Tour de Fat Spins into 13 Cities

For the 11th year, New Belgium Brewing’s Tour de Fat is back and ready to roll into 13 cities across the U.S. The Tour kicks off in Chicago on June 26 and ends in Austin, Texas on October 30. This fun event originated in Ft. Collins, Colorado to increase awareness and participation in cycling. At each Tour de Fat stop, one volunteer will hand over his or her car keys and commit to a year of car-free living, and that person will receive a hand-built Black Sheep commuter bike. The volunteer will be chosen after submitting a video or essay describing his or her desire to live car-free for a year. To submit an application, log on to newbelgium.com/tour-de-fat.

The Tour de Fat is always tons of fun, and each one begins with a costumed bike parade. It’s free to participate, with beer and merchandise proceeds going to local cycling non-profits. All music acts perform on a solar-powered stage with decorations made from recycled materials, trucks and transport use biofuel sourced from recycled waste oils, and all vendors operate off the grid.

The 2010 Tour de Fat Schedule:
June 26: Chicago, Palmer Square Park
July 3: Milwaukee, WI Humboldt Park
July 10: Minneapolis, Loring Park
July 31: Seattle, Gasworks Park
August 14: Portland, OR Waterfront Park
August 21: Boise, ID Anne Morrison Park
September 4: Fort Collins, Mothership
September 11: Denver, City Park
September 25: San Francisco, Lindley Meadows in Golden Gate Park
October 2: San Diego, Balboa Park
October 9: Tempe, AZ Tempe Town Park
October 23: Los Angeles, L.A. Historic Park
October 30: Austin, TX Fiesta Gardens

For more info, check out newbelgium.com/tour-de-fat.