6 YouTube Cycling Documentaries That Will Satisfy Your Wanderlust

March 23, 2025

If you really think about it, it’s amazing how many wonderful cycling ‘movies’ you can tune up through YouTube, right in your web browser.

Image by Nik (via Unsplash)

Have you taken a look? There’s a little bit of everything: amateurs filming with GoPros on gravel trails to teams pushing out full-fledged documentaries from the very top pro races in road cycling. For anyone who loves cycling, these stories can excite a feeling of wanderlust. They can make you feel like you’re right in the heart of the action, whether that’s the peloton attacking on the Poggio, traversing entire continents, or getting lost by bike in the middle of nowhere just beyond your own backyard.

While YouTube has been around for a while, the level of professionalism in newer uploads is really impressive. That’s because modern technology has made filmmaking more accessible than ever. Independent videographers, WorldTour teams, and average cyclists can now all produce high-quality contents with relatively modest budgets.

The success and viewership of YouTube cycling documentaries is due in no small part to those who watch and support them. Because the cycling community is so incredibly passionate and engaged with the sport, they often seek out — just like you were doing when you clicked on this article! — and share cycling content. This helps even the smallest unknown creators to grow their viewership, and the overall online ecosystem of cycling films grows right alongside them.

Besides, the increasing popularity of cycling worldwide creates a larger audience for this content than in years past. Where there is demand, folks keep stepping up to fill the gaps.

Team promotion made easier than ever through video.

WorldTour teams? If that mention above made you look twice, it’s time to get with the times. YouTube has also become an ideal platform for teams to distribute behind-the-scenes content for fans. Squads like Visma Lease-a-Bike, EF Education, UAE Team Emirates, and Bahrain Victorious have all upped their output of YouTube content in recent years. And why wouldn’t they? YouTube is free to use, has a massive global reach, and allows for easy discovery and sharing of their behind-the-scenes and promo videos. These features make YouTube outreach one of the easiest ways to get their most charismatic riders in front of potential fans.

Most importantly, unlike in traditional cycling TV coverage or journalism, the teams control the narratives completely. This means they can pump out videos that make them, their riders, and their sponsors look good to the general public.

Image by Skye Studios (via Unsplash)

Ready to have an adventure of your own?

Sure, cycling documentaries can transport you to exotic destinations and immerse you in stories. They can be funny, moving, exciting, and everything in between. Most importantly, they allow you to experience adventures, events, and landscapes you may never get to visit for yourself!

Eager to discover a few of the great cycling documentaries available on YouTube? Let’s check it out!

“PANTS Route” A Gravel Bike Adventure | 330 Miles
A TRUE RENAISSANCE: Our Tour de France 2024 – Inside the Beehive
540 MILES || A Colorado Trail Bikepacking Documentary
Rapha Films Presents | Tour De Force
The Competition To Find Cycling’s Next Superstar | Zwift Academy 2025 Ep. 1
I Cycled From London To Paris On $1 Bike

1. “PANTS Route” A Gravel Bike Adventure | 330 Miles

Want to explore the backcountry of the US by bike? If you love getting lost on rural gravel roads, you’ll love this 45 minute film distributed in 2023 by Pennsylvania Dirtbags. This outdoorsy group clearly loves sharing their adventures with others via their YouTube channel. Their film will transport you to rural Pennsylvania and let you enjoy many of the gorgeous sights this region of the country has to offer.

Enjoyed the “PANTS” route? The “JORTS” route film was also shared on the same channel recently, so there’s a sequel waiting!

2. A TRUE RENAISSANCE: Our Tour de France 2024 – Inside the Beehive

If you were glued to your TV (… or, especially for French fans, stood by the side of the road) for the 2024 Tour de France, we’ve got just the documentary for you. This offering comes directly from pro team Visma Lease-a-Bike’s official YouTube channel. Get the inside view on the team’s experiences during France’s Grand Tour, including the struggles of team captain Jonas Vingegaard as he returns from injury.

Billed as “an emotional story about perseverance, resilience, and team spirit,” this one is likely to tug at your heart if you followed the 2024 race.

VLAB’s channel features many other mini-documentaries as a part of their “Inside the Beehive” series. After you’ve watched the Renaissance in, check out the rest in a playlist here. Can’t get enough of the Tour de France instead? You may also like their movie Plan B, The Fall and Rise, which covers their experiences in the 2021 Tour de France.

3. 540 MILES || A Colorado Trail Bikepacking Documentary

Have you taken your bike to the mountains of Colorado? Trail cycling enthusiast Davis Yates has. Now, he created this documentary film to share his experiences and adventures with everyone at home. At 64 years old, he made the 540 mile journey across the Colorado Trail. This film captures his memories and feelings about the ride and will take you right along with him.

This is a perfect watch to inspire you to get out and tackle the big rides you have in mind. Want to learn more? Check out our recent article by guest author Mike Kirby, who share his tips for planning ultralong bikepacking adventures. If you’d rather keep living vicariously through video, no worries! Check out the many amazing short films from Greg McCahon, a cycling adventurer who documented his travels from Alaska to Argentina… and everything in between. You can view his videos from his profile or organized into a playlist here.

4. Rapha Films Presents | Tour De Force

In 2022, after more than three decades of absence, women cyclists made their triumphant return to the Tour de France Femmes. This documentary highlights the EF Education-TIBCO-SVB team through an intimate behind-the-scenes journey in France. Follow along from their preparation to the iconic finish on the final stage. The narrative captures a full emotional spectrum: moments of doubt, tears, pure joy, and triumph!

This film excels in the technical aspects of filmmaking. It weaves together historical and contemporary footage, and equally balances the personal journeys of the athletes with the broader historical significance. This makes a perfect watch for anyone who supports women in sport and wants to learn more about the Tour de France Femmes.

The entire Rapha Films profile library is a treasure trove for cycling documentary fans. If you loved Tour de Force, check out On the Up. This film follows three incredible cyclists competing in the first women’s start for the Leadville Trail 100 mountain biking race in Colorado.

5. The Competition To Find Cycling’s Next Superstar | Zwift Academy 2025 Ep. 1

Cycling fans may be familiar with Global Cycling Network. Although the group threw in the towel for pro cycling broadcasting before the start of the 2024 road season, they still have a robust YouTube presence. Recently, they’ve been uploading Zwift Academy, a competition show for cyclists. The participants, recruited via Zwift, get a chance at winning a WorldTour team contract! The series is four episodes in length and features top riders like Mathieu van der Poel, a future teammate of the men’s Zwift Academy winner on Team Alpecin-Deceuninck. If you love reality shows, check out the first episode below and see if it hooks you in!

Not into competitions? Check out some of GCN’s other offerings, like their gorgeous touring documentaries. Their Epic Rides series, which focuses on beautiful long routes from all around the globe, is available as a playlist.

6. I Cycled From London To Paris On $1 Bike

Now for a silly choice! Follow YouTube personality Chris Howett as he ventures from the UK to France on a very, very cheap bicycle. Although the Raleigh road bike Howett chose for his journey isn’t quite falling apart just yet, you’ll enjoy seeing whether it (and its rider) can make it to the streets of Paris in time for the 2024 Olympic Games. At thirty minutes of runtime, this is a fun, short watch that will have you smiling from start to finish.

Cycling is fun, and videos that capture that are among the best. The Riding Fixed, Up Mountains, With Pros series produced by State Bicycle Co. is one of the best lighthearted interview series out there. Finally, take a moment to laugh with Casually Explained: Cycling. This satire will get a few giggles from cyclists and their friends and family alike. After all, there is maple syrup in that water bottle holder. Maybe it’s a little too close to home, huh?!