‘Cirque du Cycling’ fest to feature cargo bike race

Art Bike Parade at Cirque du Cycling-48

My money would be on this guy.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The annual Cirque du Cycling bike fest on N. Mississippi Avenue is this Sunday. The event brings together many facets of Portland’s bike scene and this year organizers have added yet another — a cargo bike race.

It was bound to happen as Portland’s cargo bike scene has gone absolutely bananas in recent years (I’ll try to share more photos and notes from a recent cargo bike meet-up soon).

The Cirque includes a family ride, an art/freak bike parade, a very competitive criterium race, and it’s a benefit for Albina Youth Opportunity School. Event organizer Ayleen Crotty says the Cargo Bike Race is a natural addition.

“We are very excited for this,” she shared via email, “It’s our first year doing it; so we’re keeping the race simple with hopes to expand it.”

Crotty says the field for the cargo bike race is already shaping up and features some well-known local names (registration is closed and was limited to 10 racers)…

Track stand/World Messenger Champion, former cargo-bike delivery professional, bike-powered music tour veteran, and currently the service manager at Joe Bike on SE Hawthorne, Mike Cobb

Mike Cobb and his Boxbike

Joel Metz from Magpie Messenger Collective (Portland’s original — and only — cargo bike messenger company) says he’s competing to win and he’d be “embarrassed if he were beat by a longtail”…

Joel Metz, messenger-20

Charlie Wicker of Trailhead Coffee, who completed the 7-day Cycle Oregon with his custom Metrofiets cargo bike last year…

Trailhead Coffee bike-1

Ken Weatherell from Portland Pedal Power on his modified Yuba Mundo…

Local filmmaker and founder of Crank My Chain TV Dan Kaufman with his “Disco Trike”…

tour de fat 2007-13

James Newman, a former big-time racer who did a stint in Europe and is now known as the Thomas the Tank Engine and Boat Bike guy.

The race will be mass-start and riders must complete three laps, picking up “oddly large items” on each lap.

Sounds like it’ll be an epic battle. May the best cargo-biker win!

More about the Cirque at CyclingCircus.com.

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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Milkshake
Milkshake
12 years ago

Joel Metz all the way.

beelnite
beelnite
12 years ago

Jonathan that cargo bike bunny hop shot is fantastic. It’s my vote for action photo of the year!

Gabriel Nagmay
12 years ago

“My money would be on this guy.”

That’s my good friend Jamie from Metrofiets.

Unfortunatly, I found out last night that he will be across the country and won’t be able to participate. However, several of his bikes will featured in the race.

Good luck everyone!

Caroline
12 years ago

Ooooh… I want to see this. I know who I’m rooting for!! JOEL – SLAY THEM ALL, MF!

Joe Rowe
Joe Rowe
12 years ago

Please, this is not a race; it is a marketing game for bike businesses on the “in crowd”. It’s their choice, and good for them.I support them. But don’t call it a race as much as a dog and pony show.

I raced Lance Armstrong, got 2nd in the Illinois State Crit Championship, and was ranked 17th in Cat 1,2,3 in Texas. I don’t think they want competition really. So un Amerikan.

I’ve asked to be put on a wait list. We shall see.

captainkarma
captainkarma
12 years ago
Reply to  Joe Rowe

I’ve noticed several marketing events (er, rides) and am torn what to think. Why not, I guess. As long as “the truth is out there” and there is no mis-representation. I just hate guerilla marketing and commodifying my favorite sport, but I guess there’s no escape. We are the corporate states of america after all.

Jeff TB
Jeff TB
12 years ago
Reply to  captainkarma

Actually, it had nothing to do with marketing. We just thought it would be fun…..

Some people are still into fun.

Greg
Greg
12 years ago
Reply to  Joe Rowe

“The race will be mass-start and riders must complete three laps, picking up “oddly large items” on each lap.”

It sounds like a fun race. I’m sure you’re too hard-core.

joel
12 years ago
Reply to  Joe Rowe

anyone accusing me or magpie of being in the “in crowd”, or any kind of marketing, is deluded. we are spending too much time working as actual cargo bike messengers for that kind of thing.

and i can bunnyhop a long john at least as high as jamie.

i was bummed that it was a size-limited field, and even moreso that its limited to 10 – but stoked for it all the same.

and yes, i will be (momentarily) embarassed if i – or ANYONE on a long haul – is beaten out of the win by a longtail.

heres hoping for hay bales and full beer kegs as cargo.

Scott Mizée
12 years ago

Why haven’t we done this sooner!?! Can’t wait to see it. I hope I can make it there!

Paul Hanrahan
Paul Hanrahan
12 years ago

How about a cargo bike zoobomb!!?

Tony Pereira
12 years ago

Team Beer will be there rocking our new cargo bike!

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
12 years ago

Next year: weight classes!

() pizza delivery
() shopping with toddler
() grocery shopping for two teenage boys
() WTF

cycler
cycler
12 years ago

I like q’Tzal’s idea of weight classes- or something like draft horse pulls at the state fair- each lap see if they can carry something bulkier/ heavier…

Ayleen
12 years ago

We’re super excited for this event – thanks to Kevin Ziemke from Team Beer for creating the event!

We’re keeping the event simple this year to work out kinks and test the waters and keep it manageable.

There are still volunteer slots open for the event and volunteers will help the event go smoothy so we can expand it in the future. Volunteers get an exclusive t-shirt (available only to volunteers) and free Mississippi Pizza (yum!).

Info is on our website: http://www.CyclingCircus.com/volunteer.html

Hope to see you all out there!

Jenn
12 years ago

I really think that Joel is going to take the competition -sorry Ken. I will send you a better picture of Ken on the PPP bike. The one you have of the first version of the bike and my belly. The bike and Ken are much better looking 🙂

DEanna
DEanna
12 years ago

My friend Sam said he’s racing in this and he doesn’t even have a job, so I’m not sure what the hell that guy above meant about this being for marketing. Maybe that Sam is marketing how awesome Sam is? Because he is.

Brad Ross
12 years ago

Joe, You sound like a super cool guy. You should move back to Texas.