Bike tour company takes clients on Portlandia-themed ride

Scene from Portlandia shot on
Eastbank Esplanade.
(Photo: IFC)

The new, six-part IFC mini-series Portlandia is proving to be a draw for a local bike tour operator. Evan Ross, owner of Portland Bicycle Tours, says the new show has spurred a group of tourists to request a special, Portlandia-themed route that takes them to locations they saw in the show.

Ross, a “big fan” of the show himself, says a recent tour on the Eastbank Esplanade (where the “Dream of 90s” sketch was filmed) got folks talking about the show. A few days later, Ross got a phone call from a couple in Maine who were planning a trip to Portland and wondered if he might be able to put together a “Portlandia Show Tour.” Always looking for new routes that give visitors “cultural experiences,” Ross obliged.

On the Portland Tour, Ross and his clients visited The Gilt Club in northwest, then rolled over to the Esplanade and then to a small, independent bookstore on SE Division. They also visited a local farm that provides produce for restaurants downtown and a food cart pod in southeast.

“I’m hoping that we’ll see a food cart scene in an upcoming episode or a Santacon reference,” Ross says, “I love this city.”

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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toddistic
toddistic
13 years ago

I thought the bookstore in episode 1 was “In Other Words” on Killingsworth and Vancouver across from Ethos. Obviously I am not a fan of Portlandia! LOL

Adams Carroll (News Intern)
Reply to  toddistic

Yes, it was that bookstore… I’m sure Evan knows that too… but he had paying customers and riding all the way up to NoPo wouldn’t have been as fun of a loop!

Elliot
Elliot
13 years ago

That’s odd – the NPR story about Portlandia that was on at the end of last week said it was Reading Frenzy.

cold worker
cold worker
13 years ago
Reply to  Elliot

i think in the thunderant skits from a while back they used reading frenzy at times. but it’s been a while since i’ve seen those.

Gabriel Amadeus
13 years ago

Evan, you rock!

The funny thing is that there are a NUMBER of bookstores/farms/restaurants it could have been about!

Rebecca
Rebecca
13 years ago

Well, looks like Portlandia nailed the stereotype – everyone can think of a possible identity for this bookstore. But which one servers complimentary kambuchuchujuji tea?

Rebecca
Rebecca
13 years ago

er, “serves”

Evan Ross
13 years ago

It’s true, I like to switch it up. We’ll be visiting the Killingsworth store soon, but the participants had heard about Longfellow’s and requested a stop there. Thanks to all the locals who tell their friends about us when they visit!

Chris
Chris
13 years ago

Good work Evan, congrats on the success!

Chris Ware

Tom
13 years ago

@Evan, you can “put a bird on it” at Land Gallery. They also sell BTA gear there 🙂 just sayin…