Pedal Nation Events.
(Photo © J. Maus)
For a first-year event, there’s a lot of buzz in the bike scene about The Bicycle Show, which is coming to the Oregon Convention Center this weekend (and I’m not saying that because they’re an advertiser).
Aaron McBride with Pedal Nation events has packed the schedule with all sorts of cool stuff. He’s also got over 100 bike companies and organizations signed up to display there wares. And it’s a diverse lot too: Attendees will get to kick the tires of e-bikes, cargo bikes, road bikes, mountain bikes and all the latest gear and parts you can imagine.
Familiar bike brands you’ll see include Co-Motion, Marin Bikes, Shimano, Kona Bikes, Rocky Mountain Bicycles, Brompton, Bianchi and others.
But shiny bikes and bike parts are far from the only reason to check out this show.
The cerebral cyclist will enjoy the list of speakers on the schedule. Set to share their knowledge and insights are bike adventurer Willie Weir; author, planner, and advocate Mia Birk; author Joe “Metal Cowboy” Kurmaskie; PBOT bicycle program veteran Jeff Smith; family biking expert Martina Fahrner; D.L Byron of BikeHugger.com, and others.
And if that’s not enough, there’s a long list of entertainment to keep you occupied. There will be gold sprints (a.k.a. roller races), a fashion show, a “Kid Zone,” and a dual stunt race just to name a few.
Also at the show will be several special sections you won’t want to miss: The Pimp’d Bike Area will feature crazy and cool bikes submitted by backyard tinkerers and customizers; the Oregon Bicycle Constructors Association (OBCA) will showcase handmade bikes from their members, including rigs from Metrofiets, Quixote Cycles, Ahearne Cycles, and others; and the BikePortland BikeCraft area will feature some special locally-made goodness.
McBride says he’s already pre-sold 2,400 tickets (they were free until a few days ago, but now they’re $7 at the door — kids under 12 are still free).
The Bicycle Show opens on Saturday (4/10) at 10:00 am and runs to 6:00 pm. Sunday hours are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Stay tuned for more coverage and in the mean time check out all the details at PedalNationEvents.com.
Thanks for reading.
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I’m going! I got one of the free tickets. 🙂
Have fun – I am sorry I am going to miss it!
I got a free ticket yesterday! I’ll be there Sunday to check out the kids bikes, and possibly a new commuter for myself.
Spring is the time of year when industry folks can get a bit jaded on bikes because we spend quite a bit of time traveling all over the place attending similar shows; thinking and talking about bikes instead of actually getting to ride them.
However, I’d like to say that Andrea and Aaron have done a great job getting me excited about this show! There is indeed a buzz, and I think it is going to be pretty fun. Lots of people are looking forward to it!
Well done guys!
If anyone has a free ticket they are not using, send me an email at dheddy19@gmail.com and I’ll come pick it up. Thanks!
Ditto- If anyone has two free tix, give one to David and the next to me?
CampBikeFun@gmail.com
Congrats Aaron! Looking forward to the event!
Fyi: If you go by bike (who wouldn’t be?)the bike parking requires you bring a lock. Apparently there is no attended bike parking, aka bike valet parking.
sucks that most bike events are scheduled when bike shop employees cannot attend (weekends). Hopefully it’ll be totally sweet!
I’ll be there.
That is a good picture McBride, your wife is a lucky lady.:)
I can’t stand the convention center. That sterile environment has ruined some events that should’ve been held elsewhere, such as outdoors, or somewhere more Portland, organic, natural and warm. I’m not kidding. That cold building with its ugly sprawling interior is designed for business and suburbanites.
Something sterile like it is what we will probably end up with when the ‘new and improved’ Rose Quarter is done: something to appeal to everyone but those of us who actually live in Portland.
“That sterile environment has ruined some events that should’ve been held elsewhere, such as outdoors, or somewhere more Portland, organic, natural and warm.”
Yeah, outside in Portland in the spring is time is perfect… 90% chance of rain, high of 50, probably really breezy. Great environment for people to socialize and enjoy themselves… Vendors love trying to constantly keep their stuff dry and clean too!
When did Portland become warm, natural, organic… As far as I know it’s always been cold and hard, not some hippy utopia.