Matthew Modine dabbles in Lycra and clipless in new cycling movie, ‘Hard Miles’
The 'Stranger Things' actor plays a teacher who is using his bike to help troubled kids figure things out
Hard Miles, directed by R.J. Daniel Hanna, follows the journey of male juvenile offenders on a challenging cycling ride to the Grand Canyon, led by their teacher-coach, played by Matthew Modine.
The film, inspired by true events, delves into the redemptive power of sports amidst the struggles of both the students and their mentor. Modine’s character, Greg Townsend, navigates personal demons while facing the volatile environment of a correctional residential school in Colorado.
Riding the hardest of miles
Flashbacks to his abusive childhood and familial obligations add depth to his character as he embarks on a transformative solo cycling trip spanning three states and 1,200 km.
The institution where Modine’s character works faces scrutiny from government authorities, desperate for positive publicity amid a critical review.
In a bid to improve its image, the boss of the facility where Townsend works, played by Leslie David Baker (The Office), suggests a backpacking trip for well-behaved residents, jokingly citing the potential for photogenic “hoods in the woods.” However, Townsend, unwilling to abandon his own plans, suggests taking four boys from his class who have been building bike frames, on the cycling journey he had already intended to undertake.
The film’s approach and strong performances has been garnering acclaim on the festival circuit. Hard Miles also features Sean Astin (Rudy, Lord of the Rings).
A long history with bikes
Modine, who rose to fame as Private Joker in Full Metal Jacket, has a long history with cycling–but not with clipless pedals or Lycra.
“When I moved to New York City to study acting, my wife — she was my girlfriend then — was really successful, and I had no money,” Modine said at the Heartland Film Festival. “There was a sale on lemons down in the delicatessen beneath our apartment, so I bought a bunch of lemons and I had one of those five gallon Sparklett bottles. I made a bunch of lemonade, and I was standing on the corner of 42nd Street and Lexington saying, ‘Ice cold lemonade!’ I was selling my lemonade and a guy rode up on a Raleigh beach cruiser with white wall tires. You know, a single-speed beach cruiser. He dumped the bicycle on the ground and ran.”
Since he couldn’t afford subway fare, he relied on his bicycle for transportation, to take him to auditions, where I still reside. Cycling became his gym and primary mode of transportation since he was 18.
Matthew Modine on learning Lycra and clipless
Modine and his fellow cast had to learn quickly the ins and outs of racing bicycles. “Well, just like all the other kids in the film, none of them had clipped into a bike,” he explained. “Or even wear Lycra. We all had to experience that together. Clipping in a bike takes cycling to a whole different level.”
The Stranger Things star said those sorts of experiences were what made working on Hard Miles so enjoyable. “We were all in this together, the cast. From learning to clip in, or how to go down a mountain,” he said. “It was very much a group experience, we were all very much equals and we spent lots of time together. It was different from other films I’d worked on: I didn’t have a Winnebago, which was great as it created a real sense of camaraderie with everyone.”
In fact, they received some lessons on riding downhills from none other than former pro cyclist Phil Gaimon. “I couldn’t get over how fast he rode through corners,” Modine said. “It was really something else.”
You can check out the trailer below:
