(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)
For 52-year-old IT project manager Bill Chin, June is his biggest biking month of the year. Bill, a native Portlander who lives in John’s Landing, has ridden well over 400 miles since the month began. Interestingly, he’s done most of those miles pedaling to and from Pedalpalooza rides.
I bumped into him a few nights ago at the Epic Pizza Ride, his 19th ride of this year’s nearly month-long Pedalpalooza fest.
“I’m not a daily commuter, so this gets me out on my bike,” Bill shared as he scrolled through the list of rides he’s done. He’s got notes from several years of Pedalpaloozas on his phone (“Hey, I’m an IT guy, what can I say?”). He figures he’s taken part in almost every Pedalpalooza since it began as BikeSummer 10 years ago.
His favorites so far this year include the various naked rides, the Rocky Butte Sunset Ride, the downtown tour with famous drag queen Darcelle, and of course, the Pizza Ride.
Bill, who goes by “Buddha Bill” when he’s volunteering with the Bike Temple, says there’s a lot of things he loves about Pedalpalooza. “I love meeting all these new people and learning my way around Portland, finding neat places to go to… and I really have so much love for all the ride leaders!”
Bill’s on pace to break his record for total number of Pedalpalooza rides. He did 21 rides in 2010 and I saw him last night at the Invasion of the Bicycle Snatchers play. That makes 20 so far this year and I’m sure he’ll be out there again tonight.
Have fun Bill. Keep on riding and smiling.
Thanks for reading.
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Yay Buddha Bill! Among other things, the heart of many a Parkways intersection with Bike Temple, tirelessly ringing his Tibetan bowl-bell and wishing peace on all the riders passing by!
That was Bill? I remember being in a huge funk while riding a Sunday Parkways (yes, it’s possible 🙂 and coming across him. It felt like, ah, it’s all ok, it will get better. Magic moment. Thanks Bill!
Can’t miss Bill with the Monkeylectric lights on his wheels. His family has been here in Portland for decades, possibly back to the fifties or earlier — a true Portlander.
Like!
I’ve set a new Personal Record: 22 Pedalpalooza rides for a total of 492 miles! All are weekend and evening rides since I work days. All miles are from my house to the ride and back home after – I didn’t drive to any ride! I’m out of town Saturday but that’s the last day for Pedalpalooza rides and MCBF. Everyone should check the Shift calendar at http://shifttobikes.org/cal/ for more Portland bikey fun throughout the summer! Keep on biking! Peace!
Bill Chin — 2012 Pedalpalooza Rides
Start: June 7th – 1,720 mi odo
1. Kickoff Ride & Kickoff Party
2. Sunny Naked Ride 1
3. Bike Temple Joys of Sects Ride
4. Buns and BBQ
5. Parks to Parks Ride
6. Darcelle’s Parade
7. Rocky Butte Sunset Ride
8. Synesthesia Ride
9. Sunny Naked Ride 2
10. World Naked Bike Ride
11. Tim’s Taco Ride
12. NoPo Haunted Ride
13. Portlandia Ride
14. Pinwheels and Polka Dots Ride
15. Loud and Lit Ride
16. Sunny Naked Ride 3
17. Sunday Parkways North Portland
18. Salty’s Ride
19. Epic Pizza Ride
20. Working Theater Collective’s “Invasion of the Bicycle Snatchers” Ride
21. Rooftop Ride
22. Team Prince Ride + Team Bowie & After Party
End: June 30 – 2212 mi odo. 492 mi total!
F-yea bill!