Fat tire bike riding has become one of the more popular means of recreational travel across the North Beach in the past few years, and no one has helped promote that fact more than Buck Giles.

Seabrook, in conjunction with Buck’s Bikes, will host the inaugural St. Fatty’s Day Fat Tire Bike Race on Saturday, March 16, open to riders of all ages, skill levels, and abilities.

“St. Fatty’s Day will be a great opportunity to race fat bikes on sandy shores of the Washington coast,” said Giles, owner of Buck’s Bikes. “Along dunes and out on the coastlines, the unique terrain will be ridden in the style of cross country mountain bike races. This is a race and event that you will be excited to have discovered.”

The St. Fatty’s Day event has five different races to choose from. Scheduled into five categories, the goal is to ride as many loops as possible in the time allotted. Category One (expert) riders will have 60 minutes; Category Two (intermediate) will have 45; Category Three (U13 and beginners) will have 30; and the E-Fat Category (pedal assist fat bikes, no throttle) will have 35.

The course starts up in Seabrook and darts down to the coast, passing through the forest before emptying out onto the sand for loops, then heading back up to town for the finish. The winner is the one who completes the most laps in their time frame.

In town. Seabrook will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with live music, Irish food, dancing, and beer garden.

Entry is $40 for adults and $30 for racers 13 years old and younger. People can pre-register for the race online at bucksbicyclerepair.com, or register on-site day of the races from 9-9:30 a.m. at Buck’s Bikes.

As far as Giles knows, there are no other fat tire bike races in the state. The races follow the same format as a cross-country mountain bike race.

“The way the races goes, we start in Seabrook, down to the beach and then we do laps on the sand. Then the finish is coming back up the hill,” Giles said.

Tourists visiting Seabrook, he notes, are looking for ways to escape into the rural coastal environment. “We’re building more mountain bike trails, and trying to get a lot more outdoor activities,” Giles said. “Mountain biking is one of the really, really popular activities, especially in rental part of our shop.”