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Shimano We Are Cyclist All bodies on bikes second video featuring all types of cyclists
Shimano We Are Cyclist All bodies on bikes second video featuring all types of cyclists

The All Bodies on Bikes Story 

By Marley Blonsky

 

There’s a line at the end of our first film All Bodies on Bikes, where I ask “So where does this conversation go from here? I think that’s what me and Kailey are trying to figure out…I think there’s about to be a really big movement, because fat people? Yeah, we’re done hiding.”

 

Despite my poor grammar in that off-the-cuff quote, I couldn't have been more spot-on with my prediction for the future. Five years after the release of the film, All Bodies on Bikes has become a global movement: a movement that has inspired thousands of people to ride a bike, launched a thriving non-profit with 14 chapters across the United States, and cultivated joy for everyone touched by it.

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This project, We Are Cyclists, picks up where the first film left off and tells the next chapter in the All Bodies on Bikes story. As you’ll see in the film, the landscapes and events we chose to film are wildly varied. From an apocalyptically rainy bike camping trip in Northwest Arkansas to riding 40 miles through all five boroughs of New York City, this film encapsulates the joy, heart, and soul that is All Bodies on Bikes. We also tried to capture some of the diversity of our organization - including the places we ride and our leadership.

 

While the film itself is only 10 minutes long, it actually took three different filming sessions spread across the country, giving lots of opportunities for silly shenanigans, bloopers, and ridiculousness. As you watch, keep your eye out for a few scenes that have some fun behind-the-scenes storylines.

 

Group Ride in New Jersey: In addition to the Shimano film crew shooting this ride, a crew from The TODAY Show joined this ride for a segment they were producing about us. The location was scouted specifically for The TODAY Show to fly a drone and get some overhead shots. As soon as they put the drone in the air it got stuck in a tree, providing all of us a good laugh. We still don’t know if they ever got their drone back.

The MADE Show in Portland, Oregon: A number of scenes were filmed in Portland, Oregon at The MADE Show, a handmade bicycle showcase. The weather was sweltering, but our Portland chapter led a ride to the show where we all drooled over the coolest bikes around. Always fun to sweat as a community at a bike show!

 

Line Dancing and Bike Camping: On our bikepacking trip in Northwest Arkansas, we had it all - torrential downpours, songs by the fire, and even glow stick line dancing! Eli, our Albuquerque chapter leader, taught us the CC Shuffle, which we danced to all night long. Eli, along with our Kansas City chapter leader AC, and Kailey were all in town for a Retailer Training Kick-Off, which is also highlighted in the film.

 

The Five Boro Tour: We organized a big group to start together at the Five Boro Tour, with the goal of riding as much of it together as possible. With over 40,000 total riders in the event, we split up pretty quickly in the chaos. Somehow, we managed to keep sight of the filmmakers who also rode the entire event while filming. Because of the weight of the camera equipment, the filmmakers rented e-bikes, which worked great…until they didn’t. All of their e-bikes died while we were climbing the Verrazano Bridge, making for a challenging end of the ride.

Shimano and All Bodies on Bikes We Are Cyclist video
Shimano and All Bodies on Bikes We Are Cyclist video

I hope this film brings a smile to your face and inspires you to get out for a ride. No matter the distance or your speed, we’re here to celebrate all riders, all bikes, and all rides.

 

Thanks for joining for the ride. To learn more about All Bodies on Bikes and how you can get involved, please check out https://www.allbodiesonbikes.com/.

 

You can also follow Kailey here.

 

To follow me, Marley, head here.

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