Tracing the Divide

Friends since childhood, a couple of middle-aged guys named Chris follow through on an epic bucket list item--riding the Continental Divide, from Canada to Mexico, on mountain bikes. Beautifully photographed, both by drone and up and close and personally by the director/editor, this film slowly unspools into much more than a glorious travelogue, which it certainly is.

These are not actors, or over-produced reality show contestants, desperate to get followers-- they are husbands and fathers hoping to test their physical limits and discover something about their character while seeing the country in a unique way.

Mission accomplished. They push themselves hard, and face myriad obstacles along the way-- weather, muddy paths, a wipeout injury and... punctured bear spray canister anyone? Chris and Chris's friendship comes across as solid and dependable, and despite a little occasional friction, they have some charming moments together along the way, including a memorable candy debate (Twizzlers vs. Mike & Ikes). One minor issue on the sightseeing front is that we don't really get to see/interact with local characters on-camera when they pit-stop in towns during their arduous, 24-day trek.

The film is bookend-ed with verite footage and interviews with their families, giving us a sense of just how profound an experience this would be, if we were thusly inspired, and decided to pedal over 2,000 miles.

I knew nothing about this trail. It seemed almost absurd that something like this would exist, but surprisingly it does. A better title would have been "There will be blood and mud and... candy. This is a true test of friendship. But so much more. Motivational. A goal oriented pilgrimage with no pot of goal at the end. Just bragging rights. Definitely a bucket list box checker. It makes you question how far you would push yourself. If there was ever a documentary that lived and breathed the slogan - it's not about the destination, but solely about the journey this is it. Buckle up Buttercup - it's up hill all the way.

Tracing the Divide is a film for everyone from armchair enthusiasts to weekend warriors to hardcore cyclists to anyone curious about long cycling adventures. If you've ever wondered how a massively long and difficult bike journey (2400 miles, following the Continental Divide from the Canadian border with Montana to the Mexican border with New Mexico) happens, this is your movie. Amazing cinematography, with great shots of the two bikers cycling through one majestic landscape after another, plus close ups of the bikers, Chris Hiebert and Chris Schmidt, navigating rocky trails in the dark and battling the mud caking on their bikes after a storm. Achingly beautiful vistas of mountains and sky are paired with shots of Hiebert and Schmidt up close and personal as they confront their vulnerabilities and test their physical and emotional strength. Moments of sheer joy and serendipity-a celebratory drink as they cross from one state to the next, and meeting various "trail angels," the people who helped them out along the way-alternate with moments of fear, uncertainty, even irritation. By film's end, we better understand why Hiebert and Schmidt undertook this trek, and how they changed as a result. A fine film about resilience and discovery and the splendor of truly immersing yourself in the landscape through which you're traveling.

This beautifully shot and well-crafted film is exactly what you'd hope for-a heartfelt story of two lifelong buddies pushing themselves to the limit, testing their friendship through both physical and emotional challenges. It's got all the makings of a great adventure: stunning mountain trails, grueling climbs, heart-pounding descents, and just enough campfire wisdom to make you want to grab a bike and hit the road yourself.

At its core, this isn't just a film about mountain biking-it's about the kind of friendship that's been through the wringer and still holds strong. The journey takes these two pals deep into the wilderness and even deeper into their own thoughts. And, as you might expect when two stubborn folks spend that much time together, tensions bubble up. There's some good-natured ribbing, a few honest (and maybe overdue) conversations, and a couple of moments where you wonder if they'll make it out still speaking to each other. But through all the sweat, scrapes, and scenic overlooks, they come away with a clearer sense of who they are and why they've stuck by each other all these years.

It's an easy, enjoyable watch, full of sweeping vistas, raw moments of frustration and triumph, and the kind of natural humor that happens when two old friends know each other a little too well. The breathtaking cinematography pulls you right into the ride, and the soundtrack sets the perfect tone.

Recommended!

This movie was an unexpected surprise. Labeled as a sports documentary, TRACING THE DIVIDE shows the endurance, grit, and tenacity of two athletes as they transcend the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from Canada to Mexico. Hidden behind the cycling and spectacular views, however, is really a heartwarming story on male friendship and what it means to be vulnerable in the moment. The two Chrises force themselves to get comfortable with the uncomfortable throughout this film, but through it all there are moments of humor and light and playfulness that the men keep finding during this ride of their lives - which ultimately keeps the viewer captivated and rooting them on during the 1hr 24 minute runtime.

Pop some popcorn, grab some Mike & Ikes, and get ready to sit back for a really enjoyable movie.