Story courtesy of  www.FedbyWild.com

Our first jointly planned fat bike trip hasn’t started yet but we’ve managed to check in on a very spontaneous adventure… and we did that on… fat bikes.



The plan was as simple as opening a beer can: I fly over, we meet, we pack the stuff and off we go to Góry Stołowe (Table Mountains) to test what the given gear could withstand. In other words: a typical winter bikepacking trip on fatty bikes with a sleepover away from the civilised world.

None of us like to overcomplicate things so we draw a basic schedule for Saturday: we will drive to Karłów in the morning, put the bikes together once there, load them with all the gear we can have and off we go up the mountain to test the equipment in the conditions close to what we expect on our next planned trip. On Sunday morning we would pack the camp up and head down to the start line of a fat bike race – a very first Fat bike Race in Poland.

Important Disclaimer!

Four days after we published this on FedByWild.com, we received an email from one of our readers pointing out that camping is forbidden in the area during the winter. Having analysed the rules of Table Mountains National Park, it turns out they were right about it. At this point we ask our subscribers to note that camping, as well as probably cycling, is forbidden in Błędne Skały (Labyrinth Rocks) area during the winter. We apologize to the management at Table Mountains National Park for the unfortunate situation. The second half of our trip once we left Labyrinth Rocks was open for biking and camping.

 We arrived to Karłów late in the evening and it was around midnight when we got ourselves to Błędne Skały (The Labyrinth Rocks). Quick scoop around and it was obvious for us that we need to adjust our Farleys in order to keep moving forward…

We arrived to Karłów late in the evening and it was around midnight when we got ourselves to Błędne Skały (The Labyrinth Rocks). Quick scoop around and it was obvious for us that we needed to adjust our Farleys in order to keep moving forward…

 

It wasn’t easy but it was awesome!
It wasn’t easy but it was awesome!

 

We were hanging around Labyrinth Rocks for a while till we found a perfect spot to set our base camp
We were hanging around Labyrinth Rocks for a while till we found a perfect spot to set our base camp.

 

Food! Shockingly good spinach and cheese pasta from Lyo Food and Dried Beef.
Food! Shockingly good spinach and cheese pasta from Lyo Food and dried beef.

 

Misty good morning!
Misty good morning!

 

Seba is putting himself together and Lukasz taking care of the morning coffee. If you planning to put the tent up in similar conditions we really recommend using your bike to stretch it as in most cases there is little chance to use the pins with the deep snow
Seba is putting himself together and Lukasz is taking care of the morning coffee. If you’re planning to put the tent up in similar conditions we really recommend using your bike to stretch it as in most cases there is little chance to use the pins with the deep snow.

 

The other side view over the camp
The other side view over the camp.

 

One of the consideration while choosing a place for a camp should be how can you adapt it to your needs. Here you can see our kitchen table and a helmet shelf.
One of the considerations while choosing a place for a camp should be how can you adapt it to your needs. Here you can see our kitchen table and a helmet shelf.

 

Screen Shot 2017-01-29 at 5.51.50 PM
Interactive 360 degree panoramic view of our camp. Happy skinny fat bike rockers at the forefront. (click on the picture above to see the 360 panoramic.)

 

Temporary roof over our heads and Seba contemplating the compression properties of a sleeping bag.
Temporary roof over our heads and Seba contemplating the compression properties of a sleeping bag.

 

Packing in, packing up… at this stage we were still heading down for the race.
Packing in, packing up… at this stage we were still heading down for the race.

 

Before you pack your tent up, make sure that you cleaned it and there is no debris, snow or leftovers left inside.
Before you pack your tent up, make sure that you clean it and there is no debris, snow or leftovers left inside.

 

Almost ready….
Almost ready…

 

And off we went… this time I won’t feed you – even though I’d love to – with a tirade about how magical and beautiful that place is.
And off we went… this time I won’t feed you – even though I’d love to – with a tirade about how magical and beautiful that place is.

 

Poetry of white… and orange
Poetry of white… and orange.

 

Catching the flow was only for the most patient, and attentive riders. In other words: skills pay off here in double rate.
Catching the flow was only for the most patient, and attentive riders. In other words: skills pay off here in double rate.

 

Strong legs is a one thing, but to move rocks you need strong arms too.
Strong legs is a one thing, but to move rocks you need strong arms too.

 

At some point we realised that we won’t make it over to the race so we’ve decided that we will make the most of the surroundings and enjoy our nourishing breakfast…
At some point we realised that we won’t make it over to the race so we’ve decided that we will make the most of the surroundings and enjoy our nourishing breakfast…

 

…and melt some snow for our coffees.
…and melt some snow for our coffees.

 

They’re saying that real people of the mountains live on protein…another pack of mouth watering beef gone.
They’re saying that real people of the mountains live on protein…another pack of mouth watering beef gone.

 

Another interactive 360 panoramic view. Klimek will take chance at every stop brake to make one. (Click on the picture above to see the 360 panoramic.)
Another interactive 360 panoramic view. Klimek will take chance at every stop brake to make one. (Click on the picture above to see the 360 panoramic.)

 

As there were many tide passes on our route we had to take our stabilizers off.
As there were many tide passes on our route we had to take our stabilizers off.

 

Should I pull or push?
Should I pull or push?

 

Lift it up, tilt to the side, little bit down and…wait! My bag got stuck! Okay we got through without taking off the pedals.
Lift it up, tilt to the side, little bit down and…wait! My bag got stuck! Okay we got through without taking off the pedals.

 

Last gentle touch…before goodbye.
Last gentle touch…before goodbye.

 

Wide open space!
Wide open space!

We left the amazing Labyrinth Rocks behind. A truly breathtaking place worth that few scratches and scuffs left on our bikes and gear.


As we closed the rocky chapter we’ve entered into a world of winter land tales.

The white Mordor – mean and unpredictable.
The white Mordor – mean and unpredictable.

 

After getting through the Labyrinth Rocks it felt great to ride a distance again…
After getting through the Labyrinth Rocks it felt great to ride a distance again…

 

…we were riding…
…we were riding…

 

…and riding…
…and riding…

 

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, we had our moments too.
It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, we had our moments too.

 

 Seba and his attitude to slow biking – if there is a chance and conditions, then shred the f*ck out of it!

Seba and his attitude to slow biking – if there is a chance and conditions, then shred the f*ck out of it!

 

Hitting the tree with a beard didn’t took the smile of this face…
Hitting the tree with a beard didn’t took the smile of this face…

 

Everything looked magical around here.
Everything looked magical around here.

 

Down in the village they’re saying that with a bit of luck you might find some truffles here.
Down in the village they’re saying that with a bit of luck you might find some truffles here.

 

Last minute picture at the Start line, right before the organizers took it all down.
Last minute picture at the Start line, right before the organizers took it all down.

 

Joy, beers and…bananas! Pub landlord and co-organiser of the race Mr. Sznajder said that he didn’t saw us at the food station so he gave as our banana rations.
Joy, beers and…bananas! Pub landlord and co-organiser of the race Mr. Sznajder said that he didn’t saw us at the food station so he gave as our banana rations.

That how it all ends – our very first bikepacking adventure. We didn’t make it to the race and shot two birds with one stone but we all have some new experience under our belts now and we are much happier human beings!

CDN…

One Comment

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *