What - Tour de Fat - A bicycle parade of costumed Coloradoans followed by an all day festival celebrating the Bicycle...and Beer

Where - Civic Center Park, Old Town, Fort Collins, CO

When - Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011. Parade at 10am (be there early to register) Festival directly following

Musical Acts - Dovekins, Los Amigos Invisibles (schedule here)

How do I describe Tour de Fat? Imagine 15,000 men, women and children dressing up in costumes, decorating their bicycles parading through Old Town Fort Collins. That is Tour de Fat, the ultimate celebration of the bicycle...with beer. I have to say though, the beer is so secondary for many involved. I don't drink at all, and Hell and high water would have trouble keeping me away from the Tour de Fat. It is a day of silliness that reminds us that we should NOT take ourselves so seriously. When I see the amount of time that must have gone into some of the bicycles that people are riding, it helps me remember that we should create craziness for craziness sake, and should always do things that make normal people want to break out of their shell and dance in the streets. There is nothing mundane or boring about the fact that we are on this blessed planet, and that feeling rarely comes through with more power than on Tour de Fat day in Fort Collins.

More specifically, Tour de Fat is a bike parade followed by a festival that celebrates the bicycle and beer. THE LOCATION HAS CHANGED THIS YEAR!! The parade will start and the party will be held at Civic Center Park in Old Town Fort Collins. Here is the Google Map of the whole deal. Looks like a great parade route.

Tour de Fat is totally kid friendly with crazy 'rideable art' bike rodeo section, kids activities, great music all over the place and people watching the likes of which can't be found anywhere on this planet! Join in the fun my friends. We are growing in numbers and want YOU to Tour with us!!

Matt Kowal is Tour de Fat Impressario and was kind enough to spend some time talking with me about the event. He relates that although the day is all about the bicycle and fun, there is some serious money raised for worthy organizations...

I think we're closing in on close to $2 million raised since the inception of the event and the Overland Mountain Bike Club is our primary beneficiary along with the (Fort Collins) Bike Co-op.

TDF is this Saturday. Be there early to sign a disclaimer, prepare your costume, tune up your bicycle and prepare for some fun!!

Check out this video from Tour de Fat 201o with original music by Paul's alter ego, the Green Minstrel!

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