Tour de Fat promises a parade, performances and plenty of fun
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor) on August 13th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
last year.
(Photos © J. Maus)
New Belgium’s Tour de Fat is set to take over Waterfront Park in Portland this Saturday. The event has been traveling all over the western U.S. in recent months and now it’s Portland’s turn to party.
Things kick off with what is sure to be one of the year’s best bike parades (starts at 11:00am, but get there early to register).
After the parade, the beer will start flowing and the performances begin. This year they’ll have the soulful and classy singing band Paper Bird and the raucously wonderful March Fourth Marching Band.
procession in San Fran.
Then, for the second year in a row, Portland’s own bike dance crew the Sprockettes will take over. The Sprockettes have been following the tour all year, and have already wowed crowds at Tour de Fat stops in San Francisco, Truckee and Seattle. The ladies in pink are in prime form and this is a great chance to see them in action.
In addition to the usual bike competitions and freak bike corral that are always a hit, this year organizers have planned a tongue-in-cheek “Carpocalypse Now” funeral procession. I saw this happen down in San Francisco and it’s not to be missed. The mock funeral is done for the car of one lucky Portlander who has decided to trade in their car keys for a new, custom-made bike.
To see what’s in store, check out my slideshow from Tour de Fat 2007.
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Tour de Fat - Portland
Saturday, August 16
Waterfront Park (North of the Hawthorne Street Bridge)
Schedule:
10:00 a.m. - Bike Parade Registration
11:00 a.m. - Bike Parade
12:00 p.m. - Performances Begin
12:30 p.m. - “Slow-Down or Throw-Down” Slow-Ride Competition
2:30 p.m. - “Carpocalypse Now” – Funeral procession for the car belonging to the Car-for-Bike Trade volunteer
4:30 p.m. - Car-for-Bike Trade Celebration
5:00 p.m. - Curtain Closes
And by the way, if a very well-run and entertaining event is not enough for you, consider that the whole thing is a fundraiser for the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) and the Portland United Mountain Pedalers (PUMP).
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August 13th, 2008 17:06
Oh man I had a good car to trade.....
Where do you sign up?
August 13th, 2008 17:47
Portland's already bursting at the seams with the "fun" side of bike culture (MMR, Zoobomb, naked rides, PedalPalooza, etc). Why should I attend? I went to TdF last year, psyched, and then left after 30 minutes-- I can see this stuff nearly any day by looking out my front window.
The least they could do is charge a little less than full-price for a cup of beer ($4 is more expensive than most bars!). Same goes for the RedBull Flugtag. Their big multi-city promotional event wouldn't look so fun without 50,000 spectators standing around. But the vendors were out in full-force anyway, charging money to drink the product I've shown up to watch people celebrate. Hmmmmmmm...
August 13th, 2008 19:22
watching my son riding the shoe bike last year was a definite highlight. Wouldn't miss it for anything. I'm in.
August 13th, 2008 20:39
max = bike fun killjoy. If you don't buy beer the whole thing is FREE, if you do buy beer it supports the BTA and PUMP. If nothing else come down and ride in the parade!!!
August 13th, 2008 20:41
Is March Fourth Marching Band the same band as last year? I really enjoyed last years performance.
August 14th, 2008 11:55
There is a crit in the morning. Hopefully catch the tour on the way back through town for a bit.
August 14th, 2008 13:53
too bad the beer sucks
August 14th, 2008 14:40
Blue Paddle pilsner is light and refreshing, best for after-bike...
August 14th, 2008 18:13
At #7 - Fat Tire is truly a disappointing beer, I don't understand why it's so popular. Given that we're here in Oregon, we can do much better... http://www.bikesnbrew.com
August 15th, 2008 07:33
I don't like Fat Tire either, but I do like their new one, Mighty Arrow. I also like 1554.
August 15th, 2008 20:40
im drinkin fat tire, recovery after hard efforts.
this looks to the main reason why i ride,
change is good and great thoughts are =.