The documentary film "Why We Ride" sees limited release on Friday in New York and Los Angeles before expanding to additional theaters next week. The film, by director Bryan H. Carroll, taps into the reasons of, quite simply, why we ride. Whether it's sportbikes or dirt bikes, track days or a cruise along the countryside, "Why We Ride" is about the love of two-wheels and why we saddle up. This fact is indeed not lost on many of us - the point of the journey, is not to arrive.
To help celebrate this great achievement in filmmaking and get the word out MotoSport talked with the producers of "Why We Ride" about their film, why they made it and what they learned. Fear not - if you can't make a screening, the DVD of "Why We Ride" will be available in time for the holidays along with a digital streaming and full movie download. To sign up for updates, see their contact page.
Check out the trailer:
Movie: Why We Ride
Release Date: Nov. 1, 2013
Director: Bryan H. Carroll
Producer: James Walker and Bryan H. Carroll
Writer: Chris Hampel
Length: 89 minutes
- What was the motivation behind making "Why We Ride"?
We started out doing research for a feature film about motorcycle racers from the 1930s, with a particular emphasis on the legendary Ed Kretz, Sr. That led us to meeting his son, Ed Kretz, Jr., who was very close to his dad and was also a hall-of-fame motorcycle racer on his own. In 2012, I sat down with Jr. in his nostalgia-filled garage up in Denver, and had a four-hour conversation with him about the life and times of his father's racing career and what it was like for him growing up around it.
What bubbled to the surface was unexpected.
He shared all the great stories and memories with me as expected, but it kept coming back to the same common denominator - motorcycling is shared. Not only shared amongst friends and fellow riders, but also among family. And with the Kretz family, motorcycles were at the heart and the union of everything they did. That observation immediately got me thinking about my own life. I also grew up on motorcycles, but here I was, now a father of two, and I wasn't riding any longer. When did I stop? And why? More importantly, why wasn't I sharing it with my kids like my dad shared it with me? And that's where the inspiration for the documentary began.
- You talk to dirt bikers and sportbikers - are they kindred spirits or more individual passions?
All riders are individuals in their own unique style, taste, and form of riding. That's what makes the sport so interesting. But ultimately, there is a connective tissue between everyone on two wheels. You see it all across the country from the bike nights and meet-ups, to the rallies and gatherings. There is a passion about all motorcycles, and riders love to come together and share that passion with each other.
- What was the most difficult part of putting this documentary together?
The people we filmed shared a deep and personal love for riding motorcycles with us. It was a very personal and intimate process working with them on camera, and I am very grateful for that gift. So it was our responsibility to then take those stories and honor them to the best of our ability. With cutting-edge photography, expert editing, and a powerful score, I am very proud of the finished film, but it was no easy road for us on a low-budget as people went above and beyond expectations to make this film the best it could be.
- Riders will love "Why We Ride" - how about those who have never been on a bike?
In this film, the motorcycle is a vehicle for the passion and triumph of the human spirit. Anyone who has that kind of passion about other things in their life, will likely understand and share in that celebration. When you're passionate about something, you tend to root for others who are passionate as well, even if the interest is different.
- What do you want the viewer to come away with after watching?
Everyday counts. So go out and take advantage of each moment, on or off a motorcycle.
- What did you learn from making "Why We Ride"?
If you ride a motorcycle, you are not alone. You are automatically a part of something so much bigger. I didn't realize just how connected and wonderful the motorcycling community is. They are always meeting up to ride and raise awareness for wonderful causes and charities. They ride together, live life to the fullest, and share those memories with each other in a way I've never seen before. It's not like one big family, it is one big family.
- So, why do we ride?
Everyone has a reason. If it's sunny out, I want to carve the canyons. If it's stormy, I want to feel the wind in my face. If it's at night, I want to meet my friends. And if it's Sunday afternoon, I want to spend time with my kids. That reason is different for every rider, on each day, at different times, but the result is the same - we all love to ride.
