Queer Bike Gang

WHAT IS

Cirque du SoGAY??

RIDE IT, GURL.

Cirque du SoGAY is Queer Bike Gang (QBG)'s annual bicycle tour of the hottest Queer establishments in the Twin Cities.  Cirque du SoGay was created to celebrate Queer culture while connecting people to LGBTQ resources in the community, and is followed by an awards ceremony, performances, and a big gay dance party.

The ride portion of Cirque du SoGay is structured as a more laid-back version of urban "alleycat" races.  Essentially, the ride is a scavenger hunt on bike.  Each racer receives a list of stops at our meet-up location and tries to visit as many stops as ze can in the alotted time (about 3 hours).  At most stops, racers will be asked to perform a challenge for which they can win prizes. 

The great thing about Cirque du SoGay is that you don't have to be the fastest to win a great prize.  Do you have a sexy biking outfit?  Are you an encyclopedia of Queer history?  Do you know how to fix a flat tire? If you've answered "yes" chances are good that you can win a fabulous prize at Cirque du SoGay, and even if you don't, you'll probably still have a kickass time.

The "race" is designed to be welcoming of cyclists of all levels.  The "Virgin" route was designed for those who want to travel at a leisurely pace, take a moment to smell the flowers, adjust their wigs, and discuss Foucault.  The "Harder! Faster!" route was designed for competitive racers in for a hot, sweaty afternoon challenge.

WERQ IT, GURL.

After the ride, racers gather at a queer-friendly space for an awards ceremony, dancing and performances.  The dirtier and queerer, the better. 

SHARE THAT LOVE, HONEY. 

Cirque du SoGay is a celebration of queer community and culture, and for that reason, we give back.  QBG strives to make CdSG a zero-cost event with a small entry fee to optimize community accessibility.  Race profits are donated to a community-based organization selected by the participants and the race planning committee.

Cirque du So Gay is made possible, in part, by the numerous community-based organizations, local businesses, and friendly corporations that allow us to loiter in their space and support us with prizes, publicity, and high fives.  Thank you sponsors !

GET IT, GURL!

Cirque du SoGay could also not happen without the support of numerous volunteers who help plan and staff race stops. 

Are you ready to ride?  Click here to register.

Want to volunteer? Do you have questions?  Message QBG.

Read more the 2011 ride and other past rides below.

The results are in from the third cirque.  197 officially registered hotties with 83 completed manifests.  Check out how you did!

Artwork © 2011 Laura Maker.

CIRQUE du SoGAY :: Saturday October 1st :: Assemble/Registration 2pm, Launch 3pm from Minnesota AIDS Project, 1400 Park Avenue South :: Land at the Saloon, 830 Hennepin Ave

After-After party Sponsored by Shift at The Exchange, 3405 Chicago Ave S from 9pm-1am

Throw on a new pair of rubbers and lube up that chain, it's time for Cirque du SoGay ≡!

Yes! QBG is pleased to bring you your third annual queer biking holiday complete with:

Bicycles!
Hotties!
Worthy Causes!
Prizes!
Performances!
Cheap beer!
Dancing!
Noobs!
Sexperts!
Double Entendres!
Gimmicks!
Toys!
Bike Fetish!
Bike Kink!
OUTFITS!
thebestdayofyourlife!

Long story short: It's our third annual scavenger hunt-esque DIY tour of LGBTQ spaces in the Twins--by bike! Choose from our Virgin! route (15 miles) or Harder!Faster! route (30 miles). If you have been in the past you know this is NOT to be missed! We are pulling out all the stops to make this the most fun and crazy CdSG yet!

Meet up at Minnesota AIDS Project on race day at 2pm to register, or do so online by September 30th at 5pm.  You will receive a list of stops and a map to guide you on your way.  At each stop you will face a challenge, gimmick or clue---do your best because you have the opportunity to win prizes for each crazy stunt you pull off.

REMEMBER: YOU MUST WEAR A HELMET. YOU WILL NOT WIN ANY PRIZES WITHOUT A HELMET.

The ride will end at the Saloon, 830 Hennepin Aveue.  Try to be back by 6:00pm so that your points are counted and you are elegible for prizes which begin being awarded at 7pm. 

As per usual, we will have a great line-up of performances to stimulate the senses, including:

Dustin Maxwell
Ani & James
Joey Clark & Co.
Rugburns
and don't forget:
the Mz. Cirque du SoGay 2011 lip-synch-for-your-bike dance-off!

An after-after party sponsored by Shift, a new queer anti-tobacco initiative, will be held at the Exchange, 3405 Chicago Ave S from 9pm to 1am! So once the awards and show are over at the Saloon come on over to the Exchange to satiate your hunger and re-hydrate. They'll have a gamut of yummies, sharp tunes to rock out with, hot queerz to dance on, games, movies, and a lot of awesome free bike gear for you to win!

The queer biking community has voted on the ride's beneficiary, and this year our proceeds will be benefitting the Trans Youth Support Network (TYSN)!  Congratulations, TYSN, and thank you for all you do for the community!

Wow, what a great org to support!  So, get on up and ride it, guuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrl.


If you are scared of riding your bike, there are still lots of ways to volunteer. Plus you get to see all the hott people!  Simply message us for details.

Cirque du SoGay II was a huge success: 126 registered participants including a number of out-of-town and first time racers!  Thanks so much to everyone who made this a fantastic event, especially all the queer and allied racers who showed up and took their queerness to the streets.

Find out how you did on the rank page.

Thanks to all of our performers, volunteers and sponsors.  Extra queer hearts to: Keith at the Saloon, Seth at QBP, Aaron at Minnesota AIDS Project, and especially to my loving mother, Linda!!

Check out this great Cirque du SoGay footage from Megan Holm for the "It Gets Better" project.