Saddle Up

It’s nice how the annual Bicycle Film Festival always makes time for those who suck on energy gel and click through Whole Foods in cycling shoes. July 25, for instance, there’s Road to Roubaix, a feature on the infamous Paris-Roubaix race and its unsympathetic cobblestone roads, as well as shorts about the Tour de France and track sprinting. The rest of the BFF is all about gonzo riding, of course, featuring dozens of shorts about the crazy shit that people do to, with, and on their bikes, from riding in alley cat races to building Frankenbikes to the art of grabbing the trunk of the car in front of you. We see Fixie Dave riding all over the country on his trusty track bike, famed urban chronicler Lucas Brunelle traveling the world with his helmet cam, and a remake of Road Warrior with members of Cyclecide. We also get to see how long it takes for an unlocked bike to get stolen. Most of these films are made by riders for riders, and they are short, gritty, and lovely. There’s also a huge exhibit of bicycle-inspired art called “Joy Ride” at Bottlecapp Gallery, with an opening reception on July 24 at 6 p.m.

The fest runs July 23-26 at multiple locations in San Francisco.
July 23-26, 2008