A road cycling-focused film is always a good idea whenever you want to curl up on the sofa and watch a good movie. These movies inspire admiration for all the cyclists out there going the extra mile to reach the finish line. The truth is that this sport is filled with challenges, adrenaline, and sweat, and sometimes the path to success is thorny. But with passion and determination, one can touch the skies. The same is true of bicycle riders. Cycling movies cover inspiring stories about exploring the world from the bicycle seat, breaking a record, or winning a Grand Tour.
There are so many films, documentaries and short stories that capture the essence of the sport that we find it hard to choose the best. But here is a list of cycling-inspired films that are perfect for a Sunday evening when the weather is keeping you from getting on your bike.
The Kid with a Bike
Before we delve into the subject matter, we need to get something straight from the outset. This 2011 film is not necessarily about cycling, but about an abandoned boy who faces life’s struggles from the seat of his bike. The Kid with a Bike tells the story of 11-year-old Cyril, who ends up in a children’s home after being abandoned by his father. The child eventually befriends a neighbourhood hairdresser who volunteers to take care of him at weekends when Cyril rides his bike to explore the streets and surroundings. At one point in the film, the bicycle seems to be Cyril’s only friend, and perhaps this is true. When he finally finds his father, the man rejects him and influences the boy to run with the wrong crowd.
Bicycle Thieves
You have probably heard about this Italian classic as it is ranked as one of the best films ever. But what is so special about it? Having as a subject the daily life in1940s Italy, Bicycle Thieves tells the story of Antonio, an unemployed man seeking a job, and when he finally finds a position, it requires him to have a bicycle. Hanging posters has never been that hard for someone, especially since Antonio’s bike was stolen. From this point, the movie revolves around his desperate search for it. Lamberto Maggiorani, in the role of Antonia, and Enzo Staiola, playing his son, have impressed the whole world with their incredible charisma and talents. Not to mention that the film features some alluring shots of 1940s Rome, something that highly contributed to it winning an Oscar and a Golden Globe in 1950 for the best movie.
Premium Rush
Jumping from post-war Italy to Manhattan New York, Premium Rush from 2012 is a movie that shows the dangers real and fiction of being a bike messenger in a busy city. Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Wilee, a seasoned professional in the field of bike messaging, where he knows all the ins and outs of what to do and what not to do to survive the busy streets of New York. It is not until he picks up a package that draws the attention of a dirty cop (Michael Shannon), that things get pushed to a new level. He is now on a race against time, where his life is on the line, and his bike is his one ace in the hole.
Quicksilver
Released on 14 February 1986, Quicksilver follows Jack Casey (Kevin Bacon), a bright young broker who loses the company’s (and his own) savings gambling on a risky business venture. Depressed and embarrassed by his lack of success, he quits his job and takes up cycling. To make matters worse, he is dumped by his girlfriend, and to escape his disappointment with himself and his parents, he joins a “team of bike messengers” who have their own problems. He meets a wild girl called Terri (Jami Gertz), who is grateful to the bike messenger team for saving her life.
Although frustrated, Casey enjoys the relative freedom of supervisory work and uses his education and business acumen to assist his subordinates. When a job is difficult or dangerous, Casey must decide whether to become personally involved in the affair. A complex web of murder, intrigue, and false identity develops.
The Flying Scotsman
You’ve probably heard of Graeme Obree (played by Jonny Lee Miller), the cyclist who broke the world one-hour cycling record in the 90s. But you probably don’t know exactly how unless you’ve seen the film. For those who have not seen it, spoiler alert – this Scottish guy designed and built his bike from scrap metal and washing machine parts. We know it sounds incredible, but the documentary Battle Mountain: Graeme Obree’s Story, follows the real-life struggles of Graeme Obree in the world of cycling and his battle with mental illness. His path is thorny, but he eventually manages to reclaim the record he once held.
Although The Flying Scotsman has not had the best reviews from non-cyclists, its representation of the modern rider’s struggles is touching and is worth every second. Plus, it is an inspiration for all the professional and amateur racers out there who dream of exceeding their limits and becoming successful in the sport they love. The many aerodynamic positions in the movie can be helpful in your next race on the road, but ensure you are well-prepared before trying to be like Graeme. You surely do not want to find yourself in a situation where you are injured on the road.
On Board the Transcontinental Race
The Transcontinental Race is exactly what it sounds like – a cycling race around the world that only the best riders can take part in. The conditions are tough and the routes thorny, covering around 4,000km. Cyclists have to cross the European continent, so the challenges are not to be underestimated. The documentary On Board the Transcontinental Race takes viewers on one of the most gruelling cycling journeys, exploring the experiences of the riders and crew as they cross the continent. Although it tells the story of some weary riders, this feature is unexpectedly comedic, which may be the reason for its incredible success.
Icarus
Not many films inspired by cycling can boast an Oscar, but the documentary Icarus is one of them. The film won an Oscar in 2018, and we can only applaud. Icarus was originally supposed to be about amateur cyclist and director Bryan Fogel, who is training to win the world’s toughest amateur race – the Alpine edition of the Haute Route. However, things take an unexpected turn when Fogel turns to performance-enhancing drugs to demonstrate how unreliable cycling’s drug testing can be. With the help of Grigory Rodchenkov, the former World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited head of the Moscow laboratory, things are about to go haywire, and they find themselves at the centre of the world’s biggest doping scandal.
Netflix 2017 movie Icarus is an insight into the road cycling sport but also into the doping scandal covering it at that time. This is how what is meant to be a simple documentary turns out to be an action-like film every cinephile out there should watch. Although cycling is part of a bigger and stranger puzzle, “Icarus” is definitely worth the spectator’s attention.
While cycling in the movies can be full of excitement and wonder, there are real dangers jumping on a bike and pushing yourself to the limit. Cases of injuries in cycling are not uncommon, all the more so when caused by other racers or driver’s negligence. Thus, pay attention to the road, whether you ride in a competition or just for pleasure. Still, if you ever fall victim to someone else’s inattention, or it is not you who caused the accident, ensure you contact a professional lawyer to help you deal with the legal proceedings. A specialist can address the case professionally and tell you if you are eligible for bicycle accident compensation in the UK, so do not hesitate to call on professionals.
