“I secretly hoped Portland “bike culture” was so highly evolved that people were actually using cycling as the basis for spiritual and metaphysical discussion in the same way that the psychedelic scene of the sixties inspired some to explore Buddhism and alternative philosophy.”
The infamous author and blogger Eben “Bike Snob” Weiss has a feature article in Outside Magazine’s May issue that is all about his trip to Portland back in October.
The long piece touches on nearly every aspect of our bike scene — from bike builders to bike polo, even making a stop at our bike shrine and The Bike Temple. Mr. Weiss even chronicles his visit to BikePortland headquarters back before he decided to out himself in the name of promoting his forthcoming book.
Here’s how he describes riding through the city:
“…So despite having no job, one morning I join the masses of people streaming over the bridges and into the city center on bicycles…
At no point do my fellow cyclists look at me judgmentally, attempt to race me across the bridge, or speed brakeless off of it, run a light, and scatter a group of schoolchildren—all crucial to cycling in NYC. The Portlanders simply ride, unflappable save for their jackets, which flutter in the autumn breeze.
I can’t even manage to get lost, since everywhere I go there are not only bike lanes—some even curbside, buffered from traffic by parking spaces with door zones—but directional signs specifically for cyclists: DOWNTOWN 1.5MI 9MIN.
There’s only one uncomfortable moment, as I exit the Hawthorne Bridge without indicating my direction.
“Nice signal!” a woman behind me snaps.”
When Weiss emailed to say he’d like to stop by our office, I Googled his name and found some rumors that he was the Bike Snob. I asked a few insiders and no one confirmed it, and I didn’t care to press into the matter. I still think it’s funny that it was indeed the Snob who stopped by that day. Here’s what he writes about our interaction:
“So, using my real name, I contact Jonathan Maus, editor/writer of the widely read news blog BikePortland.org, and simply tell him I’m an adrift New Yorker seeking a greater understanding of Portland’s bike culture. He not only replies but invites me to his office, next door to a coffee shop with a “bike-thru” window.
Maus is tall, friendly, and polite and looks kind of like the actor Eric Stoltz. His bike, which looks Dutch, heavy, and practical, is parked outside, unlocked.
“You know, people are saying you’re the Bike Snob,” he tells me after greeting me. (It appears I’ve been popular-search-engined.) I laugh this off… “
Bike Snob on The Bike Temple:
“I suppose I secretly hoped Portland “bike culture” was so highly evolved that people were actually using cycling as the basis for spiritual and metaphysical discussion in the same way that the psychedelic scene of the sixties inspired some to explore Buddhism and alternative philosophy. Instead, the “collabo” between bikes and religion seems to be only a PR tool or an excuse to hang out in a basement and (judging from the general vibe, anyway) get baked.”
Read the entire piece in the May Outside Magazine or online. Weiss is coming to Powell’s for a book signing on June 19th.