Klunkerz - A Film About Mountain Bikes

My recent post on Breezer bikes and Joe Breeze got me thinking about Klunkerz - the documentary about the early days of mountain biking. I picked up this DVD about two years ago at the local shop, uBRDO, and have watched it several times since. It's been about a year since I've seen it, so last weekend, son Ian and I fired it up. A little bit of Saturday night movie action for the two of us.

I dug this viewing as well. It's a really well done film that chronicles the birth of mountain biking - the sport itself and the machinery involved - told from the mouths of folks that spawned the whole shindig.

I've been mountain biking since 1984, so I'm familiar with the tale and even recognize some of the pictures and magazine covers featured in the film. Still, that's nothing like hearing the story from the people themselves - Gary Fisher, Joe Breeze, Tom Ritchey, Charlie Kelly - and other folks you may or may not be familiar with - that were key in the foundation and development of mountain biking. A special note of honor should go to Wende Cragg, the only girl of this early bunch of off-road bikers. Not only for the fact she kept up with this crowd, but documented much of it with a 35mm camera. Without her, many early images of this era wouldn't exist.

The film starts with the convergence of people who started this whole thing rolling - road racers looking for casual off-road fun, mixed with pot smoking hippies having a blast out in the woods. First on single speed Schwinn cruiser bikes, slightly - then heavily modified with multiple gears and beefier brakes. Eventually custom frames are crafted to replace the tank like Schwinns and the rest, as they say - is history. This was also the birth of an industry and the term "mountain bike". Hearing Gary Fisher, Charlie Kelly and Tom Ritchey describe the early days of business was interesting. As was Mike Sinyard of Specialized taking a Ritchey to Japan to be copied, to create the first production mountain bike in 1981 - the Stumpjumper.

The famous Repack downhill race is also featured, and really, when it comes down it, is the birth of mountain bike racing as well. Cool stuff indeed. Still, the piece I get the biggest kick out of is hearing about other groups in Northern California, who were doing basically the same thing - with no, or just fleeting knowledge of each other. Pretty wild, must be something about that area and the people in it. These groups of bike nuts, The Cupertino Riders and Larkspur Canyon Gang, look just as crazy and fun to ride with as the more famous gang of riders credited.

That brings up the question as to who really invented the mountain bike. Previously and in other parts of the riding world - people modified bikes for dirt riding - no doubt about it. However, the crowd documented here, without a doubt, started mountain biking as we know it today. If you dig mountain biking, some respect and admiration is due. Lucky for us, everyone involved seem to be incredibly cool people that would be awesome to ride with. They are one of us, since the mountain biking DNA originated with them.

The essence of this film is the way it captures the fun and free spirit of mountain biking. Playing in the woods on two wheels is coolest thing ever. If you ride mountain bikes, you already know that.

If you're a surfer, you have Endless Summer. If you're a dirt biker, you have On Any Sunday. If you're a skater, you have Dogtown and Z-Boys. If you're a mountain biker, you have Klunkerz.

That about says it. If you consider yourself a mountain biker, it's a must see.

Race Across The Sky

A week or two ago, someone in the BBTC email list mentioned a documentary about the Leadville 100 mountain bike race - a one night showing in selected theaters across the U.S. I read plenty of bike related fluff, in print and online, but this was news to me. I clicked on the link and purchased two tickets for the Redmond, Washington location - one for me and the another for son Ian.

In case you live in a cave or know nothing about mountain biking, the Leadville 100 is a well known race in mountain biking circles. Takes place in Leadville, Colorado with an out and back course - 100 miles, lots of climbing, all at altitude. Dave Wiens, ex mountain bike pro, 45 years old and all around nice guy, owns this race - 6 time winner of the event - including beating Floyd Landis in 2007 and somebody named Lance Armstrong in 2008. Reading about nice dude Dave hammering two Tour de France champions was good, clean fun. That ended this year when Lance came back determined to win and set a new course record.

Well, last night was the gig and we attended as planned. Lucky we got there a little early - place was packed. Lots of bike nuts here in the Seattle area, collectively assembled to view Race Across The Sky. A beautiful sight indeed.

Before the movie, a featured rap session with Lance, Dave, Matt Shriver and Travis Brown - hired Trek guns for the race, Ken Chlouber - colorful character behind the Leadville 100, and a moderator - who I can't remember the name of. Interesting and informal questions and chatting about the race. Lance mentioned the Leadville 100 is the reason why he came out of retirement. After racing in 2008, realized how much fun racing is - and since Dave beat him - realized you don't have to win everything. This launched his comeback and return to the Tour as well. Cool insight into the mind of Lance.

With that, the movie begins and away it goes. I enjoyed the hell out of it. Bob Roll narrates the action and does a superb job as usual. Being a mountain bike race, it's more about the average Joe and Jane racers hitting the course and testing themselves. Film does a good job balancing the story of the "stars" and the regular racer stories. Some well done race video action - from following motorcycle and helicopter. Cross country mountain bike racing doesn't get the media attention it deserves and this documentary helps put it out there. Sometimes the music was a tad over dramatic - but still good. Being old school XC geek, I dug the whole thing. Man, that area of Colorado is spectacular scenery wise.

As you probably know by now, Lance did win and crushed the course record. Dave Wiens finished 10 minutes back in second place, but is far from being the "loser". I've read about Dave numerous times, but the film shows you what he seems to be - an incredibly down to earth, normal, super nice guy. You can see he truly loves this event and the people surrounding the race love him. Inspiring stuff. Plus, racing at this level at 45 years old is amazing.

A few other highlights of the film include the full on hammer session at the beginning of the race - the Lance factor and a bit of road race strategy. A lot was made of this in the bicycle media as somehow not being fair, since "teammates" were hired to help Lance. While this may be true to an extent, it is fair, and Dave Wiens later said it didn't really affect the outcome. Lance won fair and square. Check out Dave's article in the latest issue of Mountain Flyer for an example.

Watching Lance screw up a flat tire fix a few miles from the finish was amusing. Where's the team car? Sorry, this ain't the Tour. Lance powered 7 miles to the finish on a flat rear tire, the ending to a 60 mile solo breakaway. Before the flat, the shots of Lance powering on his own - he was styling on the black and white Trek Fuel, with matching black and white Mellow Johnny's jersey. The dude is a rock star.

Other interesting scenes are all the "normal" racers suffering through the race - up the climbs, through the rain and hail. Dave Wiens thanking the course support people at the turn around - a class act. Watching Ken Chlouber stopping racers from continuing after they missed the 4 hour cut off point mid-course. Emotional stuff.

After the film, back to the rap session with Lance and the others. Lance making fun of himself with the inability to fix his own flat. He comes across as relaxed and funny - very different from the Tour related quick video interviews you see during the Tour coverage. Very cool. Still, my hero out of all this is Dave Wiens - you just can't help but to like the guy.

Anyway, I'm not spilling all the details - watch it for yourself when you can - on DVD or the encore showing, which is scheduled for November 12th. If you're any kind of mountain bike or Lance fan - you'll be glad you did.

On the way home, 10 year old son Ian said he enjoyed it as well. "It makes me want to race my mountain bike" - his final comment about the movie.

Yeah - me too.