Tour de Fat

On Saturday we attended “a ballyhoo of bikes and beer” – a.k.a. the Tour de Fat!  Over 8,000 people gathered for the event in Fort Collins, Colorado.  Fort Collins is considered the “Mothership” because it’s home to New Belgium Brewing, which is a fantastic microbrewery.  New Belgium started the event in Fort Collins and it now travels to 12 other cities around the US.  All money raised from beer sales go to local organizations or charities that volunteer for the event.  Their signature beer is Fat Tire ale and that where the “fat” comes from in Tour de Fat.
Anyhoo, our wonderful friends Amy and April invited us up to their house for a sleepover on Saturday night and we all attended the event together!  The kickoff of the event is a parade and it was a freak show – in a good way.  Attendees are strongly encouraged to dress in costume for the event – the more ridiculous the better. 
Sandy and I spent part of Friday shopping thrift stores for crazy clothes.  I found a hot pink party dress and a pink and white scarf with roses.  Sandy went as a “real American.”  You’ll see in photos below.  Amy and April lashed stuffed animal chickens to their helmets (these also double as slippers) and made chicken sounds.  Here is a group shot:

This is me post-parade:

 

Here are some photos of costumed parade-riders:

A group got busy with some papier-mâché in a very creative way – they created Muppets!  They had a Dr. Teeth, Gonzo, Fozzie the Bear (not pictured), the Swedish chef, and a wee Kermit.

The freak show continued at the terminus of the parade where beer, food, and entertainment were provided.  We got a beer (you have to donate!) and people-watched.  The photos below provide just a sampling of the costume (or lack of).

We actually didn’t stay too long.  Hunger and dust chased us away and we went for lunch in old town Fort Collins. We found ample sustenance at a La Creperie & Bakery of Fort Collins. Here are some snapshots of the tuckered out couples.

 

We walked off the crepes by strolling around Fort Collins, which was bustling with activity.  There were gobs of people about – some costumed, some not.  It was surreal but created a really fun, festival-like environment.

That night we ate in, chatted, drank Prosecco, and played catch phrase.  We also got a chance to meet one of their neighbors who stopped by for a chat!

In the morning we journeyed back to Denver after a homemade breakfast and play time with Charlotte, their Schnoodle.