A bit about me
I’m Josh Reid, an ultra-endurance cyclist and filmmaker.
Bicycles have enabled me to get to some pretty amazing places, close to home and around the world. I’ve ridden across continents, over high mountain passes, along endless gravel roads and filmed it along the way. In 2019, I collected a bike from the Giant factory in Shanghai and rode it home to Newcastle in the UK. This 15,000-kilometre ride was my start in the world of filming cross-continent bikepacking.
I’ve raced Badlands, Tour Divide, and others. I say “raced,” but I’m a mid-packer, filming as I ride.
On my own, I’ve spent long days climbing through remote highways in Tajikistan, and pushed through terrain that was as beautiful as it was unforgiving. I ride because I’m curious; I like seeing what happens when you keep going.
I document with honesty. I aim to capture the small decisions, the mechanical issues, the fatigue, the unexpected kindness from strangers, even the moments when I question why I’m there. The camera isn’t up front to polish the story; it’s there to tell it as it is.
“I ride because I’m curious; I like seeing what happens when you keep going.”
How I work
Years of long-distance riding have made me self-sufficient. I’m drawn to equipment that works quietly in the background and I care about how things function, not just how they look. I like understanding why something lasts and why something fails. Most problems on the road come down to corrosion, wear, or small misalignments, and most can be prevented with attention to detail.
When it comes to filming, I try to keep things simple. Lightweight where possible is nice, but sometimes you need to bring out the big guns to get the shots (like on The Tour Divide). Equipment must be practical above all. I don’t want to be thinking about gear when I’m 10 hours into a ride. The best moments usually aren’t planned anyway; they happen in between the big ones.
Philosophy
I don’t think endurance is about being tough; it’s about being steady.
It’s about staying calm when things go wrong.
It’s about adapting without drama.
It’s about keeping perspective when you’re tired.
But most of all, it’s about not stopping!
“You don’t need perfect. You just need to keep going.”
