Weekend biking challenge

    PRESQUE ISLE – The sixth annual Fat Tire Festival, which features the sport of mountain biking, is slated for Saturday and Sunday at the Nordic Heritage Center.
    Registration begins at 8 a.m. both days. From 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, trail tours will be available, with an obstacle course and terrain park set up for both kids and adults.
    The MTB Biathlon begins at 11 a.m. Saturday. Participants will ride a short course, come into the shooting range to shoot at targets and then venture back onto the course, riding a penalty loop for missed targets. Categories are for 10 and under, 11-13 year-olds and 14 and older, with different rules pertaining to each division.
    Kids cross country races for those 12 years old and younger will be held beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, with a downhill race getting under way at 2 p.m.
    On Sunday at 10 a.m., the cross country race begins. The race highlights seven miles of the NHC’s IMBA-designed single track trail system – one time around the course for novice riders, twice for the sport class and three for the expert class. The race is for those 13 years of age and older.
    The Bicycle Coalition of Maine will be on hand throughout the weekend, offering safety instructor training Friday and Saturday at 2 p.m. and an informational meeting at noon Saturday.
    Food will be available, including a festival supper Saturday at 5 p.m., with the weekend closing with a barbecue and awards ceremony Sunday at 1 p.m. Camping is available throughout the weekend. For more information, visit www.nordicfattire.com.