Campus Connection

Six Wyatt Fat Bikes at the Outdoor Connection

Assembling and fixing bikes is something Wyatt Hrudka, ’13, has been doing for years. As a student, he was a mechanic for UWL’s green bike program. Before graduating, he founded Wyatt Bicycle Company, based in La Crosse. “Who would have thought a few short years later, we'd be carrying his line of bikes,” says Nathan Barnhart, assistant director of UWL Rec Sports. “It's pretty cool.” Those bikes he’s talking about are the six Wyatt Fat bikes, all painted in custom UWL maroon, now available to rent at the Outdoor Connection, an outdoor equipment rental service. “There's not too many places you can go to now and rent a fat bike, so this will be a great opportunity for them,” says Hrudka. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUFf9pspG6g Hrudka describes the bike as a go-anywhere-kind-of ride — even getting over terrain like sand, logs and snow. “The wider tire gives riders much more stability,” says Hrudka. “It will make a novice feel like a pro.” He hopes when students see those bikes and the Wyatt name on them, it will inspire them. “I want them to understand that I was a student there as well and I started my own business and really you can do whatever you want to do.”

Renting a Wyatt Fat Bike

The Outdoor Connection is located in the Recreational Eagle Center on the UWL Campus. Fat bikes cost $20/day for UWL students, faculty and staff or $30 for the general public. No reservations are needed, but you can call ahead. Hours and contact information can be found at: http://www.uwlax.edu/recsports/