American Flyers (1986)
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Kevin Costner, evil Russians, moustaches and the Coors Classic cycling race in the Rocky Mountains: Is there really anything more that needs to be said? This one is a classic.
Bicycle Dreams (2009)
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The Race Across America (RAAM) might be the world's toughest bike race. This 2005 film captures the efforts of solo riders who must cover 3,510 miles from Oceanside, California to Atlantic City, New Jersey, in just nine days. As you might imagine, the documentary is full of triumph and tragedy.
A Sunday in Hell (1976)
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One of the most torturous single-day races in the world, this documentary tracks the 1976 edition of Paris Roubaix and the war between legendary rivals Eddy Merckx and Roger De Vlaeminck. If you aren't familiar with Paris Roubaix or Merckx, this film will open your eyes to a whole new world of cycling. It really is as good as it gets.
Chasing Legends (2010)
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There aren't too many films that can capture the essence of the Tour de France. Why? Because it's too much to tell in an hour and a half. Chasing Legends narrows the focus by following the Columbia-HTC team during the 2009 edition, and the star of the show is Mark Cavendish, who just so happens to break the British record of nine stage wins during the filming.
Road to Roubaix (2008)
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If you've fallen in love with Paris Roubaix over the years, you'll fall for this film too. From the nervousness of the riders in the days leading up to the race to the anguish and pain that the cobbles of Belgium dish out, "Road to Roubaix" captures it all.
The Flying Scotsman (2006)
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"The Flying Scotsman" doesn't have the most memorable cycling scenes in the bunch, but it isn't short on inspiration. Graeme Obree is Rocky on a bicycle.
Breaking Away (1979)
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A young Dennis Quaid might not be the most believable cyclist, but this movie is full of charm. The film follows a small town boy (Dennis Christopher) who has big dreams of becoming a professional cyclist in Italy. "Breaking Away" won an Academy Award for Best Screenplay in 1980 and was nominated for four other awards.
Rad (1986)
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It may sound cheesy, but this movie is the one that made me fall in love with cycling. Cru Jones, a young BMX rider, is faced with a life changing decision: take the SAT and apply to go to college, or race Helltrack, the Tour de France of BMX. The '80s soundtrack to this film is just as memorable.
Stars and Watercarriers (1974)
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This is one of the original cycling documentaries that paved the way for the others that followed. Like the title suggests, this documentary follows the stars from the 1973 Giro d'Italia and the lesser-known watercarriers who suffered silently and out of the spotlight.
Triplets of Belleville (2004)
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Don't let this quirky animated French film fool you—it's one of the great cycling movies of all time. And there's barely any dialogue, so you won't have to worry about subtitles. The story follows a young boy who's determined grandmother trains him to be the next winner of the Tour de France. "Triplets" won the Oscar for Best Animated Foreign Film in 2004.
About the Author
Marc Lindsay is a longtime endurance athlete with more than 25 years of experience running and cycling. He has completed marathons, ridden century rides, and competed in collegiate cross country. He previously served as a cycling and triathlon editor at ACTIVE.com, and his writing has appeared on MyFitnessPal and Polar.com, among other digital and print publications. He holds a master’s degree in writing from Portland State University and resides in Chicago, Illinois.
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