bikes, like this one we saw parked at the
North Portland Library a few years ago.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)
A recently minted Portlander is matching the fun, informal vibe of a local fashion show with the sense of style that surrounds two-wheeled travel.
Not the style of the clothes the person riding the bike is wearing. The style of the bicycle itself.
“I don’t give a s— what you wear when you ride your bike,” said Jacob Goddard, 35, organizer of the inaugural Portland Bike Show. “I like the people who don’t wash their bike because they want to show off the dirt they got on it riding outside of Hood River.”
“For people who don’t paint and they’re not musicians, sometimes bikes are their best creations.
— Jacob Goddard, event creator
The event, which is free to attend and $5 to compete in, is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 at Velo Cult, 1969 NE 42nd Ave. Registration starts at 4 p.m., and there’s a related alley cat race beforehand, at 2 p.m.
Goddard and his collaborators will set up a raised platform, put on a “killer list of cool tunes” and invite anyone to strut their mechanical stuff, anything from a “weathered patina” to a well-chosen crankset.
“The concept is to say, ‘Hey, bring your bike, what you’re riding, and let’s hand out prizes,'” Goddard said. “It’s not about how much you spent, it’s not about super-expensive components. It’s more about — for example, I built up a bike for commuting and gravel riding. And I just very specifically chose components that are functional but good.”
Goddard also sees the event as a way to celebrate the idea of bicycles as a way to express personality.
“I work in downtown Portland, so walking around I would just stop at different bike racks and look at the bikes on them,” he said. “It’s just beautiful.”
Goddard, who works as a financial advisor but got a degree in music and has also worked as an opera singer and rock musician, moved to Portland with his wife about a year and a half ago from Utah, he said. It happened shortly after he started getting into bikes.
“I guess I needed a creative outlet,” Goddard said. “I really like cycling culture, and I really like things that celebrate its uniqueness. … For people who don’t paint and they’re not musicians, sometimes bikes are their best creations.”
Goddard said that if people don’t want to show off their bikes personally, volunteers will be on hand to walk the bikes for the crowd. But he hopes the event will make everyone feel welcome to show off.
“I probably look stupid on a bike,” he said cheerily. “But in my mind, I look amazing.”
The event will offer prizes in four categories: road bike, cyclocross/commuter/gravel crusher, urban or track bike, and the overall “best in show.” Sponsors include All-City, Black Star Bags, Western Bike Works, Paul and K-Edge.
Goddard said he’s still recruiting judges for the event. For more information, visit PDXBikeFashion.com or send an email to goddard.jacob@gmail.com.
