Brawling, Boozing and Biking

It’s difficult to keep perspective sometimes, but there's more to life than football (gasp!). Kick off the end of your week with the city’s best gridiron-free events.

The Thrill is Won
The blues are best appreciated with the lights turned low. So it makes sense that B.B. King Blues Club and Grill would host an event in which 2012 Olympic boxing hopefuls punch out each other’s lights. See the NYC All-Star team from Gleason’s Gym go toe to toe with members of the British national team. Then watch the losers see stars.
Saturday, September 11 at 5:00 P.M.; Tickets start at $35; Proceeds go to charity.

Serve Up Shots
In tennis there are shots. In bars there are also shots. Coincidence? Who cares! Drink up at this charity-oriented, US Open-themed pub crawl in the East Village. The alcohol-fueled adventure will cover six bars, involve drink deals and feature prizes for the best-dressed crawlers. Now you can finally slip into that old sweater vest, ’cause the only appropriate time to wear it in public is when you’re three sets to the wind.
CFC’s US Open Bar Crawl; Bottoms up from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Saturday, September 11.

Pedal to the Paddle
The Bronx has 1.4 million people, two area codes and a beaver named Joe. This weekend, explore the borough’s 7,000 acres of wildlife-filled parkland in the Bronx River Alliance’s annual Pedal and Paddle event. Bike 15 miles on the woodsy Bronx River Greenway to Muskrat Cove and then canoe to the mouth of the Bronx River where you could see herons, blue jays and, of course, Joe.
The bike portion is free; Boat rentals run $20; The event begins at 9:30 A.M. on Saturday, September 11 at Concrete Plant Park; Registration required.