Hello all Urban Iditaroders, I hope you have recovered from this year's event. Just three months later and I am finally starting to feel recovered. So I know the big question on everyone's mind is what is to come of the Urban Iditarod in 2009? That is a very good question, mark your calendars for the 2009 Portland Urban Iditarod on Saturday, March 7 and stay tuned  at www.KeepPortlandWierd.org/UrbanIditarod/ to find out. Due to the shear volume of 2008's event there will be some adjustment to the course and style, but the zaniness of the event will remain the same…

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Urban Iditarod Swag – I still have a selection of Urban Iditarod Shirts available. If you would like one they are $20 for a shirt, finisher sticker and shipping. What a deal! If you would like more than one shirt, sticker, whatever let me know and I will work the price out for you. To order send an email to UrbanIditarod@KeepPortlandWeird.org with your size and contact info.

What's Next? Urbanteering – ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Portland, Ore July 20, 2008

Urbanteering is a little orienteering, a dash of urban exploration and a bit of strategy all mixed together. Individuals or teams are given two hours to find as many markers as possible, answer a simple question about the marker and return to the start. Teams are rewarded for correct answers and punctual return. Markers are given assigned point values between 10 and 50 points. Maps are supplied at event check in. Maps may be topographic, historic, tourist or any other map we can get out hands on.

Individuals and teams can travel search for marker by any human powered or public transportation available and team members must stay together throughout the event. Please note that some of the markers may be located inside buildings so if you choose to use a bike, scooter, skate board, etc be prepared to leave it outside the building while hunting.

For more information and to sign up visit www.Urbanteering.com.

Hey thanks all of you for playing with me today. I am going to ride this high for quite a while. (The pain meds don't hurt either.) I am still amazed that Portland still puts up with us, Keep Portland Weird.

I am laid out for the next few days waiting for the "specialist" to put my leg back together. I should be good as new by July 20 for Urbanteering and I will remember to look both ways before crossing the street.

If you are interested in a shirt I still have some left, they are $15 plus shipping which should be just a few buck. There are also more bumper stickers. Drop me a line at urbaniditarod@keepportlandweird.org

If you have photos to share, check out the Urban Iditarod Forum at www.KeepPortlandWeird.org.

Woof!

Lead Dog

So I thought I would give you a quick update on where things are at so far. As of tonight I have 45 teams registered. Ten came in today! If you tried to register and received an error message, I coughed up the $30 to keep things working and the problem is all fixed. If you have not registered yet, please do so sooner rather than later so that I can give the head count to the rest stops. I will send out event info the in a week and a half to all of the registered teams.

The Rest Stops are just about set, I am just waiting on one bar before I call everything good. the good news for this year is the Burnside Bridge is open. This means a shorter course than last year and great spectating of teams coming over the bridge.

The shirts are ordered, I will have 100 shirts for sale. There are 85 long sleeve shirts and 15 short sleeve girl shirts. Shirts are $15 each. Please bring cash and even better exact change and like always, once they're gone, they're gone so if you want one act quickly.

Check out the site and register at www.KeepPortlandWeird.org/UrbanIditarod/.

Remember like the Alaskan Iditarod, the Urban Iditarod is rain or shine we start and end in covered areas, but be prepared for what happens in between.

Woof!

Lead Dog

Here is the latest news...

The 2008 Grand Marshal is Portland's very own Broccoli Man. If you do not know who he is, Google him or do a search on YouTube and you will be sure to find him.

The registration link on the website is now active and ready to go. Visit www.KeepPortlandWeird.org/urbaniditarod/ to sign up for this years event.

The t-shirt design will be ready soon. I have been going through a creativity dry spell coming up with a shirt idea. If you have any ideas drop me a line at urbaniditarod@KeepPortlandWeird.org.

I am also planning on making a very limited number of hats this year. If you want one, get to the start early because they will sell out quick.

Get those teams ready, March 1st is coming up fast!

Mush!

Lead Dog

So I am driving home on this wonderfully sunny Fall day and I notice the car in front of me has a familiar bumper sticker in its window. Imagine my surprise when I look at it closer and see that it is an Urban Iditarod Finisher sticker. Yes I think I have made the big-time now! Thank you to the brunette girl with the off white Subaru Outback.

On to other news, I am beginning my planning for the 2008 event on March 1. I am looking for companies interested in 'sponsoring' the rest stops. To be a sponsor, I am looking for companies willing to give swag or work with the bar to give drink specials. If you know anyone that may be interested, send them my way, urbaniditarod@KeepPortlandWeird.org.

Lead Dog 

"When you climb to the top of the mountain look out over the sea. Think about the places perhaps where a young man could be. Then you jump back down to the rooftops look out over the town. Think about all of the strange things circulating round ~ Ziggy Stardust

Bring me you garage bands, your pub crawls, your pillow fights… From Art Cars to Zombie Walks, Portland is a fantastically unique place. Keeping Portland weird does not have to be about being the biggest, the best, the most outrageous. Keeping Portland weird is about being true to yourself and supporting your community. If you have an opinion, story, event or photo that emulates why Portland is so great, we want to hear, read, attend or see it. Come in, relax, let your hair down and stay a while. We are all family here. (Not like the Partridge or the Munsters, more like the family you really love at holidays, but never want your friends to meet.)

With your input, KeepPortlandWeird.org will become the most complete resource of all that makes Portland great.

Ringleader

www.KeepPortlandWeird.org

Ok, so I should have better things to do on an incredible Sunday afternoon besides announce event dates for 2008, but hey I don't.

The 7th running of the Portland Urban Iditarod will be Saturday, March 1. All other details will be worked out over the next few months.

Also the official website will be changing to www.keepportlandweird.org/urbaniditarod, there is nothing there now though.

LD

Thanks to all of you for your support so I can bake my Urban Iditarod cake and eat it too. I am still working out plans for the Grand Canyon trip, but as soon as things are solidified I will figure out a date for the Urban Iditarod and get the word out.

Lead Dog