RACE ACROSS AMERICA
This is the story of the RAAM Roses, an amateur British cycling team attempting Race Across America, the toughest bicycle race on the planet.
Bike across America in 6 days. Must be fit–and a bit crazy. Team RAAM Roses compete in the most extreme bicycle race on the planet–the Race Across America. To win, they must conquer 3,000 gruelling miles, while battling fatigue, injury & their own demons.
Plucky foursome Ollie, Tim, Woodsy and Anna are determined to break the world record for the fastest mixed team- but they're up against it.
Although visually dazzling, the 3,000 mile route- stretching from the west coast to the east coast of the USA- is notoriously punishing, even for experienced athletes. Woodsy is a heavy-set rugby player and Anna has never ridden a road bike before.
From the start, the team suffers injuries and setbacks. Will the group conquer their mental and physical exhaustion to fulfil their dream and break the record?
Director's statement
I was attracted to this project as a director because I wanted to know what that unspoken mysterious thing is that makes people succeed in times of adversity, to get back on the bike and race when injured, fatigued or near breaking point. I wanted to explore how the competitive spirit makes people do extraordinary things and what people learn as they over come their natural boundaries.
As the race would progress I knew that each bend in the road or peak in the mountain range would uncover an amazing spectacle and this race across America had all the beauty and majesty in a truly unique and inspiring story.
Race Across America was shown in the UK in 2015 on British Eurosport and on other networks internationally.
It is currently online on Amazon Instant and Vimeo.