The above metal smithing was done by Mike Cobb, one of the DRTpdx organizers, as a height extension for one of the checkpoints.

Tomorrow is the big day. THE BIG EVENT. Hope you can make it!

April Baer, OPB, will be at DRTpdx to capture the event for a radio piece. This piece will air the following Monday (June 18), at 4:45 pm, on KOPB 91.5 FM. There is likely to be a follow up piece on OPB.com, and perhaps NPR will pick up the story.

For the cargonaut geeks amongst us …

Bike Breakdown

• Front Loaders: 15
• Long Tails: 7
• Cycle Trucks: 1
• Trikes: 2
• Bike and Trailer Combos: 5
• 1 tall bike custom cargo bike

Front loader describes a cargo bike where the cargo area is in the front. This style is also called a long john.

Long tail describes a cargo bike where the cargo area is in the back.

Cycle truck describes a cargo bike that has a large, front rack. This rack is attached to the frame so it does not turn with the handlebars. This style of bike also has a smaller front wheel beneath the large front rack.

Trike describes a cargo bike that has three wheels. I am sure there is a purist somewhere who will distinguish between a bike that has two wheels in the front and one in the back, or the reverse. For DRT, the trikes involved have one wheel in front, and two wheels in the back.

Bike and Trailer combination describes any back that is hauling a trailer. This set up is often not considered a “cargo bike,” and by stern definitions, it is not. However, a bike and trailer combination hauls cargo and TransportLand considers it part of the familia of cargo bikes. Do not underestimate the power, strength, ease, and relatively inexpensive benefits of a bike and trailer combination.

There is one tall cargo bike in the DRTpdx event. We are looking forward to seeing this bike in action.

Oregon Made bikes: Bound Bikes, CETMAcargo, Metrofiets, and Tom’s Cargo Bikes. There are also homemade cargo bikes in the DRTpdx event.

Rider Review

Riders have come from the greater Portland area, Tacoma, and San Francisco. Yes, I asked the same question. Where are the Seattle folks? They were notified. Next year, Seattle. We want to see you. You can stay at our house.

126 combined years of cargo riding experience which averages out to 4.2 years, skewed by several riders with extensive riding experience. 4.2 years makes sense because 2007 is the year that cargo bikes started to gain momentum as a bike platform in Portland. In 2008, cargo bikes were a part of the daily experience. 2010 should have been the year of the cargo bike, but it was more likely 2011. In the larger picture, Portland is still a young city when it comes to cargo bike experience. However, what Portland lacks in years, it makes up for with a volume of cargo bike users and businesses, and, of course, cargo bike enthusiasm.

Pounds of cargo that will be carried during DRTpdx is 3000 pounds (30 riders with 100 pounds each). That is 1.5 “short” tons.

Of note, several riders mentioned being able to carry free pile treasures and plants home on their cargo bikes. The TransportLand staff have carried its fair share of free fair.

Map Minutia

• 30+ miles
• 7 checkpoints
• Checkpoints are supplies, navigation, or obstacle focused
• There are aspects of the map that favor certain bike types
• No one bike style is favored
• ARES amateur radio operators are at 4 of the checkpoints
• Map details

If you have enjoyed reading about the upcoming DRTpdx event, continue to stay in the loop for all Portland Cargo Bike information by subscribing to our feed, or following us using one of the social network options in the upper-right corner.