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Two people watching a movie with popcorn.

Our 5 favourite cycling films

What could be better on a cold winter’s evening than chilling out on the sofa, munching on popcorn and watching a film? This selection of our favourite cycling films will educate, entertain and motivate you to keep turning the pedals, even on the coldest, darkest and wettest of winter days.

 

1) American Flyers – 1985

One of Kevin Costner’s finest works (if you are a cycling fan)! Sports physician Marcus (Costner) persuades his live-wire brother David to come with him and train for a cycle race across the Rocky Mountains. Marcus doesn’t tell David that he has a brain aneurysm which could render him paralyzed or dead at any moment. Somehow, total novice David finds himself in a position to win, while the actual professional cyclist Marcus has to gracefully accept that racing is now beyond him.

This is very much a film of its time, so bear with the stereotypes. All the Russian cyclists are massive with big hairy beards and determined to cheat, while the Americans are clean cut, true and honest. You need to suspend disbelief at some of the plot line, but this film was clearly worked on by passionate cyclists as some of the jargon and scenarios read very true to cycling life.

 

2) Icarus – 2017

This outstanding documentary starts out as one thing and ends up as another. Initially, director Bryan Fogel wants to find out more about drugs and how they could help to improve performance in amateur races, but in setting out to uncover the truth about doping, he has a chance meeting with a Russian scientist. From here on, the story takes a darker turn as his personal experiment becomes nothing short of a spy thriller exposing the biggest scandal in sports history. A sordid tale unravels to reveal endemic cheating, unexplained deaths and political cover ups. It is eye opening and sometimes painful viewing for the dedicated sports fan, but has huge insight, as well as being a gripping story in its own right.

 

3) The Triples of Belleville – 2003

A beautiful animation that everyone in the family will enjoy, regardless of their interest in cycling. Madame Souza is an indomitable French grandmother training her grandson to become a professional cyclist, partly through passion and partly to earn enough money to support them both and their giant dog. When her grandson is kidnapped during the Tour de France, Madame Souza and her beloved pet Bruno team up with the Belleville Sisters – an aged song-and-dance team from the days of Fred Astaire – to rescue him.

Filled with gentle humour, it bears watching more than once to catch the many minute details. It will raise a knowing smile from cycling fans but is instantly accessible to all viewers.

 

4) Breaking Away – 1979

Another great classic film. A typical coming-of-age family drama, but in this one, the teenage boy uses cycling as his form of self-expression and escape from the oppression of his family home. His first great step to independence is shaving his legs, resulting in a barrage of abuse from his father. His dream is realised when a pro-team comes to town and for the first time ever, he can compare how his vision of turning professional matches up to the reality.

 

5) A Sunday in Hell – 1976

A Sunday in Hell is a 1976 Danish documentary film directed by Jørgen Leth about the classic race Paris-Roubaix, which still runs today. It takes viewers behind the scenes with the organisers, the racers, the managers and the spectators. It’s dirty, it’s dangerous and highly competitive as the riders battle not just each other, but themselves, the brutal terrain and the sometimes insufferable weather. This will make your wet and cold club run look like a child’s ride in the park! If you need a good dose of toughening up to survive the winter’s riding, you will certainly find it here!

 
For more information about our services or to start your claim, call 0808 100 9995 and speak to one of our specialist solicitors. We’re here to help. You can email us or schedule a callback.

 

 

Written By:

Emily Pheysey

Litigation Executive

Emily has over 7 years of experience in the legal sector, handling road traffic accident claims to recover compensation and support her clients. Her focus is to ensure all clients feel comfortable and at ease with the claims process so that they can focus on their recovery.

Emily considers rapport to be an essential part of the role and strives to always provide excellent client care.

Away from work, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and friends and travelling as much possible.

Diane Holderness

Litigation Executive

Diane is a Ministry of Justice (TOJ) Team Leader within our Cycle Department. She has 11 years’ experience managing road traffic accident claims, and 6 years’ experience managing MOJ claims.

Diane enjoys a challenge and always strives for the very best results for her customers; something that is clear in the way her team continually adapts its strategies in order to secure the most desired outcome. Diane has worked her way through the legal ranks here, and is proud to now have a strong, specialist team that is committed to customer satisfaction.

Diane believes that happy clients make a happy working environment, and it is this that ensures a productive and efficient workforce.

Nina Haddock

Chartered Legal Executive

Nina has over 30 years’ experience in the legal sector. She specialises in recovering compensation for injury claimants as a result of road traffic accidents. Her focus for each and every claim is to help her clients secure the funding that they need to pay for ongoing treatment and support.

Nina became a CILEX Fellow in 2006 and now helps her clients and their families at a time when they have been through a traumatic experience, and everything they hold dear to them appears to be changing.

One case Nina is particularly proud of is supporting a client who had successfully sought asylum in the UK, following a road traffic accident. The claim was successfully pursued through the MIB and the client was left with significant injuries. Her client was able to use the compensation to aid family members with their applications to seek asylum in the UK.

Julian Fox

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Julian qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and has worked in all areas of personal injury since 2000. Julian has a well-rounded understanding of personal injury law, having represented both claimants and defendants.

Julian always aims for maximum damages to meet his clients’ needs for injury and rehabilitation expenses, and can often secure interim payments to help meet clients’ financial needs. Julian is highly proactive in ensuring cases are progressed, ensuring a timely conclusion.

When not at the office, Julian is a keen cyclist, both on roads and virtually -he will often do an hour of ‘Zwifting’ in the mornings before starting work.

Richard Atherton

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Richard has 12 years of legal experience and qualified as a Solicitor in February 2014. He has been a Team Manager with us since 2019. Throughout his career, Richard has specialised in personal injury, handling an array of Road Traffic Accident cases, in addition to employer and public liability.

Richard prides himself on his very strong strategic and planning skills, which come into their own in complex injury cases where more technical arguments are involved. On every case, he is committed to ensuring that his clients receive full compensation for their injuries.

Away from work, Richard enjoys sport; he is a season ticket holder at St Helens Rugby Club and a Liverpool FC fan. Not only a spectator, Richard also likes going to play golf as often as he can.

Dave Gardner

Litigation Executive

Dave has over 20 years of experience in the legal sector. His specialism is personal injury and he has dealt with hundreds of cycling injury claims during his career. Excellent client care and communication is paramount to Dave. He prides himself on being accessible and available, attending court hearings where damages are in dispute to ensure the best outcome for his clients. One case Dave is particularly proud of is when he supported an elderly client who suffered serious injuries following a road traffic incident. The police had not taken any action against the defendant, so Dave had to be proactive and act within a 24-hour window. The case proceeded and the client was in receipt of £30,000 in damages, which he would not have been entitled to had the client not approached Dave. He is also an avid supporter of Glasgow Rangers and travelled abroad on many occasions to see them play in European competitions.

Gerard Horton

Partner

Gerard is a Senior Solicitor at Cycle SOS. In his 13 years of experience, Gerard has built a national reputation in the catastrophic injury sector, dealing with high value and complex cases. Alongside his legal role, Gerard supports several charities including Headway Central Lancashire, Northwest Regional Spinal Injuries Centre and spinal injury charity, Back Up.

Julia Eyton

Partner

Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Cycle SOS team.

Specialising in representing those who have had life changing injuries, Julia handles some of the most serious and complex personal injury cases both within Cycle SOS and nationally.

She often works on high value claims and is skilled in winning complex liability cases.

NADIA KERR

Partner

Nadia has over 30 years of legal expertise and has represented hundreds of vulnerable road users. With a focus on ensuring timely rehabilitation, speedy repair or replacement of bikes and kit, and securing fair compensation, Nadia is committed to advocating for justice and client rights. Alongside her legal career, Nadia actively participates in national campaigns to benefit vulnerable road users and acts as a Trustee/Director for the national cycling charity, Cycling UK. Nadia was named in Cycling UK’s ‘100 women’ and was a founding member, now running a women’s cycling group, TeamGlow in South Manchester. Among her many achievements, Nadia takes pride in her spot on BBC Breakfast, where she provided expert commentary on long term government funding for pothole repairs.

Caroline Morris

DIRECTOR OF SERIOUS INJURY

Caroline has specialised in personal injury for over 25 years, recovering more than £56 million in damages during that time, to help clients rebuild their lives after injury.

Caroline is committed to achieving rehabilitation options early, meaning her clients benefits from the best care and treatment at the earliest stage possible.