New Belgium Brewing has announced the 2012 Tour de Fat schedule hitting 15 cities across the country including new to this year’s line up, Atlanta and DC. In its 13th season, Tour de Fat is a celebration of bicycles and the people who use them, making Eco-friendly decisions. Festivities include a costumed bicycle parade, local food, an unusual bike contest, and of course, New Belgium beer. The free event is expected to exceed the $2 million mark for money raised in 2012. Stages are alternatively powered and created with recycled materials, trucks and transport use bio-fuel sourced from recycled waste oils, all vendors operate ‘off the grid’, and proceeds directly benefit trail maintenance, safety education, and lobbying for better bicycle communities.
Tour de Fat is also seeking volunteers to accept the car-for-bike trade challenge – one event attendee will hand over their car keys and pledge to live a full year car-free. Each car-for-bike swapper will choose a local bike shop to help them turn their $2,250 budget into a car-replacement commuter bike and the old car will be auctioned by Vehicles for Charity.
Tour de Fat 2012 schedule:
Nashville, TN: June 2 (Centennial Park)
Washington, DC: June 16 (Yards Park)
Durham, NC: June 23 (Diamond View Park on the American Tobacco Campus)
Atlanta, GA : June 30 (Historic 4th Ward Park)
Milwaukee, WI: July 14 (Coast Guard Event Area, McKinley Park)
Chicago, IL: July 21 (Palmer Square)
Minneapolis, MN: July 28 (Loring Park)
Boise, ID: August 18 (Ann Morrison Park)
Fort Collins, CO: September 1 (Civic Center Park Area)
Denver, CO: September 8 (City Park)
Los Angeles, CA : September 15 (Los Angeles State Historic Park)
San Francisco, CA: September 22 (Lindley Meadow in Golden Gate Park)
San Diego, CA: September 29 (Golden Hill Park)
Tempe, AZ: October 6 (Tempe Town Lake)
Austin, TX: October 20 (Fiesta Gardens)