Zoobomb

Zoobomb
File:Zoobomb (logo).png Zoobomb logo
Genre	Bicycling
Frequency	Weekly
Location(s)	Portland, Oregon, USA
Years active	Since 2002 (2002)
Participants	Over 100 (as of 2005)
Website
zoobomb.net

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.

Participants carry their bikes on MAX Light Rail to the Washington Park station next to the Oregon Zoo. From there, participants take the elevator to the surface and then ride their bikes down the hills in the vicinity. This process is often repeated several times throughout the night.

Culture

“ The people that are going 35-mph-plus have backgrounds in BMX, mountain biking, bike messengering or downhill skateboarding. I don't know that people showing up for the first time understand this. ” — Zoobomber Mark Verno in August 2005

There is an emphasis on unusual bicycles, first and foremost the children's bicycles or "minibikes," but extending to tall bikes, swing bike, choppers, non-functional bicycles, skateboards, longboards, etc. The Zoobombers are made up of a wide demographic, with a tendency towards young adults. 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). 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/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 environment 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 pyle is located near Powell's City of Books, seen in the background, at left.

See also: People's Bike Library of Portland

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.

In March 2009, a new pile was dedicated, in a ceremony attended by Portland mayor Sam Adams. 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 5.5-mile (8.9 km) course of Timberline Road on Mount Hood.

See also

• Cycling in Portland, Oregon
• 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