This Saturday the Tour de Fat rolls into Seattle's Gas Works Park. Bicycling enthusiasts can join in a parade, participate in challenging bike contests, and enjoy entertainment from the Portland-based Sprockettes bicycle dance troupe, left.
The New Belgium Brewery's tour is visiting 11 cities throughout the West this summer where it mixes good fun with a chance to raise funds for local bike-related groups — in Seattle that's Bike Works and Bike Alliance of Washington.
Tour de Fat opens with a bike parade out the Burke Gilman Trail toward Golden Gardens that leaves at 10 a.m. Participants are invited to decorate their bikes and wear outrageous costumes. Registration begins at 9 a.m.
The festivities at Gas Works begins when the parade returns at about 11 a.m. What's on the schedule:
11:30 — “Slow Down or Throw Down” slow bike competition;
Noon — Circus acts, including pancake juggler, amazing feats
12:20 — Paper Bird band
1:30 — “Carpocalypse Now” funeral procession for car-for-bike volunteer;
2 — Sprockettes
2:40 — March Fourth Marching Band
3:30 — Car for bike trade celebration
4 — Curtains
Folks at Tour de Fat can also ride the “Art Bikes” during the day. Check out all the activities at the Tour de Fat press release (.pdf).
The car-for-bike volunteer pledges to live without a car for a year. In return, the person receives a custom New Belgium commuter bike. Here's one of Seattle contestants at the Tour de Fat blog.
The Tour de Fat is seeking some 70 volunteers to help set up and tear down the event, as well as sell tickets, check IDS, attach wristbands and pour beer. More information on Tour de Fat volunteering.
Be warned that the Blue Angels will be burning fuel in the skies over Seattle on Saturday and Sunday, which means the I-90 bridge will be closed from 12:45 to 2:40 p.m. The bike-hike route approaching the bridge gets crowded before then, so plan accordingly.
Also Saturday, the Tour de Whatcom up in Bellingham and the two-day Courage Classic starts in Snoqualmie. (See other August bicycling events)
Sprockettes photo from tedketai at flickr.com
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