Bike Scout Scavenger Hunt Hits Portland This Sunday

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Üma Kleppinger, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Bike Scout Scavenger Hunt

Bike Scout Scavenger Hunt Poster

Get ready. Get set. Go! Grab your compass, your searching devices, dowsing rods, or any other divining tools you may have and get ready for this year's Bike Scout scavenger hunt, scheduled this Sunday, August 31.

This is a true Portland-style Scavenger Hunt, starting from Ex Novo, located at 2326 N. Flint. Assemble your friends into troops (teams of 3-5 people), bedeck your scouts in costumes (naturally), and pedal your bike-powered scout troop over to the start Sunday morning. You’ll circle the city on an riddle-filled expedition seeking treasure, documenting your experiences and conquering challenges…all for a chance to win the coveted troop trophy.

Troop members who reach the finish line before the cut off time will earn a Bike Scout Scavenger Hunt merit badge. Troops are awarded points in categories such as Best Troop Costume, Best Individual Costume, First Teams Back, Challenge Cards, and Pink Cards (found on the course). The hunt is meant to be a game of strategy, not merely speed, and rules outlined at the start will inform troops how best to devise a plan of attack.

Win or lose, the after-party promises to reward diligent scouts at Velo Cult, featuring live music from The Sarcastic Dharma Society, a no-host bar, and no-host munchies from Taco Pedaler.

Cost to register for the event is $25 per troop. The event kicks off at 1:30pm this Sunday, August 31st. Register online or at the event.

Üma Kleppinger is a Portland-based copy writer and advocate for full-contact anti-bummer living. She is a recovering sesquipedalian who writes about life in the saddle and outdoor adventure. She is also the author of BikeYoga, a yoga program for cyclists. When not writing, she can be found riding and racing her mountain bike throughout the Pacific Northwest.