sure if I floated or was standing on the bottom but I was only in to my chest.  I may have been floating on some ice in the hole.  In any case I didn't take a lot of time evaluating the situation.  I was able to pretty easily slide my bike back up onto the ice, coffee cup too, and then me. If anything didn't float it is at the bottom of the lake but I'm pretty sure I came out with everything I want in with. (Me, Bike, Coffee, Camera, Lights, Bike Computer, Tools, Wallet, Car Keys...all accounted for)

Somehow it seemed like I didn't get too wet.  I'm not sure how that is possible but it is true, trust me. I was a little worried that the rest of the ride would be miserable but it really wasn't that bad.  I hadn't tried to use my brakes for a few miles but when I did need them they were nowhere to be found but they came back after a few good squeezes. Shifting was a little, um, less than perfect once the cables froze.

On the plus side my bike, and my shoes, did need a good wash.  And now I have the experience of going through the ice.

Cyclebot GPT

So it has been a while since I posted.  I should endeavor to do better.  In the mean time, I have been interested in this whole Chatbot GPT thing.  Out of curiosity I asked it to write a poem about "The Candid Cyclist"

The Candid Cyclist takes to the road, 

Pedaling hard with each new episode. 

Sharing their journey with each turn of the wheel, 

With insights and wisdom that's simply unreal.

 

With each new adventure, they tell us their tale, 

Of the mountains they climb and the hills they assail. 

Of the wind in their face and the sun on their back, 

Of the joy of the ride and the moments they track.

 

The Candid Cyclist's words ring true, 

A testament to the passion they pursue. 

For each ride is a journey, a story to be told, 

Of the joys and the challenges that make them bold.

 

And so we follow, with each new post, 

As The Candid Cyclist shares what they love the most. 

For their words inspire us to take to the road, 

And to cycle with courage and grace as our code.

                                                                    by: ChatGPT (A language model)