Recap and photos from inaugural ‘Open Bike Night’ at Velo Cult

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The bike vibe is strong at Velo Cult,
which makes it the perfect venue.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Last night at Velo Cult something sort of amazing happened. It was the inaugural Open Bike Night, a new event thought up by Sellwood resident Dan Kaufman. While only a handful of people showed up, Kaufman and his CrankMyChain crew put together an entertaining variety show that had a strong thread of bike love woven through it.

Open Bike Night is a play on open mic night, and the idea is the same. VeloCult Bike Shop and Tavern on NE 42nd Ave in Hollywood provides the venue and the stage, and CrankMyChain brings sound equipment and keeps the show lively. There’s time for socializing and sharing propaganda (I grabbed some cool spokecards, got a free Filmed by Bike DVD (thanks Ayleen!), a button, and some other cool stuff), and of course sampling Velo Cult’s fine (and growing) selection of beer and cider.

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Spoke card made by Shonn “Jolly Dodger” Preston. Check him out on Facebook.
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Dan Kaufman

Dan Kaufman emceed the night and his made-for-radio voice was as smooth as ever. He invited several folks to come and share their talents, ideas, and stories and we were treated to a fun mix of words, songs, music, and, well, see below…

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Ayleen Crotty.

Filmed by Bike founder (and much more) Ayleen Crotty shared info and the new promo trailer for this year’s big event.

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Ilima Considine

Ilima Considine of The Sexbots was up next. She performed a spoken word piece. It wasn’t quite singing, but it wasn’t quite simply talking either. I’m not sure exactly what she said but I heard enough and saw enough to know it was pretty steaming hot. Let’s just say she really got into it!

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Zed Bailey

Next up was Dan’s co-conspirator and all around bike culture guy Zed Bailey (a.k.a. Tall Bike Jesus). Zed shared a video he made from the seat of his tall bike. It was a mix of interesting angles, beautiful imagery, and point-of-view perspectives. Nice work Zed.

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Mike and Darlene.

Then we heard from Mike Hernandez. Mike works at Coventry Cycle Works on Hawthorne Blvd. He shared the story of his unfortunate arrest and the confiscation of his bike that happened during an Occupy Portland protest back in November. Mike was pepper sprayed and shoved by Portland Police officers in a melee during the protest. He’s still charged with several crimes, and while he’s gotten his beloved Darlene back, he’s still going through the court system to try and clear his name.

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Kirsten Kaufman

Next up was Kirsten Kaufman. She read a bunch of old poems and excerpts from 1800s newspaper articles about bikes. Here’s one that was taken from the Kansas Cycler newsletter in October 1895.

    Bicycle Girl
    The hammock girl is out of date
    The carriage girl passe
    The girl who rides the bicycle rules all the world today
    She flashes by with graceful speed as if she rode on air
    And as she glides along, she find admirers everywhere
    Let Bishop Dan and Bishop Cox abuse her as they may
    The cycle girl is here brand new and she is here to stay
    She doesn’t care how much they fuss
    Because she knows she’s alright
    And even as the grumble, they must own she’s out of sight
    So here’s to the sweet cycle girl (Raise a Glass)
    In bloomers or in skirts
    She’s worth a dozen of the girl that lunges ’round and flirts
    And here’s a wish for Bishop Cox
    A railing on the fence
    That he may live and grow in grace
    and someday have more sense
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Nathan Jones

The final performer of the night was Nathan Jones. Nathan is a local endurance rider who’s next big adventure is to ride 325 miles — from Portland to Southern Oregon via the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway — in one day (yes one day). He’s doing it just because he loves to ride; but he’s also trying to raise money for a big bike trailer that would be the size of a travel lane and that could aid in street reclamation actions. Learn more about that idea on his WePay fundraising page and you can follow him at GiroProtagonist.com.

After everyone had their chance to perform and share, Dan took the stage with a few friends (including none other than Robert Ping, who works for the Safe Routes to School National Partnership) for a rocking final jam session.

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Robert Ping nailing it on the horn.

I think Open Bike Night has great potential. The format and the venue are perfect for building community, expanding bike culture, and just having a good time. Oh, and did I mention that the entire thing is broadcast live to YouTube for the entire world to see?

Open Bike Night happens the next two Wednesdays in a row (the 23rd and 30th) at the same time (7:00 pm) and same place (Velo Cult Bike Shop and Tavern, 1969 NE 42nd Ave). I hope more people show up next week. Let’s give this thing a chance. I think it can turn into something very worthwhile.

Thanks for hosting us Sky (owner of Velo Cult) and thanks to the CrankMyChain crew for the idea and great execution!

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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Caroline
Caroline
11 years ago

Cool idea!

Nathan Jones
11 years ago

This was indeed a fun evening, hope to see more out next week. It’s a total happening. Event on FB https://www.facebook.com/events/145944165560468/

Paul Smith
11 years ago

This sounds like a great night, thanks for sharing, I’ll definitely make a point to try and go!

Quadrant
Quadrant
11 years ago

Ilima, the sight of your t-shirt logo was inspirational. Go to http://www.trotify.com

Michael Wolfe
Michael Wolfe
11 years ago

There’s no way it’s 325 miles to Eugene, unless you’re going through Bend. The Willamette Valley Scenic bikeway is more like 125 miles.

Adams Carroll (News Intern)
Reply to  Michael Wolfe

Hey Michael.. I know! I actually thought about this mistake last night right before I went to bed. Thanks for reminding me to fix it. And if anyone should know it’s you… the master of long bike routes around Portland. Cheers and hope you are well.

Ayleen
11 years ago

I love the concept for Open Bike Night and hope to see it continue. People sharing their stories and talents on stage, drinking beer, chatting with friends, watching a dude working on a bike… so cool. Oh, yeah, and then there’s the whole “broadcasting live on YouTube” element. Wow. Nice work, Crank my Chain crew.

Brian
Brian
11 years ago

I attended the event having zero expectations going in. I have to say that I really enjoyed the night and it had me thinking about ways to use it to get more people on mountain bikes, as well as the current mountain bike situation here in Portland. “Ride to Where You Ride!” Thanks to the organizers for doing this.

Nathan Jones
11 years ago

PDX>EUG does not equal 300 miles, PDX>EUG>PDX does. Actually about 325 via this route. That was what was missing. http://www.giroprotagonist.com/325-mile-day-this-saturday/

zed
11 years ago
Reply to  Nathan Jones

I never doubted your abilities to stomp 300 +. Inspired, indeed! z.

Dan Kaufman
11 years ago

Thank you for the great photographs and recap, Jonathan.

Ayleen, thank you, too. We’ve posted a 1.5 hr recording http://youtu.be/1eB15B6gMVk (we introduce you at about 00:06:25).

Brian, love the concept of ride where you ride. I totally agree. We would love to have you present next Wednesday and/or the Wednesday after.

We can’t wait for the next one!