Uphill Climb: the Untold Story of Women Cyclists Who Compete in 1980s Tour de France
At DeFeet, we are passionate about participation and growth of women in cycling, as well as the art of filmmaking. When we learned of an upcoming documentary that is about women in cycling, we were very excited. For those of us at DeFeet who were following racing in the early 1980s, these events still feel very recent. Back then it was anything but easy to get information about what was happening in the Tour de France, men or women. Each day began with a scan of the results page in the sports section of a major newspaper with the hopes that it would include stage placings and an overall General Classification from the previous day.
Produced by women filmmakers, the independent film Uphill Climb: The Women Who Conquered The Impossible Race is a documentary of the original 1984—1989 Tour de France Féminin. Slated to premiere in Spring 2023, Uphill Climb tells the untold story of the female competitors, why the race stopped, and how, decades later, that race paved the way for the triumphant return of women’s professional cycling to the Tour with the 2022 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Italian superstar Maria Canins celebrating her yellow jersey flanked by Jeannie Longo (l) and American Inga Thompson wearing the polka dot Queen of the Mountains jersey
“The women who raced the Tour de France Féminin in the 1980s were not only world-class cyclists, they were pioneers. We are thrilled to support Uphill Climb so this incredible story will be told to the world,” said Shane Cooper, DeFeet founder and CEO.
“These women rode for the true love of sport, and their stories of racing the hardest courses in the world under brutal conditions will inspire a new generation of athletes,” said Uphill Climb Director Jill Yesko. “We are grateful that DeFeet shares our vision of celebrating the achievement of women cyclists of all ages at every level.”
“Incredible storytelling is fueled by partnerships like the one we are fortunate to have with DeFeet,” stated Executive Producer Allyson J. Davis. “The proceeds from this collaboration will further our efforts to have a positive impact on women’s cycling.” Uphill Climb connects the achievements of these heroic women to the present-day athletes they inspired, including the women of the newly-launched Tour de Femmes Avec Zwift.
The sock, a DeFeet Aireator® made from recycled water bottles, retails for $14.99. The Uphill Climb sock comes in two vibrant colorways and features a distinctive ombre design that will appeal to cyclists (click here to purchase). 100% of the proceeds from the sock sales will be donated to the production of the independent film, supporting Yesko and Davis’s mission to educate people about the fearless competitors of the 1980s and help advance women in sports.
Jeannie Longa and Inga Thompson are all smiles at the start of the 2022 Tour de Femmes Avec Zwift in Paris
Be a Part of Cycling History
100% of the proceeds from the sale of the Uphill Climb Aireators will be donated to the production. Join film Director Jill Yesko and Executive Producer Allyson J. Davis in bringing this film to the screen, so the stories of these courageous women can inspire future generations of cyclists.
*First 500 purchases receive a film credit. All purchasers will be named on the Uphill Climb website: www.uphillclimbfilm.com.
