Bike SLO County, in collaboration with R.A.C.E. Matters and SLOMotion Film, is proud to present two inspiring short films — Becoming Ruby and Pedal Through on Saturday, May 1. Brooklyn Bell, subject of both films, will appear virtually to join local Black bicyclists in conversation about their experiences. There will be both an in person event at Central Coast Brewery AND a virtual option for those viewing from home.

Tickets to both the virtual and in person event available at https://www.slomotionfilm.com/events/becoming-ruby-and-pedal-through

  1. Becoming Ruby, A black woman from the mostly white city of Bellingham, Washington, Brooklyn Bell found her place outdoors-mountain biking competitively-with help from an avatar she created and then emulated. As a young, female-athlete with an artistic sensibility, Brooklyn, like Ruby, painstakingly constructs her identity as an outsider, literally and figuratively. She notes a fine distinction “between being welcome and being included,” but concludes that when it comes to outdoor sports, “when I get into the action of the thing, it doesn’t matter what I look like or who I am. What matters is being connected to the dirt.”
  2. Pedal Through invites us into the world of director-lead Analise Cleopatra as she discovers the healing and joy of mountain biking. Analise had never camped or ridden a bike off the pavement when she decided to plan a week-long mountain biking adventure with an all Black female team: her best friend and fellow newcomer to the sport, DeJuanae Toliver, and professional mountain biker Brooklyn Bell. Together, they traverse the Oregon backcountry on an adventure full of exploration, curiosity, waterfalls, old growth forest, sparkling starscapes, and deep healing. The landscape opens to greet her as she learns to lean into uncertainty, accept support, and trust herself on this wild ride.

Bike SLO County works to build a safe, healthy and connected community through bicycling, to sustain the health of our community and the Central Coast environment. Board President Gary Havas said “Bike SLO County’s Board and staff are proud to contribute to the ongoing conversation in our community about equity and inclusion by presenting these two important movie shorts. We hope attendees and viewers find the presentation both entertaining and provoking of enriching thought”. Visit bikeslocounty.org to learn more.

Virtual screening prices: $10 per single person, $15 for two people, $20 for groups with tickets. In person price: $16 per person.

Additional donations benefit Bike SLO County