POPPA WHEELIE: The 1 Moto Show Portland, Oregon

The 1 Show rocked Portland, Oregon again and was held in a new generic location that defied the gritty charm of the previous locations. When I heard it was going to be in the Portland Colosseum I imagined that it was done to get over the space limitations of the prior locations. Wrong, I was told by the parking lot attendant the Show was sold out so save your $17 parking fee and go home. I drove a quarter mile and found free street parking ( a rarity in PDX) . Then I saw a Sizzle Pie pizza location and thought I would have lunch. The place was packed with disgruntled, denied 1 Show wannabe attendees who were told, your outta luck, sold out. The concensus was, fuck them, lets have some more beer and pie. These folks had come from all over the State and further and were genuinely annoyed. I walked back and with a well timed zig and a zag was inside and marveled at how sparsely crowded it was. Next year they should have a Carnie Barker out front explaining what the fuck is going on.

The reason for the change of location was to accommodate the Flat Track inside the building. Credit to them for trying but, as happens with a new track set up overnight, it sucked. The riders looked like they were on a Gilley's mechanical bull going around the track. And after a few practice groups, the whole place was full of blue smoke ( not one hint of bean oil either, it smelled like Gramp's year old weed wacker gas ) and not an exhaust fan in sight. Back inside to see the bikes. The main hall was dark and needed way more light and the bikes on the whole, did not appeal to me as in past years. There were however, many positive aspects to the show and I will definitely look forward to it and attended as long as they have it. It has to be a monumental undertaking to organize it in the first place and to manage every aspect needs lots of dedicated people involved.