El Solitario’s out-of-this-world custom BMW “Impostor” at The One Motorcycle Show, 2014

The One Motorcycle Show thrown by Thor Drake, Tori George and the rest of the gang at See See Motor Coffee, has become my favorite annual getaway. It’s the good-time, anti-corporate bike show– no crusty convention center, sterile brochures, cheesy models, cookie-cutter exhibits, or plastic smiles. Everyone is having a fucking blast, seeing old friends, meeting new, grabbing a coffee or a beer, and checking out the sea of cool bikes, photography, art, and of course the 21 Helmets exhibit.

Ornamental Conifer’s handiwork x New Church Moto, Ginger McCabe’s bike

The shit ton of snow that fell this year made driving around Portland an exercise in controlling your momentum getting uphill, and your drift going down or around. It felt like a paddle boat in talcum powder. That said, it didn’t dampen spirits– friendly folks bonded together against the surreal storm. Having Sassy’s just across the street didn’t hurt either. Originally scheduled to run from Feb. 7-9, the show did have to cancel the last day as the concern for everyone’s safety on the roads had to take precedence.

@slavemade custom 1961 Harley FLH Panhead (for sale, so check his IG for details)

The show was so great this year, that I remember leaving with the feeling that while The One Motorcycle Show had reached new heights and scale, it hadn’t lost that intimate vibe. A lot of that was thanks to the talents and irrepressible personalities of Ornamental Conifer and El Solitario who both made 2014 especially memorable. I’m also really stoked to see Michael Schmidt’s epic photographic eye in capturing each and every builder’s bike for the annals of One Show history. I’m already looking forward to next year.

RELATED TSY POSTS:

THE ONE MOTORCYCLE SHOW 2013 ROUNDUP | PORTLAND IS MY KIND OF TOWN

THE ONE MOTORCYCLE SHOW VIDEO | IMPERFECT BIKE SHOW, PERFECT UNITY

THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF RAY GORDON | — THROTTLED –

THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF RAY GORDON | BONNEVILLE– HOT RODS IN SPACE

21 HELMETS @THE ONE MOTORCYCLE SHOW | SEE SEE MOTORCYCLES, PDX

GET TO THE ONE MOTORCYCLE SHOW | RAY GORDON’S THROTTLED II EXHIBIT!