Sorry to be the bearers of bad news, booze hounds, but despite having a hops-happy handle, the latest event in the Fat Tire Triathlon Series on Saturday, July 16, at Tempe Town Lake, 80 East Rio Salado Parkway, won't include any competitive chugging of the famous amber ale or seeing who can down the most bowls of pretzels. Nope, this daylong, three-sport event is more about adrenaline-fueled athleticism than beer-fueled alcoholism. Participants will complete in two consecutive "laps," each consisting of a 250-meter swim, a 10-kilometer mountain bike race, and a three-kilometer trail run, with the top 25 men and top 10 women from both laps facing off in a championship round for medals and other awards. Competition starts at 7 a.m. Registration, $75 per person or $90 per relay team, is only available from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 15, at Tribe Multisport, 1800 North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. Call 480-460-5052 or see www.dcbadventures.com. -- Benjamin Leatherman
International Pastime
Witness basu-boru history
SUN 7/17
East meets West on Sunday, July 17, when the Mesa Miners of the new Golden Baseball League take on the Samurai Bears (the first all-Japanese team to play in an American league) at Hohokam Park, 1235 North Center in Mesa. Admission to the 6:05 p.m. game is $5 to $13. Call 480-396-4637 or see www.mesaminers.com. -- Joe Watson
Step Back
Don't know much about geology?
FRI 7/15
Get some historical perspective on Friday, July 15, when the Desert Botanical Garden hosts a "Hike Through Time" to the Hackberry Springs site of the Superstition Mountains to learn about "volcanic formations, rock types and the geologic forces that sculpted this unique region." The hike costs $25 to $47, depending on DBG membership. Call 480-941-1225. -- Joe Watson
