I sat down to watch the mountain bike DVD Virtuous the other day and have to say I was quite captivated. It is not maybe quite in the league of the Collective's Roam but it captivated me none the less. Actually it is not far off. Actually it is up there with the best. It is a swiss production, a bit of an underdog star and set in breathtaking scenary of the Swiss Alps and hence it will take your biking breath away but leave you with a grin to get you steed fast, well fast..

Overall these riders dance on their bike and you sense that is simply because they are just having so much fun in such a great setting. Adrian fischer on dirt jumps and bmx stood out for me particularly but the list of riders is impressive from Rene Wildharber, Samuel Zbinden and Sacha Robert to name but a few (full list above). Overall it is stylish and moving and wonderfully and uniquely shot. The high defiention approach pays off and the cinematography is really spellbinding and carefuly thought out and crafted.  The film depicts a lot of the racing circuit but is accesible enough to just make you want to get out and ride. In fact I dare anybody to watch this and not go out and ride. I loved the bit near the end which shows off the movies genre and class...we see scenes with shore all lit up as their own biking journey comes to an end and home beckons... it will give you goosebumps. I feel I have not given the riding and riders enough credit that it or more they deserve but the names speak for themselves and trust me they do not disapoint.

Soundtrack is great and the title song "When I sleep I disapear"  from Cargo City will resonate strongly with many a biker addict.

Ionate films consists of Brian Gottschalk and Fabian Näf (both born 1978), two guys from central Switzerland. VIRTUOUS is their first production with focus on aesthetic footage off the racetracks shot entirely in Full High Definition. These guys and this production company are ones to watch.

Finally a big thanks to David Greenyer from Surrey Hills way who despite the loan being a library overdue offence of the top variety kindly lent and overlooked the time it took for me to return it.