Movies

Revisiting the Golden Age of Cycling Movies: Where Did They Go?

BBG News

Feeling excited with the upcoming Tour de France, I’ve been thinking about watching a bike-themed film; perhaps something like “American Flyers” from 1985 or even going back a bit further to 1979’s “Breaking Away”. There were many biking movies in the ’80s, but unfortunately, there are none scheduled for release in 2025. Despite cycling being increasingly popular in American cities today, it seems there’s a lack of movies that capture this trend.

The 1980s Had It All When It Came To Bikes

As a devoted cinephile who cherishes tales of grit and determination on the silver screen, I must attest that “American Flyers,” featuring the talented Kevin Costner and Jennifer Grey alongside other esteemed actors, holds an exceptional place in my heart as the epitome of American cycling cinema. This masterpiece even boasts a race strikingly reminiscent of the Tour de France, aptly dubbed “Hell in the West.” This grueling contest showcases the challenges of mountain biking that mirror the infamous Tour, making it a thrilling sports film par excellence.

The emotional intensity and pulse-pounding action keep viewers hooked, while the poignant portrayal of family dynamics adds depth to this captivating narrative. Though “American Flyers” may not rank among Costner’s highest-rated films, it undeniably offers an unparalleled viewing experience on a quiet, rainy Saturday afternoon.

A fantastic film to watch on a gloomy day is the 1979 classic “Breaking Away,” starring Dennis Christopher as a high school graduate with ambitions of competing in European professional cycling. This film offers an uplifting experience, blending humor, drama, and even a hint of romance towards the end. Despite boasting a remarkable 95% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s surprising how little this movie is discussed these days.

In 1987, the movie “Quicksilver” isn’t focused on professional cycling, instead it highlights intense bike messengers navigating the streets of New York City on road bikes. This film aligns well with other movies in its genre. To be frank, the plot is quite outlandish and not among Kevin Bacon’s finest performances, but the bicycle scenes are thrilling.

It Wasn’t Just Road Bikes

If you were born in the 1980s, you’d recall that era wasn’t only about bicycles with 10-speeds and thin tires. The movie Rad, a timeless favorite for Generation X, showcased BMX trick riders. Although it might not stand as a cinematic masterpiece today, the bike stunts remain thrilling to watch. It’s also nostalgic to remember adding “pegs” to your bicycle and ending up with scraped elbows after unsuccessfully attempting even one trick… or perhaps that was my personal experience.

A couple of years prior to Rad, we also acquired BMX Bendits. This was an utterly wild Australian film that became popular among me and my friends when it debuted on VHS in the U.S. Nowadays, it’s mainly remembered for being one of Nicole Kidman’s early leading roles. However, she didn’t perform any of the stunts, which is unfortunate because it would have been amazing if the Australian actress had secret BMX skills.

The surge in cycling’s popularity during that period also reflected in video games, with iconic titles like Paperboy being a notable example. It would be fantastic if such a video game were made into a movie! Who should I contact to make this film idea a reality?

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2025-07-01 01:07

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