This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
For the first time ever, a cycling cinema experience will feature in the Isle of Wight Cycling Festival’s programme of events.
The unusual cinema experience, which is powered only by cyclists, is to take place on 28 September at Seaclose Park in Newport.
Cycle to screening and pedal to watch film
The audience is invited to cycle to the screening, their bicycles will then be placed in a stand which will capture the power generated as people cycle. A number of bicycles will be provided on the night for those unable to ride to the venue – these should be booked in advance. There is no stored energy so if the pedals stop – so does the film.
The free event is a great way of bringing people together to celebrate cinema, sustainability, renewable technology and, of course, cycling.
Festival organisers are giving people the chance to choose which cycling themed film should be screened by voting for their favourite on the festival’s Website.
Vote for your favourite
The choices are:
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (115 min) – featuring the iconic scene where ET helps the children escape from government agents by powering a bicycle into the moonlit sky;
Belleville Rendez-vous (78 min) – a French animation telling the story of Champion, an orphan raised by his grandmother, who grows up to take part in the legendary Tour de France – only to get himself kidnapped along the way;
and the 1969 western, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (110 min) – which includes the famous bicycle scene of Butch (Paul Newman) awakening Etta (Katharine Ross) with his new bicycle, on which they romp to Bacharach’s “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head”.
People can vote for the film they would most like to see by visiting the Website, the film with the most votes will be screened – come rain or shine!
“The cycling cinema is a great addition to festival”
Councillor Shirley Smart, cabinet member for tourism and the economy, said,
“The cycling festival attracts thousands of cyclists to the Island each September, many of whom come back to visit at other times of the year – providing a boost to the Island’s tourism industry.
“The cycling cinema is a great addition to this year’s programme, a great family event for a cycling festival that provides a great range of rides for all ages and abilities.”
Programmes for this year’s cycling festival – which features almost 70 rides – are now available from the Island’s libraries, council buildings, bike shops and leisure centres.
All of this year’s rides can be found on the festival’s website www.sunseaandcycling.com.
We’ve gathered the relevant clips to make things easier for you to make up your minds…
ET
Bellville Rendez-vous
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
