While we wait for winter to end so we can cycle with a milder wind, here are a few cycling films, from great classics to independent productions, featuring bikes...
2 Seconds (Canada, 1998)
Laurie, a mountain bike champion, becomes a bike messenger after failing a competition. A dive into the mythical world of this profession, from the dangers of Montreal traffic to the unspoken rules of messengers for facing the urban jungle, but also a reflection on the allure of speed.
Quicksilver (United States, 1984)
Jack Casey, played by Kevin Bacon, is a stockbroker who converts to a bicycle messenger after a catastrophic decision. A film that plunges us into underground San Francisco with all the ingredients of a good American film: love, rivalry, and reconquest.
American Flyers (United States, 1985)
Marcus Sommers (Kevin Costner) convinces his brother David to participate in one of the most dangerous races in the United States, "The Hell of the West", across the Rockies. A cult film, particularly the training of the Sommers brothers who race bikes against horse riders, that will make you share the passion of professional cyclists.
Ghislain Lambert's Bicycle (France-Belgium, 2001)
In this comedy, Ghislain Lambert (Benoît Poelvoorde) dreams of becoming a cycling champion, but fails, fails, and fails again. The endearing character of the Belgian rider, against whom fate seems to conspire, makes this film the ideal choice to get through the darkness of winter.
A Sunday in Hell (Denmark, 1976)
This 1970s documentary invites you to one of the oldest races in Europe: Paris-Roubaix and its famous cobbles, which give this race the nickname "Hell of the North". A well-paced documentary with excellent narration.
Bikes, Bread and Wine: L'Eroica (Italy, 2011)
This documentary follows the Italian Eroica race which adheres to very specific rules: retro bikes, all types of roads, and good Italian food. An atmosphere very different from modern bike races that will make you want to hop on an old Peugeot and cycle down the slopes of Tuscany.
Premium Rush (United States, 2012)
When Transporter meets the world of bicycle messengers, it results in a great American action film with Joseph Gordon-Levitt playing a messenger chased by a crooked cop. Impressive action scenes in an always-congested New York, enough to get your adrenaline pumping!
Breaking Away (United States, 1979)
An essential film telling the story of a young American who must choose between working and going to university. But all he dreams of is becoming the best cyclist in Italy, even going so far as to... pretend to be Italian!
Line of Sight (United States, 2012)
This documentary, filmed over 10 years, follows bike messenger races, halfway between a treasure hunt and pure madness. From New York to Mexico via L.A., breathtaking images of cyclists dictating their laws to motorists. The director filmed this documentary with two cameras fixed to his helmet, plunging the viewer into the heart of the action.
Georgena Terry (United States, 2012)
A short documentary about Georgena Terry, who created a small revolution in the cycling world by inventing bikes adapted to women's bodies. A visit through construction workshops that reminds us of the beauty of bicycles.