Zoobomb

Zoobomb is a weekly bicycling activity in Portland, Oregon during which participants ride bicycles rapidly downhill. Zoobomb began in Fall of 2002. [cite web | first = Brandon | last = Hartley | title = Still Bombing after all these years | publisher = Willamette Week | date = August 24, 2005 | url = http://www.wweek.com/story.php?story=6645 ] Participants carry their bikes on MAX Light Rail to the Washington Park station next to the Oregon Zoo. From there, participants ride their bikes down the hills in the vicinity. This process is often repeated several times throughout the night.

There is an emphasis on unusual bicycles, first and foremost the children's bicycles or "minibikes," but extending to tall bikes, swing bikes, choppers, non-functional bicycles, etc. Though many riders bring their own bicycles, the participants maintain a "Zoobomb pile". This is a sculptural tower of minibikes anchored to a bicycle rack at the Zoobomb meeting point. These are spare bikes that are used as loaners for would-be Zoobombers who don't have their own bike. The pile has become a local landmark. [citeweb|url=http://bikeportland.org/2007/10/02/zoobomb-pyle-will-become-official-public-art/|title=Zoobomb pile will become official public art|publisher=bikeportland.org|date=October 2, 2007|accessdate=2008-08-14]

Culture

The Zoobombers are made up of a wide demographic, with a tendency towards young adults.Fact|date=May 2008 The event is treated in a very lighthearted fashion, including a large amount of socializing between rides. Riders often dress up in costume or decorate their bicycles. Parents have brought their children on rides, and a legally blind person regularly attends (on a tandem bike, behind a sighted rider).Fact|date=May 2008 Though not technically a race, there is some prestige in getting down the hill first. However, there is never shame in getting down the hill last, as safety and fun are what is encouraged, not going fast. The participants espouse a "pack out what you pack in" philosophy in an effort to maintain cleanliness in the areas where they congregate. Zoobomb tries to be a positive force in the community by providing a safe environment to have a good time and to support bicycle advocacy and alternative non-polluting transportation.

Events and Related

There are several annual events hosted by Zoobomb organizers and participants, including:

*Zoobomb Century in June
*MiniBikeWinter in February
*Zoobomb Summer Olympics (aka BiffDay) in August
*Alleykitten Invitational

ee also

* Idiotarod
* Kinetic sculpture race
* Portland Urban Iditarod
* Shopping cart race
* Wife carrying
* Wok racing

References

External links

* [http://zoobomb.net/ Zoobomb Site]
* [http://zoobomb.net/forum/ Zoobomb Forum]
* [http://flickr.com/photos/tags/zoobomb/ Photos tagged 'Zoobomb' on flickr.com]
* [http://zoobomb.net/video-index.html Zoobomb videos]
* [http://bikeportland.org/cats/the-scene/zoobomb/ Archives of Zoobomb coverage on Bikeportland.org]
* [http://gridskipper.com/travel/sean-moriva/portlands-zoobomb-does-this-make-sense-227528.php Zoobomb on Gridskipper.com, The Urban Travel Guide]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPeRy3JLQkU My Zoobomb]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a5fKStH0LI Zoobomb Hellway]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJgPO6lz29M Mix of ZooBomb from 6/17/06]