New epic mountain bike film unReal premieres in the UK on Thursday 25th June at Sheffield University’s Student Union (buy tickets here). To celebrate, a number of venues in the Peak District are showing a trio of cycling classics – all within a bike ride’s reach of the Steel City itself.
Slaying The Badger (Bamford Village Institute, Saturday 4th July, FREE) is an incomparably detailed and highly revealing tale of cycling’s most extraordinary rivalry and the greatest ever Tour de France in 1986 when previous five times winner Bernard Hinault allegedly reneged on his gentleman’s agreement to support Greg Le Monde’s bid for the yellow jersey. It has received spectacular media reviews in the U.S. and U.K. What better way to celebrate the 2016 Grand Depart?
The King – Alf Engers (Eccleshall Saw Mill, Sheffield, Tuesday 14th July, £6). An unfamiliar name to most of today’s riders, Alf Engers was the Bradley Wiggins of his day, bringing rock and roll attitude to the 1970s’ time-trial scene. Alf wanted to achieve something unique, and he spent a decade chasing the dream of the 30mph time-trial, a dream that became reality in 1978. The King sold out its premiere at The Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley so grab the chance to see it on the big screen in Sheffield. Only 45 tickets available.
Breaking Away (Eccleshall Saw Mill, Sheffield, Tuesday 4th August). A rare screening of the 1979 Peter Yates classic. American teenager Dave Stoller dreams of escaping his small-town roots, obsessed with the Italian cycling team. “Breaking Away is a terrific film about working-class kids in an upper-class town…fun and stirring; a robust portrait of youth at the crossroads and a bittersweet salute to the town at its centre.” Xan Brooks, Guardian. Only 45 tickets available.
Cycle To The Cinema Programme Director Matt Heason says: “The concept is simple – we put on great films about cycling and other adventure sports across the Peak District and you cycle to them. It’s exercise, entertainment and a social event, all in one go. It’s brilliant that as many as 80% of the audience arrive on two wheels, but we do of course still let you in if you don’t come by bike.”
Buy your Cycle to the Cinema tickets here.
Can’t wait for unReal to hit the silver screen? Here’s where we are so far with the eight-part ‘Making of’ series…
