Bikes Beer and Ballyhoo

Tour De Fat came to Chicago this past weekend and it was the kickoff for the tour. My history with Colorado gave me a strong affinity for New Belgium Brewing. So when they started distributing beer on this side of the Mississippi I was pretty psyked. The brand has taken off in the 2 years it has been in Chicago and it couldn't have been more evident than at Tour De Fat. I must say that I was a tad worried when I found out that the bicycle fest would come though my home town. I'm savvy as to the mentality they attract and it is opposite that of the PBR drinking hipsters the Critical Mass caterers to and I feared the overlap. I wanted my city to make a good impression on an old friend. Chicago did not let me down. It was slow going for a while though. No one in Chicago was willing trade their car for a bike. Finally with only 4 days left the tour got a taker. The parade was a blast the bands, Paperbird, from Denver and Chicago's very own Mucca Pazza were high energy and everyone was in an awesome mood. I'm glad that Colorado came to me this time.

Mucca Pazza Super Fan.

Mucca Pazza leading the Dirge.

Joe on the rode to bicycle enlightenment.

Rickshaw Guy is a staple at Chicago Critical Mass.

I read about the Bicycle SUV in Popular Science but this is the first time I've seen one. Check out the trailer hitch on the back of it, heavy duty.

Mad Max on a bicycle.

I dub this the 360 bike. Also a staple at CCM. It is pretty ingenious. It is a BMX style bike with gears and disk brakes, he straps himself to the saddle gets up to speed and mashes down on the front brake, momentum and a rubber coated pipe does the rest.

I was able to chat up Reverend Ballyhoo, the master of ceremonies for a spell. He just might have the best job ever, yes he is an ordained Reverend and a down right nice guy to boot.