Sunday, July 9, 2017
Lots of Great Perks for Tour de Fat Volunteers
We now have the official volunteer signup link, so please join FABB in participating in the region’s biggest bike party of the year, the Tour de Fat.
FABB is going to be working with WABA to provide two shifts of 15 volunteers each to handle IDs & wristbands for the event on Saturday, July 22, from 4:00 – 9:00 pm.
As of July 9th we already have 10 volunteers, so we just need 20 more. Please help out by going to the New Belgium Brewery Tour de Fat Volunteer page and signing up for either Shift 1 (from 3:00 - 6:00 pm) or Shift 2 (5:30 - 8:30 pm).
In addition to the joy and satisfaction that comes from helping FABB earn money for its advocacy efforts, volunteers get free admission to the event for the shift they are not working (Full Ticket Price: $25), free admission to the event for a guest (Full Ticket Price: $25), one free beer token (Regular Price: $5), and a FABB t-shirt!
So, please sign up and please spread the word to your friends and family about Tour de Fat and the awesomely fun time to be had. Check out the Tour de Fat website for details on location and events.
Labels: tour de fat, volunteers, waba
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Tour de Fat is Coming!
FABB's major fundraising event of the year is coming up this month, so please mark your calendars to attend and perhaps even volunteer for New Belgium Brewery’s Tour de Fat.
This charity event featuring beer, music, friends, and fun returns to DC on Saturday, July 22. FABB has again volunteered to check identification and issue the wristbands needed to purchase beer. We plan to do two shifts of 2 /12 hours each and need 15 volunteers for each shift for a total of 30 volunteers. In addition to helping FABB earn its share of the gate, our volunteers get free admission to the Tour and will have time to experience some of the awesome music and fun.
 |
| Vintage Trouble |
This is FABB’s best opportunity of the year to raise needed funds for our work on making bicycling better in Fairfax County. Please plan on joining us at the Tour as a volunteer or as just a music- and beer-lover. Also, please encourage your friends and family to attend this wonderful, family-friendly festival.
Labels: tour de fat, volunteers
Saturday, May 7, 2016
14 Days Until Tour de Fat
There are only two weeks to go until FABB volunteers help make this year’s Tour de Fat the best ever.
Tour de Fat is New Belgium Brewing’s traveling celebration of all things bicycle, honoring humankind’s greatest invention. So, please plan on joining thousands of Metro area bicyclists at Yard’s Park, 355 Water St SE, on Saturday, May 21, 2016, for a costumed bike parade and musical acts, peppered with fun like dance contests, a Slow Ride competition, and other interactive events.
Also, everyone is invited to join the New Belgium Brewing Company, WABA, and Tour de Fat volunteers for a TdF Promotion Party and kickoff for WABA's Really Big Bike Weekend. The party will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2016, at 6:00pm at the Dew Drop Inn, 2801 8th Street NE, in DC. RSVP for the promo party on Facebook here.
FABB still needs a few more volunteers. Please help and sign up here for a morning or afternoon shift. Enter "FABB" as the password and you will see "ID & Wristbands," which allows you to select a morning (10am-1:30pm) or afternoon (1-5pm) shift.
Labels: new belgium brewing co, really big bike weekend, tour de fat, waba, yards park
Friday, April 15, 2016
Tour de Fat is coming May 21
DC's biggest bike party is May 21 and FABB needs volunteers. Tour De Fat is a fun-filled festival celebrating bicycling and good times. The all-day event is sponsored by New Belgium Brewery and helps raise funds for bike advocacy in the DC area. It is one of FABB's biggest fundraisers!Will you help FABB by volunteering with us at Tour de Fat? FABB needs at least 30 volunteers to help check IDs at the event. It's easy to do and a lot of fun working together at the festival. Volunteers will also receive 2 free beer tokens to enjoy after their shift. Sign up now for either a morning or afternoon shift. Be sure to enter 'FABB' as the password to be directed to our volunteer page.
Labels: tour de fat
Thursday, February 25, 2016
DC Bike Ride - Early Bird registration ends Feb. 29
Sunday, May 22 is DC Bike Ride. The event is part of the Really Big Bike Weekend that includes Bike to Work Day and Tour de Fat. Early Bird registration for the ride is $50 until February 29. The event benefits WABA's work with the DC Vision Zero campaign. From the DC Bike Ride press release:
The recreational ride offers a unique car-free tour of the nation’s capital. Riders will cruise past some of the most iconic sites taking in everything from the Washington Monument to the White House and the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Participants will conclude their journey with a post-ride celebration near the United States Capitol. A complete ride itinerary is included at the end of this release.
“WABA is a proud founding partner of the DC Bike Ride,” stated Greg Billing, WABA’s Executive Director. “DCBR represents the return of a family-friendly, traffic-free bike ride to the District of Columbia, and our community couldn’t be more thrilled. We believe the best way to experience our region is on the seat of a bicycle. In addition to the good work of bringing people together, DC Bike Ride will provide critical resources for our community engagement work to support D.C.'s Vision Zero goal to end traffic fatalities by 2024.”
Labels: bike to work day, dc bike ride, really big bike weekend, tour de fat, waba
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Tour de Fat is Saturday!
DC Metro's biggest bike party, Tour de Fat, is Saturday, May 30, at Yards Park next to Nats Stadium. FABB will be there checking IDs and helping to raise money to improve biking in Fairfax.
The free event begins at 11 a.m. with a costumed bike parade. Throughout the afternoon you can enjoy great entertainment on two stages, play games, ride trick bikes, and enjoy New Belgium beverages.
The free event begins at 11 a.m. with a costumed bike parade. Throughout the afternoon you can enjoy great entertainment on two stages, play games, ride trick bikes, and enjoy New Belgium beverages.
We still need a few volunteers for the afternoon shift, from 1:30-5pm. All volunteers receive two beverage tokens. Please consider helping FABB at Tour de Fat. Sign up via Volunteer Spot or contact me. Hope to see you there.
Labels: tour de fat
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Tour de Fat is next week!
DC Metro's biggest bike party, Tour de Fat, is next Saturday, May 30, at Yards Park next to Nats Stadium. The "Tour" is a celebration of all things bike sponsored by New Belgium Brewery, makers of Fat Tire Ale. The free event begins at 11 a.m. with a costumed bike parade. Throughout the afternoon attendees enjoy great entertainment on two stages, play games, ride trick bikes, and enjoy New Belgium beverages.
Proceeds go to bike advocacy organizations including FABB. In turn we supply volunteers to check IDs. We still need a few volunteers for the afternoon shift, from 1:30-5pm. All volunteers receive a 24 oz stainless steel water bottle only available for TdF volunteers. They also receive a $5 coupon for the merchandise tent, and beverage tokens. Please consider helping FABB at Tour de Fat. Sign up via Volunteer Spot or contact me. Hope to see you there.
Labels: tour de fat
Friday, May 8, 2015
Tour de Fat photo contest features new bike as prize
By Steve Ward |
| Photo from last year's Tour De Fat - Courtesy of New Belgium Beer Company |
The rules are simple
1. Snap a selfie with your bike while making sure a District landmark is in the background.
2. Post your photos to Instagram and hashtag them with #TourDeFatDC to enter. Unlimited entries per person.
3. To be eligible to win, however, you must be following @newbelgium_DC
4. Check back weekly to see if you've WON! Prizes will be awarded as Tour De Fat approaches. The Grand Prize winner will be announced on May 25th.
Visit Newbelgium.com/dc for Official Rules.
2. Post your photos to Instagram and hashtag them with #TourDeFatDC to enter. Unlimited entries per person.
3. To be eligible to win, however, you must be following @newbelgium_DC
4. Check back weekly to see if you've WON! Prizes will be awarded as Tour De Fat approaches. The Grand Prize winner will be announced on May 25th.
Visit Newbelgium.com/dc for Official Rules.
Labels: tour de fat
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Tour de Fat Volunteer Party May 28
By Steve Ward |
| 2014 Tour de Fat - Courtesy of New Belgium Beer Company |
New Belgium and WABA are holding the annual Thursday night Volunteer Party at Churchkey at 1337 14th Street Northwest, Washington DC (second floor) on May 28th from 6-9pm. All volunteers are invited to attend and will receive one free beer on New Belgium. Also, WABA will be selling raffle tickets for a New Belgium cruiser bike that will be raffled off at 9pm.
Labels: FABB, tour de fat, waba
Sunday, May 3, 2015
May-June 2015 FABB Newsletter
May-June 2015 FABB News
A bi-monthly publication of Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling
Bike to School Day is Wednesday, May 6
This year the school system has challenged schools to get 100 bikes in their racks. Schools that achieve the "century" milestone will receive 100 bike seat covers as prizes for all the students who participate. Of course, children and parents are encouraged to walk to school as well.
Several Fairfax communities have over 5 schools participating in the event. They include Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Reston, and Vienna. A few schools, such as Navy Elementary on West Ox Road, are participating for the first time. Lots of events are planned including the week-long Bike/Walk Challenge that Vienna elementary schools have been holding for 7 years. To see which schools are participating and to register your event visit the Bike to School Day website.
Register Now for Bike to Work Day on May 15
If you haven't already signed up for Bike To Work Day on Friday, May 15, now is the time. This year Fairfax has 14 Bike to Work Day locations. Look for a FABB representative at most of the pit stops. (We still need a volunteer at the Mt. Vernon-Collingwood pit stop.) We'll be handing out bike maps and talking to cyclists about how they can help make Fairfax a better place to bike. To register for Bike to Work Day go to www.biketoworkmetrodc.org.
Public Hearings on I-66 Outside the Beltway
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced that it will host public hearings in late May and early June on the latest environmental assessment for the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project. Details are below.
This is another great opportunity for bicyclists and other citizens concerned about transportation options in Fairfax to provide comments to VDOT. Now is the time to build an extension of the Custis Trail parallel to I-66 and to build bike facilities on all of the bridges. You can review project information at www.transform66.org beginning May 12, 2015. Written comments may be submitted by email to Transform66@VDOT.Virginia.gov. Please reference "Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Public Hearing" in the subject line. Comments must be emailed to VDOT by June 18, 2015 to be included in the public hearing record.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
VDOT Northern Virginia District Office
4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Oakton High School - Cafeteria (Entrance #1 or #14)
2900 Sutton Road, Vienna, VA 22181
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Battlefield High School - Cafeteria (Entrance #1 or #4)
15000 Graduation Drive, Haymarket, VA 20169
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Bull Run Elementary School - Cafeteria (Entrance #1)
15301 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA 2012
Tour de Fat is Back on May 30
Bike Fairfax Wikimapping Project - Routes to Transit
Fairfax County wants to know how you ride to Metro and VRE stations so they can help identify where bike route improvements are needed. Comments are being accepted until June 30. "The Bike Fairfax Wikimapping Project provides commuters and leisure bicyclists the opportunity to help prioritize future bicycle improvement projects. Specifically, we are reaching out to bicyclists to show us what routes are being used to get to Metrorail and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) stations in Fairfax County today. This information will help guide the decision making process on future bicycle infrastructure improvements including wayfinding signage and bike lanes."
Bike Projects as Part of Summer Paving Schedule
Fairfax County recently completed a series of public meetings on bike projects that will be added on several roads being repaved. The presentations are available online. These are very low cost projects that improve safety for all road users. Thanks to everyone who supported the bike projects by attending these meetings and/or by contacting officials. Your participation made a difference in overcoming some objections to the projects. We'll be reporting on these projects as they are implemented on the FABB blog, Facebook, and Twitter. If you don't already, please Like us on Facebook and follow our Twitter feed.
- May 6, Wednesday - Bike to School Day
- May 15, Friday - Bike to Work Day
- May 20, Wednesday - FABB Monthly Meeting in Vienna
- May 27, Wednesday - I-66 Public Hearing, VDOT NoVa HQ
- May 28, Thursday - I-66 Public Hearing, Oakton HS
- May 30, Saturday - Tour de Fat
- June 2, Tuesday - I-66 Public Hearing, Battlefield HS
- June 3, Wednesday - I-66 Public Hearing, Bull Run ES
- June 17, Wednesday - FABB Monthly Meeting in Vienna
- June 26-July 5 - World Police and Fire Games
- July 19, Sunday - Tour de Tysons
Labels: bike to school day, bike to work day, fabb newsletter, repaving, tour de fat, wikimapping project
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Join FABB at Tour de Fat on May 30
DC's Biggest Bike Party is May 30—Tour de Fat DC is a free bike party held at Yards Park located next to Nats stadium on Saturday, May 30. The all day event is sponsored by New Belgium Brewery and is full of music, fun, and games. Proceeds from beverage sales go toward funding bike advocacy in the DC area including the work of FABB and WABA.
This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and we need at least 30 volunteers, especially in the afternoon. FABB volunteers are responsible for carding people who want to drink New Belgium beer. Please consider volunteering with FABB for a morning or afternoon shift at this event. All volunteers receive a merchandise coupon and two beverage tokens. Please volunteer to help FABB at Tour de Fat.
Labels: tour de fat
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
March-April 2015 FABB Newsletter
March-April 2015 FABB News
A bi-monthly publication of Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling
I-66 Project Opportunity for Custis Trail Extension Outside the Beltway
VDOT is planning a significant construction project for the I-66 corridor outside the Beltway that includes additional lane capacity. The county Bicycle Master Plan and Trails Plan both call for a trail parallel to I-66 that would be an extension of the Custis Trail. Both plans also include bike facilities on bridges across I-66, many of which will be re-built to accommodate the additional highway lanes.
Please contact the Board of Supervisors to ask that bike accommodations be included as part of this project. See the FABB I-66 Info Page for more supporting documentation.
VDOT staff plan to attend the March 18 FABB meeting to discuss how they plan to accommodate bicyclists as part of the I-66 project. Everyone is welcome to attend and learn more about this important project. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at Braddock Hall, 9002 Burke Lake Rd, Burke, VA 22015.
Bike Bills Passed in 2015 Virginia Legislative Session
Two bike-related bills were passed in this year's Virginia legislative session. They now await signature by Governor McAuliffe. See the full recap from Virginia Bicycling Federation.
Following too closely - This bill changed a single word in existing law so that motorists are not allowed to follow too closely behind another vehicle, including a bicycle, not just another "motor" vehicle. If signed by the governor, the new law would not prevent a bicyclist from following another bicyclist closely as in a paceline.
Passing with a double yellow line - The law will allow a motorist to pass a bicyclist when there is a solid yellow line on their side of the road. The original bill was modified to apply to both a double yellow line or a single solid yellow line on the driver's side.
Several Bike Projects Proposed for 2015 Repaving Schedule
This year VDOT plans to repave a number of roads in Fairfax County. County Bike Program staff are working with VDOT to determine which roads could be modified to include new bike facilities, either through eliminating lanes (road diet) or reducing lane widths (lane diet). Public information meetings will be held on each of these projects. We'll be announcing future meeting dates on the FABB blog and Events calendar. It's important that cyclists attend the meetings and/or contact the Board of Supervisors to support these projects. Otherwise, local opposition could derail the bicycle improvements. Meetings on three projects were held in February. Write to Supervisor McKay to support the Kingstowne Village Parkway road diet, and write to Supervisor Herrity to support bike lanes on Burke Road and Shiplett Boulevard.
Speak out for Bike Program Funding in FY2016 Budget
Now that Fairfax County has a Bicycle Master Plan, funding is needed for implementation. As the county urbanizes, its transportation priorities are changing, and the funding priorities need to change as well. While new funds for a few bike projects were provided by the 2014 Transportation Bond, funds for the Bike Program have not been reinstated, and the county does not have enough staff to implement the many recommendations contained in the bike plan. Please submit budget comments or write to your Supervisor to ask for funding for the Bike Program and for Bike Fairfax. Also consider attending one of the budget town hall meetings this month.
Bike Coordinator Position Still Unfilled
On January 13, Charlie Strunk, the county's first bike coordinator, retired. The county recently re-advertised the position and will be interviewing candidates in the near future. This is a critical time to have a bike coordinator in place given the recent bike project funding and the large number of bike projects being considered as part of the summer repaving schedule.
Be a FABB Ambassador on Bike to Work Day!
Believe it or not, Bike To Work Day is only two and a half months away, on Friday May 15. FABB is seeking volunteers to staff pit stops at the 14 Fairfax locations. FABB volunteers talk to people about our efforts to improve bicycling conditions, have them sign up for our e-newsletter list, and give out FABB materials. If you'd like to help out at one of the pit stops, please contact Douglas Stewart at douglasbstewart@gmail.com. To learn more about Bike to Work Day and see the pit stop locations, go to www.biketoworkmetrodc.org.
Tour de Fat is Back on May 30
Tour de Fat is a free bike party held at Yards Park located next to Nats stadium on Saturday, May 30. The all day event is sponsored by New Belgium Brewery and is full of music, fun, and games. Proceeds from beverage sales go toward funding bike advocacy in the DC area including FABB's work. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and we need at least 20 volunteers. FABB volunteers are responsible for carding people who want to drink New Belgium beer. Please consider volunteering with FABB for a morning or afternoon shift at this event. All volunteers receive a t-shirt and two beverage coupons. Contact us for more info.
Fairfax Hosting 2015 World Police & Fire Games
Fairfax is hosting the World Police & Fire Games, the largest multi-sport event after the Olympics. Road and mountain bike races will be featured, including Time Trial, Sprint, Criterium, Road Race, Hill Climb (Road), and Cross Country (Mountain). While Fairfax is hosting the event, it appears that the only road races to be held in Fairfax County are the Sprint races at the Police training academy on the far western border of the county. The other races are in Prince William Forest (Time Trial and Road Race), Fairfax City (Criterium), and Mount Weather (Hill Climb). The Mountain bike events will be held at Fountainhead Park.
2014 Outstanding Crossing Guards
Virginia celebrated Crossing Guard Appreciation Day on February 11. This was also the opportunity for VDOT's Safe Routes to School program to recognize Virginia's Most Outstanding Crossing Guards of 2014. Over forty crossing guards were nominated this year with six being recognized by VDOT. Those crossing guards routinely go above and beyond what is expected and are standout members of their communities.
Two of the six recognized were from Fairfax County: Edie Adcock, Wolftrap and Colvin Run Elementary Schools (Vienna) and Cheryl Belloli, Centreville and Union Mill Elementary Schools and Liberty Middle School (Centreville). FABB appreciates all the work they do to facilitate walking and biking to school on a daily basis and their help during International Walk to School Day and National Bike to School Day. See the FABB blog for photos and more info.
- March 18, Wednesday - FABB monthly meeting at Braddock Hall with a presentation by VDOT on I-66 bike facilities
- April 22, Wednesday - Various Earth Day events
- May 6, Wednesday - Bike to School Day
- May 15, Friday - Bike to Work Day
- May 30, Saturday - Tour de Fat
- June 7, Sunday - Tour de Tysons
- June 26-July 5 - World Police and Fire Games
Labels: bike to work day, fabb newsletter, i-66, I-66 multimodal study, tour de fat
Friday, May 23, 2014
Tour de Fat is a week away!
Activities include the infamous Bike Pit where riders try out various trick bikes, the Slow Ride Race, le Tigre tent, and great music on two stages.
We still need some help at our ID/Wristband station. FABB volunteers receive 2 beer tokens and a Tour de Fat t-shirt. Let me know if you can help.
From the Tour de Fat Facebook page:
We're back in DC and it's still free! But, if you donate through Eventbrite, you'll be benefitting your local DC nonprofits AND receive some sweet Tour de Fat schwag**.
This year marks the 15th season for Tour de Fat, which will travel to 10 cities across the U.S. These day-long festivities are free in every city, but the proceeds from beer sales and pre-registration donations go to local non-profits.
Since its inception, Tour de Fat has raised more than $3 million, and raised $500,000 last year alone. A celebration of bike culture and advocacy, the Tour de Fat features eclectic entertainment, from musical acts to yo-yo performers, bike contests and even vaudeville acts. This year will also include some brewing education and feature a “Bicycle Revival” to inspire festival-goers to believe in the power of two-wheeled transportation.
**A city-specific 2014 Tour de Fat license plate or frog light included with any donation of at least $5.
Schedule:
11:00 a.m. — Launch
12:00 p.m. — Fashion! (Best Costumes of the Tour de Fat)
12:20 p.m. — The Reals
1:10 p.m. — Slow Ride Race
1:40 p.m. — The Handsome Little Devils
2:30 p.m. — 1,000 Person Dance Contest
2:50 p.m. — Yo-Yo People
3:40 p.m. — Car for Bike Trade
4:00 p.m. — Reggie Watts
5:00 p.m. — Finale
This year marks the 15th season for Tour de Fat, which will travel to 10 cities across the U.S. These day-long festivities are free in every city, but the proceeds from beer sales and pre-registration donations go to local non-profits.
Since its inception, Tour de Fat has raised more than $3 million, and raised $500,000 last year alone. A celebration of bike culture and advocacy, the Tour de Fat features eclectic entertainment, from musical acts to yo-yo performers, bike contests and even vaudeville acts. This year will also include some brewing education and feature a “Bicycle Revival” to inspire festival-goers to believe in the power of two-wheeled transportation.
**A city-specific 2014 Tour de Fat license plate or frog light included with any donation of at least $5.
Schedule:
11:00 a.m. — Launch
12:00 p.m. — Fashion! (Best Costumes of the Tour de Fat)
12:20 p.m. — The Reals
1:10 p.m. — Slow Ride Race
1:40 p.m. — The Handsome Little Devils
2:30 p.m. — 1,000 Person Dance Contest
2:50 p.m. — Yo-Yo People
3:40 p.m. — Car for Bike Trade
4:00 p.m. — Reggie Watts
5:00 p.m. — Finale
Labels: tour de fat
Friday, May 2, 2014
May-June 2014 FABB Newsletter
MAY-JUNE 2014 FABB News
A bi-monthly publication of Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling
Bicycle Master Plan
The long process of approving the Countywide Bicycle Master Plan is still underway. Public hearings before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors that were planned for May and June were recently postponed. Two countywide public meetings are now planned as a way to inform the public about the latest versions of the plan and recommended facilities maps.
While we are frustrated by the slow progress, the public meetings will be an opportunity for cyclists to learn about the latest drafts of the plan. This information should soon be available on the county bike plan webpage.
Once the public meeting dates are announced, we will spread the word via FABB social media and other outlets. The official public hearing dates will likely be announced after the public meetings are held. Stay tuned.
Fairfax County Parkway Trail Repair Underway
The first phase of the Fairfax County Parkway Trail Repair began in April. Work crews started at Route 7 and will continue south to Route 29 through the summer. Only the most damaged sections of the trail will be repaved. Where large cracks have developed but the remainder of the trail is in good condition, the cracks will be filled and sealed.
Trail sections being repaired will be closed between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. There will also be some nighttime work done between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Trail users should be able to carefully bypass work in progress if they are traveling during construction times. Informational signage and maps are being posted on site. See the FABB blog for more info, including examples of signs and maps posted at each end of the work area.
Tour de Fat
Tour de Fat returns on Saturday, May 31 to Yards Park in DC. The party starts with a costumed bike ride at 11 a.m. and includes music, games, food, and beer from New Belgium Brewery, makers of Fat Tire Ale.
Tour de Fat is a major fundraising event for FABB. Our volunteers check IDs and attach wristbands during the event to allow attendees to purchase alcohol. In exchange we receive a portion of the proceeds. Volunteers receive a free t-shirt and two beer tokens. We will likely form bike convoys of volunteers to the event.
We need volunteers for the the morning (10-1:30 p.m.), midday (11:30-3:00 p.m.) and afternoon (1:30-5 p.m.) shifts. Contact us at chairman@fabb-bikes.org to volunteer.
Tour de Tysons
Join FABB for rides, food, and fun at Tour de Tysons bicycle race on Sunday, June 29. The organizers of the bike race, National Capital Velo Club and Tysons Partnership, support all types of bicycling in Tysons. The race course will be on a loop in the vicinity of Tysons Corner Metro Station. FABB is sponsoring a family ride on the course during the event. Related activities will be held near the Tysons Corner Metro station. Check the FABB Tour de Tysons page for details as we get closer to the event.
Join FABB for the following activities at Tour de Tysons:
- Bicycle caravans demonstrating three routes to the Tysons Metro stations and to get cyclists to the event from three different points, arriving at 9:30 a.m.
- Midday social ride open to everyone on the race course. ($3 participant fee for insurance.)
- Food trucks and other vendors will be present.
- Commuter Seminar - "How to Ride Your Bike to Work - save money, have fun!" 10:30 a.m. in front of Firehook Coffee Shop.
- FABB table with maps and bike-related info.
Plan on joining us for a great way to experience Tysons! If you want to volunteer to help, please contact alan.g.young.sr@gmail.com.
Bike to School Day May 7
On Wednesday May 7 schools around the country will celebrate the third annual National Bike to School Day. Twenty-five schools in Fairfax County have registered so far. Lots of activities from bike trains to bike rodeos are planned at the various schools. Other events include safety clinics, helmet and token giveaways, and free coffee for the parents.
Several schools in Reston and Vienna are challenging one another for "Most Bikes" bragging rights on this day. In addition, the Vienna schools are holding their 6th annual Bike/Walk Challenge week with trophies for overall walkers/bikers and most bikers. Follow along on the FABB blog for daily updates on this challenge. National Bike to School day is an effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools. Fairfax County Public Schools have compiled information on walking and biking to school on their Safe Routes to School web page.
Bike to Work Day May 16
Register now for Bike to Work Day, which is Friday, May 16. Two new Fairfax County events are being held this year, at Fair Lakes and McLean. We now have 12 events in Fairfax County, and we hope to have FABB reps at most of them.
Healthy Community Design Summit
The Healthy Community Design Summit will be held on Tuesday, May 6. The Summit is a chance to "learn how communities throughout the U.S. are encouraging active living through design of the built environment. Hear from a panel of local business, development and planning experts about their strategies for and successes with integrating healthy design throughout the Fairfax Community. Brainstorm with your colleagues on ways to make your neighborhoods more friendly for pedestrians and bicycles and accessible to all people. Help craft a message for leadership that demonstrates the benefits of health in all policies – especially throughout the built environment."
The event is being held at the Kena Conference Center, 9001 Arlington Boulevard, Fairfax. Check-in begins at 8 a.m.; the program will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Register for free at Eventbrite.
Women-Only Rides
Ladies, do you want to ride with other women? Three groups, Babesonbikes.org, WABA's Women & Bicycles, and Alexandria Spokeswomen, are just for you. These groups offer a variety of social and training rides. In addition, many local bike shops have no-drop women-only rides going on this spring. Invite a friend who might be interested in cycling to join you in this non-threatening atmosphere.
- May is Bike Month.
- May 3, Saturday - Vienna Bike Rodeo from 9 a.m.-noon at Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.
- May 4, Sunday - Alexandria Spokeswomen bike shop ride leaving from Jones Point Park at 10:00 a.m.
- May 5, Monday - Safe Routes to School Workshop at Mt. Vernon Woods Elementary School from 12:15-3:30 p.m., facilitated by Mark Fenton, an expert on Safe Routes to School initiatives and walkable communities.
- May 6, Tuesday - Healthy Community Design Summit at the Kena Conference Center from 8:30 a.m.-noon. Mark Fenton is the keynote speaker.
- May 6, Tuesday - Bicycle Master Plan briefing at Board of Supervisors Transportation Committee meeting at Fairfax County Government Center. Meeting starts at 10 a.m.
- May 7, Wednesday - Bike to School Day is celebrated at more than 25 Fairfax County schools. Is your school holding an event?
- May 10, Saturday - Reston Bike Rodeo at Lake Newport pool from 1-4 p.m.
- May 11, Sunday - Crystal City Phoenix Derby from 2-6 p.m.
- May 21, Wednesday, FABB Monthly Meeting, Vienna, VA.
- May 31, Saturday, Tour de Fat at Yards Park from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
- June 18, Wednesday, FABB Monthly Meeting, Vienna, VA.
- June 29, Sunday, Tour de Tysons.
Labels: bicycle master plan, bike to school day, fabb newsletter, fairfax county parkway trail, tour de fat, tour de tysons
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Tour de Fat returns May 31
Tour de Fat returns on Saturday, May 31 to Yards Park in DC. The party starts with a costumed bike ride at 11am and includes music, games, food, and beer from New Belgium Brewery, makers of Fat Tire Ale.
Tour de Fat is also a major fundraising event for FABB. FABB volunteers check IDs and attach wristbands during the event. In exchange we receive a portion of the proceeds. Volunteering at Tour de Fat is a great way to have fun, help FABB raise funds for our advocacy work, and get to know some of the core FABB volunteers. Volunteers receive a free t-shirt and two beer tokens. We will likely have bike convoys of volunteers to the event.
We need volunteers for the the morning (10-1:30pm), midday (11:30-3:00pm) and afternoon (1:30-5pm) shifts. Contact me at chairman@fabb-bikes.org to volunteer.
Labels: tour de fat
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Another Fabulous Tour de Fat
 |
| FABB Tour de Fat convoy ready to begin our ride |
Some of us were dressed very much in the spirit of Tour de Fat. Check out Ann's bike and outfit as she was riding on a stretch of the Mount Vernon Trail.
 |
| On the Mt Vernon Trail headed to Tour de Fat |
A huge thanks to the FABB volunteers who worked all day checking IDs. While New Belgium Brewery has a crew and provides most of the infrastructure for the Tour, it couldn't happen without all of the enthusiastic volunteers who check IDs, sell tokens, pour beer, sell merchandise and do so many of the other jobs needed for a successful event.
 |
| FABB volunteers working the Wristband station |
Labels: tour de fat
Friday, May 31, 2013
Volunteers still needed tomorrow at Tour de Fat
Put on a crazy outfit, celebrate bike culture in the DC Metro area, and help FABB and other bike non-profits raise much-needed funds to support our advocacy. Contact me if you can help or if you want to join our convoy to the event tomorrow morning.
See you at the festival.
Labels: tour de fat
