Sample Portland’s culture of bikes, by bike tonight

A big night for bike art.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Tonight is the monthly First Thursday art event in downtown Portland and there’s no better way to take it all in than with a guided bike ride to three — yes three — fantastic bike art exhibitions.

Portland Bicycle Tours is offering a free ride to the 2011 Oregonized Galleries Bike Show, the exhibition of Oregon Manifest bikes at the Museum of Contemporary Craft, and then opening night of the Artcrank Poster Show — and it’s all topped-off with a street party in the Pearl District.

It all starts with a look at Oregonized Galleries “Revolutionary Cycles” show at the Portland Bicycle Tours/Portland Pedalworks headquarters in Old Town (345 NW Everett St). It’s a group show focused on “the joy of cycling and the rich culture and design that has evolved from it,” says one of its curators. The opening goes from 6:00 pm and runs through 1:00 am (it’s an all-ages event).

The Manifest continues at MoCC.
(Photo: Oregon Manifest)

From there, tonight’s ride will head to the Museum of Contemporary Craft (724 NW Davis). MoCC is hosting an exhibition of the three top prize winners from the recent Oregon Manifest Constructor’s Design Challenge. Also on display are the three Creative Collaborations entries, featuring the People’s Choice award winning “Faraday” e-bike from IDEO and Rock Lobster.

But wait, there’s more.

After a stop at the MoCC, the ride will head just a few blocks west for a stop at opening night of the Artcrank Poster Show. This show features the bike-inspired work of over 30 local artists and has the added bonus of letting you purchase any poster for just $40 (some proceeds go to Bikes to Rwanda).

After Artcrank, the ride will continue to Lizard Lounge (NW 13th and Irving) for a big street party. The ride leaves at 6:00 pm from from Portland Bicycle Tours (345 NW Everett). More details here.

And if you go, tell Evan (ride leader and man behind Portland Bicycle Tours) congrats on five years in business!