Off Road to Athens
Off Road to Athens
| 10 October 2005 (USA)
Off Road to Athens Trailers

Eight world-class riders undergo the ultimate endurance test in this documentary that follows the selection process for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Mountain Bike Team. The cyclists -- four men and four women -- travel the globe to take on some of the world's most beautiful and treacherous courses. The film captures the thrill of the qualifying races as well as the personal toll this grueling competition takes on the athletes

Reviews
justin-243

There are two ways to judge a bike movie in our house: 1. If I, a cyclist and big fan of various bike movies, like it, and 2. If my wife, not a cyclist and not much of a fan of cycling movies, likes it. We both love this documentary.The movie was filmed in 2003 (but as I write this in 2010 it doesn't feel dated in the least), and details eight US men and women attempting to qualify for the 2004 Olympics, to which the US can only send two men and one woman. The film crew follows the racers around the globe as they battle it out for World Cup points in a season-long effort to qualify. A great storyline is woven as top European riders, steroids, and qualification controversy all work themselves in to create a downright great film.Even if you aren't a fan of mountain biking, cycling or endurance sports, this film is enjoyable and thrilling. The cinematography is lush and top-notch, and the music is fantastic. I prefer this to 24 Solo and Race Across the Sky, the filmmaker's newer films, as well as to Spirit of the Marathon and other running films. Excellent film.

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