Beer, Bikes and Big Wheels

Imagine your perfect day. It probably involves hanging with friends, getting in a good ride, a bit of adventure, and kicking back with a cold beer. Now add about 20 Big Wheels to the mix and you have the New Belgium Urban Assault Ride.

This pedal-powered urban adventure sends two-person teams riding to checkpoints around town, completing crazy obstacle courses along the way. Tandems are fine. Cruisers are welcome. Fat tires and skinny tires ride side by side. There is no set route and riders must obey traffic laws and avoid streets designated “closed” to riders. Other than that, anything goes – and the first team to cross the finish line wins a pair of limited-edition cruiser bikes. Since each team chooses its own route, there is no set distance for the ride. Most teams can expect to reach all the checkpoints in 20-25 miles.

Two-Wheeled “Amazing Race” Meets “American Gladiators”

The fact that New Belgium Brewing has signed on as the title sponsor explains the beer and bike connection. After all, this Colorado-based brewer is well known as a huge advocate of cycling and sustainability. And of course… Fat Tire beer.

Urban Assault Ride founder Josh Kravetz dreamed up the UAR as a change of pace from the typical events he did every weekend. As a professional cyclist and adventure racer, he longed for a different type of cycling event: something he could do with a buddy and get in a good ride, and more importantly have a great time. Competition wasn’t so important as there are plenty of hardcore events already. “I remember my very first mountain bike race in Lajitas, Texas. It was like a cycling carnival. There was great riding, good music, everybody was kicking back with a beer. I decided right then that it was the life for me.” After many years of racing, Kravetz wanted to get back to his roots… and the Urban Assault Ride was born.

But what’s with the Big Wheels? Each checkpoint hosts a crazy challenge – it could be the infamous keg walk, jousting on BMX bikes, careening down a slip ‘n slide, or everybody’s favorite, racing adult Big Wheels. The challenges change from city to city, so riders never know quite what to expect. All that remains constant is that riders must complete the obstacle course before continuing on to the next checkpoint.

Obstacle courses are just part of the adventure. Riders must also reach mystery checkpoints that are identified only by clues, riddles, or pictures. Each event typically has three mystery checkpoints, and this adds an interesting twist that evens out the playing field.
Bikes to the Rescue

Many say the Urban Assault is the most fun a person can have on a bike, which explains why last year in Austin alone, over 1,000 participants turned up for the city’s fifth annual Urban Assault Ride. Kravetz is thrilled with the turnout, but what pleases him even more is the positive impact the Urban Assault is having on the environment. Could beer and Big Wheels be the best way to get more people to use bikes for transportation? “It is certainly possible,” he says, “since almost 90 percent of UAR participants plan to use their bikes for transportation after being in one of the events.”

In many cities, bikes are the perfect vehicles for in-town transportation, and the Urban Assault Ride provides a non-threatening means of introducing recreational riders to this sustainable mode of alternative transportation. Kravetz is convinced that if he can attract riders to the Urban Assault with beer, bikes and Big Wheels, they’ll realize that bike transportation is simple, safe, cheap, healthy… and fun. Ideally, the event will show riders how easy it can be to grab a bike lock instead of car keys when they take off for errands or to go to work.

Spotlight on Sustainability

The Urban Assault Ride’s “green focus” doesn’t stop with bike advocacy. The production itself is setting the standard for sustainable event production. A solar generator powers the events, a bio-diesel truck delivers the gear to each city, and almost all event waste is composted or recycled. And Urban Assault partners exclusively with companies that have sustainable business practices and promote bike advocacy. In addition to New Belgium, Urban Assault partners include Trek Bikes, Keen Footwear, Clif Bar, Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant, Sweet Leaf Tea, Swobo, Timbuk 2, Rudy Project and others. All of them allow Kravetz to host an event that supports his company’s mission “to open the eyes of our participants to a world of greater social and environmental responsibility.”

Hitting the Streets Near You

Remaining venues for this year’s Urban Assault Rides are Austin (June 22), Fort Collins (July 20), Denver (July 27), Madison (August 24), Minneapolis (September 21) and Chicago (September 28). Each was selected for its biking culture and extensive cycling infrastructure. So come on out for beer, bikes, and Big Wheels – then grab your bike lock the next time you head out to pick up a six-pack of Fat Tire.