Dear Ana, I could never know your pain, but I have a good idea. I have endured multiple sports injuries that included 12 spinal surgeries and the lose of my lower left leg. I certainly know all about pain. I returned to cycling exactly 1 year ago. I started on a recumbent trike and am know learning to ride on 2 wheels again. You are a great inspiration to me and I'm sure others like us. Stay strong Ana, you are helping us all.
I was the fittest I had ever been....five months ago I crushed my left leg in a work accident resulting in an open lower left leg quadruple fracture. I'm coming back. The most inspirational film I've ever seen. Thank you Ana.
Never thought I'd cry at a cycling movie, but here I am... that was deeply inspirational, upmost respect for Anna and the film crew!! That's new level Rapha...
As someone who broke both bones on his right arm, and now rides with a few extra bolts and titanium plates, seeing that moment were you lie in bed very injured and still are just happy and focusing on being able to mimic the pedaling motion with your feet.... that really hits me. That single instant, I see you just grasping for a hope of freedom again - that must have taken a lot of courage. Very few of us watching this would pull that off, and all you did - including "scratching" off the race after all that. Which... by the way.. is the 2nd most courageous thing - recognizing that what you were no longer shows in the mirror. Thank you for sharing all of this with us. The tears, the pain, the crooked walking - this is what makes it real, and brave. It's not about winning races, or medals - it's always about taking the biggest punch in the face, and showing up again the next day. You kick ass.
OMG. Rapha! You are to be commended on the most incredible and stunningly original documentary. This film has raised the bar so high, that it’s unlikely to be bettered. This story of Anna and Ruby is just so astonishing and the strength, courage and honesty is quite overwhelming to watch.
Absolutely inspiring, emotionally touching and well-done documentary. One of the best cycling ones I’ve watched. Thank you sooo much for this openness, Ana!
Thank you Anna for the lesson on life. You are a beautiful woman and a wonderful strong woman! Thank you for the inspiration. God bless you and your daughter. 🤗😘🚴🏻♀️🔝💪
This hits deep. I was hit by a car while biking just over a year ago and spent a week in the hospital while getting 3 surgeries. I'm fortunate to be back on the bike (albeit one that's in one piece) and I dream of one day maybe being able to do the things Ana has achieved since her injury. Incredible film
Thank you for your inspiring story, if you ever come to California I would be honored to have a conversation with you..keep the rubber side down on road and a tailwind at your back..
Amazingly inspiring video. Ana, you are a true warrior of life in all aspects and I wish I was half as brave and strong as you are. I'd love to take this opportunity to say thank you for sharing your story and for encouraging others to face life like you do, as a true survivor, a warrior and a source of inspiration. Thank you & hugs from Madrid❤️
A very good film put together by Rufus and Steve on behalf of Rapha. It is however (as someone else in the comments mentioned) deeply conflicting. On the one hand Ana's singleminded and stubborn pursuit of her goals is inspirational. On the other side of the coin, her selfishness has clearly come with considerable cost. Achieving a balance between both sides of the coin is to me what makes cycling so enjoyable. Watching this film I am not sure she is even close to achieving that balance. Am I inspired? For sure. Am I saddened for her? Absolutely.
Incredibly powerful. You had me all over the place with emotions throughout. I loved how raw this film felt while still being beautifully produced. Kudos to the entire team and best wishes to Ana. Thank you for sharing your story. Thanks to Rapha for supporting the production of pieces like this.
Ana I’m in awe of you. Your strength is immense. Your spirit unwavering. You absolutely needed this race to measure where your recovery is at and in that pursuit you were successful. This is just a mark of where you’re at not your peak. 💪 BTW love the shirt. I need more snacks!
F***. Just hard to watch this. Mind fighting a body that isn't working like it was pre crash. Tough. Those words, rather be happy inside and die than live a life dead inside hold so true. Something which offers so much freedom and pure joy also able to destroy a life partially or completely. SO glad Ana is back riding. I imagine she'd not call it thriving...but riding. And some days...that's all you can hope for. Ride on Ana!!! Great work Rapha! A captivating, although hard, story to be able to hear and have told.
It's really difficult to train after an injury, more so to prepare for an ultra race. While i admire the tenacity of Anne, i cannot even begin to imagine what life is like for her daughter living only with her mother and their entire lives being focused only on the mother's fitness level. I am a passionate cyclist myself, but i kinda see this from a different perspective i guess.
Raphael revealed himself to be the true hero... I think the Rapha team made it too easy for her quit, if she had to sit there and figure out a way home, I think she eventually would've decided to continue on...
To be honest I had to quit watching the video. I had several accidents on my own and I know live is dangerous. I love riding though darkness and I know about animals who are merely active in the night. I don`t need horror stories (although with a good end) about bicycle accidents.
Wow!! What a relentless fighter Ana is! Kudos to Rapha for making an absolutely wonderful film and Ana is incredible and beautiful!! Can't wait to see more of her...
Amazing.. thank you for sharing your story. Also GO RUBY! ps. I also work two jobs, have my trainer in the kitchen/living area of my tiny house. Just to live in the Rocky Mountains.. Keep going. 💪🏻
I get the feeling this was hard to make into a finished 'inspirational, overcoming adversity' film. It follows a fairly unhappy (for good reasons, granted) person, her seemingly unhappy daughter, lack of actual racing footage due to a standoffish protagonist, lots of filler involving the film makers themselves and other cyclists, seemingly to build a narrative, which unfortunately ends in disappointment. Some very atmospheric footage in the mountains, though. I'm not sure what I think of it, to be honest.
Stunning film work … and a truly inspiring story for anyone who loves to cycle or pushes themself as an athlete at any level. Thank you Anna and thank you Rapha.
Interesting film, limits are meant to be pushed. Accidents change us, but you are still beautiful. Take care of your daughter and your health. Keep riding, cheers.
Ana I am only half way through watching this and I already feel I need to comment. You've been through a tough time and I can understand how you are feeling but honestly you look fine. If I was to meet you I would say you were clearly a very intelligent lady who is super fit and is as stubborn as a mule. If any says otherwise then there is something wrong with them rather than you. Just kep on doing what you are doing and you will be fine. Just wish I had your fitness. Best wishes for the future.
Wow! What a story! What courage and passion! I am deeply moved and full of admiration for Ana. It's not the first Rapha film that inspires me, but it is certainly up there with the best. Thank you so much.
You're one of us. A warrior woman. That's what makes you beautiful. All those plastic surgery barbie dolls should kneel in front of you. long live cycling!
Inspiring, terrifying, sad, happy, appreciative, motivated, scared, questionable ... I have never experienced such a wide range of emotions watching a film. Ana, you are beautiful. Ride safe
Love the film and the history behind. But as a father I can only think on that daughter silently accompanying a ill mother. I love the sport, this goes beyond that and not in the right way. I just hope Ana finds the joy again.
Thank you for such a wonderful film! Fascinating, powerful, moving and inspiring! What a brave woman, so courageous! I got so emotional because I had a bad accident on the bike that shattered my arm bones and a car accident that literally disfigured my face. Anna you are my hero! 💙🚴🏻♂️💪🏻
This film was fantastic. Extremely well executed and you can tell the filmmakers fell in love with the story. Not only is this woman an inspiration and a testament that anyone can achieve whatever goal they set for themselves, but it touched the humanity in me like very few films do. Because of my uncle, I grew up having a passion for cycling and this resonated deeply within me. Just awe-inspiring and a tremendous piece of work. So proud of her and her daughter and the filmmakers. I've recommended this film to all of my cycling friends and family! Great job guys!
great film on the limits of the body. Most cycling films are about mission impossibles that are made possible but this is a much MUCH more relatable film and dealing with losing, injury, grief and sadness is much harder to depict and explain than winning is
Oh, why is she doing such cruel things to herself? That is hard to watch. Didn‘t anyone tell her to be patient with herself and thankful after such an accident? I liked Raphael though.
I have never been through a crash like you.. but what is in your heart. I get it. I get you. You are not different .... You are just like me and so many other... I admire you .. I admire your spirit and your character. I get you.
Ana is very inspirational. Also would like to say that Ruby deserves a lot of credit. She clearly is very supportive of Ana and she too must have had a very difficult time dealing with her mothers accident.
