A Culture Like No Other

I'm a big fan of documentaries, especially anything having to do with bikes. I've seen all the great ones, The Great Divide, Race Across the Sky, Bicycle Dreams, etc.... If none of the above are familiar, I highly suggest checking them out. These stories are full of raw emotion, grit and determination.

Last night, as I was doing my normal Tuesday evening review of the new releases, I came across this movie, To Live and Ride in LA. I was immediately intrigued, but a little weary. I'm not really familiar with this fixed gear culture or lifestyle, but it was a documentary about bikes, so I went for it.

55 minutes later I was mesmerized. This is an amazing story with incredible characters. Their passion for two wheels is immeasurable. It was not a story of endurance riding or racing, rather a look into the lives of a group in LA that enjoy the true essence of riding a bike, speed and freedom.

Along with the great characters, the soundtrack and cinematography were fantastic. Each shot or song pulled you in and pumped you up. If I would have been wearing my heart rate monitor, I'm convinced I would have been around zone 3 while watching.

While I don't encourage the road etiquette of most of these riders, I salute their bravery. By the time the movie was over, I was ready to ditch the helmet, thrown on a cycling cap and torn up jeans with pant legs rolled up and hit the city streets. But then I realized I don't own a fixed gear, I can't ride a wheelie and there is no way in hell I'm getting on the South leg of I-240 at rush hour, so I'm stuck with my spandex shorts and insulated water bottles. But it is fun to dream.

One final cool thing about these characters....They can flat haul ass.
I highly suggest checking this one out.

To Live & Ride In L.A. OFFICIAL TRAILER from TRAFIK on Vimeo.