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People of 2012,

Greetings from the year 2112, cyclonauts. We’re on a mission to get your circuits jamming and set your thrusters on overdrive. You, and only you, can help DC Bike to the Future! Join WABA for this year’s Bike Prom, presented by New Belgium Brewing. This is your once-in-a-century opportunity to get intergalactic with cybernetic cycleborgs, stellar spokes-models, and parsecs of Plutonian pedalers! What are you waiting for? Invite, build, or beam down your  prom date(s), strap on a pair of SPD moon boots, and get ready to Bike…to the Future!

All costumed bots and beings will receive one free raffle ticket. This could be your ticket to a New Belgium Cruiser bike or other sweet bike gear. This year’s Bike Prom will feature musical appearances by Pity Party, Oscar Paul Whiteman, and Jean Pierre Le Douche. Plus free bike valet, games, the best awkward prom photos, and the crowning of Robo-Queen and Robo-King.

DATE: Friday, July 27th
TIME: Doors open at 9pm
LOCATION: Black Cat main stage
TICKETS: $10 WABA members/ $15 non-members
FACEBOOK: Spread the word

VOLUNTEER: All Bike Prom volunteers get in for free, and receive a free drink for bringing this event to life. Fill out this quick questionnaire to sign up to volunteer.

 

NEXT SATURDAY, June 16th, The New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of Fat Tire Ale, and WABA are hosting the biggest, most fanciful, bicycle celebration of all time. And for the first time ever it’s coming to DC!

We’re going to celebrate bikes, make some new friends, and sip on a couple of cold, Rocky Mountain barley pops–all in the name of local bike advocacy!

The Tour de Fat benefits WABA, MORE (Mid-Atlantic Offroad Enthusiasts), Black Women Bike DC, and FABB (Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling).

Before the big day we want to make sure you know all the event details so that you and your friends come prepared, because a) you can’t miss this, and b) you must come prepared.

 

Vital Details

WHEN: Saturday, June 16th, 9am – 4pm
WHERE: The Yards Park
COST: FREE with $5 suggested donation
REGISTRATION: on-site

SCHEDULE:
9:00am – Parade Registration
9:00am – Free Bike Valet
10:00am – Bike Parade
11:00am –  Main Stage
12:00pm – Slide Show
12:00pm – Slow Ride
1:30pm –  Bike Trade
3:30pm – De Finale!

How to Get to the Tour de Fat

WITH OLD FRIENDS: By bicycle, of course! The Yards park is located at 10 Water St. SE, Washington, DC near the National’s Stadium. . For those traveling from far and away, it is advised that you find parking far from Yards Park. Parking in the area will be extremely limited due to the Yankees/National’s baseball game.
WITH  NEW FRIENDS:  A number of local shops and organizations are leading convoy rides down to the park. We will update this list as convoy information becomes available.
- Alexandria BPAC: One-way group ride departing at 8:30am at St. Elmo’s (2300 Mt Vernon Ave, 22301) RSVP to Bruce Dwyer, oiubike@gmail.com

What to wear

For those who’ve never participated, this is indeed a COSTUME AFFAIR. Costumes are enthusiastically encouraged!!  For some inspiration, check out this montage of photos from Tour de Fat’s of yore.

What to expect

The time of your life
PARADE:  We will show off our rides and our bike pride by taking a short and slow cruise along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail

FREE BIKE VALET:No need to bring your heavy U-lock, the folks at MORE are providing safe and secure bike parking all day long.

MUSIC: Featuring Mucca Pazza, Ian Cooke, and Yo-Yo People

GAMES: We don’t want to giveaway all the surprises, but we heard for one of the games, New Belgium’s creative genius’ constructed life-size Jenga. Yes, life-size.

BIKE PIT: Imagine if instead of creating candy, Willy Wonka created bicycles.

PERFORMANCES: Le Tigre’s whimsical ways will woo us all day long.

How to prepare

Start mixing up your papier-mâché pulp, pull out that tutu from your college years, give your bike a quick tune-up, and invite your friends to the biggest bike festival DC has ever seen.

Come join WABA & New Belgium for an evening of beers, bikes, and pre-Tour de Fat next Thursday, May 24th (5/24) at The Pug on H St. NE!

Enjoy tasty New Belgium brews (Fat Tire Amber Ale, Shift Pale Lager, & Tart Lychee Ale) and enter for the chance to win a 2012 New Belgium Custom Cruiser bike! Raffle tickets will be $5 with all proceeds going to WABA! Bring your friends, co-workers, family, or significant other. One of you will be rolling home with a sweet new ride! Plus, High fives and treats for all who ride!

Happy Hour Event Details:

The Pug
1234 H St. NE
Washington, DC 20002
7-9pm (with bike raffle at 9pm sharp!)

Register here or just show up!

“What is Tour de Fat?” you ask.

Simply the coolest bike event of the year! Tour de Fat brings together passionate bike lovers for a day of two-wheeled reverly while raising money for local non-profits. Tour de Fat is a thrilling rite of passage that includes an unparalleled costumed bicycle parade, New Belgium beer, dazzling entertainment, local food, unusual bike contests and much more. Coming to 15 cities across the country, New Belgium has added Washington, DC and Atlanta to this year’s line-up!

Learn more about Tour de Fat on Facebook or our WABA’s event page!

 

 

We can’t stress this enough; thanks to generous donors throughout the region; we have…

An incredible raffle and silent auction lineup at BikeFest, INCLUDING 8 BIKES!

So we encourage you to take a moment and browse through our list of the silent auction packages, and raffle items before the big show.

Silent Auction Packages
Package Name	Goodies	Donors
E plurbus Unicycle	Unicycle lesson with WABA Staffmember Greg Billing, Citizen Black Chrome messenger bag, your very own copy of BikeSnobNYC’s latest, The Enlightened Cyclist	Greg Billing, Chrome messenger bag, BikeSnobNYC, Chronicle Books, KIND Healthy Snacks
50 States Ride Sneak Peek	50 States Ride preview with WABA staffmember Nelle Pierson, (sm/m) Nutcase Helmet, Water bottles, KIND Bars, Sunscreen	Nelle Pierson, Nutcase USA, KIND Healthy Snacks
Jazzy ride… All things considered	NPR Tour with WABA Board Member, Pedicab Ride, and lunch at Perry’s	Emily Littleton, National Pedicab, Perry’s
C&O Canal of Love	Overnight stay at C&O Canal Lockhouse No. 6, Bike rack and panniers, Picnic blanket, Bottle of wine, chocolate, and bike lube. Plus 1 yr subscription to Momentum magazine and KIND Healthy Snacks	C&O Canal Trust, Tish King, Momentum Magazine, KIND Healthy Snacks.
Rehoboth Summer Classic	Pints and Paddles tour; explore the Broadkill River and tour the Dogfish Head Brewery and end the day with dinner at Dogfish Head Flagship Restaurant. 2 Dogfish head jerseys, socks, water bottles, and sign. Plus a box of KIND Healthy Snacks	Quest Fitness Kayak Tours, Dogfish Head Brewery, KIND Healthy Snacks
The Georgetowner	$50 Gift Card to Cyclelife USA, 2-hour Jack’s Boathouse Kayak rental for 2, $50 Gift Card to Baked & Wired and a box of KIND Healthy Snacks	Cyclelife USA, Jack’s Boathouse, Baked & Wired, KIND Healthy Snacks
H Street Cycle Chic(k)	Yakkay Helmet,bike basket, and skirt garder, flower pedals, Enlightened Cyclist	The Daily Rider, BikeSnob NYC, Chronicle Books,
Health	Subscription to SnackPackers (healthy snacks delivered to your work) and 5-class pack to Stroga, Strength + Yoga sessions	Stroga, Snackpackers
Classy Commuter	Deluxe Burley Travoy commuter trailer	Burley
BIKE: Raleigh Back Alley	Reynolds 520 frame and chromoly fork, Weinmann deep-V rims and Vittoria tires, flip flop between freewheel or fixie drivetrain.	Revolution Cycles
BIKE: Kona Dew	Fast, comfortable and confident geometry, with components designed to stand up to the rigors of daily commuting, including a Kona 7005 aluminum butted frame, Shimano components, Shining rims and Kenda tires.	Kona and Bikenetics
BikeBuild LIVE Auction
BIKE: Papillon Cycles	Vintage Tandem and cycle chic coat	Papillon Cycles
BIKE: Silver Cycles	Tween Cyclocross seat tube is 43cm, top tube 50cmBest for rider 5’2″ and under or a rider with approximately 26 to 29″ inseam	Silver Cycles
BIKE: Threepenny Bikes	Bamboo Mixte  frame size is equivalent to a 34, two-speed internally geared kick-shift	Threepenny Bikes
Raffle
BIKE: Easy Breezy	Breezer Zig 7 Folding bicycle with 20 inch wheels, frame size fits most.	Silver Cycles
Bike Baggin’ It	Ortlieb commuter/travel panniers	Bike Rack
Coffee Clash	$20 Northside Social Gift Certificate & BikeSnob “Enlightened Cyclist” $16.95	Northside Social, BikeSnob NYC and Chronicle Books
Coffee Clash	$20 Northside Social Gift Certificate & BikeSnob “Enlightened Cyclist” $16.95	Northside Social, BikeSnob NYC and Chronicle Books
BikeSnob Starter Kit	$50 Spokes Etc. & BikeSnob “Enlightened Cyclist” $16.95	Spokes Etc. Chronicle Books
Petal Power	Handmade ceramic bike-themed mug $25, flower pedals and $20 gift cert to Northside Social	Nelle Design, Silver cycles, Northside social
Biker’s Dozen	Bakeshop Gift Certicate for 12 cupcakes ($25) & Momentum Subscription  ($19.95)	Bakeshop, Momentum Magazine
Biker’s Dozen	Bakeshop Gift Certicate for 12 cupcakes ($25) & Momentum Subscription  ($19.95)	Bake Shop, Momentum Magazine
District Hardware	$25 gift certificates to District Hardware–The Bike Shop	District Hardware
District Hardware	$25 gift certificates to District Hardware–The Bike Shop	District Hardware
Not Toolin’ Around	Park Tools Class $200 value	Spokes Etc.
Don’t Mess with X-fit	Gift Cert to Arlington Crossfit for Assessment and intro to Crossfit	Arlington Crossfit
Cateye Combo	Urban Wireless Bike Computer $35.00 Rapid 3 Rear Light $23.00, Automatic “Jido” Front light $35.00 side rear-view mirror $12.00	Cateye
The Triple P	1 Fuji Tire Pump ($59.99) & Pedal Pusher T-shirt size Medium ($19.50)	Silver Cycles, Pedal Pushers Cliub
The Triple P	1 Fuji Tire pump ($59.99) & Pedal Pusher Jersey size L ($52.00)  Silver cycles water bottle	Silver Cycles, Pedal Pushers Club
Races and Rambles	2 Air Force Cycling Classic VIP Passes ($100), Framed print of country cycling ($50)	Arlington Sports Inc., Rob Layborn,  Bruce and Linda Dwyer
Potomac Pedalers & Company	Potomac Pedalers membership ($30)  2 jerseys ($25 ea), 1 vintage art  ($50)	Potomac Pedalers, Bruce and Linda Dwyer
Phoenix Rising	$50 Gift Phoenix Bikes Gift Certificate, T shirt, Water bottle	Phoenix Bikes, Henry Dunbar

 

And THIS JUST IN. BicycleSPACE donated 2 custom Tweed Cruisers to the Silent Auction. No words can describe these bikes, so you’ll just have to check them out in person.

If you haven’t purchased tickets yet- get to it! The odds are in your favor- you’re going to have a great time and possibly walk away with some cool prizes!

If you’ve seen information about BikeFest on the web or on the streets, then you probably have the basics down. For instance, the event details, a sneak peek of the jazz acts, suggestions on the laid back, incentivized and dapper dress code, a glimpse of the BikeBuild bikes and the bikes we’re auctioning off, and perhaps you’ve checked out our most romantic silent auction package.

That’s lovely, and all that jazz… but we’re going to take our promotion a step further. We encourage you to purchase tickets soon and attend BikeFest for the following reasons:

This event is your ticket to a roaring good time. For you will enjoy an evening of:
-Free catered appetizers all evening long by Occasions Catering
-2 free alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages
-1 free raffle ticket
-A vote in the BikeBuild Contest
-Some of the best live jazz in the region
-Local bike art
-An extensive Silent Auction and Raffle line-up
-Some surprise on-stage and off-stage performances
-Mingling with 400 other bike-loving, WABA supporters. The people you share the lanes with everyday .

This event is your ticket to growing bike advocacy because:
-100% of the proceeds from registration, and 100% of the contributions made throughout the evening,  directly fund WABA’s mission of transforming the greater Washington area into a more bicycle-friendly community. In other words, it’s going to be a fun night and lots of cool people will be there. But more importantly, you will be supporting an incredible local non-profit that has…dare I say…changed your life in the region.

For those of you on the edge of your seats to purchase tickets now, WABA members receive a $10 discount on tickets with the discount code “Speakeasy”.

 

 

 

To some, bikes are a hobby, a pastime, a toy. To most of our members, bikes are simply their preferred mode of transportation. And then there’s local blogger, GirlonaBikeDC. For Kate, a passion for  bicycles led her, quite literally, down the path to the most romantic bike love story of her lifetime.  At last year’s BikeFest, Kate was the top bidder for our C&O Canal of Romance package, a plush bike trip including 2 nights in a historic lockhouse along the C&O Canal, plus some other special amenities.

Read GirlonaBikeDC’s bicycle engagement story below. And keep an eye out at this year’s BikeFest for the same package with some new additions, for all the bicycle lovers out there.

 

At last year’s BikeFest, one of the silent auction packages caught my eye. No, not the unicycle lesson, or the 50 States Preview Ride. It was the “Weekend Along the C&O Canal” package. My (then) boyfriend Jimmy was just starting to get into riding bikes with me. We often rode to & from work together, and would take short trips to the Mall & memorials. We were often on the look-out for any cheap weekend trip options; short nearby trips that would make us feel like we were on vacation but wouldn’t break the bank or use up our leave time. This “Weekend” package looked perfect: a 2 night stay at a “cozy” lock house that was within biking distance. I had no idea what a lock house was or what was considered “cozy”, but I didn’t care. I was going to win that auction.

Win I did, however we didn’t have an opportunity to go until September. The package also included a bottle of wine, chocolates & a front rack for a bicycle. How romantic (and useful)!  I researched Lock House 6 and from the limited photos & description, it seemed interesting but I still had no clear idea of what we were getting into.  It had been restored to the 1950′s era (each lock house that is renovated for rental is restored to a different time period in the canal’s history) and had full amenities including running water, heat/air conditioning, electricity & furnishings. We just had to supply the towels/linens & food. When it came time to leave, Jimmy was extremely skeptical about the whole affair. We’d have to pack & bring everything we needed with us…on our bicycles?!  Jimmy thought this was impossible. But he tried it anyway. We packed what we thought we would need (we overpacked, actually) and set off.

 

The weather was perfect for the trip. An early fall day with clear skies & mild temperatures. Riding along the canal towpath felt like an adventure. Wildlife peeked out from everywhere, whether it was a heron at the canal’s edge or a fox watching us ride by. When we reached lock house 6 less than an hour later, it felt like we were in a fairy tale and had found a little cottage in the woods. We had a great time exploring the surrounding trails during the day & relaxing in the rocking chairs on the porch at night. It was a wonderful weekend we would never forget.

We’ve been back three times since, and can’t wait for our next trip. The C&O Canal and the lock houses are magical. Even though it was only a few minutes outside of DC, it felt like we were hundreds of miles away. It has become a very special place for us. In fact, lock house 10 is where Jimmy decided he wanted to ask me to marry him (I said yes, by the way). I can’t think of a better place for us to promise to share our lives with each other. And we have WABA to thank for providing the inspiration for what has become our own romantic ritual. “

The Silent Auction at this year’s BikeFest is going to raise some brows, and raise some bucks because we are featuring three very distinct, crowd-pleasing, brow-raising bicycles that will appeal to bicyclists of all persuasions.

For your viewing pleasure, we are giving you the slightest sneak peak at what you could be riding home from this year’s BikeFest! Go on, indulge.

 

Revolution Cycles  Silver Cycles Bikenetic & Kona

Tickets are selling like hot cakes, get ‘em before they’re gone!

With all due respect to Alfred Hitchcock and his contributions to cinéma scary-té, if he’d ever been handed a script about the BikeBuild contest taking place at the 2012 BikeFest, he’d have been out of a job. This is a story so suspenseful, so spellbinding, it needs no dramatic lighting, no voyeuristic point of view or urgent violin score to tart it up. It is the real thing, and it has begun.

Our builders, Threepenny Bikes, Silver Cyles, and Papillon Cycles are going head to head to build the most unique, and most popular bike out of used parts and a limited budget. Who will build be crowned this year’s BikeBuild Champion? You be the judge.

David Wendt of Threepenny Bikes is creating what can only be called a work of art. Culled from hand-selected and painstakingly seasoned bamboo wedded to steel, David’s mixte frame bike exemplifies the ideal synthesis of nature, engineering and artistic vision. But who is to say this rarified creation will be the fan favorite?

Get to know your Climate Riders and fellow WABAns while enjoying a happy hour beer (or two).  Bring your co-workers, friends, significant others, or entire family.  As you mingle and munch with a roomful of stellar folks, you’ll also be helping raise money toward the Team WABA fundraising goal and thereby, supporting WABA with every sip.  We’ll be raffling off fun prizes and getting pumped for the upcoming ride!  With May 19th fast approaching, there is little more than a month to go before the Climate Riders hit the road for 5 days and 300 miles!

When?
Tuesday, April 24th, 6 pm-8 pm

Where?
Continental Pool Lounge
1911 North Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, VA
703-465-7675

How? (Are we raising funds for Team WABA)
We will be holding a raffle for some sweet biking stuff including the limited edition 2012 Team WABA Climate Ride jersey.  We also strongly suggest a donation of $5 or more to support Team WABA.

Register here and bring a friend.  Or just show up!

BikeFest 2012

Once again we’re hosting the biggest bike-themed party in the DC-metro region – and all the proceeds make their way back to you in the form of stronger advocacy and, ultimately, better bicycling.  We’re planning now to make this year’s BikeFest our most lively and successful fundraiser to date.

In order to celebrate a year as great for biking as 2011 and keep the advocacy strong through 2012 and beyond, we need your support.

Supporting BikeFest 2012

Will you help WABA by connecting us to individuals or groups who may be able and willing to participate in this year’s BikeFest? We are in need of potential venues, sponsors, and in-kind donors.

All it takes is a connection. Here’s how you can help:  if you think your neighborhood baker, sports club, or  favorite bike mechanic is  able to help out, or maybe your company is interested in sponsorship opportunities, let us know.

It only takes a minute. Just send me a quick email at nelle@waba.org or give me a call at 202-518-0524 x202.  And be sure to use the buttons at the bottom of this page to share this with your networks on Facebook or Twitter.

We’re on the lookout for:

A venue: An approximately 5,000 square feet space to accommodate the event.

Sponsors: Title sponsor and lead sponsors for financial support.

Silent Auction Items: Components of experiential bike-related silent auction packages.

Raffle Items: Desirable items for our raffle contests.

BikeBuild Participants: Four local bike shops to build and auction-off handcrafted bicycles.

Food and Drink: Local restaurants/caterers and liquor distributors to keep us happily satiated.

How and why your support matters

BikeFest is an opportunity to the region’s bicycling community to come together to celebrate the progress we’ve made in making the area more bike-friendly.  It is also an opportunity for WABA to raise funds to be used in areas in which funding is hard to come by.  Those parts of our region with the greatest need for better bicycling facilities and programming also tend to be the areas in which we have the fewest members and the least financial support.  Thus, we need to raise funds at events like BikeFest to fund our overall mission and continue to work in undeserved communities to get our message to those outside our core audience.

We’re already looking forward to BikeFest 2012, and we have some big ideas in mind.  But we need you to help us fill in the details with the types of people and things you want to see.  Love that bike shop?  Ask them to enter the bike build contest.  Favorite restaurant? We’d love to feature their food.  We just need your help to bring the right partners together.