THE HARD ROAD follows a first year professional cycling team through an entire season, documenting their struggle to pursue a dream at any cost. While the canvas of the film is the gritty subculture of American professional bike racing, what arises are issues of loyalty, integrity, commitment, and self-knowledge in a singularly self- sufficient world in which justice is meted out by the sport itself. Follow the riders into their homes and hotel rooms; along in the van and behind the scenes of the races for an inside look at their camaraderie and triumphs, as well as their disappointments, hardship and sacrifices. Two grizzled veterans mentor six rookies, as they try to break into the ultra-elite hierarchy that is pro cycling. For the team, financial reward, a certain future and social normalcy are some of the things that must be sacrificed in exchange for a soul-deep engagement with something essential in themselves.

If you love bike racing, you'll love The Hard Road, but the best thing about the film is that there's much more in it than bike racing.

DVD TALK - The film is extremely well paced and intelligently put together with an excellent voice over narration from KEITH DAVID. 'The Hard Road' is a very well done and engaging film. It is HIGHLY recommended.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM for THE HARD ROAD

VELO NEWS MAGAZINE
'Paolinetti intermixes exciting race coverage, (particularly from the U.S. Pro Championships) with a grind of long arduous road trips in the team van to illustrate the reality of the pro cyclists life. Digging deeper, he documents the difficulties of his teammates as they attempt to fulfill their dream of being a pro cyclist. THE HARD ROAD hits the mark.'

BICYCLING AUSTRALIA MAGAZINE - MARTIN VERDIS
'I loved this movie. It was mesmerizing. Once I started, I just wanted to keep watching until the end. It is to road cycling what 'BIG WEDNESDAY' was to surfing and 'ON ANY SUNDAY' was to motocross.

BICYCLING MAGAZINE & BICYCLE GUIDE FORMER EDITOR - GARRETT LAI
THE HARD ROAD is a gritty inside story of a Pro team in America. For up and coming racers, it's a preview of what may be ahead, For the rest of us, it's a grim reality check, a reason to be thankful we ride for fun and not for a living. THIS IS THE REAL STORY OF AMERICAN BICYCLE RACING!?'

BICYCLING MAGAZINE - STEVE MADDEN - EDITOR
'Cool! Equal parts Bull Durham, A Sunday in Hell and The Real World.'

TRIATHLETE MAGAZINE - JAY PRASUHN - SENIOR EDITOR
'Jamie Paolinetti bridges the gap between Triathlon and cycling into a realm we can all appreciate; the struggle for success in sport. The film transcends sport as the cyclists simply strive to survive within a fringe sport while pursuing a dream. You may never have taken part in a road race in your life, but you just might find a bit of yourself in the film.'

The RIDE MAGAZINE
'The Net Zero racers are people who have an unlimited passion for the sport, and make amazing sacrifices to chase their dream. How many pro football players would work twelve hours a day, then come home and train another four. Anyone chasing the dream of being a pro cyclist should watch THE HARD ROAD.'

V.P. FOX SPORTS NET - JOHN SMELZER
'THE HARD ROAD tells the brutal truth about what it takes to make it at the highest level of sport. The secret, SACRIFICE, THEN SACRIFCE SOME MORE!'

REALITY FILM.COM
'Narrator, Keith David's rich, deep voice lends Paolinetti?s script plenty of power. Any movie watcher can be gripped by the story of this pro cycling team's whirlwind season. The film proves Paolinetti to be a credible expert, as well as a credible filmmaker who can entertain viewers with a good story.'

PEZ CYCLING.COM
'Though it's listed as a documentary, it's really a live-action/sports film with personal drama that is about real people. A dream version of what every cyclist would want in a reality TV show. There is cool footage of race action that shows the significance of team strategy and how great it is when things work out.'

THE DAILY PELOTON.com
'Follow the racers behind the scenes of the biggest races in the U.S. for an inside look at the team?s camaraderie and triumphs, as well as their disappointments and hardships. Financial reward, a certain future, and social normalcy are just some of the things that must be sacrificed in exchange for a soul-deep engagement with something essential in themselves. If you love bike racing, you?ll love THE HARD ROAD, but the best thing about it is there is much more in this film than just bike racing.'

L. A. SPORTS AND FITNESS MAGAZINE
'When it comes to cycling, Jamie Paolinetti knows his stuff, and it shows in this feature film. Go behind the scenes of the biggest races and get to know the riders up close and personal.'

COMPETITOR MAGAZINE
'THE HARD ROAD takes you inside the world of pro cycling like no film ever has. Get an inside look at all the big pro teams, including some great footage of FRANKIE ANDREU and the U.S. Postal Team.'

MICHAEL WARD of THE WALLFLOWERS
'THE HARD ROAD captures the true spirit of suffering for what you love. A GREAT FILM!'

Movie Details:

Regional Code: 0 (Will play worldwide).

Languages: English.
Running Time: 120 minutes