Bump's First Tee

Today I received one of the coolest's birthday gifts ever: Bumpstart's first t-shirt. I feel so legit. Bumpstart's a real boy.

Here's Johnny P. of Modified modeling the Bumpstart logo t-shirt available in serene green. They'll be at the Portland Zine Symposium and available online when I get back from Cannonball Run. Thanks Ben, Johnny, and Tori for making this a really great birthday.

Copper, Caddies, and the Kang

On Saturday I scooted to Vespa Milwaukie to photograph their top dog, Copper the Airedale for an upcoming Bumpstart ad. Copper was a pro and hit his marks without much hassle.

Above photo: Copper checking out the inventory.

I bought Olive, my Vespa GTV from Copper's owner, Bill Place and have been happy with the treatment my scoot and I have received so far from his shop. They will even come to your house and pickup your scooter for service. This was a big help when I scooted back from San Antonio and had to get Olive serviced from the long trip and to finish up some remaining repairs from my Texas-size concrete chunk highway mishap.

Above photo: Amerivespa San Antonio, The Motorcycle Shop

Vespa Milwaukie is my latest Scooter Cannonball Run sponsor and couldn't be happier to have them in my corner.

When I was scooting home I noticed a vintage Cadillac show going on at Hot Rod Pizza and pulled over to check out the show. Lots of pristine restoration jobs and fins for miles.


At the show an Elvis impersonator took a liking to Olive. How could he resist. After all, she is the Cadillac of Scooters.

House Guest

Cynthia Wetzel, a fellow 2010 Cannonballer was passing through Portland and crashed at my place for the night. I did the Portland tour guide thing and showed her a little of my town's unique spots. She got in late from California, so we went to Montage where they happen to serve the Cannonball Run (iced coffee, Kahlua, vodka). The very creatively dressed Lady GaGa fans sharing our table made for an interesting dinner. Before she headed out the next day, we did a quick stop at Voodoo Doughnuts then onto Modified. I love going to the Eastbank Esplanade for photos, but the homeless man we passed on the sidewalk wasn't too happy when we scooted by him, shaking his fist at us. Thanks to the shirtless, sweaty man who stopped jogging to snap our photo.

Scooter Cannonball the Movie.

A film crew will be documenting Scooter Cannonball this year. They will be interviewing the riders and filming our scooters as we ride from Vancouver, BC to Portland, ME with the end result being Scooter Cannonball the Movie.

I'm still looking for Cannonball sponsors. If you have anything you want to promote email me at: bumpstart at me dot com. My Vespa can be your traveling advertising space across North America and it'll be your chance to promote and preserve your product, scooter club, favorite summer school student, whatever on film.

Vancouver to Portland or Bust!

Final Route of Scooter Cannonball Run ---->>> HERE.