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Date: 5/17/2022
FLORENCE – As people plan to travel on planes, trains and automobiles this summer, they may want to consider a two-wheeled mode of transportation.
The Ciclismo Classico Film Festival showcases a series of nine short films about people who have biked all over the world – from a mountainous region in Oman to frozen Lake Baikal in Russia or a trail from Munich to Nice on a passage through the Alps.
The photography is as spectacular as the stories themselves. They are tales from exotic lands and mysterious places told by the cyclists themselves.
“The films are about people taking their bikes and traveling, whether it’s exploring the local area or the world. It’s not about racing or competition. It’s about enjoying the world by bicycle,” said Sean Condon, owner of Speed and Sprocket Cycle Works. Condon and his bicycle shop are presenting the film festival at Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity in Florence.
The collection of films has been curated by Ciclismo Classico, a bike touring company in Arlington. The films premiered in the Boston area and are now on tour throughout New England. Condon thinks the cycling stories will inspire people to hit the road or trails on two wheels.
“Hopefully it will inspire people to get out on their own bikes and explore, whether it means riding around their town or doing multi-day trips. Different people have different experience and comfort levels. Hopefully by watching the films it will light a fire under them to do a little more than they already do,” said Condon.
An avid bicyclist himself, Condon not only commutes to work on his bike – he’s traveled along the Erie Canal from Albany, NY, to Buffalo, NY, and ridden from St. Albans, VT, to Northampton.
He said there’s something fascinating and exhilarating about putting wheels to the ground and heading out for an adventure. It’s something he can’t experience traveling any other way.
“You can take your time, you can go slow and you can stop when you want to take pictures. You can also explore and take side streets. It’s more liberating than traveling by car on a highway where you don’t have much to see,” he said.
The coronavirus pandemic has touched every aspect of life, and bicycling is no different. As people left their homes and looked for something exciting to do, many turned to bicycling.
“It’s exploded in the last few years. So many people are getting out on bikes. Whether it means digging out a bike that’s been sitting in your garage for years to buying a new bike. One of the silver linings of the [coronavirus] pandemic is people getting outdoors in general,” said Condon.
Each film takes viewers on an adventure to deserts, deep gorges, seas and the highest mountains. Some films are about self-discovery. Others are about discovering a remote part of the world. Condon said they will all appeal to every member of the audience.
“If you like cycling it will inspire you. If you like traveling it will inspire you. But you don’t have to do either of those things to enjoy the films. They’re inspirational even if you’re not a cyclist. They’re about people getting out and exploring the world and learning a little about themselves along the way,” said Condon.
All proceeds benefit MassBike, a statewide cycling advocacy organization and World Bicycle Relief, an international non-profit organization that donates bicycles to developing countries around the world.
The film festival takes place on May 22 at 6 p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $30 and are available at the door or online at www.thirdrow.live/events/ciclismo-classico.