Directed by R.J. Daniel Hanna, Hard Miles is a fantastic film about a cyclist named Greg Townsend, who teaches juvenile delinquents the importance of discipline and hard work through a trip to the Grand Canyon.
Meet Greg Townsend, a middle-aged man who loves to bike. Patient and dedicated, he works to help the troubled convicts of Ridgeview Academy. Maybe society has given up on these hopeless young men, but Greg certainly hasn’t! This time, he has hatched a plan to reform the boys: a grand trip to the Grand Canyon.
Over the course of a 1,000-mile journey, we get a close glimpse into the inner lives and psychologies of these characters. The gang of boys come in all colors, shapes, and sizes, but they are united by one thing: the tireless leadership of their coach and father figure.

“Patient and dedicated, he works to help the troubled convicts of Ridgeview Academy.”
For Greg, the bicycle is the enduring symbol of freedom, independence, and unshakeable commitment to one’s personal goals. Cycling isn’t just a sport to him; it’s an entire philosophy and way of life.
It is hard to exaggerate just how amazing this movie is! Everything about this Shakespearean masterpiece is excellent: the story, the acting, the pacing, even the cinematography and camerawork. Hard Miles comes off as very natural. The characters are extremely well-written and well-acted, brought to life by the actors’ passionate performances. The movie is very well-paced, logically structured, and consistently engaging throughout its nearly two-hour runtime.
Hard Miles brilliantly expresses the “masculine” values of discipline, ambition, independence, brotherhood, teamwork, and resilience in the face of difficulty. Unlike today’s woke Hollywood movies, the male hero is actually a well-written character: a man of honor, courage, skill, and optimism. But women will also enjoy this heartwarming movie.
Strongly recommended!