From four wheels to two, Canberra’s self-taught ‘freak bike community’ have come together for their own unique and quirky championships. The groups are passionate about recycling unwanted bicycles and parts – turning them in to something functional and artistic.
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00:00But it's not for the rodents you'd expect.
00:04It's a celebration of bike culture in the national capital.
00:09Yeah.
00:10And exercising, recycling, taking bikes that people throw away
00:14and turning them into something you can have a lot of fun with.
00:17Rat Patrol is a global movement which began in the United States.
00:21It's a movement that's been around for a long time.
00:24It's a movement that's been around for a long time.
00:27It's a movement that's been around for a long time.
00:29Canberra is home to Australia's only chapter.
00:32Once every four years,
00:34members gather for the pinnacle of any rat rider's ambition.
00:37It's an absolute experience outside of my usual
00:40kind of let's be organised sort of vibe,
00:42so you get to just run loose.
00:44The first event of the day, bike frame tossing.
00:47Look at those muscles. Surely you can break it.
00:51Medals were also up for grabs in bike jousting.
00:55And a favourite amongst competitors, bike soccer.
00:58Which doesn't come without danger.
01:01The group has just one entry requirement for new members.
01:05You have to build your own bike from scratch.
01:08Whether they're easy to ride, I'm told it comes with practice.
01:12You build your own bike, you get proficient at riding your bike
01:15and then you laugh at everybody else who tries to ride your bike.
01:18It's really about fear and dreams, you know?
01:21Fear stops us doing things and dreams, everyone can dream
01:25and everyone can do more than they think they can do.
01:28So that's the beauty of it.
01:30Aside from the Ratlympics,
01:32there are regular rat rides and challenge days.
01:35But for some, preparation for the next games has already begun.