Bike to Blazers is shaping up nicely and now we’ve even got the blessing of Blazers icon and NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton (watch video below).
But before I bring you up to speed, get your tickets if you haven’t already. We’ve got a limited amount set aside so all us bike nuts can sit together — which will make our “We Biked Here” signs and five seconds of fame on the jumbotron that much sweeter.
OK, back to the updates…
The event is set for April 14th, the last home game of the season (which is also Fan Appreciation Day). The Blazers and all the other partners that have come together for this event (including the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, TriMet, The Lloyd TMA, the Community Cycling Center, and others) are still confirming details, but here is the latest.
Dress up like Bill Walton!
Walton is not only the man who led the Blazers to a championship in the 70s, he’s also famous for riding his bike to practice. In honor of Mr. Walton, we’re encouraging everyone to ‘fro out their hair and wear a headband and some tye-dye (and even a tank top if it’s warm enough). The best Bill Walton look-alike will win an autographed Bill Walton helmet!
Bikes! Blazers! Rally for both at Salmon St. Fountain.
Whether you’ve got a ticket to the game or not, join us at 5:30 at Salmon Street Fountain for some fun before we head over to the arena. We’ll have bike decorating for the kids, an open-mic to share favorite Blazer memories, some inspiring speeches by notable Portlanders, some freebies and more. Also, if you don’t have a bike, we’ll have a limited number on hand for you to borrow/rent.
The Ride
We’ll ride together with full escorts (BTA bike safety instructors will help lead the kids) to the Rose Garden, tracing parts of Bill Walton’s commute from Northwest Portland and over the Steel Bridge.
Bike Expo and Activities at The Commons
The area in front of the main entrance to the Rose Garden will be full of bike love from about 5:30 until tipoff. We’ll have a sign-making area, music, a chance to be on live TV, a bike-truck safety demo from the Portland Water Bureau, some outrageous and amazing trick bikes to gawk at/ride, and more fun surprises.
Here we go Blazers! Here we go!
Inside the arena, everyone who buys a ticket with the special “bikeblazers” promo code will sit together. We’ll get some time on the jumbotron and hopefully a shout-out from the game announcers. We’ll cheer together and make some noise for the home team. Stick around after the final buzzer for an opportunity to walk onto the court and shoot a free throw (young kids will love this!).
That’s it for today’s update. There’s a big meeting with all the Blazer brass and other partners Friday so expect more details next week. I leave you with a special video message about Bike to Blazers from Bill Walton (can anyone tell me which bike scene celebrity he reminds you of?!):
Ticket info, official event flyer, and more at BiketoBlazers.com. For general questions contact Lisa Swan at the Trail Blazers front office via email at lisa.swan@trailblazers.com.