Tracing the Divide

I felt like I was on this trip with the guys. What a wonderful journey from Canada to Mexico. I really enjoyed seeing and listening to the highs and lows of Chris and Chris as they worked through their mid-life journey together. The scenery and music were amazing in this film and the people they met along the way, although not in the film, was inspiring to know that there is such a community that supports travelers in this way. This is not a trip that I would sign up for, but I am thankful that I was able to see it through their eyes and that they were willing to share their thoughts and feelings along the way.

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.

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 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.

Right from the start I was so interested in the two characters and their journey. As I watched I loved the way the characters became more and more vulnerable each and everyday with the various challenges they faced. The playfulness of becoming a kid again laughing and joking and being able to enjoy nature living in the now. As a society we are so connected to our phones and the digital age we forget how to enjoy life. Having a family of my own I get lost and forget about the important things in life. This movie helped me want to reconnect with family and friends. The cinematography was simply breathtaking. Really enjoyed it from start to finish.