Video: Back Wheel Mastery on London's Empty Streets in 'Surreal'

Dec 1, 2021 at 11:03
by Alicia Leggett  

bigquotesWhen we entered the first lockdown here in the UK, I knew that I had to use the permitted time outside to continue doing what I love, riding my bike. The first time I hit the streets at night I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was still London, the buildings were there, the lights were on, but the people were missing. There none of that London buzz, it was absolutely surreal.

I instantly knew I had to somehow document this but the challenge was how? I didn’t want to add to the situation, so I knew this had to be a responsibly distanced two-man project. I sketched a plan, rang up my mate and brilliant videographer, Send It Brad, and together formed a plan. We spent every night filming on the empty streets of London two hours at a time for the next four weeks.

I am extremely proud of how it turned out and how we managed to pull this together with all the restrictions and challenges we faced along the way. While it’s cool to look back on this project, I do, however, hope that I never have to see London like this again.

Surreal was shot over a month-long period during the 2020 lockdown in London by myself and ‘Send It Brad‘ in accordance with the relevant health and safety guidelines and under strict compliance of the rules in effect during that time.
Jake100


Author Info:
alicialeggett avatar

Member since Jun 19, 2015
745 articles

47 Comments
  • 31 4
 *Quickly thinks up a pun*

"Wheely love this edit...."

*hangs head in shame*
  • 53 2
 Don't sweat it, there is no manual for creating a good pun
  • 4 2
 You win@cassonwd:
  • 4 0
 Must be tyre-ing
  • 3 0
 Ok, ok, we get the puncture
  • 2 0
 yeah, but are you thinking about it in the right frame?
  • 1 1
 Wow, all of you just derailleured this conversation.........SMH.
  • 8 0
 Well, I guess he's got that mastered. Waiting at that red light got me laughing too. Keep it up, literally...
  • 3 0
 Bloody good video that, wheelies totally on point too. I was born in London and although I've not been there for 17 years I can't imagine it being so deserted. Fanks for the vid guv.
  • 2 0
 get this boy a unicycle. I need to get my manuals and general bike messing around back into my riding. Crazy to see London so empty.
  • 1 0
 Great video. London was earily empty during lockdown. Great fun riding our bikes during our "permitted exercise" every day. But like the opening scene from horror movie "28 Days Later"
  • 1 0
 Well done. I was constantly worried about those fork lowers though. That was some proper confidence to ride without a front wheel!
  • 3 0
 Idk I think he should just get a unicycle
  • 2 0
 This is pure Dadaism... So funny! I almost pissed myself. What a nonsense!
  • 6 5
 The dude can wheelie for sure but he's got nothing on those PK Ripper kids.
  • 4 2
 Philly bikelife is some next level stuff. Oneway Corey kills it.
  • 3 2
 That’s what I was thinking. Every teenager has a SE bike doing this stuff all day.
  • 3 1
 @SCCC120: Yeh Everybody can do this. Yeh that's what I was thinking Yeh sure, these tricks are all day standard for anyone on an SE bike.
  • 3 0
 I was thinking the bike dancers have them all beat.
  • 2 2
 @msalcher: That is true. And they don't try to look gangster.
  • 1 0
 damn now i cant blame my carbon wonderbike any longer for my lack of skills...time to get a walmart bike
  • 1 0
 Hopefully in the (near) future we'll all be able to do stunts by pressing a button. Wink
  • 3 0
 sorry, cant wheelie today, my axs wheelie button died
  • 3 2
 Just to understand without accusing anyone .... but if there was a lockdown he was around illegally?
  • 1 0
 Not when outside, exercising and it's kinda his job. I'd call what he does in normal times, weaving in and out of rush hour traffic, far more dangerous and risky.
  • 2 5
 It was lockdown in name only over here. Us brits didnt take much notice of that nonsense.
  • 4 0
 @mcozzy: i bet ... we have seen your numbers Big Grin
  • 2 0
 @mcozzy: most did but guys like you didn’t and here we are !
  • 1 0
 You could go out to exercise.
  • 1 0
 I enjoyed that! Really cool project. It’s like a time capsule… with wheelies!
  • 1 0
 One of the few cyclists in London that doesn't jump the red lights, well done that man
  • 2 0
 I liked the bit where he did a wheelie.
  • 2 2
 Here's my stab at a pun- 'defo got the balance right with that one' TAXI!!!
  • 4 3
 London and stabbing go hand in hand. Nicely done Smile
  • 1 0
 Dude's front wheel is on the ground less than nico vink
  • 1 0
 Amazing! Such a cool video.
  • 1 0
 that was... sureal!! amazing!!
  • 1 0
 this is so cool
  • 1 0
 nice creativity!
  • 1 0
 Short chainstays 4life
  • 8 9
 Pinkbike why are you showing this Bikelife sh*t on here?
  • 2 4
 Could it be.... that Wibmer ain't got shit on him
  • 2 0
 let’s not get carried away.
  • 2 0
 I guess this could be pun if your wheelie into wheelies
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