Fast Friday - making cycling matter

by Startacus Admin

Fast Friday? Sometimes you can just start something and it can somehow grow into something much more - it can symbolise a complete new start or change.

We aren’t 100% sure what Fast Friday have to do necessarily with Startacus, however both do embody and symbolise change, so that's perhaps why we like it! Fast Fridays is a community cycling ‘gang’ based in Athens who each Friday cycle together - friends on bikes, across the dark streets of Athens and beyond.

Many self starters (including Startacus) were born out of the recession - self starters can in reality be anyone who is doing something for themselves to better the way they live, work or play. And this is in essence what filmmaker Sam Rowland highlights in his short documentary tale of the Fast Friday community on their weekly night rides around Athens.

Athens has probably faced more economic uncertainty than most European cities over the last few years, however a little like East Germany (pre and post wall), our own base, Northern Ireland (pre and post conflict) Fast Fridays is testament to the fact that when the chips are down, when the economy is on its knees, real creativity, innovation and a sense of rebirth and community can be born. It no coincidence that those who face the biggest challenges often can come up with the best (if not just personal) solutions.

First featured in Boat Magazine, and currently nominated for the VELOBerlin Film Award 2013, check out this short docu film from Sam Rowland about Fast Friday for a little bit of inspiration, and we hope this video helps you keep on the right tracks to wherever your journey takes you (pardon the pun).

Also if you love bikes - check out our story about Blaze - the innovative green bike symbol! 

Join the Self Start society! If you like what you see here on Startacus and want to get involved yourself, why not become a member of our growing community by joining for free here!  

Or... if you prefer, why not get features like this direct to your inbox by signing up to receive our bi-monthly newsletter. Simply enter your email address and we'll be in touch. 

By the way...did we tell you that you're looking rather splendid today?

• #
• #mindset
• #europe
• #self starters

Published on: 28th February 2013