With New Years Day falling on Thursday, we’ll be doing the events round up a day early today. I neglected to mention the First Night Austin festivities last week, so be sure to bike downtown and check them out if you’ve never been. Thanks again to ATXBS for help with the calendar. 

Wednesday, December 31

Don't miss the Austin Bike Zoo rattle snake at the First Night parade

First Night Austin 2009
3- 6 PM, Afternoon Festival, Downtown
6- 8 PM, Grand Procession, 7th & Congress to Auditorium Shores
8:30 – 11:45, Evening Festival, Downtown
11:45- Midnight, Fireworks Display, Auditorium Shores
In its four year, Austin’s First Night is a family friendly, alcohol free New Years Eve celebration of the arts, both visual and performance. While you will surely enjoy the dozens of artists and installations on display during the Afternoon and Evening Festivals, the Grand Procession is not to be missed. Beginning with a pedicab race, this parade of artists includes my favorite entry, Austin Bike Zoo. With bike frames made to look like insects flapping their wings and a 70 foot rattle snake, Austin Bike Zoo does the parade right. The procession will end with fireworks at Auditorium Shores as well as more fireworks at midnight.

Thursday, January 1

Hangover Rover
Noon, Lamar Pedestrian Bridge
Looking to shake off your post New Years festivities grogginess? How about a relaxing scavenger hunt by bike? This race costs only 25¢ and includes two distances: Tight Pants, Skinny Tires (long) and Beer Gut, Fat Tires (short). Prizes and Jagermeister will follow.

Friday, January 2

Fab Four Friday Alleycat Race: Slurpee Death 09
4:20, State Capital
This is a fixed gear only alleycat race with $2 entry. I like derailleurs and brakes myself, but if you are so inclined, stop on by.

Sunday, January 4

Cemetery Cats New Years Pub Crawl
5 PM, The Jackalope, 404 East 6th
For many, this will be the last fun to end the holiday week before heading to work Monday. If you want to extend the revels just a little longer, join the crawl.

Tuesday, January 6

Is the Dirty Derby in your future?

Dirty Derby Cyclocross race series
Registration begins 6 PM, First race at 6:30, Austin/Del Valle Motorcross Park, 15400 Pearce Ln, Del Valle
Discover the fastest growing type of bike racing in America, cyclocross. Ride yourself into oxygen debt on road and off road while also dismounting occationally to carry your bike. It’s way more fun than it sounds. This will be the last race in the series until next fall with beginner, intermediate, and open races. Last change to ‘cross for the season!