New Belgium Brewing’s 2010 Tour de Fat Raised more than $330,000 for Non-Profit Organizations in 13 Cities

More than 70,000 people came to play at Tour de Fat, helping to continue

bicycle advocacy and environmental stewardship

Fort Collins, CO, December 20, 2010 – Tour de Fat, New Belgium Brewing’s traveling carnival of all things bicycle, is celebrating the end of 2010 by wrapping up its greatest fundraising season in history.  The philanthropic traveling bike festival raised $331,428 for non-profit friends, which is up nearly 20 percent from 2009.  2010 also saw record-shattering attendance with 70,250 cycling celebrants in 13 cities.  Tour de Fat kicked off in Chicago on June 26 and wrapped up in Austin on October 30.

Tour de Fat is free to attend, but money raised from the sale of New Belgium beers and merchandise helps local organizations continue their good work of bicycle advocacy and environmental stewardship.  In 2008, Tour de Fat broke the $1 million mark and the grand total now stands at more than $1.5 million.  To see videos from some of the 2010 tour stops visit http://www.tour-de-fat.com.

In addition to raising money at every stop, Tour de Fat also swapped 13 cars for bikes.  This year marked the fourth year that Tour de Fat hosted the car-for-bike swap, where someone in each city trades in his or her vehicle for a hand-built commuter bike.  The volunteer then commits to living car-free for the next year. 

For example, in Chicago, New Belgium selected “Iggi” Ignaczak to become the first car swapper of the season.  Iggi is an avid cyclist who is not afraid to ride his bike in the 16-below temperatures of a Chicago winter.  His work commute now consists of six miles of bike riding each day, plus a 35-minute train ride, instead of the 18-mile, one-hour and 20-minute drive he had before.  Iggi even built a bike trailer for his dog Winston, so he can go along on some of his journeys.

“People always ask me what I’m doing out on a bike in 10 degree weather,” said Iggi.  “I tell them the story of Tour de Fat and how I traded in a car for the bike. Almost always, if not met with a response of ‘oh, you’re crazy’, people are impressed.”

“I can almost see the gears in their heads grinding, and considering if that is something they can do themselves,” he added. “I always say that if I can do it, so can they.”

In addition to getting thirteen cars off the road, Tour de Fat aims to minimize its impact by composting and recycling waste. The waste diversion rate for this season was 91 percent.  Other Tour de Fat sustainable initiatives included traveling with a solar-powered stage, using biofuel sourced from recycled waste oils for trucks and transport, and having all vendors operate off the grid.

“We join our nonprofit partners in thanking all attendees,” said Bryan Simpson, New Belgium Brewing Spokes Model.  “We’d like to high five each person who supported our efforts, but since that’s a little tricky, we’d like to thank everyone for their tremendous support.”

For more information on Tour de Fat visit http://www.tour-de-fat.com and for more details on New Belgium Brewing go to http://www.newbelgium.com/.

Tour de Fat Breakdown City-by-City

Grand Totals

Ø  $331,428 Total Funds Raised

Ø  70,250 Attended

June 26, 2010 – Chicago, IL

Ø  $14,000 Total Funds Raised

Ø  Non-Profit Supported – West Town Bikes

Ø  4,000 Attended

July 3, 2010 – Milwaukee, WI

Ø  $10,000 Total Funds Raised

Ø  Non-Profit Supported – Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin

Ø  1,750 Attended

July 10, 2010 – Minneapolis, MN

Ø  $11,351 Total Funds Raised

Ø  Non-Profits Supported – Midtown Greenway Coalition, Minneapolis Off-Road Cycling Advocates and Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota

Ø  3,250 Attended

July 31, 2010 – Seattle, WA

Ø  $11,500 Total Funds Raised

Ø  Non-Profits Supported – Bicycle Alliance of Washington and Bike Works

Ø  4,000 Attended

August 14, 2010 – Portland, OR

Ø  $7,595 Total Funds Raised

Ø  Non-Profits Supported – Bicycle Transportation Alliance and Northwest Trail Alliance

Ø  1,750 Attended

August 21, 2010 – Boise, ID

Ø  $21,641 Total Funds Raised

Ø  Non-Profits Supported – Southwest Idaho Mountain Bike Association, Treasure Valley Cycling Association and Boise Bicycle Project

Ø  6,000 Attended

September 4, 2010 – Ft. Collins, CO

Ø  $52,260 Total Funds Raised

Ø  Non-Profits Supported – Overland Mountain Bike Club, Bike Fort Collins and The Bike Co-Op

Ø  15,000 Attended

September 11, 2010 – Denver, CO

Ø  $33,000 Total Funds Raised

Ø  Non-Profits Supported – Bike Denver and The Denver Cruisers

Ø  8,000 Attended

September 25, 2010 – San Francisco, CA

Ø  $38,505 Total Funds Raised

Ø  Non-Profits Supported – San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and Bay Area Ridge Trail Council

Ø  7,000 Attended

October 2, 2010 San Diego, CA

Ø  $9,965 Total Funds Raised

Ø  Non-Profits Supported – San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and San Diego Mountain Bike Association

Ø  2,500 Attended

October 9, 2010 – Tempe, AZ

Ø  $59,375 Total Funds Raised

Ø  Non-Profits Supported – Tempe Bicycle Action Group, Bike Saviours and Mountain Bike Association of Arizona

Ø  13,000 Attended

October 23, 2010 – Los Angeles, CA

Ø  $6,555 Total Funds Raised

Ø  Non-Profits Supported – Cyclists Inciting Change thru Live Exchange (C.I.R.C.L.E.), Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition and Bicycle Kitchen/La Bicicocina

Ø  2,000 Attended

October 30, 2010 – Austin, TX

Ø  $3,970 Total Funds Raised

Ø  Non-Profits Supported – Yellow Bike Project, Austin Cycling Association and Austin Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Club

Ø  2,000 Attended

About New Belgium Brewing Company

New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, began operations in a tiny Fort Collins basement in 1991. Today, the third largest craft brewer in the U.S., New Belgium produces seven year-round beers; Fat Tire Amber Ale, Sunshine Wheat, Blue Paddle Pilsner, 1554 Black Ale, Abbey, Mothership Wit and Trippel, as well as a host of seasonal releases. In addition to producing world-class beers, New Belgium takes pride in being a responsible corporate role model with progressive programs such as employee ownership, open book management and a commitment to environmental stewardship. For more information, visit www.newbelgium.com.

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Ride from the Denver Zoo into downtown Denver to enjoy the City’s holiday lights, then join us for a post-ride social at the Irish Snug.  The ride is a benefit for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and their Adopt-a-Home program.  Special bonus feature: get to ride the new buffered bike lane on Champa!

It’s time to celebrate the season at the BikeDenver Winter Solstice Ride! The ride is a casual, safe benefit bike ride for Denver bicyclists to celebrate the season and enjoy Denver’s holiday lights – on our homes… city buildings…  and our bikes! We will ride through Colfax, Congress Park, Capital Hill and Washington Park neighborhoods known for their festive holiday lighting and then enjoy a social to celebrate the season.  Ride release waiver and bike lights are required. Helmet highly recommended.

The Irish Snug is Denver’s authentic Irish Pub located on historic Capitol Hill, twelve blocks east of Broadway on Colfax Avenue. Once the haunt of Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady, this section of uptown Denver offers vibrant night life for the local community. On the 21st, Irish Snug presents “Trivia – Under the Snug” starting at 8pm.. with fun and prizes for participants! Learn more at www.irishsnug.com


When & Where: Tuesday, December 21st, 6:00 to 6:45pm bike ride followed by a social at the Irish Snug (1201 E. Colfax). Meet at the main entrance of the Denver Zoo before 6pm (enough time to sign your waiver form!).

How: On your bike, with all the lights and bells you own on you and your bike! For more information please email info@bikedenver.org.

What to Bring: Participants are asked to bring a kitchen or bathroom item to help give a warm holiday welcome by helping to furnish 50 new homes for those who have been living on the streets and in shelters. Examples include: Silverware, plates, cups, bowls, pots, pans, can opener, cooking utensils, toaster, microwave, coffee maker, coffee mugs, tupperware, trash can, sponges (Kitchen), bathmat, toilet mat, hand towel, washcloth, shower curtain, soap dish, toothbrush holder, towels (Bathroom).  Learn more about the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Adopt-a-Home program here.

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BikeDenver is Denver’s bicycle advocacy organization.  BikeDenver promotes and encourages bicycling in Denver and works to  make Denver a better place to ride your bike.  Why?  Because it’s healthy for you, and healthy for Denver.  www.bikedenver.org

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless has been helping the homeless for 25 years.  The Coalition works collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for homeless and at-risk families, children, and individuals throughout Colorado. The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being and stability of those it serves. For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.ColoradoCoalition.org.

BikeDenver is pleased to announce this month’s Bike Hero, Kelly Brough! President and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Brough believes bikes play a vital role in enhancing Denver’s livelihood and quality of life. She’s excited about the City’s commitment to making Denver more bike-friendly than ever by installing new bike lanes, improving existing paths, and implementing bike-sharing, all of which make it easier to get around town on two wheels. Having a solid bike infrastructure is not only a boon to business, “it gets people thinking about how fun bicycling is,” she says. (Photo Credit – The Denver Post)

A longtime bike-commuter and recreational cyclist, Brough makes her 13-mile roundtrip commute by bike most days during the warmer months, and is encouraged by the steady proliferation of bicyclists she’s witnessed since she started riding to work in 1991. “There were very few cyclists out then, and cars rarely expected bikes,” Brough says. “Now, paths are packed—especially on weekends—and drivers expect bikes, too.” She sees both as positive indications of Denver’s attitude toward bicycling, and thinks riding is a great way for people to enjoy the city and spend time with their families. Brough fondly remembers teaching her own daughters to ride, as well as their regular, 7-mile family rides along Denver’s paths to Grandma and Grandpa’s. “We’d take lots of breaks, have picnics. It was a wonderful way to spend the day together.”

Lucky for Brough (and for Denver), biking’s also a good way for her to spend time with other local movers and shakers. She’s been known to take lunchtime jaunts out to Cherry Creek Reservoir with Chamber COO Robert Blankenship, or join Governor Bill Ritter for an early morning ride. Obviously a good sport, Brough laughs over a ribbing she took from the City’s Director of Strategic Marketing, Steve Sander, for showing up to a Denver Post interview last summer sporting fresh road rash (and assures us that she had nothing to do with the governor’s own well-publicized crash!). BikeDenver salutes Kelly Brough for putting a positive spin on spinning around the city! (Photo Credit above – Kathryn Scott Osler | The Denver Post)

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Bike Hero of the Month Awards highlight different people each month, and help encourage other people to bike by telling the Hero’s personal story. The goal of the Bike Hero Awards Program is to showcase the diversity of citizen-cyclists and the people who support them in Denver.

BikeDenver’s Executive Director Piep van Heuven says: “We introduced the Bike Hero awards because we want to encourage a friendly environment for and public image of bicyclists in Denver. One of the ways we can do this is to showcase the different faces of and great stories about people in our community, like Kelly Brough, who ride bikes or help others get out there and ride. Through the Bike Hero awards, BikeDenver honors bicyclists of all ages and walks of life, from the first time bicyclist to the rain or shine bicyclist!  We all know people (our neighbors, co-workers, family members or community leaders) who inspire us to reach for the handlebars instead of the car keys. Take a moment to look around you and help BikeDenver recognize the people in our community who are making a difference for Denver, one ride at a time!”

Right on the heels of our Fall Newsletter that announced Denver’s new status as a Silver bicycle friendly community, our third issue of Crank and our new Membership Matters! publication give you a look back at 2010 and forward to 2011!

In this four-page issue you’ll read about:

• What’s Next, Denver? -a view from the Director’s chair on how we plan to navigate the transition to a new Mayor and administration.
• BikeDenver Staffs Up! – Meet Maggie Thompson, our new advocacy director!
• Alliance Retreat News – Two BikeDenver board members spend the weekend on a riverboat in Chattenooga this fall, find out why!
• City News - The Broncos Orange Ride was a great success (and is already being planned for 2011) and Tour de Fat wrap up news had some pretty crazy figures!
• State News – After years of work, Bicycle Colorado and Bike Jeffco found a way to help us bike past the Buffalo herd on I-70.
• New Bike Heroes and Bicycle Friendly Businesses! – Meet Mike Dion and Holland & Hart LLC.

We’re also releasing our new publication Membership Matters!.  Get a birds-eye view of what it takes to engage supporters to get that important advocacy work done right here!

December 2010 Newsletter – Read it here!

Fall 2010 Newsletter – Read it here!

Winter 2009 Newsletter – Read it here!

You’re inspired now, right?  Become a member and add your voice to the chorus!  Just click the “become a member button” in the right-hand column of our website and you’ll be 60 seconds away from helping us make history in 2011!

It’s that time of year when we all reflect on what’s important in our lives and communities.  We know you think bicycling in Denver is important, and that’s why we invite you to become a member today.

Did you know that when you become a BikeDenver member, you help us fund the work we do to improve bicycling in Denver?  More importantly, you add your name to the growing list of people who believe that bicycling is a critical part of a vibrant community.

More members means more power to advance our bike-friendly agenda.  If you believe that bicycling is good for Denver, we invite you to come along for the ride!  All we need to transform the city into a bicycle-friendly paradise is more of YOU!

As a member you’ll be contributing to important efforts in 2011 like our work with a new city administration to ensure that bicycling remains a priority in Denver.  You’ll also receive our newsletter, e-communications, invitations to events and discounts at businesses that support bicycling.

It’s easy to become a member!  Just choose one of our enticing member levels, or make a one-time donation.

Become a BikeDenver Member!

Make a Donation to BikeDenver!

Clif Bar and BikeDenver are pleased to announce Grand Hyatt Denver as December’s Bicycle-Friendly Business of the Month! Centrally located at 1750 Welton Street downtown, Grand Hyatt Denver encourages its employees and guests to bike for a fun, convenient way to get around, give back, and go green. The concierge is happy to recommend bike-accessible places to visit and provides B-cycle maps so guests can skip the cab ride and really get a feel for Denver. General Manager Greg Leonard encourages his 300+ employees to ride to work where the hotel provides secure, covered bike parking, locker rooms, and shower facilities. Leonard himself makes his 40-mile round-trip commute by bike at least once or twice a week, daylight permitting–not a bad way to train for the hotel’s annual showing at Bike MS, a 150-mile ride to help wipe out multiple sclerosis.

Leonard is especially proud of Grand Hyatt Denver staffers’ enthusiasm when it comes to giving back. Eleven years ago they formed a three-person team to ride the MS 150; this year, team Stay Fit at Hyatt had grown to 213 employees, friends, and family members (see photo at right). The ride’s largest corporate team of 2010, it raised $163,000 for the MS Society’s Colorado chapter for a cumulative total of over $500,000 since the team’s inception. And the giving doesn’t end there. Grand Hyatt Denver supports the Special Olympics as well as several charitable organizations and events within the community. Last month, for example, nearly a third of the hotel’s employees donated the Thanksgiving turkeys they received as gifts to the Denver Rescue Mission.

Speaking of giving, Grand Hyatt Denver also gives the green light to green operation. It promotes discounted “Go Green” meetings without all the typical conference waste (notepads, water bottles, etc.), and the hotel’s Green Team constantly assesses and implements energy, water, and waste-saving practices. This, combined with making biking in and around the city a priority, is why we’re saluting Grand Hyatt Denver for being a grand, green, giving member of our community!

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BikeDenver’s Bicycle-Friendly Business (BFB) of the Month Awards help highlight organizations that are making standout contributions and offering great success stories from among BikeDenver’s Bicycle-Friendly Business (BFB) Program members. The BFB program, with 125 honorees to date, recognizes businesses, organizations and workplaces that are leading the way to make bicycling an easy and accepted form of transportation in Denver. Nominate a workplace as a Bicycle-Friendly Business here.

Grand Hyatt Denver works hard to encourage biking as a fun, practical means of transportation; to enhance personal well-being; and as a vehicle for giving back to our community. Grand Hyatt Denver

BikeDenver is Denver’s bicycle advocacy organization. BikeDenver promotes and encourages bicycling in Denver and works to make Denver a better place to ride your bike. Why? Because it’s healthy for you, and healthy for Denver. www.bikedenver.org

Clif Bar & Company started on a bike ride. Founder Gary took a bite of another energy bar and thought he could make a better bar. Today, Clif Bar is a leading maker of all-natural and organic energy and nutrition foods and drinks. www.clifbar.com

Bicycle Friendly Business of the Month Awards: Since partnering in July of 2009 to launch the monthly awards program, Clif Bar and BikeDenver have recognized Watercourse Restaurant, Historic Denver’s Story Trek, Downtown Denver Business Improvement District, Jones Lang LaSalle, Human Powered Transit Authority, Denver Pavilions, the Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado, Salvagetti Bicycle Workshop, Little Man Ice Cream, Denver Water, Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), Sweet Action Ice Cream, MIGHTYkarma, Quiznos, REI Denver Flagship Store, Solera Green Living, Holland & Hart, and Grand Hyatt Denver.

More about BikeDenver:

See BikeDenver’s PSA’s and learn about the great reasons to ride in Denver: “Priceless” “Why I Ride”

You can help make a better place to ride a bike by becoming a BikeDenver member: Join BikeDenver!

Want to hear our zippy new radio PSAs? Click here. Hear them here.

Read about previous Bicycle Friendly Business of the Month honorees:

November 2010 – Holland & Hart

October 2010 – Solera Green Living

September 2010 – REI Denver Flagship Store

August 2010 – Quiznos

July 2010 – MIGHTYkarma

June 2010 – Sweet Action Ice Cream

May 2010 – Denver Regional Council of Governments

April 2010 – Denver Water

March 2010 – Little Man Ice Cream

February 2010 – Salvagetti Bicycle Workshop

January 2010 – The Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado

December 2009 – Denver Pavilions

November 2009 – Human Powered Transit Authority

October 2009 – Jones Lang LaSalle

September 2009 – Downtown Denver Partnership & BID

August 2009 – Historic Denver’s Story Trek

July 2009 (Inaugural) – Watercourse Restaurant

You care about making Denver a better place to live, work, and play. You know that when more people ride bikes more often everyone benefits. You can help BikeDenver collect as many signatures as possible to show our next Mayor that bicycling is good for Denver!

Sign the Petition: Keep Bicycling a Priority in Denver!

November’s election  left a lot of people thinking “What’s next for Denver?” and we’re working hard to ensure that Denver’s future includes great bicycling.  As we get closer to the Mayoral election in May, BikeDenver is working to build support for bicycling by getting to know the candidates, growing our membership, and collecting petition signatures with the message “Keep Bicycling a Priority in Denver”.  We encourage anyone who cares about bicycling in Denver to sign our petition and spread the word.

At November’s Annual Meeting, BikeDenver welcomed three new board members who’ll bring their expertise and enthusiasm for growing bicycling in Denver.  Want to meet them?  Of course you do!

Meet Dave Cowan! Dave is eager to help BikeDenver develop programs for kids and families. He’s inspired by his daughter Isabelle and his love for biking (road, mountain and the occasional triathlon). Dave has been a Denverite for 10 years and hails from St. Paul, MN (by way of Central America and Venezuela). He manages projects and staff throughout the country for the Safe Routes to Schools National Partnership.

Meet Jodi Kopke! Jodi brings a wealth of marketing and development experience to the BikeDenver team. She is the Director of Marketing and Business Development of the Denver office at Kutak Rock LLP, a national law firm. She was the Director of Marketing for the State Tobacco Education Program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and served as the Director of Marketing and Development at the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless. When she isn’t working, she loves to play soccer, train for triathlons and try out new recipes.

Meet Cassiope Sydoriak! Cassiope will take on roles to help BikeDenver grow events and improve governance.  A Boettcher Scholar at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she graduated in 2009, she now helps the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) administer $38 million in grant funds annually to benefit Denver’s cultural facilities.  In her spare time you’ll find her at spin-yoga or swing dancing, practicing her Italian, or researching artwork for the Denver Art Museum Department of Painting & Sculpture.  Sometimes you might even see her riding a red-and-yellow 1960s folding bike while wearing gold spandex and go-go boots.  That is…if you’re lucky.