(Photo © J. Maus)
This year’s Mini Bike Winter is shaping up to be one of the best ever.
The event — which tries to capture the fun and creative culture of Portland’s beloved Zoobomb community — features parties, competitions, and this year, even a panel discussion.
Mini Bike Winter kicks off on Thursday night (2/11) with a panel discussion titled, “Should Bikes Save the Planet?” Panelists include: Author of Efficiency Shifting, Conrad Schmidt; Bicycle Pornographer Reverend Phil Sano; President of Umbrella and Director of the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition, Stephanie Routh; owner of Portland Pedicabs Ryan Hashagen; and PSU Professor of Sociology, Erin Rose Michaels.
According to panel organizer Phil Sano, the goal of the discussion will be to “Increase the bicycle community’s understanding on “if” not “how” we should save the planet.” There will also be movie screenings, including a visual recap of Mini Bike Winter 2009 by photographer John Huey. Should be a stimulating evening.
On Friday night, the Mini Bike Winter action continues with a Scavenger Hunt, a Midnight Mystery Ride, and more. Then on Saturday, the real games begin with the Ben Hurt Chariot Wars (always a favorite).
Saturday night is the big Circus Freaks Party, hosted by the all-ladies tall bike gang The Irondelles. The party will feature live performances by bike-dance crews The Sprockettes and their San Francisco-based sister club, The Derailleurs. There will also be live music by Chervona and many other fun surprises.
Sunday’s schedule includes the Mini Bike Winter Olympics and a night time downhill skate race (bring a light!). Get all the details and info at Zoobomb.net/minibikewinter.
Thanks for reading.
BikePortland has served this community with independent community journalism since 2005. We rely on subscriptions from readers like you to survive. Your financial support is vital in keeping this valuable resource alive and well.
Please subscribe today to strengthen and expand our work.
Whether the Zoobomber creed and lifestyle have promoted or distracted from bicycle rights is a worthy debate. However it is essential for one to embrace that what Jazz is to the First Amendment, Zoobombing is to bicycle rights. Zoombombing is not a mere exercising of a cyclist’s right to the road, it is a free spirited life style that transcends mere legal guidelines and is a self-standing social art form.
That being said, Zoombombers are advised to wear lights and saftey gear least they become abstract road smears…
I wonder what hill(s) are part of the Bad Ass Challenge.
From their web site happening on Friday.
Can you make it UP the hill with nothing but human & bike power?
I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, Marcus, and assume you were just re-iterating what is says on zoobomb.net:
Zoobomb is a near 7 year running weekly bike event that meets every Sunday . . . Bring a bike, MAX fare ($2.00), BIKE LIGHTS, and any safety gear you need.
The Badass Challenge is any route from the bike pyle to the top of the hill and back down to the pyle.
hey marcus… will you be at my jury trial in april? yes i was only expressing my 1st amendment rights while riding a bike… but vancouver certainly isn’t portland… if you’d like some moral support for your legal issues just let me know.
skidmark, good meeting you on the tweed ride. hope to cross paths during MBW. i’ll probably be on something much less “vintage”.
and to add some extra press, Kazum, is performing a free show on top of Mt. Tabor for the annual Minibike Winter Olympics at 2pm. If its raining, it will likely be moved to under the hawthorne bridge off the esplanade.
if you are from out of town and need a place to stay you can email housing@zoobomb.net.
its going to be a great weekend!
keen wyrds, thanks J-man!
We have it every No-Dead-Presidents Day Weekend because it don’t take dead presidents to have free fun.
That said, if you have the means please donate to our costs or otherwise bring the joy!
A good example is your boring clothes. During and after our panel discussion we have our DIY Stencil Station running that the Lotus Seed on NE 9th and Going. Bring clothes that you want to brand with your art and ideas! It is a very democratic way to bring meaning to your wardrobe, and it is a blast being crafty!
In case you were wondering…
Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend any and all of the events. They are all free, donations accepted. Ride any bike you feel comfortable with. Minis are optional. This is a fun-centered event. And don’t expect anything to be on-time.
ZooBomb!
A super strong recommendation from a normally helmetless rider –
Wear your helmet if you plan on coming to the MMR this friday. Fo realz
Here is the video from the 2010 Dance Party with Chervona http://www.crankmychain.com/crankmychain/chervona-mini-bike-winter-2010-video_948fe1c7c.html