ShAFF: Bike Films 12A

The best of this year's bike films from around the world.

1. Drawn 4 minutes

   Explore the world of athlete and artist Bo Schwarz as he merges mountain biking and art in breathtaking alpine landscapes. In this new film by director Tristan Hobson, Bo’s journey unfolds as he transforms trails into his canvas. The seamless rhythm between rider and nature captivates the senses, a symphony of gracefully carved berms, time-suspended jumps, and a flowing harmony of nature and art.

2. Switching Lanes 7 minutes

   A woman from Bangkok feels alienated by the comparatively soporific pace of San Francisco until a bike restored from a dumpster changes everything.

3. Dear Dad 11 minutes

   'Dear Dad' is Dave McLeavy’s debut short film—a heartfelt letter to his father. Through this deeply personal journey, McLeavy revisits his father, Mike’s, cherished memories of cycling as a young man and the joy of rediscovering it later in life. At its core, the film is a tribute to love, family bonds, and the inevitable experience of loss.
   With this short film, McLeavy offers a touching thank-you to his father—a son’s way of honouring the moments, lessons and love they’ve shared.

4. Flow 11 minutes

   Mountain biking mean everything to Nathan and Ruben and this short film tells their family story with the help of their Mum, Ina. Together, they tell us how they first got into riding and then racing and the benefits and challenges that neurodivergence brings to their riding and how riding bikes helps them regulate their lives. Flow sees The Trailrippers riding on their home trails, at Dyfi Bike Park and the Glencoe round of the British Cycling National Downhill Series in 2023.

5. Sam Dale - Megavalanche 12 minutes

   Summertime in the big mountains: Load up the van, hit the highway, unload your bike, climb a mountain, hammer it back down, skid onto the patio bar, enjoy a cappuccino, camp out next to the river, get a good night's sleep under the stars, wake up, cook on the stove, throw the bike back in the van, drive to the bike park and do laps on laps. Hell, you could even rock up to the start line of the world's wildest races, the Megavalanche. That’s what Sam Dale did this July aboard his new Nomad. Sam Dale loaded up his trusty camper, crossed the English Channel and set out for the peaks of the Alps. He started with a visit to La Grave to sample the new Santa Cruz PayDirt funded trail, Les Valloins de la Meije trail. Starting at the top of the historic cable car and descending 5,000ft, it covers all manner of terrain - rocky moonscapes, rutted avalanche paths, romping singletrack and sinewy turns through pine forest nearer the bottom. As Sam says, it was a good way to get back in the groove of the fast, long and rugged trails typical of the French Alps. It was a perfect warm up for the Megavalanche race. The Megavalanche, possibly the wildest and rawest of mountain bike events. Again, starting at the top of Alp d’Huez - in the snow - and descending for 40 minutes at race pace across glacial rock slab, boulder fields, ski pistes, new school jump trails and well-worn paths. It puts any rider and their equipment to the test. Sam believes the best way to really take a big bite of the Alps is to do it while camping. This allows you to get closer to the spots, to breathe the air and get into the rhythm of the places you’re visiting. After watching this, you might agree. Sam’s approach on and off the bike is refreshingly down-to-earth and a template for anyone wanting to feel the energy of big mountains.

6. Riding Wild 4 minutes

   Riding Wild is a short film with marathon mountain bike racer Daphne Jones, sharing her views on women in the sport, mental health and benefits of spending time outdoors. I feel really good about sharing this film and shooting something closer to home really help me re-connected with my surroundings, especially after long-term travelling and shooting abroad. I'm really enjoying shooting in this moody British weather on the Long Mynd in Shropshire. Another significant learning experience came from shooting this film, demonstrating what I can accomplish independently. I'm proud to say that I was responsible for every aspect of its creation. This Shropshire based short documentary features cross country marathon mountain bike racer Daphne Jones, talking about racing, riding, community and women in the sport.

7. Endure 42 minutes

   This is a cycling film with a difference. Grit, talent, tragedy, determination, hope and joy thread throughout this true story.
   Ben Forsyth was a talented young cyclist: British Youth Champion, who died suddenly of a heart condition, leaving his family and friends devastated and wondering how they could prevent other young people from tragically dying like this.
    
   The film follows Ben’s dad and three friends competing as a quad team in a tough 24-hour endurance mountain bike race. Can they win a special trophy named in honour of Ben after his death?
    
   We see Ben’s remarkable life through his family and friends, many of whom are elite athletes in their own right, including an olympian. Their interviews are touchingly sad, but also warm, funny and hopeful for the future.
    
   Many of these people constantly raise money and awareness for cardiac screenings, in the hope that young lives will be saved in the future. The film covers superhuman fund-raising efforts, like running 30 marathons in 30 days, and climbing the highest three mountains in England, Scotland and Wales whilst cycling between them within 48 hours.
    
   The film celebrates the life of a young man who inspired so many people and whose legacy will Endure.