March 2017 | 67
Fast Friday is a documentary about track bikes in the city of Seattle and the culture that has grown up around them . The director gives an insight into his motivation behind the film : “ In November 2006 I quit my job as a bellman to begin shooting a documentary I wanted to do on the Seattle hip hop scene . Then a friend of mine told me about a monthly event called “ Fast Friday ,” he suggested I bring my camera and shoot it . I showed up , lights and camera in hand , not knowing what to expect or for what purpose this footage would be used . A year and 10 “ Fast Fridays ” later , I ’ m in Tokyo to attend the premiere screening of my documentary at the Bicycle Film Festival .
" I shot three " Fast Fridays " before I decide to make the documentary , I was running out of money and needed to make a decision between moving to LA or getting another job in Seattle and completing the movie , obviously I chose the latter . Since I already had three “ Fast Fridays ” in the can I decided to continue filming in the same manner for the rest of them , as a participant . I wanted the viewer to feel as if they were sharing the experience with the riders on screen .”
Outdoor track cycling on fixed wheel bikes was first introduced underground in San Francisco , California in 2006 and Dustin Klein , a bike messenger and protagonist , took the idea to Seattle together with his idea for urban cycle clothing . This film is possibly a precursor to films produced by British riders such as Martyn Ashton and Danny Macaskill who showcase their incredible riding skills on a road bike and a trials bike .
The documentary is a testament to the riders ’ abilities . The opening scene interviews some of the key ompetitors in the film ’ s culminating Fast Friday race , some with track backgrounds and many of whom have travelled from all over the country . Interestingly , we are introduced to riders , the tricks they can perform and their pleasure in riding bikes with fixed gears and no brakes . It is all about pushing their skills but at the same time having fun .
One of the key events is the Cadence Classic where in January the competition is a trackstand , in February it ’ s a quick stop competition and the main race – an alley cat race takes place in March . One particular guy Keo is interviewed as the winner of the Cadence Classic and he explains that riding bikes has saved him from a life of guns and shootings .
There is joyous sense of community throughout , encouraging people to ride fixed wheel bikes for commuting and not just racing . There is a feeling that it binds everybody together through winter . Coupled with a certain degree of madness these guys are like the skateboarders of the 70s with their gung-ho and fearless attitude . It left me with the reassuring feeling that anything is possible on a bike .