On the Up

A meditation on sacrifice, ambition and friendship, On the Up follows pro cyclists Sarah Sturm, Alexis Skarda and Ellen Campbell as they prepare for the 2024 Leadville Trail 100 MTB race in Colorado, one of the most formidable off-road events in the world.

Leadville – known as the Race Across the Sky – was established in 1983 and is ridden at extreme altitude. 2024 is the first year Leadville has had a separate women’s start, a historical moment captured by the film.

Featuring music made by Alexis whilst on location, using sampled sounds from her bike and the trails and the natural habitat of Colorado, On the Up discusses the highs and lows of competitive cycling, and the unique approaches of these three athletes.

This sport isn’t just about physical movement. The mechanics of it are more than the training and racing. Of course it’s the mountains, the adrenaline, the effort and competition. But it is also about connecting, learning and discovering what you are capable of – bike racing can be the nucleus for a universe of growth.