René Bail is considered to be both one of the originators of Direct Cinema and one of the first independent filmmakers in Quebec. In 1972 at the age of 40, he suffered a tragic motorcycle accident in which he sustained third degree burns over 65% of his body. A marginal and marginalized filmmaker, his work slid into oblivion. René Bail could have died in the generalized indifference if he had not, at the age of 71, met the filmmaker Richard Brouillette who encouraged him to complete his most important film, Les Désoeuvrés, shot in the 1950's. Adagio pour un gars de bicycle tells the story of René Bail's exceptional life, both past and present. Bail continued an active involvement with films, a life long passion, until his death in 2007.