Last night at the Portland Trophy Cup cyclocross race we had an unexpected visitor: Dozens of bright orange bikes with a Nike swoosh on the side of them. Yes I’m talking about Biketown bike share bikes.
When I first saw the booth and a few bikes I figured they were simply on hand to do some marketing, pass out stickers and swag, and maybe answer a few questions. I was impressed that they came out to a cyclocross race. After all, I’m all about cross-pollinating the cycling crowds.
But then more bikes rolled out of the truck. And more still. Suddenly the entire tent was packed. Something had to be up; but what could it be? Surely they wouldn’t be planning to race those things?! After all, not only are they 60-pound beasts ill-suited for off-road speed, the muddy conditions would muck them all up. Nike wouldn’t be amused.
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Turns out I am not a good judge of the lengths the folks who run our bike share system will go to have a good time (and do a bit of guerrilla marketing), because suddenly a bunch of people showed up, threw a leg over the orange bikes, and assembled at the start line. They raced those things in the dark and slippery mud, carried them over the barriers, wiped out repeatedly, and did their best to pedal them through the twisty course.
I’m still not sure who had more fun; the riders or the spectators.
— Jonathan Maus, (503) 706-8804 – jonathan@bikeportland.org
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