Bikes on Film

The one major move depiction (other than quick scenes in movies like “The Imitation Game”) of cycling that immediately comes to mind is “40 Year Old Virgin”, wherein Steve Carrell doesn’t own a car and is a bike commuter. To a degree, it seems to signify his arrested development, but for the most part it’s treated as “normal”, even if it’s a bit of a quirk. And even when the character “grows up”, getting a car isn’t part of that development, he just gets a better bike.

Apatow also gives us Paul Rudd as a total Fred in “This is 40”, but again, it’s not presented as something “weird”, even if he’s clad head-to-toe in ridiculous Livestrong kit…same movie also shows some unpleasant driver-cyclist interactions (including a dooring), without really making the cyclist look like the a-hole.

If you haven’t seen it, 24 Solo (http://www.amazon.com/24-Solo-Jason-Berry/dp/B000TSP4LS) is a great film for anyone with an interest or experience in endurance MTB racing. It’s local and features folks well known to these parts: Jason Berry directed it, features Chris Eatough. I saw it long before I had any idea who those guys were — and before Jason Berry stole my most prized N Arlington hills KOMs, damn him. I think it does a good job of capturing the pain of the endurance race; I really enjoyed watching it. I’m not sure how exactly you find it, other than the marketplace sellers on Amazon there? Netflix carried it for awhile in disc form, but not sure that it still does.

Rising from the Ashes about the Rwandan cycling team is on Netflix.

“Rising from Ashes” is a feature length documentary about two worlds colliding when cycling legend Jock Boyer moves to Rwanda, Africa to help a group of struggling genocide survivors pursue their dream of a national team. As they set out against impossible odds both Jock and the team find new purpose as they rise from the ashes of their past

@KWL 107631 wrote:

Rising from the Ashes about the Rwandan cycling team is on Netflix.

“Rising from Ashes” is a feature length documentary about two worlds colliding when cycling legend Jock Boyer moves to Rwanda, Africa to help a group of struggling genocide survivors pursue their dream of a national team. As they set out against impossible odds both Jock and the team find new purpose as they rise from the ashes of their past

There’s also a good book about the cycling team and the Rwandan cycling scene called Land of Second Chances that I would happily let anyone borrow if they are interested. Just finished reading it over the summer.

@dasgeh 107570 wrote:

The link below made me remember that I’ve been meaning to start a bikes on film thread (i think we’ve had mini threads on the topic, but not a central one).

http://momentummag.com/8-bicycle-movies-netflix-right-now/

i recently watched better living through chemistry on Netflix because they shot the race scenes in Baltimore and a friend (and husband’s teammate) is featured prominently in them. Overall, it’s a pretty mindless movie, but the amateur racing is pretty funny.

I also swoon over the vintage bikes in downton abbey and love seeing the role of bikes in post war London as shown in call the midwife.

Other favorite bike movies or bike scenes in non – bike movies?

I think I have mentioned before, Michael Collins. The routine use of biking to get around an essentially pre-auto European city. Some really striking uses of a bike to avoid certain kinds of encounters with security personnel. And of course when Collins shifts from revolutionary to cabinet minister, his change to relying on an auto (which are also becoming a bit more common as history proceeds)

Great book with a good ‘film’ follow-up, “Slaying the Badger”, documentary though. I think it is on Netflix.
Helped me after getting crushed by Lance.