Product Details

• Format: Director's Cut, Special Edition, Full Screen, Color, NTSC
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1.0
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Gripped Films L.L.C.
• Run Time: 104.0 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000CC91H4
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #95,670 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #2 in

  Movies & TV > Sports > Olympics > Summer Games

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Fueled by the high-energy, high-stress world of Pro Mountain Biking, Off Road To Athens captures the personal struggles and sacrifices of 8 cyclists trying to make the U.S. Olympic Team. Traveling from the jungles of Ecuador to the highlands of Scotland, from historic Belgium to scenic Canada the story ends with a dramatic finish that no one could predict.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCEPTIONAL! You don't need to be a cyclist to love this, May 23, 2007

By	JV_Atlanta (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

It's too bad I can only give 5 stars; this isn't just a great cycling movie, it's a great movie. Great filming, great editing, and terrific storytelling. There's a reason this thing swept the festivals.

The world of cycling is a bit of a mystery even for those who follow it regularly; you almost have to piece together your own accounts and pieces to get a tangible story.

In OFTA, the filmmakers seized on a major development in the 2004 Olympic qualification process and documented all the trials of America's best riders over the course of a year. The events are extremely well documented, beautifully photographed, and weaved together to tell a riveting story.

SUMMARY (NO SPOILERS): In 2004, the US was in a position where it could only send 2 males and 1 female to the Olympics for mountain biking. USA Cycling announced that its qualification process would rely on points garnered international federation races (UCI), with a secondary emphasis on world cup standing for the men. The chase for points begins in south america and follows the athletes through Europe and North America.

As the story progresses, you really get to know the athletes and share many private moments and breakdowns. The film is well edited to highlight the tension of each race as well as the confusion and frustration over the qualification system.

Non-cyclists will have no trouble following the story. The film does an excellent job of shedding light on some of the big problems created by the USA cycling points system. Typically, these athletes would make their own schedules and train according to what works best for them. They would peak for certain preferred races as well as top national and international events. The USA cycling points system instead virtually mandated them to show up at all the top point races. These 8 riders had never appeared at the same race together before, but found themselves traveling together at every race for the course of a season.

The sport is so consuming; it's a lifestyle and that is readily apparent to anyone, regardless of their familiarity with cycling. To paraphrase a quote from the movie, to race at this level, it must be the number one priority in your life. Everything you choose to do or not do each day must be in support of your goal of racing and competing.

This film is a classic. I'm going on to Gripped Films site to buy a copy. I also own their other one, "24 Solo", which I just watched with my parents (non-cyclists). They loved it as well.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'd give this Movie TEN stars but you can only give five!, April 16, 2006

By	Bikerbert (Mountain View, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

One word describes this movie: INCREDIBLE. I highly recommend it to anyone who has ever ridden a bike. It has a great human element to it, and isn't full of thrash metal music like most free ride/DH movies. It will also keep you going on those long trainer rides over the winter!

The riders aren't high priced egomaniacs like most pro athletes, they are very personable people who are a pleasure to talk to. My wife and I have spoken with some of them at races, and emailed back and forth with them too. Very cool people.

The soundtrack is awesome, action sequences great and even the hardest roadie and non-cycling fans have been converted to MTB fans. SEE THIS MOVIE!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Off Road To Athens, January 7, 2006

By	Mtn Bike Jerry (PA) - See all my reviews

This DVD is a fantastic look at Mtn Bike racing at the Pro level while telling the story of the 2004 selection for the USA Olympic team. Candid shots and personal interviews are blended in with race footage from various international countries.