Hi! I’ve missed you! I am grateful for your support and hope you’re enjoying Bike Summer — or just summer even if it doesn’t include as much “bike” as you’d like. It’s been a minute since my last check-in and it’s time to share an update on what I’ve been doing and thinking since I announced a hiatus from BikePortland.
But first… thanks for coming to the 20th anniversary party! It was a night I’ll never forget and I truly appreciate each and every person who was there. Nice things were said, hugs were given, food was eaten, and we sold 10 cases and two kegs of (very delicious) Bike Happy Pale Ale! Migration hit it out of the park with that beer and I highly recommend trying it before it’s gone (4-packs still available at their various locations).
In some respects, that big party felt like closure. It tied a bow on 20-plus years of hard work and a part of me felt like, “OK, that was great. I did something special. Now I can move on.” And in some ways, this hiatus is a trial run of what it would feel like if I did move on.
It’s the first time in over two decades I’ve completely turned off BikePortland. And oh, what a feeling! Yes, I’ve been on a few vacations where I didn’t actively post or create content, but the work remained in the back of my mind: Not turned off, just turned to a lower volume. This time has felt very different. And it has felt good. It has given me the space to breathe, to let other things into my life, and to get a more objective read on my relationship to BikePortland and the community.
I’ve also listened to and read a lot of feedback from you. I’ve heard loud and clear that the platform, leadership, and information provided by BikePortland remains vital and necessary. In recent weeks I’ve also met with a bunch of people. They’ve been sounding boards and advice-givers. They’ve helped open some doors and close others.
Those meetings, along with having time to think, has helped me discover that being “the BikePortland guy” was amazing and wonderful in many ways; but it has also extracted a lot out of me and it’s no longer my preferred state of being. I want to be more than BikePortland, but my previous relationship with it didn’t leave room for that. Going forward, I want to find someone else to take the reins — or at least share them with me. I want BikePortland to relaunch; but with me playing a different role. Whether I become BikePortland’s publisher (sort of like CEO), editor in chief (final decision maker in charge of editorial direction), just a contributor, or something else, remains to be seen. It all depends on what grows from the seeds I’ve already planted, and what might yet still bloom in the near future.
On that note, you should know that I’m exploring other opportunities. I’ve loved building BikePortland; now I want to build something else. Whether it’s on my own or (preferably!) with a team of other passionate people doing cool things. I’ve already started building a place for myself in the local basketball world, and that’s an area I plan to continue pursuing. And while I take a shot at basketball, look for help with a BikePortland relaunch, I’m also open to something different. On that note, I might have an exciting opportunity in the local media. If that opportunity materializes, and if I choose to take it, it would solidify my path considerably.
As to all the questions about Bike Happy Hour: That weekly gathering continues (and makes its first reappearance at Gorges Beer Co. on Southeast Ankeny Rainbow Road today from 4:00 to 7:00 pm!), but with a new host at the helm. I’m stepping back and letting the folks from BikeLoud PDX take over as organizers.
To recap: A BikePortland relaunch, a second career as a basketball coach, a new job unrelated to BikePortland — if my path still seems unclear, that’s because it is! And that’s O.K. Having options is the point. And taking time to consider them is the right move for me.
So like I mentioned above, if you want to be a part of BikePortland’s next chapter, please contact me! And if you or your business/organization is doing something cool and could use someone with my unique set of skills and experiences, let’s talk. The best way to reach me is via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com.
I appreciate your ongoing support.
Stay tuned, and I’ll see you in the streets.
Thanks for reading.
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Much appreciation and respect for everything you built and done.
I know that you will find a lot of people in the community that will be interested in being part of whatever bike Portland becomes.
You have 20 years of experience in navigating local governments, authorities, personalities, and various groups with diverging goals.
It would be amazing if you could pass those years of cumulative “how to” knowledge to the next generation.
I’m not sure what that would look like, be it a seminar, pod cast, write a book about grass roots journalism, or just in person mentoring and meetings, but you have a wealth of expertise that I think a lot in the community would benefit from absorbing.
You have a strong success story, how you did it, and what you learned along the way.
I’m sure I’m not alone in saying, that would be fascinating to learn.
I should be a special technical writer for the next version of BP.
Either me or Jim Lee.
Cheers and thanks for the update, happy to hear you’re doing well.
I have missed BP and I think the fact that I have – and probably others have also – means that there is a hunger in the community for what BP provides.
If you no longer want to be the sole person providing it, why not open your business to another ambitious young person whom you can mold into a great provider of bike news and conversation, as you have been?
Good luck with what ever you decide.
Hi Fred,
I am opening it up. Working on things. Finding people who want to help takes time and (very likely) some money. Hold tight and I’ll announce updates as soon as I can.
From one Maus to another, I wish you the best on your next adventure.
Looks like this was a held up post as last week was the 1st BHH at Ankeny, good turnout but missing our ringleader as it were.
Hope to maybe see you tomorrow but know it may be unlikely, hard to step away if you keep stepping back in.
Carry on and take care while figuring it out.
Much love for making Portland better, making Portland fun, and bringing people together.
Glad you are enjoying the summer! I do not see you as a boss of any kind, you are very collective with your decision making. You also love to control things – the fact that you over moderated the comment for 15+ years is impressive. You are going to have to grow into being able to let go. Best of luck!
For what it’s worth, I miss BikePortland for some very specific reasons. Saw you on a pedalpalooza ride and explained to the newbie next to me what I mean when I call you the “BikePortland guy.” That may be over, but you looked happy, and I’m glad for you.
I miss BikePortland most because I now feel very out of the loop regarding Portland’s bike infrastructure projects (or the lack thereof). I would love to continue coming here to get updated on what’s currently in the works, regionally and locally. Planters being moved, bollards being installed, green paint going down, money procured for some MUP extension, infrastructure plans 10 years into the future, etc. I miss this so much. Whoever takes over for you, I hope they carry that torch onward for you.
Good luck with your future endeavors and thank you for all your work over these 20 years.
Hi Emma,
Thanks so much for sharing. I miss providing that service! And I’m happy to share that we are very close to beginning to post more regularly. Stay tuned!
Also, I want you and other folks to know that when I write I share what I’m feeling in that moment. And I’ve gone through a range of emotions during this hiatus… from not wanting to even think about BikePortland and rejecting the “bikeportland guy” thing — to coming around and appreciating what that means and why it’s something I will always cherish and love. I have no problem with people thinking of me as the bikeportland guy! What I shared was just a sense of needing to let go of the burden of what I feel comes with that label.
Thanks again for the comment and I can’t wait to start sharing more updates here soon.
I’ve been sorely missing my morning synopsis of the previous day’s happenings. I’m glad that Matt Zajack restless your cage to publish his article.
He’s got a good thing going with that counter and the analysis it enables, and I hope PBOT can scrape up some money and make use of it
“restless” was intended to be “rattled.” Googlespeak.
“And while I take a shot at basketball…”
You’re too old for that 15th spot on the Blazers bench. I’ve looked into it myself and 50 is apparently way past a guy’s prime. Give me that league minimum! I don’t care, I’m fine with that!