'Race Across Europe' is a documentary film following amateur cyclist James Bowtell in his attempt to break the world record for cycling across Europe.
In the words of the team that put it together, the film is 'part travel journal, part all-access cycling doc, and part everyman adventure.'
Image: Tom Traies
According to Guinness, the most easterly point of mainland Europe is defined as Ufa in Russa, and its most westerly Cabo de Roca on the coast of Portugal. Bowtell's attempt bridges Belarus, Poland, Germany, France and Spain between those two locations, on a route that totals 6,337km. Along the way, some news he receives brings the charitable cause behind the attempt - Cyclists Fighting Cancer - a little closer to home, and a case of tendinitis towards the end of the ride almost proves a challenge too far.
The camaradrie shared between the team (for there is vehicular backup permitted in this attempt) makes for easy viewing, and Bowtell's personable nature ensures that the scope of the challenge is always spoken of in the most lighthearted of manners. But riding a full carbon road bike (a Boardman SLR), with a dedicated support team and carefully planned route, Bowtell's attempt is intensely serious.
Image: Tom Traies
The film first appeared on the Bike Channel, but is now free to view in full on Youtube. The team that put it together meanwhile have ditched the record breaking for the time being and set up a luxury cycling holiday company, Velusso, who run trips across Europe - although curiously not to Russia.