Klunkerz, a Film About Mountain Bike History

Review of Film Documentary Klunkerz, the History of Mountain Biking

Apr 12, 2009 Helen Smeaton

Klunkerz is the story of how mountain biking was invented, shot as a film documentary from the heart and soul of narrator, writer, producer and director Billy Savage.

The film was inspired by skate film Dogtown and mixes archive footage, interviews and photographs to show how a bunch of Californian hippies unintentionally “re-invented the wheel” in their quest to conquer the outdoor trails of Marin county.

The “cast” includes major mountain bike names like Gary Fisher and Tom Ritchey as well as more obscure characters who are all now proud members of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame founded in 1988 to chronicle the history of mountain biking.

A Film About Mountain Bikes

Klunkerz tells the inspiring story of a group of cycling enthusiasts who rode their bikes down the slopes of Mount Tamalpais in Marin County in the early seventies. They modified their old “klunker” bikes adding the heaviest parts they could find to get down Mount Tam in one piece. Through blood, sweat, tears, laughter and good old healthy competition, the early klunker bikes evolved, through necessity, into custom built frames with gearing, which spawned the multi billion dollar mountain bike industry of today.

Klunkerz is Different from Other Mountain Bike Films

This film is far more than just a story about mountain bike history. It is a celebration of everything that is fun about cycling, a film about giving and sharing, friendship and the simplicity of getting out on the trail to ride.

There is no gratuitous jumping off 100ft cliffs, no high budget rap music and no massaging of bike egos. It’s a refreshing reminder of friendly collaboration mixed with healthy competition in a magical world devoid of modern day greed and aggression. The film even gives appropriate credit to the sole influential woman in the group, Wende Cragg, proving that not all mountain bike movies are just a self indulgent testosterone trip.

Making the Film Klunkerz

Director Billy Savage wanted to make a very personal movie about mountain bike history to pay homage to his magical childhood in Marin County. So much so that he personally financed the film and used local bands for the soundtrack. He painstakingly sought out every player involved in the klunker scene at the time and, despite potential conflict after former friends went their separate ways, he was able to persuade all of them to participate.

By earning their trust well before shooting began, his “interviews” became animated conversations between friends. The wide grin on every face as they recount their adventures provides an intense feel good factor to the film, which leaves the viewer feeling part of the close-knit klunker group.

Mountain Bike Pioneers

Those early pioneers of mountain biking still love to ride and many try to spread the joy of cycling way beyond their impressive cycling business ventures. Gary Fisher actively participates in the non-profit organisation Trips for Kids and Tom Ritchey is the founder of Project Rwanda helping coffee farmers in Africa.

Why Watch the film Klunkerz?

Klunkerz is a refreshing film that celebrates being alive and having fun in the great outdoors. It’s a great story about mountain bike history covering all the angles and, whether a cycling fan or not, will inspire the viewer to get on a bike, any old bike, and ride.

Grab a copy of the film at the Klunkerz website.

Related Articles

You may also be interested in our special 3 part interview with Klunkerz director Billy Savage and our synopsis on How Mountain Biking was Invented.

The copyright of the article Klunkerz, a Film About Mountain Bike History in Cycling & Mountain Biking is owned by Helen Smeaton. Permission to republish Klunkerz, a Film About Mountain Bike History in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.