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Tour de Fat: Legendary as Ever

by Tim Wooten | Aug 31, 2023 | Bicycle Advocacy , Bike Month , Community Rides , Events , More Bikes | 0 comments

Picture this: the sun was shining, the air was crisp, and Mountain Avenue was transformed into a swirling vortex of color and costumes. Bicycles of all shapes and sizes were decked out in streamers, balloons, and the “occasional” Barbie themed. Yes, you read that right – Barbie was a legitimate fashion statement at this event. It was a day when ordinary bicycles became works of art, and riders became larger-than-life characters.

The Tour de Fat was more than just an opportunity to don outlandish costumes and embarrass your inner kid – it was a chance to give back to the community. Every year, proceeds from this whimsical wonderland go to four non-profits: Bike Fort Collins, Overland Biking Association, the Fort Collins Bike Co-Op and Send Town Bike Cub, on a mission to make biking in this community better, one pedal stroke at a time. So, donning an 80’s leotard while cycling around town wasn’t just a fashion statement; it was a statement of support for a worthy cause.

The bike parade was undoubtedly the crown jewel of the event. Imagine a parade of bicycles, each one helmed by a character straight out of a fantastical world. From pirates to under water sea creatures, Ken and Barbie to sassy disco dancers, the creativity knew no bounds.

But the parade was just the tip of the handlebars. Tour de Fat included a medley of activities from the bike pit, where coordination was key and laughter was inevitable, to the circus show on the main stage that kept the audience in amazement. New Belgium’s grounds were a smorgasbord of delights for the senses. Food trucks lined the back, live bands jammed on the main stage, DJ’s out front, inviting attendees to groove, twirl, and even a dance-off to win a new bike.

The magic of the Tour de Fat was that it wasn’t just a one-day spectacle. It was a reminder of the power of community, the importance of giving back, and the sheer joy that comes from embracing your inner child and letting your imagination pedal wild.

As we eagerly await the next installment of this pedal-powered extravaganza, let’s hold onto the laughter and camaraderie that is Tour de Fat!

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We are located about 1/8 mile west of the intersection of Horsetooth and Shields in Fort Collins, Colorado.  We are on the south side of the road.

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We are proud of our fifth-generation family dairy and love showing people how their milk is made and delivered to milkboxes across Northern Colorado every week.

Sign up online! Tours are $6 per person and are 60-90 minutes. They will start and end in our new Tour Room just inside our Howling Cow Café. The cows don’t expect you to dress up, so wear comfortable shoes and be ready for a walking tour of our farm!

Private tours are $120 for up to 20 guests. Contact [email protected] for information and availability.

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Dr. robert graves and his daughter, laura graves.

The idea of what would become Be The Match (now NMDP) started in Northern Colorado, with Dr. Robert Graves (Graduate of CSU Veterinarian Medicine, 1956 and father of Morning Fresh owner Rob Graves), who was searching for a match for his 10 year old daughter, Laura.

Laura had leukemia, and one of her best prospects for survival was receiving a bone marrow transplant from someone with the same HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) as hers. Unfortunately, none of Laura’s siblings were a suitable match, so Dr. Graves had the idea of finding a match from the medical and blood banking community who gave a blood sample in the hope of matching Laura. Miraculously, a match was found, and Laura received her transplant from a nonrelated donor, surviving for another 18 months. Laura was the first person in the world with leukemia to receive a bone marrow transplant from a nonrelated donor and proved it to be successful. The efforts of Robert and Sherry Graves, and many others since have impacted over 130,000 lives, through NMDP.

Dr. Graves proved that a total stranger could provide a patient with a bone marrow transplant, and in 1987 the National Marrow Donor Program (today called NMDP) was created with funding by Congress and the Navy.

Currently, NMDP facilitates over 7,000 transplants each year to patients needing what is potentially their only lifesaving cure. You could be the next donor to save a life, so please consider joining today.

Watch Be The Match’s Legacy – The Graves Family

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8 outdoorsy things to do around Fort Collins that aren't hiking

I f you want to enjoy the outdoors this summer, but hoofing it on a hiking trail is not your jam, there is plenty of other open-air fun to be had in and around Fort Collins.

Take skygazing (telescope not required), flower picking, bird-watching and outdoor movies, for example. Or head off on a summer horseback ride. Hey, at least you wouldn't be the one hoofing it on a trail, right?

Here are eight outdoorsy things to do this summer that are not hiking.

Turn your eyes to the skies this summer with the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society's weekend skygazing events in Rocky Mountain National Park, Larimer County open spaces and Fort Collins natural areas. Depending on the event, pre-registration and park fees may be required. The Northern Colorado Astronomical Society provides telescopes and skygazing tips. For the club's schedule of summer skygazing events, visit nocoastro.org.

A farm tour

Revisit Northern Colorado's agricultural roots with a tour of Bellvue's fifth-generation Morning Fresh Dairy Farm, 5821 W. County Road 54E. See where Morning Fresh's crops are grown, meet the cows that make its milk and learn about local farming — all while sampling some Morning Fresh milk and Noosa yogurt. Tours are $6 and start and end at the farm's Howling Cow Cafe. Sign up for one at morningfreshdairy.com/tours-and-events.

Pick your own flowers

Channel your inner flower farmer with a visit to Garden Sweet. The north Fort Collins farm — located at 719 W. Willox Lane — is ripe for the picking with pick-your-own flowers available July through September. Admission to Garden Sweet's flower field is $5, with the option of an additional $15 pick-your-own bouquet or $45 pick-your-own flower bucket for nonfarm members. Make a reservation to visit Garden Sweet at shop.gardensweet.com.

Live music, anyone? Here are 19 Northern Colorado concerts to get on your summer calendar

Bird-watching

See Fort Collins parks, prairies and ponds in a whole new light by turning your eyes to their winged residents. There are several local spots to try birding, from Fossil Creek Park and City Park to natural areas like Riverbend Ponds and Soapstone Prairie, according to Audubon Rockies — the regional office of the National Audubon Society for Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. Check out a full list of these locations and what birds you might find there at rockies.audubon.org. You can also up your birding game by downloading the National Audubon Society's free Audubon Bird Guide App , which helps users identify and keep track of the birds they've seen.

Horseback riding

Take in Northern Colorado's sights on horseback with guided rides by Beaver Meadows Stables. The Red Feather Lakes-based stables take visitors on 1-hour, 1.5-hour or 2-hour small group rides into Roosevelt National Forest, with prices ranging from $65 to $109 per person. While there isn't an official age limit, Beaver Meadows Stables recommends children be at least 4 years old to go on trail rides. Self-led 30-minute pony rides are also available for small children for $35, according to the Beaver Meadows website. Helmets are required on rides, and a 200-pound weight limit is enforced. To make a reservation, call Beaver Meadows Stables at 970-232-8326. For more information and rates, visit beavermeadowsstables.com .

Tube the Poudre

While Poudre Fire Authority officials say the Poudre River is never “safe” for tubing  — with drowning, hypothermia and obstacles in the river always posing concerns — the river's typical flow drop in July usually makes mid-July through August a safer time to float (with proper gear and some planning, of course). The most popular in-city tubing run spans from the Shields Street put-in area to Legacy Park, which has signs warning river users to exit due to a low-head dam just beyond. The Poudre River Whitewater Park, located just north of Old Town along the river, is also a fun spot for kayakers and tubers to recreate. To stay safe on the water, a life vest is highly encouraged. As is good footwear, like river shoes. When floating, be sure to bring a buddy and let someone know when you are going and when you expect to return.

Want to tube or raft the Poudre River? Read this first

A walking history tour

Want to visit the childhood home of a Hollywood legend? How about taking a stroll past Fort Collins' first dedicated school house, one of its early hospitals or — gasp — a brothel that was notoriously raided during our city's early prohibition years? Take in all this and more on the Poudre Landmarks Foundation's self-guided historic walking tour. The tour features 36 stops to pick from with a handy map and backstories to bring the history of each site to life. Download the free tour at poudrelandmarks.org/historic-walking-tour-fort-collins.

Outdoor movies

The big screen meets the big sky with all of the outdoor movie options in Fort Collins, Windsor and Timnath this summer.

• Windsor's Movies in the Park : Take in some family-friendly movies at Windsor's various town parks with showtimes planned into September. For more information, visit recreationliveshere.com.
• Timnath's Movie Night Series: Watch "Top Gun Maverick" and "The Bad Guys" on the big screen in Timnath Community Park on July 21 and Aug. 11. For more information, visit timnath.org/town-movie-night .
• "Encanto" at Canvas Stadium: Colorado State University's Canvas Stadium is once again opening its gates to the masses for a July 22 movie night on Sonny Lubick Field. While the movie is free, attendees  are required to register at csurams.com/form/1221  ahead of time.
• The Lyric: The Fort Collins theater has a slate of outdoor movies planned throughout the summer, with tickets costing $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and children, and free for Lyric members. For the full outdoor movie lineup or to purchase a ticket, visit lyriccinema.com/outdoor-movies.  
• T he Holiday Twin Drive-In : Take in a double feature with a side of nostalgia at Fort Collins' last surviving drive-in movie theater, 2206 S. Overland Trail. General admission for anyone 10 and older is $9, and admission for seniors 65 and older or children ages 6 to 9 is $6. For the Holiday Twin's current lineup or to purchase tickets ahead of time,  visit holidaytwin.com.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: 8 outdoorsy things to do around Fort Collins that aren't hiking

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Itineraries & Tours

Fort Collins  holds a different place in the minds of every visitor and local. How you identify with Fort Collins comes from your experience as a whole, the activities you choose to do, and the personal interests you hold. Everyone is able to have a unique experience in Fort Collins, Colo.

Fort Collins is a diverse tourist destination and offers activities for every personal interest. A huge part of the community is our rich  outdoor recreation . From  Horsetooth Reservoir  to our natural areas, to the  Poudre Canyon , you can do nearly every outdoor activity imaginable.

We have a huge  beer culture  recognized as “The Craft Beer Capital of Colorado.”  Arts and entertainment  live throughout the city and  family-friendly  events are held nearly every week.

Those who live for fine food will find plenty of places to  please their taste buds . As you walk through  downtown  you’ll hear live music by different local acts on our  hand-painted pianos .

Old Town  offers  dining ,  nightlife , and of course  blocks of shops  and unique boutiques. Enjoy a unique experience during your visit to Fort Collins with our interest-focused itineraries developed from the ideas of locals who share your passions.

Touring can be a wonderful way to learn about a city’s character. Exploring Fort Collins' history and cultural heritage through our tours weave together some of the many tales the city has to tell. Our ghosts, farms, and breweries all have stories to share with you, and engaging tours take you skillfully through each experience. There are many ways to tour Fort Collins based on your mode of transportation including on bicycle, in an art-covered bus, by a horse-drawn wagon, or on foot.

Exploring our western landscape and area’s history is easy to do when you tour Fort Collins by car and by driving the Colorado Scenic Byway up the Poudre Canyon.

Closer to the core, you can take a self-guided walking tour of Downtown’s history learning about her architecture, wild characters, and iconic historic sites. Tour companies also offer experiences guided by docents in costume or even led by experienced bicyclists.

Companies that Tour Fort Collins

Novelty tours such as those focusing on ghosts, brothels and bootleggers, desserts, gourmet foods, underground history, and farms are also offered. And seasonal tours can include haunted, Farm to Table, Valentine’s Day, and even elaborate séance themes. Whichever you chose to enjoy, all of these tours paint the picture of a city that’s history is rich, people are welcoming and innovative, and all share a love of the Colorado landscape.

Tour companies in town include  Beer & Bikes Tours , Front Range Ride Guides ,  Fort Collins Tours ,  Old Town Food Tours , Pedego Electric Bikes  and Traces of the Past History Tours . Lots of self-guided tour brochures are available at the Downtown Fort Collins Visitors Center in Old Town Square. Tours of the many acres of Colorado State University can be scheduled through the Visitors Center and RamTrax .

History Tours

History buffs will have a wonderful time exploring Fort Collins history and the picturesque downtown and Western landscape. Visitors can ride our working Birney Car Trolley between City Park and Downtown, explore the history of Annie the Railroad Dog, and take a ghost tour to explore the paranormal activity of Old Town. There is rich western history to explore as well! Take self-guided Historic Walks throughout the original Old Town area with the comprehensive Historic Explorations Map , or opt for a quicker self-guided walking tour with interesting architecture by doing the Historic Walking Tour. However, the best option is to explore the history of Fort Collins and the surrounding region with Traces of the Past History Tours . They offer guided tours and formal programs that are fun and educational for all ages.

Downtown’s historic buildings showcase innovative architecture, tell the pioneering story of Colorado’s west and have faint shadows of the military encampment. Fort Collins even has a tie to Disneyland USA, the historic strip on Walnut Street and the old Firehouse served as inspiration for Disneyland’s Main Street.  Take part in the self-guided walking tour of Downtown’s historical highlights; click here for the Historic Walking Tour map . And tour companies offer many guided history tours including one via horse-drawn wagon! The Poudre Landmarks Foundation also runs regular events and tours of 1883 Water Works and of the Avery House , and an annual historic homes tour each September.

Ghost Tours

Spirits, aberrations, and specters are all about as you walk through the historic streets of Old Town Fort Collins. The original location for the town’s earliest residents, Native American tribes before them, and the home to the civil war military encampment, Old Town is the keeper of many secrets. There are underground tunnels, a secret river, and a seedy underworld that lead to many haunted stories from Fort Collins’ past.

If you love to be frightened or just intrigued by auras, Fort Collins Tours  is just the ticket. Knowledgeable actors and guides take guests through the area’s history and ghost stories as you walk or ride through the enchanting Western streets of Old Town.

Located near the Burlington Northern and the Santa Fe Railroad, the original parade grounds for the Fort and the city’s jail, Old Town has over a century of characters, villains, and strange occurrences that create its haunted past. Sharing legends and ghostly recounts are the forte of the costumed guides whose stories will make your heart pound.

Strange sightings and energies have been noticed in the area for well over 100 years. You can experience ghosts, séances, haunted tours, and stories of historical criminal behavior by bus, foot, or horse-drawn wagon year around.

Want to know more? A wide variety of brochures are available at both the Colorado Welcome Center (Prospect and I-25) and at our Downtown Visitors Center (1 Old Town Square, Suite 107). You can also pick up one of the many Fort Collins history books about all our stories, characters, and buildings at our Downtown bookstore. Or read from our online Fort Collins Historic Connection or visit our official archives at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery.

Delicious beer and innovative brewing techniques bring people from around the world to tour Fort Collins’ award-winning breweries each year. More than 20 breweries offer beer-tasting tours with trays of dark, light, hoppy and seasonal beers. Ales, Hefeweizens and IPAs are easy to appreciate while sitting in the causal settings of the outdoor patios, listening to live music, and meeting friendly people in the taprooms. Many breweries offer tours of their manufacturing operations as well as special features like New Belgium Brewing’s innovative energy and sustainability practices and Anheuser-Busch’s famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses. If you're looking for a safe and fun way to get around to each brewery while experiencing the great tours we suggest hopping on a bike and partaking in an adventure with  Beer and Bike Tours . For those who prefer a taste of spirits, brew, and wine,  Fort Collins Tours, LLC offers a local distillery, brewery, and winery tour all in one!

Throughout most of the year, Fort Collins is best explored from the saddle of a bike. It’s a fast and fun way to get around the city and visit nearby areas – the foothills, mountains, lakes, etc. You can take it upon yourself to plan your own tour of the city or check out our suggested routes. There are also several companies in town that specialize in bike tours. You can find a list of these companies below as well as maps and more information about touring Fort Collins on two wheels. 

View the Fort Collins Bike System Map here . Use the Bikeway Bingo as a fun way to explore and learn about Fort Collins’ family-friendly bikeways, parks, natural areas, neighborhoods, and public art.  The series of five Fort Collins Bikeway Bingo Challenges include themed bingo cards to fill out along the way. Complete all 5 and you’ll be able to expertly navigate Fort Collins’ extensive bikeway network! For tips, route maps, and bicycling resources before your roll, check out the rest of our website.

Check out Colorado State University, Old Town, and a few Breweries on an electric bike tour offered by Pedego ! On this 2 hour tour you'll see some of what makes Fort Collins unique, from the CSU campus to Old Town (which actually helped inspire Disneyland's Main Street USA). You'll also get to visit some of our local breweries since Fort Collins is known as the Napa Valley of Beer. Book your spots today!

If it’s mountain biking you’re after, we have lots of great trails minutes from downtown. Visit the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas for information on riding the foothills trails or check out Lory State Park, or Horsetooth Mountain Park for prime mountain biking action.

In Fort Collins, there is public art basically everywhere you look. Whether it is statues, painting, or even music, Fort Collins is overflowing with big art pieces, and hidden art for those that are paying attention. The City of Fort Collins runs the Art in Public Places program; free art tours focused on their programs are available on the city's website . Additionally, Downtown Fort Collins has been a certified creative district since 2016, boasting a high concentration of public art. The Downtown Creative District created free, self-guided tours for history and art lovers.

Last but certainly not least is the Fort Collins Mural Project (FCMP). Founded in 2015, the Fort Collins Mural Project exists to promote local art through the transformation of alleys and business walls. Their murals can be found all throughout town and are used to empower artists and tell stories of the diverse groups of people that make Fort Collins special. Check out their interactive mural map on the FCMP website so you don't miss out on any of Fort Collins' murals.

Fort Collins is proud to be the home to Colorado State University, and the campus is a wonderful exploration of agricultural heritage, collegiate sports, and beautiful architecture. Explore the old historic Oval, the buildings of the original Colorado Agricultural College born in 1870, and early 20th century buildings surrounding the Victorian lawn. Tours explore the newer construction, stadiums, dining halls, the CSU Trial Flower Gardens, and the University Center of the Arts. RamTrax offers engaging visitor tours sharing the university’s outstanding academic programs and rich heritage of innovation and research.

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