If you’re going to attend Tony Corke’s tea party, don’t forget to bring your helmet. Oh, and you might want to leave the flowered hats and silk gloves at home, too.

Organizers at Tacoma Bike are teaming up with the Mat Hat Tea Company to host a Bike Tea Party on Sunday, Nov. 29.

The event will begin at noon with a 45-minute all-ages ride ending at Mad Hat Tea Company. An adults-only ride will continue on to bars around Tacoma at 3 p.m.

Corke and a few colleagues were inspired to host this unconventional event after reading about the history of an early American cycling club. Keeping their physical activity to a minimum on Sundays because of religious traditions at the time, members of the club would gather for a short ride to a local teashop, then usually to a pub, to enjoy an afternoon of tea, cakes and brews.

Originally from London, Corke moved to Tacoma seven months ago to professionally fit customers for ergonomics and comfort to their bicycles. He has been cycling all his life and said that although there are limits to what bikes can do - mainly keeping participants dry from the rain - a bike’s benefits shouldn’t be overlooked.

“Especially now that we do so many things indoors, we become disjointed from the outside world,” Corke said. “This event allows people to engage with the real outside world. Just the motion of the bike makes it an enjoyable thing to do.”

Residents who don’t own a bike can still participate. Tacoma Bike offers a variety of rental options that range in price from $35-$100 for the day. Unfortunately, the shop doesn’t rent bikes for children.

Corke doesn’t anticipate the event to become an annual tradition. Instead, he just wants people to help celebrate the end of the summer and Tacoma Bike’s first year in business.

“In the Northwest, cycling is such a seasonal activity,” he said. “This event is kind of like a tying up of the season. It’s a way of letting your hair down.”

And what excites Corke the most about this event?

“The clotted cream and scones. It’s illegal or something to sell any unpasteurized products here,” he said.

The Tacoma Bike Tea Party takes place on Sunday, Nov. 29. The family bike ride begins at noon. The adult bike ride begins at 3 p.m. Riders will begin their trip at Tacoma Bike located at 309 Puyallup Ave. in Tacoma.

The cost is $7.50, ($10 with an optional $2.50 donation to local charity) and is payable at Mad Hat upon arrival. Children cycle for free.

Spaces are limited to 50 per ride, so pre-registration is required. To register, call Tacoma Bike at (253) 272-1351 or visit their Web site www.tacombike.com.