Thursday 20th June saw the return of Pedal Premieres, after a couple of years out. We partnered with them and a host of other companies to bring an awesome, sold out (190 people) night, raising funds for the trails at Ashton Court. The movie was Anthill Films latest creation, Return To Earth and the setting was The Hen & Chicken on North Street, Bedminster.

We were joined by Bristol hero and World Cup DH racer, Laurie Greenland who would give a humorous and insightful Q&A with his Mondraker team mate Mike Jones. Laurie’s race mechanic is also a Bristol local, Mark Sterland or ‘Party Mark’ as he’s affectionately known! Mark generously gave a couple of Sterlands vouchers for the raffle, which would help fund the ongoing trail maintenance work in Ashton Court.

On entry, each guest received a raffle ticket and had a gift welcoming them on their chair, courtesy of the good guys at Marin, our hire bike supplier at Pedal Progression.

Matt (Pedal Progression) and Oli (Pedal Premieres) gave a brief intro into what was the night was about before we launched into our first film of the night, Get A Grip. For those that don’t know, this Mountain Biking UK film was a banger in it’s day (1996). The reality is nowadays, most GCSE media studies students would produce something of better quality. It’s mostly shaky hand man camera work with people pedalling flat out EVERYWHERE. There are occasional wheelies, endos and no footers thrown in but for many of us it’s where it all began! Bristol features highly throughout the film with sections shot in Ashton Court, the slab and the city centre. The film stars Bristol’s own Andrew Titley who was sat on the front row soaking it all up!

Jamie from Wideopen lead the Q&A with Mike and Laurie which you can watch below and ended with the raffle draw.

The money can’t buy prize was one of Laurie’s race jerseys, unwashed and signed! A huge thank you to Marin, Saddleback, Troy Lee Designs, Sterlands and MBUK for providing prizes and giveaways for the event. The Saddleback guys arrived on the night with £700 of Troy Lee product which made for some very happy folk!

And also Bristol rider Nouveau, who donated a Simpsons Cleudo board game…! He’s not a scary as he looks by the way.

Return To Earth did not disappoint… A beautifully shot film with world class camera work, insane riding, scenic backdrops and the slowest mo! The kids section was incredible – the first specific kids section in a mountain bike movie. I think every rider in the room was envious at their ability and given the chance would have hopped on their bikes as soon as the scene had ended. It was inspiring! Anthill, you nailed it!

I won’t say much else here, apart from if you weren’t at the premiere, go and watch it as soon as you can! There are a few screen shots below to whet your appetite!

Scroll to the bottom to see the total figure raised….

The total figure made on the night after ticket sales, the raffle and all overheads paid, was £1889.29!!!! All this money will go straight in the trail pot!

A huge thank you for everyone who pulled together at such late notice to make the event happen and for all of you who came, bought extra raffle tickets and enjoyed your evenings! Hopefully we’ll get another event going soon enough…

For now, keep your eyes peeled for details of our next trail dig. I’ve you’d like to volunteer and be kept in the loop about what’s happening, email volunteer@ridebristol.com

Happy trails!

Photos courtesy of Jonathan Bowcott, Jamie Edwards and Anthill Films and video from Wideopen.