Photos by Robin Alberti
“Rollin’ Fatties” raises $4,500 for the Killington Mountain Bike Club
By Polly Lynn
KILLINGTON — On Monday, March 16, the Killington Mountain Bike Club (KMBC) invited the community to join it on a Fat Bike tour event it called “Rollin’ Fatties.” The tour started at Killington Resort’s golf club house and ended with a party and giveaways at Sushi Yoshi. The event was designed to create public awareness and raise money for the new club. It was successful, said Ben Colona, Killington Sports at Snowshed store manager. “We raised around $4,500 for the club and brought in 14 new members. We had close to 75 riders spread over four rolls and over 100 attendees,” Colona reported.
“It was more successful that we had even imagined,” said Nate Freund co-owner of Sushi Yoshi. “Everyone had a great time and it’s great to see so many community organizations get involved to support this.” Folks came from near and far to try out the new sport, including a couple from Canada.
“This event reached a lot of different people from different states and even from our neighbor to our north, Canada. We have momentum building and the vibe is very positive, which was evident by looking at everyone who attended this event,” said Colona. “We have a great collaboration with the partnership between the town, the local businesses, and resort is something we can build on and is something that will separate us from the rest.”
The KMBC also announced a partnership with Long Trail Brewery at the eventMonday, revealing a mystery beer that will be branded for the club. It has the potential to bring a significant amount of funding, Colona said in an email after the event. The club will discuss names for its label at the next membership meeting.
Tony Accurso, founder and owner of Vermont Fat Bikes, has been encouraged by the interest thus far and is now opening a shop in Killington next to the post office, offering fat bikes and mountain bikes. Accurso is expecting to open within the next week or two.
To watch a video of the event and after party Click Here
