Bicycle Dreams Hits Chicago

By Sarah Cobarrubias in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 14, 2012 5:00PM

Race Across America is among the toughest endurance competitions in the world. The race spans 3,000 miles from coast to coast, and the goal is to finish within ten days. Filmmaker Stephen Auerbach took on the task of capturing the race the whole way through, the end product of which is the documentary Bicycle Dreams.

The film, which is currently screening across the country, claims to reveal the inner-workings of the race, following cyclists and their teams through varying terrains, breakdowns, emotional struggle, and ultimately victory. The producers have teamed up with The Chainlink and New Belgium Brewing to present the documentary’s Chicago premiere this Thursday at Viaduct Theater.

Along with a screening of the film, the premiere event will feature guest appearances by Race Across America veterans, and New Belgium will be offering $3.50 beers. You can also stick around afterward for an after party in Viaduct Theater’s lobby, where you can see a performance by the all-girl bike-dance troupe The Racketeers.

Tickets to the premiere are $11 in advance and $15 at the door. However, the event is expected to sell out. Advance tickets also come with a raffle ticket that could win you a Gotham Citizen folding bike or a wheel-building class at Oak Park's Holistic Cycles, among other prizes. Part of the event’s proceeds will be donated to The Chainlink’s site, which serves as an online community that connects local cyclists of all levels. Check out the film’s trailer: