Zoobomb

Template:Short description Template:Infobox recurring event Zoobomb is a weekly bicycling activity in Portland, Oregon, United States during which participants ride bicycles rapidly downhill in the city's West Hills. Zoobomb began in 2002.<ref name="ww2005">Template:Cite news</ref>

Participants carry their bikes on MAX Light Rail to the Washington Park station next to the Oregon Zoo.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="bbc2011"/> From there, participants take the elevator to the surface and then ride their bikes down the hills in the vicinity.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This process is often repeated several times throughout the night.<ref name="bbc2011">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Culture

There is an emphasis on unusual bicycles, first and foremost the children's bicycles or "minibikes," but extending to tall bikes, swing bikes,<ref name="ww2005"/> choppers, non-functional bicycles, skateboards,<ref name="ww2005"/> longboards,<ref name="ww2005"/> etc. The Zoobombers are made up of a wide demographic, with a tendency towards young adults.Template:Citation needed 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 "The Blind Bomber" regularly attends (on a tandem bike, behind a sighted rider).Template:Citation needed Though not technically a race, there is some prestige in getting down the hill first.Template:Citation needed 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 it in, pack it out/leave no trace" 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 environmentTemplate:Citation needed to have a good time and to support bicycle advocacy and alternative non-polluting transportation.

Zoobomb Pile

File:ZoobombPile.jpg

The Zoobomb pile, the meeting point for participants (December 2007); the pile is located near Powell's City of Books, seen in the background, at left.

Though many riders bring their own bicycles, the participants maintain a "Zoobomb pile". This is a 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.<ref name="bbc2011"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In March 2009, a new pile was dedicated, in a ceremony attended by Portland mayor Sam Adams.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The new pile is located at SW 13th and Burnside.

Related events

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

Zoobomb has inspired Hoodbomb, where participants gather at the Timberline Lodge and bomb the Template:Convert course of Timberline Road on Mount Hood.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

See also

• Portland Urban Iditarod
• Idiotarod
• Kinetic sculpture race
• Shopping cart race

External links

• Zoobomb website
• Archives of Zoobomb coverage on BikePortland.org
• Zoobomb on Gridskipper.com, The Urban Travel Guide
• BBC coverage of zoobombing