Why We Ride ...Right... Now I Remember. Fun, Goddamnit!

This Week We'll Be Giving The Evil Overlord Stamp Of Approval To The New Movie, Why We Ride.

Review:

Okay True Believers, Here's the skinny on the new documentary that's got everybody talking, Why We Ride. it's won a bunch of awards and stuff. Unca Evil Overlord is here to tell you why you should shell out your hard earned dough to see this thing.

Little Ms. Evil Overlord and I caught a screening at the University of Victoria's Cinecenta theatre the other night, and it really was a game changer for us. We left the theatre worried that if we actually told the other how the movie had made us feel, we'd be getting sissy punches all night. We both kickbox, by the way, so that's no small thing. Especially for me, Ms. E. hits HARD!

Do NOT fuck with Ms. E !!

Anyways, the flick has appearances by the whole Fam Damily over at Arlen Ness, Troy Lee and Even Kenny Roberts, (who discusses how his flat track racing experiences allowed him to repeatedly throw GP racers into a tizzy as he left them in the dust). Plenty of star appeal to go with what was really a quality show.
And the bikes, good holy jumping Hell, the BIKES!!! Seriously, it was a wrench monkey porno up in there. Anything you wanted to check out during those late nights, clicking on the forums, probably made at least a cameo. From 220 hp climbing machines, to "Eat The World" dragon-size dragsters. This movie will make you say "Wow" at least a couple of times.

The movie starts out talking about the old Pacer bikes back in the misty Dawn of Time, and how Indian and Harley Davidson slugged it out on the track. Turns out that there were over One Hundred american motorcycle producers way back when. Did NOT know that! It then wanders through a bit of motorcycle history, talking about Rockers, the original Daytona Beach races and the Bonneville Salt Flats among other such awesome goodness.
Where it really comes into it's own though, is when it gets into the people side of riding. Seriously gang, my Grinchy heart grew three sizes. From a multiple amputee Vet, who modified his bike and rode around the world for charity, to a Mother-Daughter-Daughter family of Land Speed Record Holders, to a Breast Cancer survivor who made me sniffle in my popcorn, (no joke, her story about her husband taking her for a ride to the beach during her treatment is about the most awesome thing I've ever heard, go Hubby!) you just aren't prepared for the diversity and emotion that this documentary brings. It stands up very well to movies like On Any Sunday. Strong words, I know, but I'm pretty sure McQueen himself would have gone to see this flick more than once.

(Matter of fact, I'm declaring Why We Ride a non-documentary, as of right now. Documentaries are boring classroom drivel with pendulous bosoms  and questionable foreplay advice, this film is not boring. If you can leave the theatre not wanting to throw a leg over, there's just something cracked in your soul, seek help, and stay away from pea soup.)

When the film starts talking to the founders of events like, A Day In The Dirt, and MiniMoto, (which Why We Ride now sponsors, by the way, way to kick ass at life!) well, just get ready to fight off an overwhelming urge to round up every kid you can find and stick 'em on a bike. Great Stuff.

I can't praise this movie enough. It's pretty easy to get wrapped up in the day to day load of deadlines, responsibilities and just plain crap. About halfway through the film, I realized that I've got a shop full of bikes and tools, and a beautiful and amazing woman to share them with. I already had everything I could want to make me happy. So why wasn't I? It really put things in perspective, kinda like getting on a bike and just heading out does.

Go and see this film, if you miss it, order the DVD. You'll be glad you did. Total Evil Overlord Seal Of Approval on this one.

---