Coronavirus Quarantine Tips—Watch These Motorcycle Films

The novel coronavirus pandemic has made these strange and frightening days. While I’m confident the world will eventually get back to some semblance of normal, there’s no way to tell how long it will be until we get there. And there’s no way to know just how difficult things will become for folks in the meantime. My heart goes out to those already affected by the virus, as well as those struggling to make ends meet in light of the unprecedented economic turmoil at hand.

I say this to acknowledge the gravity of COVID-19 before turning to lighter matters because yet another list of things to do while in isolation may be tiresome for you at this point. It may even come across as insincere. But this and any to come are my earnest effort to share ideas, tips, and recommendations that I believe will add some joy to your time at home, or at least give you a few hours where you can focus on something positive.

With that said, if you’re anything like me this self-isolation has led to a lot more screen time than usual. And I’ve found movies and documentaries to be a much more enjoyable way to pass the time than incessantly scrolling through my social feeds. So I’d like to share some of the best motorcycle documentaries I’ve seen these past few weeks and recommend you catch one or two when you’re looking for a little pick-me-up.

On Any Sunday

Any worthwhile motorcycle movie or documentary list has to include Bruce Brown’s On Any Sunday. It’s an absolute classic. Brown’s dry humor and the footage of riding life 50 years ago is a lighthearted, thoroughly enjoyable way to escape the severity of the present day. Plus you get to see riders like Mert Lawwill, Malcolm Smith, and even Steve McQueen rip it up. I’ve been a sucker for just about any of Brown’s films since I was a kid, and have watched this one more times than I could count. But it’s one of those that never gets old for me, and when I need a happy distraction, On Any Sunday always delivers.

Watch on Amazon Prime.

Watch on iTunes.

Hitting the Apex

I’m a big fan of MotoGP, but Hitting the Apex is enjoyable even if you know nothing of the sport. It profiles Casey Stoner, Marco Simoncelli, Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi, Dani Pedrosa, and Marc Márquez and their on- and off-track battles. The race footage is thrilling, and the insight into the riders’ lives and careers is fascinating. It’s also heartbreaking in its documentation of Simoncelli’s tragic end in 2011. That’s all to say that Hitting the Apex is a much more involved and intense viewing experience than you might imagine. But it’s totally engrossing and definitely worth a few hours of your time.

Watch on Amazon Prime.

Watch on iTunes.

Why We Ride

Is there someone in your home who doesn’t “get” the whole motorcycle thing? Or maybe you’re just in the mood for a feel-good reminder of how positive the world of riding can be when people are actually allowed to get together. Why We Ride is a great film on both counts, giving non-riders a fairly expansive look at the different facets of riding, past and present, and providing current riders with the warm and fuzzies. There are stories of racers and everyday riders, a look at some of the ancillary industries and activities at work around riding, and lots of epic, cinematic footage throughout. A really fun flick if you’ve finally burned out on true crime.

Watch on Amazon Prime.

Watch on iTunes.

TT3D: Closer to the Edge

When I first saw images and video from the Isle of Man TT, I was stunned. The race is without equal and the racers are made of stuff I certainly don’t have. It’s such a fascinating race on its own, but in TT3D: Closer to the Edge you’re given the chance to get to know some of the brave riders who compete in the IOMTT, get to learn some history of the race, and gain deeper insight into the course itself. It’s more than just a race film though, thanks to the riders profiled throughout, particularly the endearing and slightly mad Guy Martin. You get extra points if you can make out everything Martin says without subtitles.

Watch on YouTube.

12 O’Clock Boys

On the surface, 12 O’Clock Boys looks like a documentary about life inside a Baltimore motorcycle gang, bent on living dangerously, antagonizing the police, and causing havoc on city streets. But this documentary strives to be more than that and I think it delivers, following young Pug and his aspirations to become a 12 O’Clock Boy himself. You get to know more of the difficulties surrounding Pug and his motivations in finding something he can connect to. Motorcycles are a means of escape, of power, and identity for Pug and for these riders in Baltimore, and though I would never condone their actions, taking a glimpse into their world is illuminating.

Watch on iTunes.