“We have a great bike community here that’s only growing more and more.”
If there are two things Sioux Falls has going for it, they’re a booming beer culture and an enthusiastic bike community. This month, local Livestrong organizers are looking to capitalize on the meteoric rise of each, bringing them together for Tour de Brew Sioux Falls.
Basically a bar crawl on bikes, the August 13 event begins at Bogtrotters Irish Pub, Grub & Tap in downtown Sioux Falls, and makes the rounds to Prairie Berry East Bank, Taphouse 41, Hydra Brewing Company, Beef O’Brady’s, and Fernson on 8th, before ending at Monks House of Ale Repute. The ride largely sticks to the city’s bike trail.
After participating in a similar event in the Quad Cities, local Livestrong leader Emily Anderson and husband Nicholas, also active with Livestrong, decided that Sioux Falls would be the ideal place to replicate it.
“I think that people love our bike trail system and people are locally-minded,” said Emily. “We have a great bike community here that’s only growing more and more. We have all of these breweries popping up. People love the events that are going on there. They love to go and have an experience, so it’s something we thought we could bring here and see how it does.”
The event benefits Livestrong, which Emily explains, is thriving, despite the unpleasantness surrounding cyclist Lance Armstrong’s resignation. “We still raise money for families to fund programs while they’re going through cancer. Eighty-three cents of every dollar goes back into the program. We are a 4-star charity. That’s the highest you can get.”
She says Livestrong is different from other organizations because it begins its work the minute a diagnosis is given. A person with cancer will be set up with a navigator who first looks at their top three immediate needs. It could be help to sort through insurance information, assistance with housework, transportation to treatments, or even fertility needs. “So if you’re in the childbearing years, Livestrong will support the freezing of your eggs or sperm until you are through cancer, and they will fund a portion of that, so that after your cancer care, you’re able to have children.”
The 25-mile ride is open to everyone, and as stops are frequent, bicyclists of most abilities will be able to participate. Organizers recommend bringing a bike lock and a couple of water bottles in order to stay hydrated between bars. Riders should also bring some cash in order to keep things moving quickly at each stop, and for the raffles at the end.
“There are raffles at every bar that come with the registration, so then there will also be additional raffles to enter at Monks. You can buy extra tickets to get into those,” said Emily.
Those with mobility issues can participate in the event as well. On the Tour de Brew Sioux Falls Facebook page, organizers have posted the day’s schedule, which allots roughly an hour at each location. That way, people can join in for part or all of the event and organize rides, if necessary.
And although this is the event’s inaugural year, the Andersons are hoping it will be embraced by the bike and beer communities alike. “This is our first year, so we’re looking for get a starting point and grow from there to see where we can be at next year.”
Tickets are $25. For information about the event, visit facebook.com/tourdebrewsf. Learn more about Livestrong at livestrong.org.
