Starting in April, teams in a dozen American cities will have the chance to compete in one of the more unique and challenging events to emerge in the last several years, the Urban Assault Ride. New Belgium Brewing of Fort Collins, Colo., is a main sponsor of the event, which makes sense given the brewery’s love of bicycles.

And here’s the cool part: At each location several of the highly sought-after, signature New Belgium cruiser bikes will be raffled off.

The Urban Assault Ride kicks off in Tucson on April 18. Teams of two take to their bikes and prowl the streets, following clues to “checkpoints” where they must successfully complete an obstacle, which involve anything from slip ‘n slides to bouncy balls, before moving on to the next challenge. Those with the shortest amount of time capture the win.

While it sounds like good, easy fun and is open to anyone, organizers say participants should be prepared to log up to 25 miles, depending on the route chosen. Teams have up to three hours to complete the event. Teams are divided into four categories: men, women, co-ed and family.

Sharon Cutler, a spokeswoman for the event, said to win one of the authentic New Belgium bikes participants must be registered for the race.

There will be two of the New Belgium Limited Edition Cruisers – in baby blue with a wood rack made of beetle-kill wood – raffled at each city.

For a list of participating cities or to sign up, visit: http://www.urbanassaultride.com/

-- John Holl