By Leslie Walsh, Binder Park Zoo
Ride like a tortoise, or ride like a hare, we don’t care — Tour de Zoo is an evening to enjoy good people (and animals, too), great beer and one of humankind’s most wonderful inventions — the bicycle!
It’s the bikes, beasts and beers kind of FUNdraiser at Binder Park Zoo where costumes and bike decor are encouraged, but not required. Bring your bike and wheel your way through the zoo past animal exhibits to enjoy the views and “hydration stations” along the route in a relaxed Thursday evening zoo vibe.
It all happens Thursday, Aug. 8 from 6-9pm — on that day, the zoo closes early to make way for guests to pedal their way through the zoo past scenic views and animal exhibits with stops at New Belgium Brewing “hydration stations” along the route.
The course has a variety of surfaces; asphalt, boardwalk, brick, crushed rock, and grass. A combination of up hills, down hills, tight turns and flat stretches may be challenging for some and bike helmets are recommended. Please note that bikes wider than 40” and taller than 84” will have difficulty navigating the course. This event is for everyone, but tricycles, training wheels and tagalongs are prohibited for safety reasons.
After pedaling the course, cruise over to the party pavilion for post-ride merriment featuring live tunes from A.M.P., a menu of hot-off-the-grill food items from Taste of Binder Park Zoo and various New Belgium Brewing Co. beverages for purchase (must be age 21 with valid ID). Enter the raffle for a chance to win one of five awesome prizes including a beauty of a bike — a custom street cruiser created especially for New Belgium Brewing by Detroit Bikes.
Wear a wacky costume or trick out your bike (encouraged, but not required) for a chance to win a prize for the most creative in each category. No wheels? No worries! You can borrow one of the shiny, red Battle Creek BCycles on hand for your spin through the park courtesy of the Battle Creek Community Foundation.
Tour de Zoo is brought to you by Atlas Sales, New Belgium Brewing Company, Mike’s Team Active WBCK, The Edge 104.9 and the Battle Creek Community Foundation. This fundraising event provides important support for the zoo’s mission to Connect. Inspire. Conserve. Connect people with nature. Inspire them to conserve.
Online registration is $35 per person (go here) and includes a handsome Tour de Zoo t-shirt, cool swag, and a ticket for one free beverage. Day of registration opens at 5pm and is $40 per person. The ride begins at 6pm with the last riders through the gate at 7:30pm. Tour de Zoo is very much a family event and all ages are welcome with youth size t-shirts available, too — but you must be 21+ to enjoy world-class New Belgium beer.
Register online before 5pm EST on Wednesday, Aug. 7. Visit www.binderparkzoo.org and stay on top of zoo news on Facebook and Instagram. The zoo is located at 7400 Division Dr., Battle Creek, MI 49014.
