Bicycle Dreams: A Cycling Film [DVD]

A monument to the immortal words, "I can!"
What is it about bicycles that make a certain brand of men and women strive to do what other people only dream about?

Auerbach's movie gives an up-close and personal view of what drives the cyclists who pedal across deserts, mountain ranges and plains coast-to-coast in the Race Across America.

You feel their pain and personal struggles, you cry over their tragedies and you share their exhilaration when they finish. You hear in their own words what makes them push themselves beyond normal human limits.

By the end, you'll know the answer to the question: What do you call the last cyclist to cross the RAAM finish line?

A winner.

Intestinal Fortitude at it's Finest
I'm writing with prejudice, I am a cyclist. Never have I witnessed such a crystal clear depiction of what it feels like to spend hours on the bike. I am awed by Auerbach's prospective, he made you feel as if you were there with the RAAM competitors. You felt their pleasure and pain. You understood why they were doing this. This documentary made sense of what could easily be misconstrued as a ridiculous attempt for recognition. It is doubtful that RAAM soloist finishers will ever become famous, but they will have a sense of satisfaction few others will ever achieve.

"I have reason to believe the grass might be a little greener
on the other side" - Bob Schneider

"The rawest form of desire is just wanting to survive."
I learned about Bicycle Dreams from a post on a cycling forum, so when I bought the movie I thought it was going to be a "cyclist's" film, focusing on the details of RAAM, the bikes, and the technicalities of the race. But it isn't so much about RAAM as it is about the people involved in the race - who they are and why they do this amazing event. Endurance athletes (especially ultra-endurance athletes) are a special group, and the athletes featured in the film are all likeable, easy to watch and, without exception, inspiring in their dedication and toughness. I've watched this film more times than I can remember, and with each viewing I find it more engrossing and entertaining. Whether you're a cyclist, an endurance athlete, or just fascinated by people who want achieve far beyond what is considered normal, you'll love Bicycle Dreams. It is well worth watching, again and again.

"At the end of your life if people say you were kind, that is enough." - Dr. Bob Breedlove

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