April 5th, 2025

Beer Bike is a combination intramural bicycle race and drinking competition dating back to 1957. Elaborate rules outline biking regulations, chugging allowances, and race rules. Each residential college, as well as the Graduate Student Association, participates with a men’s team, a women’s team, and alumni (co-ed) team.  Each leg of the race is a relay in which a team’s “chugger” must chug beer (an option for those over 21) or water; once this is accomplished, a “biker” from that team may begin to bike around the track. Men chug 24 ounces and bike three laps while women chug 12 ounces and bike two laps.

As a biker rounds the last curve of his or her last lap, the next “chugger” prepares for the next leg of the relay. Over the years, a chant has developed which counts down to the moment when the next “chugger” may begin. Rice students enthusiastically use this chant as a way to cheer on their team and encourage both “bikers” and “chuggers”.

The week leading up to the day of Beer Bike is referred to as Beer Bike Week. Several events occur during this week, including Beer Debates and events planned by the Traditions Committee. Beer Bike Week is also a popular time for jacks between residential colleges. On the day of Beer Bike, the morning festivities commence, where the parade is followed campuswide water balloon fight.

The very first Beer Bike was held on May 5, 1957, just over a month after the inception of the residential colleges.  Baker College finished first, followed by Will Rice and Wiess.  Hanszen was disqualified for taking a “shortcut.” Since then, Beer Bike has gradually evolved into what it is today.  Despite past changes and changes to come, Beer Bike will always remain what is was first intended to be: a friendly competition between the colleges; in short, uniquely Rice.