Tour de Bier KC, BikeWalkKC's Biggest Ride of the Year, Offers Three Route Options, May 18, 2014

USA - English

• USA - English

Kansas City, MO (PRWEB) April 10, 2014 -- The Tour de Bier KC, on May 18, 2014, is a point to point bicycle tour of Kansas City’s brew­eries, his­toric brewing land­marks and other brew­e­ri­ana and is lauded as the “first of its kind in the region.” Participants in the Tour de Bier KC can learn about the rich history of brewing in Kansas City and hear the stories and urban legends sur­round­ing brewing in Kansas City.

On Sunday, May 18, the Tour de Bier KC starts and ends at Knuckleheads Saloon in the East Bottoms. All par­tic­i­pants cruise through the City Market, meander beside his­toric build­ings in the West Bottoms, and pass by some of the most famous (beer) insti­tu­tions in Kansas City. The main tour takes riders past Boulevard Brewing Company, and the longer tour zips past Westport, to Martin City Brewing Company and Family Bicycles. The Tour de Bier KC has plenty of fun, themed rest stops, docents to help tell the story of KC brewing and many guides to help along the way. Details below.

At the end of the Tour de Bier KC par­tic­i­pants and the public cel­e­brate not only the end of the Tour de Bier KC, but also the end of Bike Week events for the region. Tour par­tic­i­pants can choose lunch from several vendors includ­ing SPIN! Pizza and bev­er­ages from Boulevard Brewing or Tallgrass Brewing Company. Massages and music will also be available.

"We've changed the routes a little bit this year to make it even more enjoyable for our riders that have done the tour before,"says Executive Director Eric Rogers. "All of our routes go through historic neighborhoods, industrial districts, and green parkways. Whatever a cyclist wants, we have!"

Proceeds from the Tour de Bier KC will benefit BikeWalkKC, who work to make Greater Kansas City a safer and more enjoy­able place to walk, bike, and live.

The Lager tour is 15 miles and hits all the high­lights of brewing history in Kansas City. Roll by old brew­eries, ice houses and dis­cover the best of Kansas City’s rich brewing history in a cool tour of Kansas City’s urban core. This tour will take riders from the East Bottoms to the River Market, West Bottoms, Crossroads, down­town and will return by the man­sions of former beer mag­nates. Be sure to take the three mile detour to North Kansas City’s newest brewery, Big Rip. Start time 10:00 a.m.

IPA Tour is 33 miles, and the best of both worlds. This tour hits the his­toric high­lights then stops for refresh­ments in Westport at McCoy’s. The ride con­tin­ues through lovely older neigh­bor­hoods south of the Plaza to Family Bicycles in his­toric Waldo. Then riders return to Knuckleheads through Brookside, by the Nelson Atkins Museum and by lovely old homes in Kansas City’s famous his­toric neigh­bor­hoods. Start time: 9:00 a.m.

Dunkel is 63 miles long and is for those ham­mer­heads who want to get in some miles and learn about beer history. This route takes riders past the major high­lights, along scenic Blue River Road to be wel­comed with treats at the Trailside Center. Then onto Martin City Biering Company to fill riders' water bottle and get a snack. After that, riders start their return on the beau­ti­ful streets of south­ern Johnson County to be wel­comed at Family Bicycles. Then finish the tour riding through his­toric neigh­bor­hoods of Kansas City. Start time: 7:00 a.m.

For all three routes com­muter, touring, hybrid and moun­tain bikes are rec­om­mended, but not nec­es­sary. There are some rail­road cross­ings and rough spots. The tour can be ridden with skinny tires but bring some tubes and a pump!

Sarah Shipley, BikeWalkKC, http://www.bikewalkkc.org, +1 (202) 577-7141, [email protected]