This year marks the 30th anniversary of arguably the best cycling film of all time, Break Away. It is a movie about blue collar/white collar classicism and growing up to adulthood, but bikes play a central roll with the racing of the Little 500 at the end. This track bike race started in 1951 and modeled after the Indy 500 takes place each year at the University of Indiana. Teams of four are each given identical bikes and race in a relay fashion 200 laps (50.98 miles) along a quarter-mile (440 yards) cinder track.
To celebrate the anniversary (and because its a really cool idea), Mellow Johnny’s and Rapha are hosting a Little 500 on the Kealing Middle School Track here in Austin. Ten teams of four will race for the ultimate prize on Bianchi Pista’s which will be for sale at a reduced price afterwards. The race will be Sunday, July 12 at 6:30 PM and attendance will be free. After the event there will be a free screening of Breaking Away at Mellow Johnny’s.
More info coming, but mark your calendar!
on Jun 23rd, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Sunday, July 12th is the Breaking Away date. I wonder who’s gonna duct tape their feet to the pedals?
on Jun 23rd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Thanks, Jeff. We corrected the date. The real question is who’s gonna get to wear the Cutters t-shirts. There can only be one Cutter Team so that may be the ultimate prize, not winning the race.
on Jun 23rd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Bianchi’s? Come on, I’m sure Yellow Bike has some sweet AMF Roadmasters so y’all can do this thing up right.
http://cgi.ebay.com/1954-AMF-ROADMASTER-ad-~-Little-500-Bike-Race_W0QQitemZ270403246265QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq20090605?IMSfp=TL090605177001r5952
on Jun 23rd, 2009 at 5:28 pm
BreakING Away!
Got to see a preview version at 20th Century Fox Studios just before it was released. Darn, I’m old – and what a great film!