The Disaster Relief Trials are back for the third year and we’ve got your first look at the new promo video. The video, created by Path Less Pedaled, is an inspirational look at the event that features interviews and outtakes from City of Portland Transportation Commissioner Steve Novick, disaster experts, event organizer Ethan Jewett, and others.
Also new for the DRT this year is a partnership with Portland’s family cargo biking event — Fiets of Parenthood. The addition of this family event will help round out the days activities and will make for an even larger and more interesting Cargo Bike Fair. All the action will take place on July 19th at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry during their Sustainable Transportation Expo.
(Photo J. Maus/BikePortland)
If you’re new to the DRT, the event is designed to simulate a supply run following a major earthquake. Participants (there’s an open class and a citizen class) are given a dossier with several checkpoints that they must visit. At each checkpoint they must perform challenges that test both the rider and their bike set-up. Competitors use everything from longtails to bakfiets to standard bikes with cargo trails. The challenges will include a shallow water crossing, a one-meter high barrier, and a section of dirt road.
Here’s more from the DRT website:
Riders on the DRT can expect to collect up to 100lbs of CARGO at checkpoints. The nature of the items can vary from small fragile items to large heavy items. The rider and platform’s ability to carry and secure a wide range of payloads, sometimes simultaneously, is a hallmark of the Disaster Relief Trials. Riders are encouraged to objectively assess their bike or trailer’s ability to carry a wide range of cargo, and plan/modify accordingly. Riders should bring appropriate lashing materials.
Registration hasn’t opened yet, so stay tuned to @PortlandDRT on Twitter, Facebook, or DRTPDX.org for updates.
This article would be 100% better if it only had 8% more Joel Metz.
Such a great event. I am looking forward to this years DRT!
This was such a fun event and definitely a new innovation for the nation. Everyone should come on down!
[Though a note to the organizers: please use a little more sturdy t-shirt this year…usually my t-shirts last 5 to 10 years but the underarm sleeve seem blew out on mine after 8 months of general wear. ;-( I loved that shirt. The cups were great too.]
Proud to help sponsor the event this year!
i just got my wife to get a full time job so i could participate in this years DRT and i will be pulling out a fatty weapon. madmax style. with my 22month old daughter to boot… toms cargo bikes would approve. bring on the rough n tough. i aint afraid. PETTAL WORKS …..
Love this event and am so bummed I will have to miss this year as I will be at a wedding out of town. Oh, the agony! I have been looking forward to riding DRT 2014 the whole year. Have a blast everyone and I look forward to joining the fun with you next year.