The story of Steve Peat is in many ways the story of modern downhill mountain biking as a sport as he arrived on the scene when it was about pelting down a track on a rigid bike and went head to head with the biggest names to ever ride downhill, from Jason McRoy, to Nicolas Vouilluz, to Shaun Palmer in the nineties. He then weathered the changing race scene to still be competing with the big names in the 2000s, with Sam Hill, Gee Atherton and Greg Minnaar and to still be a force to be reckoned with on the World Cup circuit today as he is now in his 21st year on the scene and still capable of top ten finishes.
The film tracks his career and those of his friends and rivals and paints a picture of a man who is well liked and hugely respected, an inspiration to two generations of top British riders and a frankly phenomenal athlete to still be doing this at 40. Once the early days are covered, including touching memories of the first British downhill superstar, JMC, the second half of the film follows Peat's relationship with the World Championships. With so many oh-so-close moments he had failed to actually win the World Champs until an emotional race in 2008 where he finally claimed it, at the age of 35. Even knowing the story I found myself wishing him on in the race footage form years before and feeling gutted as he once again fell just short behind a series of greats.
It's an excellent film and the perfect way to spend an evening, as well as being an ideal build up to this weekend where the World Cup, complete with Peaty, arrives again at the ever popular Fort William stage to allow the big British names to show what they have this season on home soil. I suggest you warm up with this portrait of a man who defines British downhill mountain biking and then settle in to watch the live event and marvel at the riders who make an immensely tough course look so easy.
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