This wasn’t actually what I was going to write about this week, but it’s a topic that’s way more important than what I had in mind. Especially it turns out the next week is the best chance to see a new film on a really rare and empowering subject. That news dropping into my inbox also lined up with an inspiring presentation on a program that’s having a huge benefit to kids across the US and Canada. Not just anecdotally but with deep dive science from Harvard and Stamford proving that getting kids – especially ones who might struggle in a conventional learning situation – onto bikes is an incredibly beneficial move.
Hard Miles is a proper Hollywood film starring Mathew Modine (Oppenheimer, Stranger Things, Full Metal Jacket and many others) as a teacher who takes a group of correctional school kids on an 11-day ride from Colorado to the Grand Canyon. And before you think this is just feel-good BS, the story is true. Including the bits about the kids welding up their own bikes and going from wobbling around the parking lot to working together to overcome mountains, deserts and serious chafing issues. I don’t think anyone is expecting it to make a similar explosion in terms of viewing numbers as Oppenheimer, but it’s great that big names and big budgets are being involved in a cycling version of Dangerous Minds. And the good news is if you enjoy the trailer then there’s a full list of UK screenings – mostly over the next week 31 May to 6 June. Sorry, readers elsewhere in the world, you'll have to look up your own showtimes.
