Connor Simpson | Filmmaker

What is Round Trip?

Round Trip is a visceral essay-film series dedicated to educating and inspiring endurance athletes with day-long cycling epics reachable by public transit. Starting in Southern California, Round Trip unearths lesser-known routes full of natural beauty and opportunities to push the body, with the goal of eventually expanding to other areas of the globe.

The series will lean heavily into experimental and impressionistic directions, utilizing expressive guerilla-style shooting, avant-garde soundscapes, and words written by the riders themselves. This isn’t your traditional travelogue. Round Trip stands out from other documentary content by intimately exploring the revolving emotion and explorative headspace that comes with extreme endurance and adventure.

Who is this for?

We’re making this for people like us — cyclists and adventure-seekers looking to expand the reach of what’s possible in a day. Round Trip is about discovery, both in terms of exploring the untapped landscapes near your home and expanding the idea of what’s achievable in a single day. Using public transit as a criteria to build a route highlights sustainable practices to an already sustainable form of movement (cycling) while showcasing how accessible the natural wonders of Southern California really are.

Episode I: The San Bernardino Mountains

Shooting on March 17, 2025, the first episode begins at Los Angeles Union Station, where the riders will load up on the 6:40AM Metrolink train to Redlands. From here, they’ll clip in and start on their 116-mile journey (with 12,700 feet of elevation gain) through the gorgeous San Bernardino Mountains.
Route Map