Full Cycle: A World Odyssey

A combination of Endless Summer and Michael Palin's Around the World in 80 Days, you won't find any biking instruction or equipment tips here. This program features an intrepid husband and wife team traveling around the world in search of the best mountain bike ride (meaning: toughest, with the most beautiful scenery). Patty Mooney and Mark Schulze depart from San Diego, CA, traveling to San Francisco's Mt. Tamalpais to bike with three of the early pioneers of mountain biking. From there, they take off to points around the world, including the Grand Canyon, Mt. Whistler in British Columbia, the jungles and volcanoes of Costa Rica, the Swiss Alps, the ancient ruins of Greece, England, Australia, Tahiti, and the Himalayas. Graphic maps serve as reference points for viewers and the cinematography is fantastic. A bike mounted steadicam provides some excellent views of perilous trails and exotic wildlife while aerial photography shows grand vistas and landscapes. Voice-over narration alternates between husband and wife with occasional on-screen commentary. Throughout, the video is fast-paced, assisted by up-beat music. Although this is a first-rate video, I would have personally preferred more on-screen narration by Mark and Pat, rather than the constant, voice-over narration, which tended to distance them from the viewer. Throughout, this program emphasizes the couple's love of the outdoors, wildlife, and the sport of mountain biking. Kind of makes me want to get on my old ten-speed and go find a volcano... Highly recommended. (J. Scholtz)