For bicycle enthusiasts throwing a cycling extravaganza, old school cycling movies can be a great way to entertain guests into cycling. Organizations pushing for the advancement of bicycling and bicyclists’ rights, like Critical Mass, often organize bicycle-themed gatherings, events and parties to further their cause. Here are three bicycle-related movies that provide great entertainment for bikers of all ages.
Les Triplettes de Belleville
Centered around saving a bicyclist kidnapped while training for the Tour De France, Les Triplettes de Belleville is a cartoon feature that won high acclaim from critics for its wit and throwback retro style of animation. This movie is also known as “The Triplets of Belleville” in the United States and “Belleville Rendez-vous” in the United Kingdom. Les Triplettes de Belleville is an animated cycling-themed movie that will please many ages. Though it is not an English-language movie (the film was made in French and Portuguese), there is very little dialogue in the movie, and the story is simple to follow based on the animated cues in the cartoon. This movie was rated PG-13 because it contains some veiled sexuality and slightly bawdy humor.
Breaking Away
With an Oscar for Best Writing and four other Oscar nominations in the time of its release, Breaking Away is considered to be a premier movie for cycling enthusiasts. Made in 1979 and rated PG, Breaking Away was directed by Peter Yates. This movie stars Dennis Christopher, who appears in many features, including the Stephen King movie IT, alongside Dennis Quaid, who played Tuck Pendleton in the amusing 80s science fiction movie Innerspace. Breaking Away is a love interest story centered around a cycling enthusiast who loves Italian cycling.
Rad
The 80s BMX movie Rad is a fun recommendation for cycling enthusiasts who are strictly into BMX riding. Released in 1986, the movie was not well-received by the general public, but it garnered a cult following that kept it in production in VHS until the popular format switched to DVD. Rad is focused on the drama behind the racing scene in a small town that really seems to like its BMX. This movie is also rated PG.
With oil prices continuing to skyrocket and the oil rig leak in BP causing consumers to question their fossil fuel intakes, self-propelled transportation is becoming increasingly popular. One well-known source of transportation gaining ground as a trend in many urban areas is bicycling. Cities like Portland, Oregon and San Diego, California are making strides in reducing carbon emissions and oil use by using people-powered transportation. As interest in cycling continues, knowledge of good cycling movies may prove a useful social tool.
