QUÉBEC, Canada (May 18, 2025) — After more than two years of work behind and in front of the camera, Canadian filmmaker and endurance cyclist Gabriel Rancourt has released Beyond the Dots, a feature-length documentary that takes viewers deep into the physical and emotional realities of the Tour Divide, one of the most grueling bikepacking races in the world.
The 2.5-hour film, now streaming for free on YouTube, traces Rancourt’s 2,600-mile ride from Banff, Alberta, to the U.S.–Mexico border—an ultra-endurance journey many cyclists describe as a test of the body, mind, and spirit. But the project’s ambitions go well beyond documenting another long bike ride.
“This isn’t just about the finish line,” Rancourt said in an interview. “It’s about the internal reasons we take on things that seem impossible. I wanted to ask: why do we do hard things?”
What started as a solo chronicle—originally titled Beyond the Dot, a reference to the GPS tracking used in ultra-distance racing—grew into something more expansive. The final film blends Rancourt’s raw, self-shot footage with videos and voiceovers submitted by fellow racers. The result is a multi-narrative exploration of connection, solitude, and the emotional complexity of pushing past perceived limits.
Through sweeping landscapes and moments of quiet reflection, Beyond the Dots turns its lens on the often-overlooked human element of endurance sports. Viewers follow not just the route, but the shifting psychological terrain of its participants. Visual aids like 3D topographic maps, elevation data, weather overlays, and real-time GPS positions help orient audiences unfamiliar with the geography or the demands of the race.
Rancourt, who has spent more than two decades in the cycling world—from trials and enduro to cross-country and now ultra-distance—sees the film as both a culmination and a transition.
“This project closes one chapter for me,” he said, “but it also opens the door to something new.”
Early viewers have responded with praise, highlighting the film’s emotional depth and its central question: what drives people to embrace discomfort, risk, and isolation for days on end? Rancourt’s story, while grounded in the specifics of the Tour Divide, is framed to resonate far beyond the cycling community.
In tandem with the documentary release, Rancourt has launched a YouTube channel where he shares gear reviews, bikepacking tips, and behind-the-scenes content from the making of the film. He says he’s open to media collaborations and discussions about endurance sports, adventure filmmaking, and personal transformation.
For now, Beyond the Dots stands as both a love letter to long-distance riding and an invitation to reflect on the challenges—both internal and external—that define our most transformative journeys.
