This Means UAR

The New Belgium Urban Assault Ride sounds like the title of a Michael Bay blockbuster, but it'sfar from it — rather, it's a sensible and fun event that promotes bicycling. New Belgium Brewery sponsors the ride, which pits two-person teams against one another and against themselves. Riders will depart from Forest Park's Dwight Davis Tennis Center (5620 Grand Drive) and proceed to five checkpoints in whatever order they wish. At each checkpoint, the teams have to complete an obstacle course; past obstacles have included racing modified Big Wheels, bike jousting and something called "the keg walk." Once a team has hit and defeated all checkpoints, it's a race back to the starting point. New Belgium and various sponsors have prizes for the top three teams, and the winning team receives a pair of New Belgium Brewing cruiser bikes — yeah, that's right, free bikes. Even better, proceeds go to TrailNet and BicycleWORKS, so the circle of bike will be complete. The competition is open to riders age seven and older (there are several racing divisions, obviously), and there's a huge after-party in Forest Park that's open even to people who didn't ride (free admission, New Belgium pints are $3 each, and no, no seven-year-olds will be served). Admission for competitors is $60 per person, and the last day to register is Saturday, August 15. Visit www.urbanassaultride.com for rules, regulations, waiver forms and other helpful information.
Sun., Aug. 16, 2009