superbikeplanet.com - Robert Redford, Motorcycle Racer Without the Motorcycle
The world lost Robert Redford this week. Motorcycle folks usually remember him for "Little Fauss and Big Halsy", that early-’70s flick about two racers scraping by. Truth be told, I’ve never sat through the whole thing — just some clips, like the one above — and let’s just say, you’re not missing "Citizen Kane" with a checkered flag.
But here’s the thing: Redford — who did actually ride a bike off and on after "Halsy" — left behind a motorcycle racing role that nailed something far more profound. And the movie that showed it wasn’t even about motorcycles.
In 1969’s "Downhill Racer", Redford plays a ski racer who is the dictionary definition of cocky loner: all ego, all talent, zero interest in anything but his own reflection and the next chance to beat everyone.
Real life isn’t quite that cardboard. Or is it? Bruce Brown’s "On Any Sunday" made it look like everyone in 1971 racing was best buds, swapping beers and bench-racing till sun up. Sometimes it was like that. But anyone who’s done time in a world championship paddock knows riders who were pure Downhill Racer — self-absorbed, reckless, laser-focused, and allergic to eye contact unless it was in the mirror.