To be a Viking or to become one. 

Human endurance and human resilience*
*(definition of resilience: "the power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc., after being bent, compressed, or stretched)

150km of winter racing. A journey within yourself.
Please only sign up for the 150 km long main event if you have some experience with ultra endurance racing (150km on snow may take well over 24h). 
We offer a 50km and a 100 km event, too and we strongly recommend to register for the 100km race if you don't have any winter racing experience. Be prepared to be out there for a whole day and more.
Don't want to go ultra? Do the 50km event. It is long enough!

All distances start together.
The 50km distanse finishes at CP1 (we will find a way to transport riders back to Geilo).
If you register for the 150km/ 100km but only make it to CP1 we will still call you a "50km finisher" (FV50 finisher). The same applies if you enter the 150km event but only ride the 100km distance (Geilo - CP1 - Geilo). You will of course not count in any ranking or the competition itself.

What ever your choice might be, it´s going to be an adventure!
You will experience the wild nature of the Norwegian highlands in the coldest time of the year. 
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FAT VIKING is a WINTER ULTRA ENDURANCE event under somewhat more "controlled" circumstances than the Iditarod Trail Invitational. 
The race course runs mainly on the cc-trail net around Geilo/ Skurdalen/ Dagali and crosses the R7/ R40 road. There are "bail out options" which we will highlight at the pre-race meeting.
Our checkpoints are serviced and inside a proper building. You are offered some basic food and you can rest there.

Fat Viking is a non-commercial Geilo Sports Club event organized by the "FATVIKINGSOCIETY".

Bringing the Alaskan tradition of long distance winter racing to Norway!

A long distance fatbike race where being self-sufficient, making the right choices and keeping warm is as important as covering the distance.
Fat Viking 150 is an official qualifying race for the Iditarod Trail Invitational.
Those who manage to cover the full distance in less than 36h have checked off one of two qualifiers for the ITI in Alaska. You still need to apply for the Iditarod!
Check out the other Qualifiers so you can get a picture about what this is all about!
Fatbiking and winter racing has been going on for a long time in the US. Iditarod race history

RACE COURSE
The exact route is published one week before the event. Snow and weather condition may affect on the course. The race organization keeps the right to change the race course even after publishing it due to snow and weather conditions.
Note: When talking about groomed cross country trails: groomed is relative. Conditions can vary from day to day and parts of the track might not have been groomed for some days. 
Just like in other winter races, participants may be forced to push their bikes through soft snow for many miles. This is a winter expedition event that will require some experience and winter survival skills!

The course will not be marked. It is a GPS based race. GPS files are provided before the race. Carrying and being able to use your own GPS unit is compulsory. 
Racers are responsible for their own navigation, meaning that participants are themselves responsible to find and follow the right course. 
Shortcutting or following alternative routes leads to disqualification.
If the course is left by a racer it has to be entered again at the same spot.

CHECKPOINTS
We are aiming for 2 official checkpoints for the 150km, 1 for the 100km, where there is a compulsory 5minute stop (you will most likely stay a lot longer :-)). 
These checkpoints will offer some simple food (oatmeal, nuts, raisins) and hot drinks for the racers. Checkpoints are inside proper, heated buildings. Our checkpoint crew will give you a warm welcome!
There may be the chance to purchase food/ drink on route during the opening times of some of the serviced huts/ shops. Note: most huts have very limited opening times and will most likely be shut when riders pass.
More information will be given at the pre-race meeting.

MANDATORY GEAR – being self-sufficient
Although there are check points with some replenishment you will need to be self-sufficient and carry all your own gear, enough food and water.

Our mandatory gear list is not as extensive as the ones in other winter events, so adding gear is recommended. Look at the links to other gear lists for items that should be considered. 
Mandatory means Items that you HAVE to carry at all times, from start to finish (this will for example include down jacket, insulated pants, goggles, GPS, lights, batteries, other extra clothing, food, water).

FATBIKES ONLY:
the minimum tire width allowed for the Fat Viking is 3.8 inches (manufacturers measurements).

Rental bikes: Geilo Aktiv has a fleet of 12 fatbikes for rent. 
NOTE: book your rental bike as soon as possible. There is a limited amount of each size. Simple pogies are included, frame-bags etc are not included.

MANDATORY RACE MEETING AND GEAR CHECK
Friday afternoon/ evening we hold a mandatory race meeting at Vestlia Resort where we also perform an equipment check of the mandatory gear (be prepared as there won’t be much time to acquire missing gear items between the meeting and start!).

ASSUMPTION OF RISK, WAIVER, LIABILITY
The Fat Viking event is meant to be an expedition as much as a race. Participants will hopefully gain experience and learn about backcountry winter travel so that they maybe can take onto the Iditarod Trail Invitational race one day.

Temperatures and weather around Geilo can vary greatly. Minus 20-30 degrees, storm, snowfall, rain ... all can happen. Be prepared. January is statistically the coldest time in Geilo.

By entering the race you automatically accept the race rules and acknowledge the risks and demands of this winter ultra-event. Participants will have to sign an additional waiver/ liability form before the start. 

See "getting there" for some accomodation tips. 

SHOPPING FOR GEAR
Geilo has three sports shops, but during winter none of them sells a lot of specific cycling gear, let alone specific stuff for bikepacking.
You won't be able to get hold of any framebag, handlebar rack, feed bags, pogies, winter cycling shoes etc. Please bring what you intend to use. Spare tubes and some tires for fatbikes should be available at Intersport.
Outdoor clothing, thermal underwear, woollen socks and other winter gear can of course be purchased!
Please check opening times and get in touch with the shops if needed.