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Video: 24 hour Winter Mountain Bike Race

“50% icy terror, 50% fun”was how I described my first lap of the Strathpuffer…

The Strathpuffer is a 24 hour winter mountain bike race in northern Scotland. I rode it as the first event in my year of microadventures.

I was in a team of four (team howies) and, in between laps, did a bit of filming. Trying to do “participatory video” is frustrating, but an essential compromise so long as I want to be involved in the things I am filming.

There is great scope for making a superb little Strathpuffer film. The variety of terrain and exhausted but determined riders makes for a great story. Unfortunately I was a) riding, b) limited only to filming one little bit of the course and c) knackered.

The Strathpuffer had everything that I look for in an endurance race: it is tough, it’s a bit daft, it’s in a beautiful landscape, and the organisers and competitors are all friendly.

The tannoy system at the main tent blasted out music throughout the race. The song I have used on this video -Springsteen’s ‘No Retreat, No Surrender’- was playing at the start of the race and seemed apt for 24 hours of icy, muddy, dark idiocy.

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Comments

  1. Robert Posted

    given that you were riding in this race as well as filming I’d say that you’ve done a bloody good job.
    Rob

    Reply
    • Susan Bolloway Posted

      I’ll second that. I couldn’t even cycle for 24 hours never mind make a film as well!
      Your blog goes from strength to strength and inspires me every time I look at it.

      Reply
  2. Pete Casey Posted

    Great short film Al..like the editing and B&W format.
    Was that edited with Final cut Pro? Are you still using the Cannon 5D for shooting?
    Also well done to all the team….Must have been difficult keeping the camera clean! 🙂

    Reply
  3. lilalia Posted

    Congratulations, to you and your team. Loved the film. Excellent storyline, especially considering you were in the race. It made me feel the rain and coldness… and your dogheartedness.

    Reply
  4. Pete Casey Posted

    Thanks Al,
    Looking forward to your future videos & blogs…….A coffee on the way Via PayPal 🙂

    Reply

 
 

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