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Freedom Riders
Bicycle Sport Shop is hosting the Austin premiere of “Freedom Riders,” a documentary about the evolution of mountain bike trail building, at 8:30 p.m. tonight at Jo’s Coffee on South Congress.
Here’s the press release that crossed my desk:
This documentary follows a group of riders as they transcend outlaw status to develop a precedent setting relationship with the United States Forest Service. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Austin Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Club. Tickets cost $10 and are avaiable online, at Bicycle Sport Shop or at the door. Entry fee will include bike valet, refreshments by Real Ale and a chance to win Freedom Riders Merchandise.
“The film shows how important trails are to the mountain biking community and how a dedicated group of riders followed their passion to create history.” says KGB co-founder Sam Pope.
Freedom Riders is the Dogtown and Z Boys of mountain biking. The film artistically captures the evolution of freeriding from stealth trail building to forging a working relationship with the U.S. Forest Service to establish the first-ever downhill specific trail in Forest Service history in the Teton Pass area of Wyoming. The film showcases the freeriding subculture in North America from where it was to where it is now by highlighting how the sport has obtained its legitimacy in the public eye.
Freedom Riders provides a compelling story of a group of individuals who never let their passion die while looking at the rich culture and history behind the sport. From old-school footage of Tom Richey and Gary Fisher to the time, hours and sweat it takes to build a trail to hucking and ripping down singletrack, Freedom Riders isn’t your typical bike porn film, it tells a story - an important one for any bike lover. The film with also feature an original soundtrack by Grammy Award nominee Luke Reynolds of Astral Kids.
Go here for rider profiles and a photo gallery.
Purchase tickets here or at Bicycle Sport Shop, Lamar Boulevard at Barton Springs Road.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment Categories: cycling
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By kenneth
August 13, 2009 1:30 PM | Link to this
So these are the people we can thank for cutting down trees in the greenbelt & BCCP? Wonderful, let’s all celebrate their “iconoclasm.”
Can’t let The Man prevent us from destroying wildlife habitat for the purpose of riding a $1,200 Trek.
By Pam LeBlanc
August 13, 2009 2:23 PM | Link to this
Hi Kenneth. Actually, the documentary (and I haven’t seen it yet) supposedly has a happy ending. It shows how formerly rogue trail builders worked with the NPS to build sustainable trails. Trails aren’t all bad - they’re used by more than just mtn bikers, too. Hikers!
By t.k. o'brian
August 14, 2009 1:13 PM | Link to this
Kenneth, some of spend over $1200 on the wheels for our bicycles. What’s your point? If we don’t wear sandles from re-tread tires made by a tie dye shirt wearing honest to goodness S Austin hippie we’re not worthy of YOUR version of outdoor enjoyment? Obviously you haven’t seen the film. You don’t understand the premise, but again start the usual bashing of the mountain bike community. Find another Austin area group out there that’s spent more manhours working within the guidelines of all local/federal agencies controlling our public lands to increase your access. I’ll pretty much guarantee we’ve help add more miles of legitimate trail available to ALL user groups than any other group in Austin. I dare ya to provide evidence otherwise. I don’t feel I’ve done my equal share, but I’ll bet my last $$$ I’ve volunteered more of my time to improve public land than you.