Stuck at home because of the bad weather, when all you want to do is jump on your bike and go out? Don't worry: yours is a passion that can be satisfied even from the comfort of your living room couch. Of course, if you have our list of the best cycling documentaries available for free on Youtube and Vimeo at your fingertips.
We tried to create a diverse list, including both shorts and features, and showcasing every aspect of cycling. We included both road cycling and mountain biking . We paid homage to legends of the sport and followed brave young athletes in their quest for glory and excitement. And we also chose to reveal the work of the ingenious men who keep an entire nation cycling, despite all the difficulties involved.
Here is our personal list of the most interesting free documentaries about cycling: we hope you will share our enthusiasm for these incredible films. Enjoy !
The best cycling documentaries… free to watch!
A Sunday in Hell (1976)
This is a classic, and the perfect way to start this list of the best cycling documentaries available for free on YouTube and Vimeo: you will see legends of the sport like Eddy Merckx, Freddy Maertens and Francesco Moser as they give it their all in the hope of winning the famous Paris-Roubaix of 1976. Mud, dust, killer roads: here is the true essence of professional cycling, in an era when athletes were also a bit of a warrior.
The Road from Karakol (2013)
Professional climber Kyle Dempster , who sadly died a few years ago while attempting to climb Ogre 2 in Pakistan with his friend Scott Adamson , takes his bike and sets off on a journey through Kyrgyzstan, equipped with just a few maps and his video camera, in the hopes of climbing some of the country’s most beautiful mountains. The result is an incredible adventure that reveals the unexpected paths you can take when you get on your bike and go without asking too many questions.
HavanaBikes (2015)
Cycling is not just about professional racing: this passion also has to do with how you face the daily challenges to keep pedaling. Cuba has a strong bike culture. But over there, cyclists have to deal with a “little” problem: the chronic lack of new spare parts . And when your bike breaks, you have no choice but to rely on one of the many mechanics/heroes who recover the spare parts where they can and solve the problem with their skill and also a pinch of creativity.
Passion - A Freeride Mountain Bike Documentary (2018)
Mountain biking is more than just a “simple” sport: it’s a true passion. A passion that Peter Jamison decided to document, following the lives of some freeriders . Remarkable photography, some breathtaking sequences and a unique look at this particular world make Passion one of the best cycling documentaries available for free on Vimeo and Youtube.
Ice & Palms (2018)
Now, this is a bit of a “crossover,” because there’s a lot of skiing in this documentary. German skiers Jochen Mesle and Max Kroneck embark on a ski expedition, cycling through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and France to test themselves on some of Europe’s most beautiful mountains. Their journey ends by the sea in the enchanting city of Nice.
The Frozen Road (2018)
This remarkable film directed by Ben Page documents his solo journey through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago on a bicycle. It began as a romantic quest for perfect solitude , but the harsh truth turned out to be quite different: this hostile environment offered Ben wonder, but also a lot of frustration and even moments of terror.
Geraint Thomas - The Road Will Decide (2019)
British cyclist Geraint Thomas , winner of the 2018 Tour de France, defending his title the following year, in one of the most memorable races of the decade. You probably already know how it went, but it's definitely worth a look behind the scenes at the Tour and into the life of a great athlete.
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