“Because It’s There” – A Film About A Group Of Strangers Crossing South America By Bike

When I arrived in Cartagena, Colombia last July, it was hot and humid. There was no breeze and it would remain around 30C at night. As I sweated it out in the hotel parking lot in the pre-departure days – assembling equipment, organizing gear – I slowly met each of the cyclists taking part in the South American Epic Cycling Expedition as they arrived. I’ve been to the start of probably 20 or 30 of our tours over the years and I am always amazed that we are able to convince people to fly in from all over the globe to set off into the unknown as part of our intrepid crew of cyclists. Is it faith in TDA Global Cycling or is it curious people willing to jump into the deep end and try something new?

Whatever it is, this particular group of strangers had committed to spending the next 6 months together (for those going the full distance). When, in our adult lives, do we ever do something like this? It is unique to say the least. The openness of this group to new adventures and experiences was inspiring. There was no single reason that they all chose to do this but they were open to finding the answer to ‘why’. This film’s title – Because It’s There – gives us one possible answer.

The film takes you along for the ride and introduces you to a number of the cyclists. We are very proud of the film and wanted to thank Mats Fredrix for his efforts to put this all together – capturing footage, interviewing the participants, editing and post-production. We also want to thank Benjamin Levin for capturing footage and assisting in the film’s production.

Please enjoy the film. We’d love to get your feedback in the comments.

Because It’s There – A Group Of Strangers Crossing South America By Bicycle

“Why are you doing this?” That’s the question posed at the start of this visually rich and thought provoking documentary following the 2024 South American Epic — a 6-month cycling expedition stretching from Colombia to Patagonia. The answers, at first, are uncertain. “All my friends think it’s a bit crazy,” one rider admits but as the film unfolds, so does a deeper understanding of what compels a group of strangers to cross an entire continent by bicycle – starting in Cartagena on the Caribbean coast and ending up in Ushuaia at the southern tip of the continent in Argentina.

Led by unflappable tour leader, Carolina, and her resourceful crew, the cyclists pedal across vast salt flats, mountain passes, wind-blasted deserts, and remote river valleys. Along the way, they confront mechanical failures, political protests, wild weather and personal doubts — but they also experience a shared joy that can’t be measured in distance travelled.

Through candid interviews, moments of adversity and scenes of breathtaking beauty, the film captures more than just a journey — it reveals the formation of a tight-knit community. “I like the circus metaphor,” one rider says. “We are putting up the big top, our tents, everyday, taking them down.. travelling to the next place.”

In the end, no simple answer to ‘why’ emerges but one thing becomes clear – this is not just a film about cycling. It’s about choosing discomfort, embracing challenge and discovering meaning in movement — together.