2011 Tour de BBQ
The Tour de BBQ consists of 3 different rides, a 15 mile, 35 mile and 55 mile. If you can't ride a bike for 15 miles you should maybe put down the beer, pick up a bike and work at riding it for a couple of weeks. The 35 mile ride is tough especially if you don't have a decent road bike, but it can be done if you're in any kind of shape. The 65 mile ride is more for the experienced bike rider. No matter which ride you choose, you'll get quite a few stops with some world class barbecue.
The routes have not been finalized yet, but the barbecue contributors are Smokestack, Gates, Woodyard, Spin, Jack Stack, RJ's, Johnny's and Oklahoma Joe's. Not all of these will be stops on the routes, but will be available at the finish line. Also available at the finish line is the greatest Boulevard beer of all time, while Saison-Brett is great and Chocolate Ale is sexy, Boulevard Wheat after a long bike ride can't be beat. I've had over 1000 beers, but the Boulevard I had at the finish line last year was one of the best beers I've ever drank. Don't believe me? Try it.
The sooner you sign up, the less expensive it is. Do it today and you'll pay $25/$35/$55 for the 15/35/65 mile rides. Wait until 7/11, the prices raise by $10. You have money to spare that's fine, all benefits go to Livestrong. I'm a contrarian by nature and not even I can come up with a support for cancer. If you don't want to ride, volunteer to hand out food, cheer on the riders (this is much more help than you'll believe), or hand out drinks/snacks. Don't want to take time out of your day, donate. Don't want to commit to spending a day in October to doing anything? Check back in September to find the route, and find a spot to cheer on riders (again, this helps more than you can imagine).
Tour de BBQ day is one of the 5 best days in KC. This year it's October 1. Participate in any way you want, it's not hard and you'll do some good.
