Filmed by Bike
Jen, Mimi, and I rode the tandem and the XO-1 to Filmed by Bike,, the Portland festival of short films about bicycles and bicycle riders.
I found it especially satisfying to roll out of our hotel on bikes to watch cycling-themed movies.
The films themselves were a decidedly mixed bag: a couple—especially one called Tag, about a chase between a cycle courier and a roller blader through the streets and alleys of London—were quite slick, while others—notably one about bike messengers and zombies in Portland—were almost unwatchable.
All though, had a bicycle-fueled exuberance that, to me, was really delightful.
The last, called Ski Boys,, I found especially charming. It depicted the adventures of a bunch of kids in Canadian farm country who amused themselves by building tall bikes, wheeled skis and toboggans, and ramps from which to propel themselves on two-wheelers into irrigation canals.
Their joy was infectious and as we climbed on our own bikes, heading crosstown to dinner, we couldn’t help but feel like we were flying, too.
Doing this weekend trip without a car made the whole adventure more effervescent. There’s something to me that just screams holiday to hop on two wheels, ride to the train, get back on bikes and ride around.
I also like how cycling as a family flattens the hierarchy; instead of mom and dad in the front of the car, it’s the three of us all in the same boat, that is, two wheels. Plus, there’s no way for the kid to lose herself in a Gameboy on the back of the tandem.
Memories are made of this: tooling around a different town on two wheels; going out to another cool breakfast joint, and then riding through neighborhoods you’ve never seen before.
And if that’s not unforgettable, here’s the bike film I’m replaying in my mind: riding the tandem through the lobby to the elevator, and then down the long hallway to our room.
I found it especially satisfying to roll out of our hotel on bikes to watch cycling-themed movies.
The films themselves were a decidedly mixed bag: a couple—especially one called Tag, about a chase between a cycle courier and a roller blader through the streets and alleys of London—were quite slick, while others—notably one about bike messengers and zombies in Portland—were almost unwatchable.
All though, had a bicycle-fueled exuberance that, to me, was really delightful.
The last, called Ski Boys,, I found especially charming. It depicted the adventures of a bunch of kids in Canadian farm country who amused themselves by building tall bikes, wheeled skis and toboggans, and ramps from which to propel themselves on two-wheelers into irrigation canals.
Their joy was infectious and as we climbed on our own bikes, heading crosstown to dinner, we couldn’t help but feel like we were flying, too.
Doing this weekend trip without a car made the whole adventure more effervescent. There’s something to me that just screams holiday to hop on two wheels, ride to the train, get back on bikes and ride around.
I also like how cycling as a family flattens the hierarchy; instead of mom and dad in the front of the car, it’s the three of us all in the same boat, that is, two wheels. Plus, there’s no way for the kid to lose herself in a Gameboy on the back of the tandem.
Memories are made of this: tooling around a different town on two wheels; going out to another cool breakfast joint, and then riding through neighborhoods you’ve never seen before.
And if that’s not unforgettable, here’s the bike film I’m replaying in my mind: riding the tandem through the lobby to the elevator, and then down the long hallway to our room.
posted by Professor Dave at 5:36 PM
3 Comments:
Sounds like an amazing time - probably for the best that you and the Family didn't go ZooBombing.
I went to the "bike-in" at Magnuson Park last fall, it was the niftiest thing to ride my bike up to a bunch of other bikes and lie around watching films outdoors. If they do it again, I hope you and the clan can join me!
whuddup.. you submit to the portland filmed by bike but not your home town deadbabys flm thing, and after we hooked you up with that sweet derailieur and linked your blog to our site.. oooo I see how it is.
Whoa, yo. I got until 4/1 to submit, and I will!
Post a Comment
<< Home