There was another bike move on the streets of Portland today. Debbie needed to move about four miles across town so instead of renting a truck, she put out the call to the Shift to Bikes email list. 17 people, 16 bikes and 12 trailers answered the call.
This wasn’t my first bike move, but it seemed like more trailers than usual showed up. Tom – a true cargo-bike aficionado – unveiled his bomber new trailer and broke it in with a full-sized stove! Already loaded with the stove I walked by and set a dresser on it. Tom said, “go ahead, it fits!” I was joking, he wasn’t.
As usual, the load wasn’t all pillows and paper towels. I saw an old, cast-iron sewing machine, an ironing board, a ladder, chairs, tables, all sorts of heavy stuff that was creatively packed and bungeed to panniers, baskets, buckets and trailers.
I brought Eleni along and she worked so hard loading up that she fell asleep en route.
We made signs before we left. This was a great idea because people are at a complete loss when they see us ride by (it is quite a sight to behold).
It was an uneventful ride to the new house. The only mishap was the one guy who wasn’t hauling anything…he got a flat!
It was a great effort and we were nicely rewarded at our destination with hot pizza, cold beer, and a bike move ballad by the one and only Timo.
Here is the complete bike move photo gallery.
Thanks for reading.
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That is so fricking awesomely Portland.
more bike move photo’s
here’s the link
dat
Anyone know the feasibility of a bike move involving both a hide-a-bed couch (heavy!) and a new downtown address four miles away?
Put some wheels on it, point it that direction and start pushing…
If we can carry an antique stove, I’m sure we can carry a hide-a-bed couch (ask Tom).
Also I put a cal out for help with a small bike move in Northwest on March 25th. If one or two people with trailers would like to participate, that would be awesome.
Aaron
Aaron@yourbodypower.org
Hey,
I got some great video footage of Sunday’s move, including the stove coming out of the house and onto the trailer as well as some sweet moments throughout the move. I might show parts of it for Last Thursday at Alberta this month with my pictures…
This was my first bike move in Portland. Tons of people showed up who did not even know my friend, Debbie. They just love to move people by bicycle. It’s such an incredible community gesture.
I can’t wait for the next one…
cheerio,
bob e
Hey bob, I’d love to see that footage.
You should upload it to Google Video!
https://upload.video.google.com/
(not sure what happened to my post)
James, we’ve moved stuff at least as large and heavy as a hide-a-bed, and the “Mother of All Bike Moves” for Wes had gone about eight miles, across the Willamette and through downtown. Just try us, you’ll see! Post your move to the Shift email list and put the event on the Shift calendar. Make sure to mention the food and beer you’ll have for movers!
http://www.shift2bikes.org
That’s the funniest stove picture I’ve seen for a long time. I got to tell my friend who suffered immensely when trying to get the huge soapstone stove, bought on my advice, into the half-derelict French farmhouse he’d bought (not on my advice).
In this case, a cycle wouldn’t have helped…
I need to move. How do I hire you guys