There’s something oddly addictive about watching other people suffer through wind, rain, busted gears, and complete mental collapse. All while pedaling hundreds (or thousands) of miles through places most of us only dream about.

If you’ve ever been deep into a bikepacking trip and thought, “Why am I doing this?”

You know what I’m talking about.

These aren’t glossy travel ads. They’re raw, honest, and often slightly chaotic. Just like long rides always are. No matter how prepared you think you are, there are always things that will throw a stick in your spokes.

Tobias’s 5 Favorite Bike Documentaries – And Best Freebies On YouTube

Here are my top 5 bikepacking documentaries that are worth your time, and a few solid freebies you can stream right now.

1. Ride The Divide (2010)

• What it is: A gritty, no-nonsense look at one of the toughest bikepacking races in the world, the Tour Divide. Follows three riders tackling 2,700 miles along the Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico.
• Why it’s worth watching: It skips the drama and focuses on the mental and physical grind. You feel like you’re riding alongside these maniacs as they battle everything from mountain storms to sleep deprivation.
• Best watched with: A recovery beer and legs still sore from your last ride.
• Where to find it: Stream on Netflix, rent on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Vimeo On Demand. There’s also a 2024 remastered version called “Ride the Divide Returns” with new footage.

2. Inspired to Ride (2015)

• What it is: Follows a handful of solo riders tackling the 4,233-mile Trans Am Bike Race from Oregon to Virginia. No support, no prize money, just pain and pride.
• Why it hits: You see everything—sleep deprivation, bike issues, existential crises at 3 AM in Kansas. It’s raw, human, and the cinematography captures both the beauty and brutality of crossing America on two wheels.
• Best watched with: When you’re planning your own cross-country epic and need a reality check.
• Where to find it: Rent on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Vimeo On Demand. Also available in 4K if you want to see every grain of road dust.

3. Blood Road (2017)

• What it is: Pro MTB rider Rebecca Rusch rides 1,200 miles along the Ho Chi Minh Trail through Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to find the crash site where her father’s fighter jet was shot down during the Vietnam War.
• Why it’s different: It’s as much about emotional healing and war history as it is about endurance. Heavy subject matter, but beautifully done and earned an Emmy.
• Best watched with: Tissues handy. This one will hit you in the feels harder than a surprise headwind.
• Where to find it: Stream on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or free through Red Bull TV. Also available for educational licensing.

4. Northbound (2019)

• What it is: Two friends bike from Oslo to the Arctic Circle… in winter… pulling surfboards behind them. Yes, you read that right.
• Why it’s insane: It’s cold, it’s dark, and it’s full of moments that’ll make you question their sanity—and maybe your own if you’ve ever considered winter bikepacking. The surfing payoff is worth the frostbite.
• Best watched with: A warm blanket and appreciation for your heated house.
• Where to find it: Available on various streaming platforms and film festival circuits. Check your local outdoor film festival—this one makes the rounds.

5. Thereabouts (2016)

• What it is: Aussie pro cyclists Lachlan and Angus Morton ditch racing to ride 2,500 km across Australia on adventure bikes. No race tape, no medals, just red dirt and endless horizon.
• Why it works: Even though they’re pros, it’s about rediscovering why we ride in the first place. A solid mix of roadie power and adventure bike vibes with stunning Outback scenery.
• Best watched with: A longing to book a flight to Australia and ride the Nullarbor.
• Where to find it: Now available for free on Youtube. There are sequels too if this one hooks you.

Free on YouTube (And Actually Good)

1. RJ The Bike Guy – Touring Solo Across America

• What it is: No-frills documentation of a cross-country tour with real gear reviews and route advice.
• Why it works: Not fancy, but full of practical info and simple gear setups. Feels like chatting with a buddy who’s actually been everywhere and knows which cheap stuff works.
• Where to find it: YouTube channel “RJ The Bike Guy” – multiple touring series available.

2. Rapha Gone Racing: Badlands

• What it is: Beautifully shot coverage of one of Europe’s toughest gravel races through Spain’s most remote regions.
• Why it hits: Surprisingly deep storytelling for a brand film. Shows the suffer-fest of multi-day gravel racing without the usual marketing fluff.
• Where to find it: Rapha’s YouTube channel and their website’s film section.

3. Bikepacking the Wild West Route – Path Less Pedaled

• What it is: Russ and Laura’s take on a classic American bikepacking route with practical gear insights and beautiful Pacific Northwest scenery.
• Why it’s useful: Chill pace, gorgeous scenery, and actually useful gear notes you can apply to your own trips. These two know their stuff.
• Where to find it: Path Less Pedaled YouTube channel – part of their extensive bikepacking series.

Enjoy, Get Inspired, and Keep On Riding

These films aren’t about looking cool or selling you gear. They’re about real people doing something hard because it matters to them—even if no one else gets it. That’s the heart of bikepacking.

So fire one up, maybe while you’re wrenching in the garage or dreaming up your next route. Just don’t be surprised if you start Googling frame bags mid-movie. I warned you.