Tour de Fat

Today was a wonderful day that was cooler than usual.  We spent the afternoon cleaning up branches that were blown down in a storm last night and trimming other branches.  Not what I originally had in mind.

Yesterday morning, we went to the Tour de Fat event in Boise.  It is an event put on by the New Belgium Brewing Co. in celebration of biking, with beer (not the other way around, they say).  They make Fat Tire beer, among others. All the money raised goes to three non-profit local organizations (from what I hear). 

Anna was at a friend's house because she had spent the night.  So Frank and I rode downtown in the morning.  It was the first time we have ridden the tandem bike together.  (Frank and Anna have been riding together for a long time).  It was quite weird to me and will definitely take some getting use to.  I'm not sure I really like it, just yet, as the second person gives up some control. 

They had a bike parade in the morning, which Frank and I decided not to participate in. We really don't like riding in big groups.  But there were lots of people dressed up in crazy costumes (that's part of the event).  They also had a section of Ann Morrison park set up with tents and a stage.  They were serving beer and having entertainment throughout the day.  We did not get any beer as Frank didn't want to ride home on the bike after having some.

The Treasure Valley Artists' Alliance was lucky enough to be allowed to have a booth there.  There was a painting of a bike set up with a grid on top and people were asked to paint in a square where they like to ride their bike. 

The TVAA group might donate the bike painting to hang in the  Boise Bicycle Project. That group was also there.

They had made a tree out of bicycle parts. 

There was a "cooling" station.  Yes, those people in the picture are guys dressed up.

Two-headed me in the fun mirror.

Entertainment. Notice the gnome in the crowd (the tallest one I've ever seen).  I really don't have a good picture of all the people in crazy costumes.

Another sculpture.

We didn't do very much, or stay very long, but it was fun to see what the event was all about, and support bicycling in Boise.