A Conversation with Greg Siple, Part 2: National Bicycle Touring Portrait Collection

If you've ever passed through Adventure Cycling's headquarters in Missoula, MT, or read a few issues of Adventure Cyclist, you're no doubt familiar with the National Bicycle Touring Portrait Collection. Framed portraits cover the wall space of our Cyclists' Lounge and pepper the rest of Adventure Cycling's offices -- both individually ("Dream Fulfilled") and in thematic groups ("Best Friends") -- accompanied by an interpretive explanation.

Started in 1982 by Adventure Cycling Co-founder Greg Siple, the collection now includes over 3,500 photos, with each rider's story told through accompanying documents. The paper trail always includes the questionnaire given to the rider at the time Greg shot the portrait, and often a response to a follow-up questionnaire. In the meantime, some riders choose to send in additional correspondence, including detailed letters, postcards, photos, newspaper clippings showing local coverage of their trip, wedding announcements, and more.

Last week Greg and I discussed some of his historical projects. This week, we delve into the portrait collection.

How did this the portrait series start?

How do you choose which visitors to shoot?

Do you have a favorite portrait?

Can you tell us about the circus cyclist?

How do you see the future of this collection? Will the portraits stop when you retire, or do you see someone else continuing your work?

What has motivated you over the past 29(!) years to keep shooting these portraits?

Photo: Hazel Rickard of Portland, OR, her bike, and her mini-banjo. June 24, 2008.

--

BACKSTORIES is written by Heather Andrews, publications intern. Sifting through the Adventure Cycling archives, the series presents interesting and unusual documents that illuminate the organization's history.

Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/08/conversation-with-greg-siple-part-2.html

giordana cycling