Twas the night before Mini-Bike Winter…

[Mini-Bike Winter special
correspondent Mykle Hansen.]

…and all through the town,
mini-bikes are rolling,
and no one has a frown.

Excuse my bad poetry, but it’s the eve of Mini-Bike Winter and I’d like to introduce esteemed Zoobomber and BikePortland’s special correspondent, Mykle Hansen.

Mykle will give us an insider’s look at this year’s event, which starts tomorrow (2/16) and runs through Monday. Here’s his first report:

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Last-minute preparations roll forward for what will certainly be the wildest and most elaborate Mini-Bike Winter festivities that Zoobomb has ever undertaken. Whether we can pull it all off remains to be seen, but this year we have certainly dared to dream. Over thirty contests are planned, and more are still being added.

The awards committee has been especially prolific this year, busily crafting together trophies, banners and other shwag for the winners of the many, many contests planned for this Olympic weekend.

[Assorted trophies and shwag created by Gabriel Amadeus.]
Photo: Gabriel Amadeus

The pre-contest chatter on the Zoobomb forums is all chariots, chariots, chariots! Zoobomber Gabriel Amadeus continues to wage psychological warfare against his fellow charioteers, positioning himself as the bomber to beat, and promising to reduce all others to “yak poop dust”.

[Gabe’s chariot is ready for battle.]

At a gathering at Free Geek tonight we created elaborate costumery and last-minute battle togs adorned with Mini-Bike Winter stencils.

Meanwhile, your correspondent is busy cleaning up the LIGHTBAR (photos) for tomorrow night’s opening soiree featuring the Lit Parade. Bicyclists who arrive unlit will have the opportunity to manufacture their own LED magnet lights at the bar, while enjoying light beverages, listening to light rock, and generally getting lit. See you there!

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You don’t have to Zoobomb or even have a mini-bike to join in the action. Just show up and have fun! For a taste of what it looked like last year, check out these photos.

For the complete schedule of events, check the official Mini-Bike Winter website.