Cheap Thrills

TANNED RIDERS: Thumb your proboscis at fossil fuel -- and have a little cardiovascular fun -- at the Community Bike Ride.

On the last Friday of each month, this friendly bunch of high-desert drifters takes on gridlock and provides a healthy alternative to fat-butt commuting by showing that two-wheelers still matter. Better yet, you don't have to shell out a single dime to Shell Oil for taking part. Being the ornery (note: Halloween) time of year, costumes are encouraged.

Mount your human-powered steed a bit before 4:30 p.m. Friday, October 29, and jockey over to the Time Market parking lot, 444 E. University Boulevard. For details, call 792-1334.

FOURTH FRIGHTS: Okay, maybe every day looks a bit like Halloween on thankfully eclectic Fourth Avenue. But now the little street's weirdness meter gets cranked even higher for another great Halloween bash.

This year's party will feature music by Hector on Stilts, The Wonder Twins and the Annie Hawkins Band from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Winsett Park; DJ Buttafly from 3 to 7 p.m. on the Magpie's patio; The Cobras from 5 to 7 p.m. on the patio at Chocolate Iguana; and break dancing near Zöe and Epic Cafe, on the corner of Fourth Avenue and University Boulevard.

That's in addition to a veritable necropolis of fun, including a graveyard, strolling candy monsters and plenty of fiendishly delicious barbecue.

The fun runs from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, October 30, on Fourth Avenue between University Boulevard and Ninth Street. Admission is free. Call 624-5004 for details.

SMORGASBORD OF SCREAMS: Tucson Parks and Recreation does Halloween in fine civic style with a string of events around town on Friday and Saturday, October 29 and 30. To name a few:

Kids ages 12 and under get into the chill of things from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday in the Quincie Douglas Neighborhood Center, 1575 E. 36th St. The party will feature games and trick-or-treat goodies. Call 791-2507 for details.

A haunted house highlights an all-family bash from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday in the Archer Center, 1665 S. La Cholla Boulevard. For information, call 791-4355.

Enjoy a wacko holiday complete with a haunted house, costume contest, carnival games and prizes at Halloween Madness, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday in the Northwest Neighborhood Center, 2160 N. Sixth Ave. Call 791-3249 for details.

Kids can romp through the Halloween Festival from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday in the El Rio Center, 1390 W. Speedway. Call 791-4683 for details.

Celebrate creepy gourds at the Halloween Pumpkin Party. Geared for kids under age 10, the fest will feature contests, games, pumpkin carving and crafts. It runs from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday in the Udall Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road. Admission is $1. Call 791-4931 for information.

For more events or information, call 791-4873.