Durham Bike Co-op to Benefit from the Tour de Fat

Seriously...it's not gross, although it is a bit funky, just how Durham likes it.

In its 12th season, New Belgium Brewing’s traveling celebration of all things bicycle will make its first mark on Durham, NC on Saturday, June 25 in the Diamond View Park at the American Tobacco Campus when the tour kicks off in the Bull City.  Tour de Fat is more than an event; it’s a rite of passage that includes a costumed bicycle parade, beer, eye-popping entertainment, local food, crazy bike contests and much more.

A highlight of Tour de Fat is the annual car-for-bike swap where one person hands over his or her car keys and commits to one year of living car-free. Each car-for-bike swapper will receive a hand-built Black Sheep commuter bike in return for their car. A swapper to represent Durham in this challenge is still being sought, those interested can visit the Tour de Fat Facebook page.

“We can’t wait to bring our unique style of bike advocacy to Durham,” said Bryan Simpson, spokesman for New Belgium.  “People who haven’t witnessed Tour de Fat don’t quite know what to expect, but that’s what we love.  It’s an uninhibited day of quirky costumes, bikes and entertainment while supporting our non-profit friends.”  However, since Durham is home to the Doughman, it's unlikely that there will be any shocks delivered to Durham's system. 

A few tidbits about Tour de Fat:

• Tour de Fat encourages everybody to team up and present each city with the most colorful, respectful and creative bike parade ever witnessed. (Hint: No one stands out like the guy who was too cool for a costume!)
• Tour de Fat seeks to leave as small an environmental imprint as possible and composts and recycles waste.  The waste diversion rate for 2010 was 91 percent.
• Tour de Fat is free to attend, but beer and merchandise proceeds go to local cycling non-profits. During its lifespan, Tour de Fat events have raised more than $1.75 million for philanthropy.  Last year Tour de Fat raised $331,428.
• All musical acts perform on a solar-powered stage decorated with recycled materials; trucks and transport use biofuel sourced from recycled waste oils; and all vendors operate off the grid.
• This is a pro-bike celebration, not an anti-car rally…non-cyclists are more than welcome to join the festivities. 

The Durham Bike Coop will be a recipient of proceeds from this event, as will the North Carolina Active Transportation Alliance and the Triangle Spokes Group.