Everyone knows about the Tour de Fat already, but we have two other big events in October that we need help with:

The Tempe Octoberfest Bike Valet on Oct. 7th-9th.
And the Tour de Tempe Family Ride on Oct 23rd.

We need people to park bikes at the Tempe Octoberfest, and we need ride leaders and help with setup at the Tour de Tempe.

Octoberfest volunteers will get vouchers for free beer and food at the event. Tour de Tempe volunteers will get gift vouchers to Boulders on Broadway. Volunteers signed up for either event will also get free Tour de Fat beer tokens and an invitation to the Volunteer Appreciation Party at Boulders on Broadway on Oct 27th.

So if free beer interests you, sign up today!

Early Bird Ride Leaders Needed
8am this Sunday 10/24 @ Kiwanis Park.
15th Annual Tour de Tempe Community Bike Ride.
route: 12 mile mellow-paced community bike ride, heading south from Kiwanis park along the Western Canal & back.
Route: Map
Volunteer sign-up:for additional volunteer information contact sam@biketempe.org
for event details try: sue_taaffe@tempe.gov

On Sunday, October 25th Tempe will once again hold their biannual Tour de Tempe. TBAG will be marshaling the ride as well as helping Tempe Police operate the Bike Rodeo. This is a family friendly ride and the Bike Rodeo is geared specifically to children and families to help kids learn how to ride safely. Helmets are required for the rodeo and ride. Below is the press release from Tempe Newsroom:

Tempe, Ariz. – More than 1,500 people are expected to participate in the 14th annual Tour de Tempe community bike ride on Oct. 25 from 7 a.m. to noon at Kiwanis Park 6111 S. All-America Way in the parking lot just north of Guadalupe Road. Admission is free. Activities include:

Community ride (registration starts at 7 a.m. and ride starts at 9 a.m.). Helmets are required. Free t-shirts provided for the first 800 riders.
Bike rodeo – Learn the rules of the road with this fun bicycle safety clinic. Bicycles are required.
BMX freestylers – Enjoy live entertainment by some of the best riders in Arizona.
Breakfast foods and coffee.
Event raffle – All participants can enter into a drawing to receive great giveaways. Bring a pair of old athletic shoes to donate to the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe Program and receive an additional raffle ticket.
Kid activities – Kids can enjoy arts-n-crafts activities.
Safety demonstrations and giveaways – Learn how to properly fit your helmet and receive a free helmet if needed (limited stock on hand).

Tour de Tempe sponsors include Back East Bagel Company, Berning’s Fine Jewelry, REI, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Tempe Bicycle, Bicycle Cellar, Starbucks, Whole Foods Market, Wildflower Bread Company, Tempe Bicycle Action Group and Tempe in Motion.

Please join the City of Tempe and TBAG for a community bicycle ride this Sunday, October 26th.

We’re looking for 8-10 volunteers to serve as parade marshals for the mellow, 10-mile ride. Marshals help direct the cyclists and assist with any minor repairs (mostly flats) along the way. Volunteers must be able to meet at Kiwanis Park (the parking lot off of All-American Way just north of Guadalupe) by 7:30 AM. The ride starts at 8:30 and lasts 1-1.5 hours. All participants will receive t-shirts and breakfast goodies. Because this is a City of Tempe event, HELMETS ARE REQUIRED. Goofy costumes are optional, but highly encouraged.

If you would like to volunteer for this event, please email Kate: kate@biketempe.org

Official Event Info:

1,500 bicyclists expected at annual Tour de Tempe bike ride

Tempe, Ariz. – More than 1,500 people are expected to participate in the 13th annual Tour de Tempe community bike ride Oct. 26. The ride starts and ends at Tempe’s Kiwanis Park (Parking lot off All-America Way just north of Guadalupe Road). Riders will enjoy some of the most distinct bikeways in Arizona during this 10 mile ride that begins at 8:30 a.m. Registration starts at 7 a.m.

Tour de Tempe, Tempe’s free leisurely community bike ride, is a fun, non-competitive ride that weaves through diverse neighborhoods, public art projects and other Tempe sites.

All riders will receive free breakfast snacks, and artist-designed T-shirts will be distributed to the first 800 registrants. Helmets are required.

Tour de Tempe sponsors include Back East Bagel Company, Berning’s Fine Jewelry, REI, Starbucks, Whole Foods Market, Wildflower Bread Company, Clif Bar and Tempe in Motion.

Tempe has more than 165 miles of dedicated bikeways, including on-street bike lanes and off-street multi-use paths and is designated a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. For more information, call (480) 350-2775 or visit www.tempe.gov/tim.

Thank you everyone, for another fun and successful Tour de Fat! Bicycles were ridden, beer was enjoyed, and entertainment was had by all. In upcoming days, as we recover from the fun and take stock of things, we’ll provide more details on how the event went. Again, all proceeds from the Tour de Fat benefit four local nonprofit biking organizations: TBAG, the Bike Saviours, the Mountain Biking Association of Arizona, and the Central Arizona Mountain Bike Patrol.

In the meantime, mark your calendars for the following upcoming events, some organized by the City of Tempe and some by TBAG:

Wednesday, October 15: Tempe Walk to School Day.
Check the Tempe in Motion website for details.
Saturday, October 18, 10 am, Tempe Beach Park Entrance: Cupcake Ride to Lulu’s Cupcakes (4-mile leisurely ride or 15-mile appetite-stimulating ride)
SUNDAY, October 26: 13th annual Tour de Tempe bike ride
Registration starts at 7 am, the ride starts at 8:30 am, departing from Kiwanis Park
TBAG volunteers will be on hand to serve as ride marshals.
See the Tempe in Motion website for more details.
Sunday, November 2, 3-5 pm: Annual Membership Meeting, location TBA

Have a great time during last week’s Tour de Fat Bike Parade? Dying for another opportunity to ride around Tempe with 1500 other cyclists? You’re in luck!

Next Sunday, October 28th is the 12th annual Tour de Tempe

TBAG will be there acting as official marshals for the ride thanks to an invitation from the city. See you there!