Numerous reasons keep Tour de Fat, presented by Colorado’s New Belgium Brewery (the epitome of bike-loving, brew-making goodness) coming back to Tempe. First and foremost, Tempe -- and by extension much of the Valley -- is a bike loving town, home to State Bicycle and offering some kazillion miles of bike lanes. Okay, maybe only almost that many. Second, but first in many minds, Tempoids love good beer -- which is all New Belgium makes (blood orange saison!). Add a crazed bike rodeo (try the bike with shoes for wheels), slow bike races, a handful of rawkus bands, stilt-walkers, hula-hoopers, some wild games and parlor tricks and, well, the Tour de Fat is nothing less than a good time. It all begins early with a costumed bike tour around Tempe. It’s the perfect time to show off that groovy Stingray with flowered banana seat and stretch those legs before the real shindig begins.
Free festivities begin at 10 a.m. at Tempe Town Lake Beach Park, 620 North Mill Avenue. Visit www.newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat/tempe.aspx.
Sat., Oct. 4, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 2014