Ride The Divide, the award-winning feature-length documentary about the world’s toughest mountain bike race, will drop in on Des Moines on Wednesday, March 16, at the Fleur Cinema & Café. The event will be a fundraiser for the Des Moines Bike Collective. 

The film chronicles the story of several mountain bikers who attempt the 2,711-mile race named the Tour Divide along the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. The movie was named the best adventure film at the 2010 Vail Film Festival. 

This film has become an instant cycling classic, and made its television premiere in September on the Documentary Channel. But the Adventure Cycling Association said the film should be seen on the big screen: “The cinematography is stunning!” Added UpaDowna, “Ride The Divide is one of the most inspiring real cycling movies … in a long time.” Epic Riding summed the movie up as follows: “In a word? Fantastic. In more words? Moving, funny, inspiring.”  

Ride The Divide embraces the inspiring stories of three of the racers who experience the immense mountain beauty and small-town culture as they attempt to pedal from Banff, Canada, to a small, dusty crossing on the Mexican border. There’s Mike, a 40-year-old family man who uses this challenge to chart a new course in life; Matthew, a leader in extreme endurance racing who’s competing for his fifth time; and Mary, the ?rst female rider to race this route. As they set out, they will attempt to accomplish what very few have been able to. Over the course of a few weeks, they’ll attempt to climb over 200,000 vertical feet along the backbone of the Rocky Mountains. 

They’ll experience mental breakdowns, treacherous snow, hellacious blisters, and total fatigue. Above all, they’ll race with no support – at times in total isolation. The tests of endurance and the accomplished moments throughout Ride the Divide prompt us to re?ect on our inner desires to live life to the fullest. 

Ride The Divide made its debut at the Vail Film Festival and was named the best adventure film at the event. Outside Magazine proclaimed that “(t)he toughest bike race in the world is not in France,” after reviewing the film. 

Ride The Divide will be shown at 7 p.m. at the Fleur Cinema & Café located at 4545 Fleur Drive. Tickets are $15 at the door, and $10 in advance at www.IMAthlete.com/Events/RideTheDividemovie This event is sponsored by Rasmussen Bike Shop of Des Moines, www.OmahaBikes.org and Linn Area Mountain Bike Association in Marion.