I can’t think of a more fitting end to Pedalpalooza than thousands of people coming together at Saturday’s Multnomah County Bike Fair at Colonel Summers Park. At the peak of the day, fair organizers counted 1250 bicycles scattered throughout the park!
Despite a sweltering sun the competitions rocked and all the booths were packed with smiling faces. Nearly all of Portland’s bikey groups were represented; from the Belligerantes (an all-Schwinn bicycle gang) to the Zoobombers.
Hundreds of people got fitted for free helmets, waited in line for free bike tune-ups, made their own pedal-powered smoothies and bike buckets, got hitched at the “Marry your Bike” booth, and marveled at the performances and competitions.
A special congratulations to Stephanie who vowed eternal love for her bike in front of her family, a priest and singing onlookers. Here she is, making it official and riding off into bikey matrimony.
The Sprockettes celebrated their 2nd Birthday with an inspiring performance that got a standing ovation from the crowd.
The Alberta Street Clowns unveiled a new routine that included a heart-wrenching story set in Gascanistan, the “Ramp of Death”, fire and explosions! Dat captured the aftermath.
The crowd was also treated to the first ever bouts of unicycle jousting! Michael, Topher, and Izarra demonstrated amazing skill and wowed the crowd.
Volunteers at the pedal-powered smoothie booth couldn’t chop fruit fast enough.
I ran into Amy Walker, editor of Momentum Magazine from Vancouver BC. She puts together a great magazine and came down to see what Pedalpalooza was all about.
Amy wasn’t the only one from BC at the Fair. Frances Mahon said she and a group of friends arrived on Friday and came for Pedalpalooza:
“We got in at 10:20 on Friday night and by 11 we were on the Pirate Ride with 100 people! I’m totally overwhelmed by the scene down here.”
Other characters in the crowd:
- Corey outdid himself with a special outfit to debut his latest tall-bike creation (with help from Chops), the Juggernaut. See them in action!
- Bethany always dons the unexpected and yesterday was no exception.
- Shawn was dressed in his summer finery.
- Kronda and Jessica strike a true love pose.
- This guy is part of the Dead Baby Bike Club from Seattle and won the tall-bike joust competition.
- Nickey Robo looked ravishing in her new Sprockettes hat.
- This was Phil Varner’s first MCBF, I think he’ll be back.
- Jason was teaching folks bike French.
- Tori looked and sounded great as the emcee.
- Justa’s toughness in the joust contrasts with her sweet smile.
- Nerf (a messenger) unveiled a cheeky new slogan on his bag, One less commuter.
A big thanks to Ayleen Crotty and her esteemed corp of volunteers for an unforgettable day.