The Big Bike Film Night 2022 | Time Out 2021-22

Robin Capper

05 May 2022 — 5 min read

I delayed my second Waikato/Taupo trip a week to be in Auckland for a long-anticipated event. Thanks to COVID-19 lockdown and gathering limit delays the The Big Bike Film Night 2022 was only a few months after the delayed TBBFN 2021!

Cycling to the bike movies

From home it is a short suburban ride to the nearest (of so many) screening in Avondale. I previously went to the Devenport/Auckland City screenings (after work) so was a novelty to see it out West.

Giro ready to roll

Crossing Waikumete Stream near home, would reunite with it later tonight.

Towards New Lynn...

Great North Road ride is still the best option from New Lynn... (From June 2022 the new New Lynn to Avondale shared path will be better)

Taking in the urban art in Avondale, here until this former supermarket site becomes part of wider urban redevelopment.

Sunset over "Avondale Beginners Cycle Path" and Avondale Racecourse.

Bike meetup

Met some nice Bike Avondale and Bike Auckland folks at Browne St. before rolling along to the movies. Watched an amazing sunset, over the 'Subway' sign (not a sponsored photo!).

The Big Bike Film Night 2022 | Avondale

Lots of keen cyclists outside the classic Hollywood Cinema, Avondale.

It's compulsory to bike there; ok it's not but lots did and appreciated the secure free parking provided at the door.

Don't be fooled by the empty seats in this photo, like most TBBFN's I've been to it was a full house. If you are 'even thinking about going to a screening anywhere' pre-order tickets or you might miss out.

Brett Cotter, (self-described) 'TBBFN Film Pedlar', introduces the fabulous 2022 collection.

Films/shorts included:

Bikes chasing balloons and flying lights in Turkey (this year's signature image)
Scottish unicycling
Riding the Paparoa Trail
MTB trail building in Canada
Single speed bike record attempt
'Professional Kids', bikepacking/rafting in South America
Freedom Seat Tearfund ride
And the feature: Kōpiko Aotearoa 1,100km bikepacking event across the North Island.

And that's just the bits I can remember...

Just one of many Brett has inspired

For me, this year's TBBFN was a bit different: I used to go for inspiration but this year there was plenty of reflection as had recently ridden many of the NZ locations featured. Even the pre-roll Great Rides promotions were moving as brought back memories of the past few months riding.

You can find some of these features on-line but seeing them on the big screen, surrounded by a crowd of like-minded people (whispering) 'remember that' or, even better, 'let's do that!' is a completely different experience.

Brett, his sponsors, and many regional supporters have built a unique community.

Taking the long way home

Emerged into a calm, cloudless, and warm 15°C (for the season) evening.

Decided to make the most of it and take the longer path home.

Waterview Shared Path

The Pou whenua at Trent St (the Avondale Rd end of the Waterview Shared Path) looking stunning with its night lighting.

Lighting on Harbutt Reserve bridge, near Phyllis Street, Mt Albert on the Waterview Shared Path.

Te Piringa (Alford Street) Bridge, Waterview, spans (90 metres long, 16 metres high) Te Auaunga/Oakley Creek to connect to paths heading West and to the city.

The Big Bike Film Night ride Waterview Bridge

SH16 Northwestern Bike Path

Gull parking on the State Highway 16 (SH16), Northwestern Bike Path.

They weren't at all disturbed by my intrusion on their evening.

Mirror smooth sea next to the motorway bike path.

Te Atatu Underpass, wish all the SH16 on-ramp road crossings were like this!

The Big Bike Film Night ride SH16 Te Atatu Underpass

Corban Art Centre

I took the Henderson path along Waikumete Stream through Falls Park and Corban Art Centre. One part of the Art Centre was a blaze of light and, although now 11pm, talked to an artist working into the night doing stunningly detailed tiling on a cool sculpture destined for a park in Auckland.
(Update: Last time I checked, November 2022, it was still being worked on, lots of tiny tiles, will update when it's installed)

Stellar dark in the park

In part of Henderson Park, away from the urban and path lights, I turned off my bike lights to take in the stellar view above, a perfect Big Bike Film Night finish.