Wednesday video roundup: ‘Cross nostalgia, odd bikes, women in cycling

Here’s contributor Ted Timmons’ pick of the week’s notable biking videos. We’ll be posting these each week in time for lunch for as long as he’s interested in putting them together! Thanks, Ted.

Our first video (above) will make BP commenter Pete happy. It’s a feature piece on cyclocross in the 1980s. It’s centered around Portlander Michael Sylvester (who now has a local bike fitting service) and also shows off Pier Park.

This is one of those videos that straddles the line between commercial and entertainment. There’s a lot of inspiring footage and varied uses of fatbikes.

River City has some interesting videos lately, including this one with Dave Guettler talking about his (old) Ritchey Team Comp, Dave talking about his wooden-rimmed Naked Bike, but this ‘cross race footage takes the cake.

Speaking of odd bikes, this segment from GCN has a great overview of odd “production” bikes. It doesn’t include my favorite odd bike, the Kestrel. When I have time I’ll watch this Google tech talk about the history of carbon fiber and the Kestrel. (if you like this GCN segment, see their “weird tech” video segment)

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Continuing the theme, local builder (and assassin cat owner) Ti Cycles has a great video for their CarGoAway electric-assist cargo bike. Bonus points if you can identify the dancer for me.

https://vimeo.com/142039358

Many in Portland are interested in women in cycling (and other minorities). This is a great discussion of the design experience. There are interviews with Cinelli and Cyclehack.

Here’s the aspirational video of the week- ascending stairs on a road/cross bike. Vittorio Brumotti is an incredible trials rider. Here’s a great example.

And here’s a strangely funny video- it’s supposed to be a spoof of “Dukes of Hazzard” but it’s more.. absurd.. than that. Ah, crazy brits.

https://vimeo.com/141989120

The more artistic and social among you (such as those who have trailer-mounted sound systems) will enjoy this modification, allowing a bike to project an animated elephant on nearby buildings.

Finally, for laughs, this video is from Woodinville Bicycle in the Seattle area. It shows a thief trying to steal donated bikes that are stored under their awning. It isn’t shown on the video but I understand the thief was actually apprehended. Good!

Honorable mentions: autorouting/drawing with OSM data on Strava (GIS geeks will love this), a Fear And Loathing mountain biking spoof (good riding begins at 1:45), this bike launch video, and this folk-themed cycling video.

Inclusion criteria: If I’ve missed something, post it in the comments! I’m trying to only include videos published in the last week or so. Note if there’s a specific point in a long video that is worth highlighting. Also note if there is colorful language. When it gets to spring, I may add a rule to deal with racing spoilers.

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Chris I
Chris I
8 years ago

On that Ti Cycle e-bike video: apparently you can just ride around town an local businesses have people walk out and load up your bike for free? I’ll never have to lock my bike again!

Eric
Eric
8 years ago
Reply to  Chris I

When you’re hot, you’re hot Chris!
PLCB — People Love Cargo Bikes!!!

BIKELEPTIC
8 years ago
Reply to  Chris I

Hah! I will only get this bike if they can guarantee sidewalk-side growler delivery service for the lifetime of the bike!

(But really, it was a stellar commercial! I like that bike adverts are coming back! Nothing can beat the Bickerton TV commercial from the early 1980s though!)

Sam
Sam
8 years ago

80s cyclocross is the best thing I’ve ever seen.

longgone
longgone
8 years ago

oh, memories… thanks.

nate dogg
nate dogg
8 years ago

bike elephant FTW

Pete
Pete
8 years ago

🙂

Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
8 years ago

Wow…1980s “Cyclo Cross”…I never thought I would see an event where there were more riders than spectators. The 80s looked really uncrowded times in Portland. Though the race course seemed more difficult…more elevation gain and more chance to get lost without the course barricades and spectators.

Eric
Eric
8 years ago
Reply to  Todd Boulanger

I raced pier park in the mid 1990’s and yes, more riders than spectators, and super informal and low key. Not like today’s traveling circus known as Cross Crusade.

kittens
kittens
8 years ago

everything was better in Portland in the 80s

Lester Burnham
Lester Burnham
8 years ago
Reply to  kittens

So true. This place is just stressful and joyless now.

Sam
Sam
8 years ago
Reply to  Lester Burnham

I wasn’t here in the 80s, or the 90s for that matter. I got here in 2000, and fully agree with Lester’s statement regarding current Portland.

9watts
8 years ago

Some time I’d like to learn how cyclocross is not akin to playing soccer in high heels. I like just about every kind of bike fun and can relate to most of it, but this particular flavor has always struck me as rather odd. I’m obviously missing something. Thanks for setting me straight.

P.S. I did see one mountain bike in the video.

longgone
longgone
8 years ago
Reply to  9watts

Try it sometime. It is a blast, truly. More fun than soccer in high heels, guaranteed! I promise.

9watts
8 years ago
Reply to  longgone

Thanks, longgone, but I was kind of hoping for an explanation, something a little more substantive.

Don
Don
8 years ago

Thanks for the ride back memory lane. Those fall races at Pier Park were the best! I considered it a succesful race if Michael Sylvester only lapped me once.