Ok, remember a few weeks ago I wrote about a fixed gear riders from Beijing flying to Japan to ride Osaka to Tokyo ? Yes ? No ? If you didn’t catch the original post, read it HERE. I also linked that up to the official OT Tech Adidas website, which you can find HERE.
Anyways, after all was said and done the 4 Beijing fixed gear riders finally posted their photos, stories, and most importantly videos. The outcome ? A complete waste of Adidas’ money as well as my time spent watching all 5 videos. Think that sounds harsh ? Then keep reading.
I’m no expert, but typically if a company like Adidas offers to pay for your trip to ride your bike in a foreign country, then you better dam well be documenting it to the best of your ability. That includes detailed photos of what you did every breathing minute, quality video footage of everything you did, and detailed journal entries – at bare minimum. All of this, of course, would presumably include things like meeting up with local riders, meeting up with local shops and shop owners, riding in the most interesting / dangerous / thrilling places you can find, and it would most definitely would include some seriously sweet riding footage. The big problem ? The videos these guys posted didn’t include ANY of that ! Ugh, I know – if Adidas had given YOU the money, you would have most definitely done something much, much, much better.
At this point you might think I’m an asshole, but I assure, I try my best to do nothing more than promote cycling and fixed gear in China . . But these videos are just too bad to pass by . .
Anyways, let’s start this off with a list of all the videos, for your viewing convenience :
Adidas OT Tech Video 1, HERE
Adidas OT Tech Video 2, HERE
Adidas OT Tech Video 3, HERE
Adidas OT Tech Video 4, HERE
Adidas OT Tech Video 5, HERE
Annnnnnd, critique time !

Probably one of the only things done correctly : sponsor plugs.
The first video starts off with shots of Adidas products, the 4 riders getting out of a van, and getting ready to go watch a keirin race. I like keirin races, so points awarded to this part of the documentary.

Keirin ! Yeah !
One of the biggest problems I have with this whole ordeal is the representation and promotion of fixed gear in China. A trip like this is obviously a great opportunity to promote the growing scene in China, and all companies associated with it. Presumably you would think that these 4 riders would choose to ride proudly designed Chinese fixed gear bikes, but no. Instead they are all riding European / American bikes. I just don’t get it : you are acting as an ambassador for the Chinese fixed gear community, so ride a Chinese bike !!

No Chinese bikes for us !
Finally 3 minutes into the video there is some riding footage. The problem is that pretty much all of it is filmed by a moving car, which doesn’t capture any of the surrounding environment ! It looks as though this could be filmed anywhere in the world. Bummer. It’s also generally boring to watch since all of the riding is so slow and cautious.

Sloooooooow and no scenery !
Video 2 starts off with more product plugs, and some boring footage of the riders trying to trackstand in a parking lot. Now, I know we’re only on the second video, but the music they chose is already wearing my ears thin. For the first video it was cool, but using it in the second video too ? (And to find out later all 5 videos?) Common – Change it up a bit !

A minute of this video was spent fooling around in Ninja costumes. Normally, I would approve : but this was just way too boring.

The next minute of the video was spent discussing how good dinner was !
Video 3 starts off with some riding in another parking lot. Too bad, I was hoping to finally see some serious riding in the city / landscape . . But I’m still waiting !

This would entertain me if it as being done in the middle of downtown Japan traffic.

Follow me ! More boring shots ahead !
About 2 and a half minutes into the video, we are presented with what is easily the best shot from the entire video series . . Ready ?

And, BOOM ! Best shot.
Holy shit, we’re already at video 4 and there’s been a total of about 30 seconds of bike riding. At least video 4 starts of with some cool shots from a boat !

The only problem with the scene from the boat is that it lasted about 2 minutes, and only included shots of the Adidas OT flag, as well as some slow and boring interviews from the 4 riders. Yawn !

Mooooooore interviews !

See this mountain? They should be riding on it !
Just as you think they’re wrapping up the interviews to show more shots of riding, they hit you with this :

More dinner ! This time, with robes !
Which lasts for another painful 2 minutes . .
But finally brings us to video 5 !!! (which on first glance looks promising, since it is 8 and a half minutes long)

Nothing says expensive fixed gear riding videos like girl-fighting on a beach !
Unfortunately, video 5 also started off very poorly, with 1 minute of useless girl-slap-fighting on a beach. From here we are flashed with more shots of the riders fixing their bikes. Give it up for more allen key turning !

Rather than riding my bike, I’m going to continue to tune it up !
Finally they showed some riding footage, but again it was so slow and boring that it’s not even worth mentioning.
Video 5 ended off with a 5 minute interview about some Adidas products . . Totally unnecessary. They should have filled this space with better riding footage !

Look,we’re all designers !
Anyways, it’s about time this post was wrapped up. All in all, a very very very disappointing video from Adidas and the Beijing Fixed Gear riders. Slow, boring, and not culturally exciting (as promised) !! Common Beijing : first you don’t participate in any other Chinese fixed gear events (Shanghai Alleycat, Guangzhou Alleycat) , then you go and produce something like this ?? You’re giving the rest of the Chinese Fixed Gear Riders a bad rep !!! Shame on you.
Alll I can leave you with is this image, enjoy !
