Colorado has gained world-wide attention for its myriad of small breweries. Of its many beer-producing establishments, the one with the highest profile is the New Belgium Brewing Company. The Fort Collins-based cycling-centric brewery offers some of the finest suds you’ll find anywhere and has also played a notable role in promoting cycling culture.
The idea of a promotional tour with “fat tire” cruiser bicycles was hatched at a barbecue in 1997. The Tour de Fat, a circus-style bicycle event featuring cycling, music, sustainability and beer, is arguably one of New Belgium’s most highly anticipated events. The guidelines for the tour are: (1) arrive by bike, “because not only are bikes fun, but they help stave off some of our most wicked ills: Traffic, laziness and pollution” and (2) ride your bike.
The celebration includes Car-for-Bike trade stations, and one lucky rider is chosen to trade his or her car in for a custom-made commuter bicycle. The car is donated to a local non-profit and the liberated rider is celebrated.
This year, the festival will tour 13 Western US states and feature green components, such as a solar-powered sound system.
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