The Sandy Neck Fat Bike Winter Classic!

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 The Sandy Neck Fat Bike Winter Classic (SNFBWC) is back for a fun time!

 Way back when we first had this idea; to race Fat Bikes on Sandy Neck Beach in December we didn’t know it would double in size and still sell out so fast.

It's been sold out since 2019, so you know we are going to do something new to commemorate it. Funny apparel is encouraged.

The 2026 edition of our 15-mile party ride will follow nearly the same route as last year - zigzagging back and forth across Sandy Neck, out to the Lighthouse and back to the parking lot. 

 - START TIME IS NOON.  

 Online registration only. Check in begins at 10:30am on race day.

 Ride begins at noon with a mass start roll out on the beach. We expect all participants to finish and safely exit the Sandy Neck course by 3:30pm, long before the sun sets. If you think it will take you longer than 3-½ hours to complete, please tell an official at registration.

 All riders will be checked in at the beginning and, more importantly, MUST BE CHECKED OUT at the end of the course, because everybody has to be accounted for before the volunteers and Sandy Neck Ranger Staff can finish their day and join the after party and we don’t want to lose anybody!

 The lighthouse aid station will include a water bubbler for refilling your water bottles, cookies or brownies, and maybe more. Note that the lighthouse is on private property, so we can have all kinds of fun. The aid station will close at 2:30pm. Again: Everybody has to be off the race course by 3:30pm and checked off by a race official as having safely completed the ride. 

 If you want to compete for a prize: the race component of this party ride is a sprint starting 100 yards or so from the race start and ending on the beach just before you get to the lighthouse. This is also the first of two Strava segments (https://www.strava.com/segments/30358128).

 Since that’s it for racing, you’re welcome to hang out at the Lighthouse longer and have more fun!

 The second segment will stay up for bragging rights but will not be part of the race. It starts after exiting the lighthouse driveway and ends 100 yards or so before the Sandy Neck Gatehouse, which is the end of the race and where you will be checked off by an official (https://www.strava.com/segments/30358166). 

 Winners of the sprint will be determined by a race official at the finish line. Small prizes will go to the top three women and top three men.

 Intersections will be clearly marked with arrows and/or race tape. While the elevation on this route is minimal, the challenge is grinding through several long stretches of deep, sugary sand. There are few short walk up ascents and a bunch of exciting but short descents.

 All proceeds for SNFBWC will benefit the Cape Cod chapter of NEMBA (https://nemba-capecod.org/).

 All participants are required to wear a helmet and carry phones with ringers on in case of emergency and to help us account for you if you aren’t checked off at race end for whatever reason. 

Directions to the start: 
From 6A in East Sandwich, follow Sandy Neck Road past the Gatehouse to the main parking lot at the end of the road. 

The address is: Sandy Neck Beach, West Barnstable, MA 02668.

Post-ride party will be at a location (Off the Grid) and have a cash bar but dinner is included. Ther is a possability that 2 signature SNFBWC  beverages from Independent Fermentations Brewing will be picked up at registration.  All riders and volunteers get a newly designed 2026 commemorative item.

Party location: Off the Grid

91 MA-6A, Sandwich, MA 02563

Rain or Shine - No Refunds

Additional useful information:

At a casual pace, the route will take most people well under three hours. The race route is about 7 miles, short race=more hanging out time at the lighthouse.

Check the weather and dress appropriately.

The difficulty of the route is largely dependent on the temperature and the moisture content of the sand. 

There are a half dozen or so challenging but short hike-a-bikes.

Bailouts are permitted as long as you check out at the end, but the route is only 15 miles and we encourage you to ride the whole thing.

A Sandy Neck ranger and a bicycle mechanic will follow the race in case there are any situations requiring assistance.

No tire size regulations - ride whatever you want. However, the Town of Barnstable prohibits Ebikes on Sandy Neck. 

We recommend lowering your tire pressure, depending on your weight, to 4 to 6 PSI, or, as low as you can go without hitting your rims.

Pre-Ride:  https://www.strava.com/routes/2893178626970685656. NOTE:  The section from Trail 6 around the point of Sandy Neck to the Lighthouse is only permissible on race day. When you see a ‘No Bikes’ sign, respect it and continue on the main trail. This is a very special day, the one time a year we get to ride around the point to the Sandy Neck Lighthouse!