Here’s what Portland’s first Brompton Urban Challenge looked like

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At this checkpoint at Salmon Street Fountain, the teams had to re-enact a fish ladder by passing a folded Brompton between each other while holding a basketball between their knees (that last part was just for added fun). And yes, they got wet!
(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland unless noted otherwise.)

A bike scavenger hunt? With folding bikes and a salmon theme? That’s a thing? Yep! And it all went down last weekend on the streets of Portland.

The inaugural Brompton Urban Challenge — a.k.a. Great Salmon Run — was a big success! Thank you to everyone who showed up to play and all the volunteers and crew who helped make it happen.

We had 20 players broken up into teams of two to four people. Participants came from as far away as Toronto and we also had a few folks from Arizona (with the Brompton Mafia no less). The goal was to best represent the spirit of salmon and Portland whilst completing a number of fun physical challenges and tasks. The tasks were posted to Instagram with the #BUCPDX hashtag which was used by our panel of judges to verify the completion of each one. Along the way, there were surprises and hijinx galore as teams tried to outwit their opponents, take great photos and videos (there were prizes for the best ones) and decipher checkpoint locations from our dastardly clues.

Here’s how it went:

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All lined up.
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Jon Jon Rivero and Paula Rivero traveled from Toronto to participate.
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Team Okies with a pre-event strategy session.
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BikePortland News Editor Michael Andersen sharing the ins and outs of the game.
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Another shot of a team at the fish ladder challenge.
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Riders take a break at a coffeeshop.(Photo: Brompton)
Riders take a break at a coffeeshop.
(Photo: Brompton)
One of the physical challenges was to fold a Brompton while blindfolded.(Photo: Brompton)
One of the physical challenges was to fold a Brompton while blindfolded.
(Photo: Brompton)
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The clue to checkpoint two. Could you figure out where to go?
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After party!
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Brompton Mafia members from Arizona.
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Team TBAG with the spoils of victory.
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There are no losers here.
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Our new friends from Toronto finished a few hours after everyone else. Jon Jon and Paula took their time and soaked up a beautiful day of exploring in a city they knew nothing about before the game started. Here they are with their last place prize: A pair of used fish windsocks.

At the end of the friendly competition we met at Base Camp Brewing in inner southeast for food and drinks. Prizes were announced, new friends were made and merry times ensued. All in the name of fun on bikes.

Thanks to our sponsors and partners on this event: Clever Cycles, Base Camp Brewing, Ortlieb, Nutcase and of course, Brompton.

— Jonathan Maus, (503) 706-8804 – jonathan@bikeportland.org

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Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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Peejay
Peejay
7 years ago

Really hope this happens every year!

Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
7 years ago

Nice!

Jagur
Jagur
7 years ago

I was going to go but don’t want or have Instagram. Twitter was mentioned as an option earlier but was removed.

Ted Timmons (Contributor)
Reply to  Jagur

There was only a requirement for one Instagram per team.

Scott Mizée
7 years ago

Looks like a great time! I would loved to have participated if I were in town. Congrats to all who worked hard to pull it off!

Next year?

Caitlin D
7 years ago

I like Jon Jon and Paula’s style. Bowties!

Eva Frazier
7 years ago

Not a big deal, but the handsomely dressed Canadians are from Edmonton, not Toronto (or Vancouver for that matter). Thanks to all who helped make this a success. Looking forward to next year!

Ted Timmons (Contributor)

Two quick pix.

‘a uniquely Portland smell’. Holding noses for Voodoo or tourists? Take your pick.
'a uniquely Portland smell'. Holding noses for Voodoo or tourists? Take your pick.

go down the tram, get a receipt. hard to show motion in a crappy pic, so.. I submitted this and one more.
go down the tram, get a receipt. hard to show motion in a crappy pic, so.. I submitted this and one more.

Adam
7 years ago

This was so much fun. Thanks to everyone who organized! Looking forward to next year’s event!

Carl
7 years ago
Reply to  Adam

Where’s the flat-fixing pic? Stopping to fix a stranger’s flat: you guys really outdid yourselves!

Ted Timmons (Contributor)
Reply to  Carl

Here, Carl:

Happened across a cyclist who had NO IDEA how to fix her tire. That's fine, we're happy to help!