When it comes to New Zealand's greatest athletes, the name Harry Watson may not be a familiar one - but a film about his 1928 race in the Tour de France premieres in Christchurch tonight.
It stars the celebrity host of The Amazing Race and is described as an eye opening reproduction of a gruelling, exhausting 26-day ride, thousands of kilometres long - retracing the same path they took for the 1928 Tour de France.
Phil Keoghan is leading the journey, inspired by the 1920s Christchurch cyclist Harry Watson.
"I really believe that it's about pushing yourself to the other borders of suffering and discomfort that you really find out who you are," said Keoghan.
Watson raced in 1928, when only 41 of the 161 riders crossed the finish line.
The pain is made harder by the authentic heavy vintage bicycles the riders use.
"My bike feels like it's going to blow to bits," one rider exclaimed.
"They're heavy, the brakes were horrible, my right shoe is worn out from helping me stop at times. Because we pull on our brakes full on and our bikes could still be going," added another.
The film debuts in Watson's hometown and in front of his family tonight.
"We're all really looking forward to it, there's about 18 of us going. It's a bit of a family occasion to get us all together," said Guy Noble, Watson's grandson.
Le Ride is playing at the 2016 New Zealand International Film Festival.
Newshub.
