23 years ago, Alden Olmsted had a dream.
An avid BMX bicyclist though not necessarily connected to a community, Olmsted had a vision of a better bike and despite a disapproving mama he dropped out of college and set out to bring that dream to life.
Homestead Bicycles was born.
Unfortunately for Olmsted, it was only 30 bikes letter that his dream collapsed thanks to the unexpected shut down of a manufacturer who never even delivered on the original order for 50 bikes. With no community and no other financing to speak of, Homestead Bicycles was shut down and Olmsted's dream was set aside.
We meet the likable Olmsted years after he shut down Homestead Bicycles and went about living his daily life. Seemingly stuck in a series of jobs that don't begin to satisfy the dreams he once had, it's when Olmsted unexpectedly runs into someone who'd bought one of those first 30 bikes that the BMX itch needs to be scratched again and he sets out on a mission to discover the buyers of those 30 bikes and begins a journey that lets him know that, despite feeling like some semblance of a failure, for the limited audience that found themselves possessing a Homestead Bicycle, they are remembered with more than a nostalgic fondness.
Olmstead starts to wonder "What if?"
Co-directed by Brian and Kevin Flint, 30 Bikes: The Story of Homestead Bicycles is a nostalgia-tinged story as much about community as it is one man's dream finally coming back to life and his having the wisdom and courage to go for it. The film is wrapped around the rather low-key, warm Olmsted, an engaging figure who seems almost shocked that this door has opened for him once again and it's fun watching him lean into it and lean into friends past and present.
Set for a VOD release on October 19th with indie distributor 1091 Pictures, 30 Bikes: The Story of Homestead Bicycles is an engaging and spirited tale that breezes by at a mere 76 minutes in length but absolutely makes the most of those 76 minutes. You can't help but root for Olmsted because, if we're being honest, a good number of us are likely to see ourselves in Olmsted.
The California-set is beautifully shot by Kevin Flint with original music by Jacob Boyd that moves the story along quite nicely. However, it's that chasing of a dream that really fuels 30 Bikes and it radiates from every moment of the film.
From BMXers to fans of inspirational stories, 30 Bikes is the kind of film that will appeal to anyone who appreciates stories about wrongs righted, second chances, and an unexpected community being formed. For more information on 30 Bikes: The Story of Homestead Bicycles, visit the film's official Facebook page linked to in the credits.
Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic
