🚨 Please note: BikePortland is currently on hiatus and only publishing guest articles. Learn more here. Thank you. - Jonathan 🙏

Checking in on Dingo the Clown

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clowns and kids: Fernwood parade 2006

Dingo the Clown on one
of his many fantastical bikes.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Remember Dingo?

He was the ring-leader of the now defunct Alberta Street Clownhouse. I, and many others, spent many Last Thursdays hanging out at the Clownhouse and watching and participating in all the crazy, zany gags and events they used to do (most of them involving fire and tall bikes).

Since the rent was raised on the house, Dingo and all the others have moved on.

These days, Dingo is doing great. He’s working harder than ever at various open mic nights in pubs and cafes throughout Portland and his performances are packing them in.

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Dingo’s current place of residence.
(Photo: Dingo)

On his frequently updated (and often quite personal) blog, Dingo shared a bit about his current residence (which was built by none other than mobile-home bike legend Brian Campbell):

“…it’s dry and warm, more than you may think. It has internet, sound system and other good stuff. I’m looking for a yard to pay rent and live in for a few months, I want to build a livingroom to dock my house to so i need a back yard to live in for January.”

Dingo is a true Portland original and I miss the Clownhouse.

Hey Governor, what about bikes? [Updated]

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Libby Tucker

[Editor’s note: This is the first article in our new section, BikePortland.org: In-Depth.

The main contributor to this section will be Libby Tucker. Ms. Tucker is a freelance reporter whose articles have been published in a myriad of outlets including the Associated Press, MSNBC.com, The Oregonian, and others. She was most recently a staff writer for the Daily Journal of Commerce where she covered transportation, construction and energy. She is also the author of the blog, Naked Energy.

In this article, Ms. Tucker takes a closer look at how bikes figure into Governor Kulongoski’s 2009 plans.]


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How much would you spend for a ride with me and lunch with the future Mayor?

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You, me, and Mayor-elect Adams?
(Photo © J. Maus)

The Portland Mercury, a local independent weekly news source, has just launched their annual Auction Issue. The idea is simple: Let the community bid on a huge slew of fun items and gifts and give all the money to a local non-profit.

This year’s benefactor is the Portland Women’s Crisis Line (you might remember them from the great ride they put on back in April).

One of the gifts to bid on is a ride with me (on a new Specialized bike), followed by lunch at Little Red Bike Cafe with the future mayor of Portland, Sam Adams.

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Cyclocross stars will shine in Portland this weekend

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Big crowds turned out last year.
Slideshow below
(Photos © J. Maus)

With the massive success of cyclocross in Portland this year, it should come as no surprise that the season is set to end with a bang.

This weekend offers up a buffet of ‘cross events that just might hold everyone over until next year (although I doubt it).

The big news is that the nation’s most prestigious ‘cross series, the U. S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross will hold its grand finale, The Portland Cup, just a few miles north of downtown Portland. In addition to two full days of racing, international ‘cross stars will share their secrets at the first annual Superstar Cyclocross Seminar. And, as per usual with ‘cross, there will be not one, but two parties.

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