A must see cycling movie

The Webcyclery here in Bend shows a cycling movie once a month at McMenamins as a monthly fundraiser for the local trail alliance. Last night was the documentary on the heyday of six-day racing back in the 1890s to 1930s. It was absolutely fascinating. Anyone who thinks cyclists are, ahem, wussies should watch this film.

http://www.sixdaybicyclerace.com/

Apparently, the Portland Velodrome has an annual six-day race.
Alpenrose Sixday in Portland – starts June 23, 2008
Last year’s link -- http://www.obra.org/track/flyers/2007/six_day.html

And word is a six-day race is being planned at Mandalay Bay during Interbike this coming year.
http://www.velonews.com/article/72996
Almost tempts me to voluntarily make a trip to Vegas.

Of course, some of you European riders may get still get to see these races. I know Zurich as one.

I have heard about that movie and was trying to find it on Netflix last week. They didn't have it. :mad:

i wonder if we can suggest movies to netflix. if a number of us do it???


here::

http://www.netflix.com/Suggest?type=0&lnkctr=cu_tr

There are several six day races in Europe today. They start in December or January and run until the end of February. Most are in Germany or Switzerland.
My "German (pro cyclist) son" 's girlfriend is a PT for Team Mobile (or whatever it is called now). They were here at Thanksgiving and she told me about the grueling schedule she had driving around Europe, following the team to these races. These races are really popular there.

Major Taylor competed in these during the early 1900s.

I was surprised to see your note about Major Taylor as he wasn't mentioned in the movie. If the attached bio is accurate, he only competed in one and came in 8th. Of course, this lack of success may have had nothing to do with his actual abilities and more to do with the racist issues of the time and, if the movie had discussed him, they may have had to devote a lot of time to discussing those issues and not cover other areas.

http://www.majortaylorassociation.org/more.htm

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Originally Posted by mimitabby

i wonder if we can suggest movies to netflix. if a number of us do it???


here::

http://www.netflix.com/Suggest?type=0&lnkctr=cu_tr

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Done!

Well, I just finished reading an older version of his bio. He did compete in one really big one at Madison Sq. Garden and he most certainly bore the brunt of some racist tactics. There was so much description of what the other racers did to him, I can't remember what specifically happened. It was shameful. Another reason why he didn't do more is that he wouldn't race on Sundays. But the other racers, one in particular, did everything in his power to keep him out of a lot of races, because he was scared to death that a Black man would beat him. So even though this was a super popular form of racing and Taylor wanted to do more, he couldn't.
It was hard to believe, though, that in 1900 there were thousands of people at these races!

We're lucky enough to have a local video store who's owner loves cycling. We watched the 6 six day movie last week. It is good! We also recently watched one on the Little 500. Very interesting too!

Here's the link to the list of cycling movies that are available--
http://www.rentertainment.com/PP-cycling.asp

Who knew there were so many!

......The Flying Scottsman. It's out on DVD now.

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Originally Posted by sundial

......The Flying Scottsman. It's out on DVD now.

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breaking away and american flyers are both great too

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Originally Posted by Beane

breaking away and american flyers are both great too

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Breaking Away, yes......American Flyer :eek: might just be the worst movie ever made. Picture this...man in REALLY short cut-off jeans, no shirt, and a COWBOY HAT! on a road bike, riding to bad '80s music (he might even be carrying a boom box, if I remember correctly). I shudder to even think about it. Well, it's a good for a laugh. Watch it with friends, and lots of drinks.