11 Best Cycling Movies to Inspire Your Ride (Updated 2025)

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Pin promoting 11 must-watch cycling movies every rider should see — from documentaries to dramas
Let’s take a break from gear reviews and riding tips to dive into the world of cycling on the big screen. Whether you're into intense race documentaries or fictional underdog stories, here are the top cycling films that every rider (or fan) should watch.

🎬 1. Breaking Away (1979)

Still one of the most beloved cycling films ever made. This coming-of-age drama follows a group of working-class teens in Indiana training for the “Little 500” race. Emotional, funny, and full of heart.

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🎬 2. The Flying Scotsman (2006)

Based on the true story of Graeme Obree, who built his own bike and broke the world hour record—while battling depression and inner demons.

🎬 3. A Sunday in Hell (1976)

Often called the greatest cycling documentary ever made. It covers the brutal 1976 Paris-Roubaix race and offers a gritty, real look at professional road racing.

🎬 4. The Racer (2020) — New Addition

Set during the 1998 Tour de France, this gripping drama follows a domestique nearing the end of his career as doping scandals erupt around him. A raw, modern take on life inside the peloton.

🎬 5. Premium Rush (2012)

A high-octane thriller about a NYC bike messenger who gets caught in a dangerous delivery job. Not a racing movie, but full of edge-of-your-seat urban riding.

🎬 6. The Armstrong Lie (2013)

Alex Gibney’s deep dive into Lance Armstrong’s rise, fall, and legacy. A sharp, thought-provoking documentary about truth, ambition, and betrayal.

🎬 7. American Flyers (1985)

Two estranged brothers reconnect and train for a punishing race through the Rockies. Melodramatic at times, but pure 80s cycling nostalgia.

🎬 8. Bicycle Thieves (1948)

A poignant Italian classic. When a working man's bicycle is stolen, his desperate search reveals a raw, emotional story of survival and hope.

🎬 9. Rad (1986)

This cult BMX classic is cheesy and packed with 80s flair—but BMX lovers will appreciate its iconic racing scenes and underdog energy.

🎬 10. Pantani: The Accidental Death of a Cyclist (2014)

A heartbreaking look at one of cycling’s most gifted—and tragic—figures. Pantani’s triumphs and struggles are powerfully captured here.

🎬 11. Le Ride (2016)

Phil Keoghan (host of The Amazing Race) recreates the 1928 Tour de France on a vintage bike. A tribute to early cycling pioneers that blends travel, suffering, and inspiration.

🎬 Cycling Gear to Get You in the Movie Mood

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Final Word:
Whether you're chasing KOMs or just love a good story on two wheels, these movies will make you laugh, cry, and maybe even pump up your tires for a ride.

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Location: Lubbock, TX, USA

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