The Oregon Manifest, a framebuilder’s show for Oregon-based builders, is this year doing something a little different than shows like NAHBS have been doing — they’re holding a 1950s French-style “constructeur challenge.”

The French used to hold an annual challenge where builders were tasked with creating a light and elegant bicycle that could survive a series of challenges, with the winner the bike that handled them all the most soundly and with the most panache. The Oregon Manifest’s challenge (sponsored by Rapha and Chris King) involves a 77 mile race for practical bikes, with a series of technical challenges like carrying a change of clothing and a six pack of beer, portaging the bike, locking the bike up and purchasing food to be portaged to the finish and so on. Bicycles must survive complete, with no rattling or malfunctioning parts. It’s quite a cool idea.

There’s much more coverage of the event available at Bike Portland. Hopefully I can make it out there!