New Belgium’s Tour de Fat comes to Tempe every year and every year it is a LOT of fun. No, seriously, a LOT of fun. I mean, who doesn’t like bicycles and beer? And crazy people in costumes riding bicycles and drinking beer?
Here’s some info straight from the New Belgium web site:
“Opening each show with a costumed bike parade through the host city, Tour de Fat celebrates the power of the bike by encouraging everyone to embrace their inner-cyclist and ride the streets as a rolling carnival of creativity. The festival also features a celebration of the inspirational car-for-bike swapper series in which brave souls hand over their car keys as a commitment to commute by bike.” – Tour de Fat Tempe
What: Tour de Fat Tempe
When: Saturday October 3rd, 2015 from 10am – 5pm
Why: Bikes and Beer
Register for the 2015 Tour de Fat here: More info can be found on the TDF facebook page.
Basically, you’ve got a bunch of bike lovers and you’ve got a chance to win some really cool stuff. Who’s gonna say no to that?
Here’s the Tour de Fat Tempe schedule for the day. The parade starts at 11 but don’t just plan on riding in the parade, there’s WAY more fun stuff to do afterwards. Don’t miss out!
Schedule –
Main Stage:
10:00 a.m. — Parade Registration
11:00 a.m. — Parade Kick-Off
11:50 a.m. — Fashion! (Best Costumes of Tour de Fat)
12:00 p.m. — Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds
1:10 p.m. — The Slow Mo Show
1:30 p.m. — The Slow Ride Races
2:10 p.m. — 1,000 Person Dance Contest – Winner receives a New Belgium Cruiser!
2:40 p.m. — Car for Bike Trade
2:50 p.m. — SSSSnake! Rides Sputnik!
4:00 p.m. — Nahko and Medicine for the People
5:00 p.m. — Finale
Stage Stage:
12:00 p.m. and 3:10 p.m.
Superfriends Variety Hour: Death Defying Comedy, Chain Saws, Yo-Yos and Bananas
Le Tigre Circus Tent:
11:15 a.m. — Marnie Sams Muffin Show (Kids Show)
11:50 a.m. — The Other One
12:20 p.m. — Fire Leopard
1:10 p.m. — The Kroup
2:00 p.m. — Yo-Yo Time Machine
2:30 p.m. — Honeymoon Cabaret
3:30 p.m. — The Other One
4:20 p.m. — Etiquette School
Lips Lounge Tappings
12:00 PM Pear Ginger Beer, Le Terroir, Hop Stout
2:00 PM Carnie’s Blood
Here’s a map of the Tour de Fat Tempe route. Just a fun stroll beginning at near the lake and then through a few neighborhoods.
Trade in your car! In every Tour de Fat city, one brave role model will step on stage to trade in his or her car keys and pledge to live car free for one year. Each swapper is awarded a stipend to buy their own commuter bike and receives rock star status when the crowd goes wild in support of their commitment. Car for Bike Swappers are chosen after submitting an application describing why they are ready to give up their vehicle for the gift of two wheels.
Tour de Fat fits well with the light rail lifestyle and it is located just north of the Mill Avenue station. I hope you’ll join us!
Seriously, you don’t want to miss the 2015 Tour de Fat Tempe bike ride at Tempe Town Lake.