You might think that by now, we are happily moving along with just editing. Flying through the hours of footage, picking nice shots and arranging them to music. Oh would I love to be at that point. Instead, we are returning phone calls, following up with e-mails and making new pitch videos to convince a few potential sponsors that this is worth the association with their company. For a sport that desperately needs exposure, you would think more people would be excited. Or at least find value in receiving an edited video from our footage for a minimal contribution to sponsor the film. We’re talking minimal, trust me. But if I had a rock, I’d have an easier time getting it to bleed than we are getting backing for this film. Add to that the best male mountain biker in America and his team are now all out of jobs (RLX has opted out of the cycling clothing line - poof, there goes the team) and GIANT won’t be fielding a team next year either. Adam, nice job getting on the podium at a European World Cup - the first American male to do so in about 10 years. Oh, BTW - you’re fired! Nice.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to hear, “Nice trailer but no thanks…”.
The frustration is now serving as fuel. But time is running out.

Point is, we are under the gun. So THANK GOD for those who have helped us. Thanks to SEVEN, KENDA, Crank Brothers and hopefully a few others.

The best thing to happen in the last week since returning from our shotgun trip through the West, Ken’s long-time friend Haik has agreed to score the music for the film. This guy is to music what MacGiver is to a Swiss-Army knife. Can’t wait to hear what he comes up with.

Ok, enough ranting from me. Back to work!
Photo is 2 weeks ago. Middle of the night, driving through Arizona, writing the script and navigating for Ken.

10.14

Man, each day we’ve worked hard and each day we get closer to wrapping the film. After leaving Dan’s place in Gunnison, we stopped a few blocks down and interviewed Susan DeMattei (sp?) since she is the only American to win an Olympic medal. Big thanks to her and Dave for giving us some time - they have 3 kids and are constantly on the go. Her interview went really well. Then we rolled out of town and made our way to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs to interview the head honcho of USA Cycyling, Gerard Besceglia. Gerard was a complete professional and showed an honest interest in taking ownership of the points debacle for the Olympic selection. He answered every question we threw at him and I think the viewer will appreciate hearing both sides of the story. I know I sure did. We left with a pair of new socks (thanks Steve!) and made our way to Boulder. We had not ironed out our accomidations and were quite broke. As we drove by a chi-chi looking hotel Ken said, “Someday I hope we’re getting paid enough to be staying at places like that…” We ended up doing even better. The TREK mechanic, Zack, who has been such a consimately nice guy from the day I met him, let us crash at his house. After a quick dinner with JHK and his fiance Heather, we got to Zack’s place and slept. For me it was the first night of true sleep without being medicated. My neck almost sent me home early on this trip and it made me pretty happy to be feeling better as it went along. I give Zack’s comfy futon and friendly atmosphere the credit. God it felt good to sleep.

Today we interviewed JHK for over 2 hours and he was a total champ about the entire process. His part in the film is going to be killer. Other than that, we got some promotional cards handed out to the local bike shops, had some lunch and left town. I was super happy to be heading home but definitely enjoyed my time in Boulder. Seemed like every person was outdoorsy and in great shape. Why the hell didn’t I goto college there??? Damn hindsight.

So now I’m sitting on a plane looking for a Jack & Coke to celebrate the trip. I only have Mary and Adam left to interview. Ken will take Sue and JB. Then we’re done. I hope.

Next stop, Martha’s Vinyard.
Photo is Ken and I poaching Todd’s wireless internet before leaving town.

10.12

Currently we are driving through Ouray, Colorado. It’s in the lower part of the state, just North of Durango. Not sure what you do for fun in Ouray but there are some serious cliffs surrounding the place. Ultra-sketch road coming here. Ken and I were both very gripped driving around corners w/no guardrails or shoulders, just a white line that falls off thousands of feet to the valley below. There’s a hot spring in Ouray but we don’t have time to stop. Our motivation is to get back down out of the mountains (we’re at 11,080 ft here) before the sun sets.

The last couple days have been great for the film. Yesterday we stopped in Cortez and interviewed John Tomac on his 700 acre farm. He was loading bales of hay and it was great texture for the shot. John had some great commentary and even showed us his bike-shed full of the original prototypes of Tomac frames. He seems like a very down-to-earth person and was gracious to give us some of his time. The aspens are in full peak of color. Blue skies and yellow dotted mountainsides have been a constant backdrop. Then we caught up with Todd Wells and his wife Meg in Durango. We shot Todd’s interview on the hillside of Fort Lewis College overlooking the town. Again, terrific scenery. We then had dinner with Todd and Meg at Steamers and crashed at Todds house. He’s really set up with a nice place right in town. I was surprised by how cool Durango seemed. It was one of the few places I’ve been that I knew instantly I could spend a lot of time in. With the Animas river cutting through the center of town offering killer fishing and kayaking and the surrounding mountains the potential for fun seemed huge. Healthy looking people there too, and very polite. Every stream Ken and I see we talk about the kayaking potential. I miss boating - been a long time that I’ve been out of my boat.

Today we woke up and drove to Elka’s killer house outside of town to catch up with Shonny. After a beautifully lit interview we all headed into town for lunch. Elka introduced us to a woman who is on the Durango Film Festival committee and she got us stoked to show the film in town. Next year for sure.

Now we’re heading out of Ouray towards Gunison to meet up with JHK’s mechanic Dan. Feels good to know we have a place to crash the next couple nights. If the weather holds, we’ll get more than we came for, and that’s a huge relief. USA Cycling called this morning and said they’d give us the interview we asked for so we’re really stoked about that as well. Should be a super productive trip. It’s just too bad there hasn’t been more time for riding - well, at least for Ken (I would have been able to at least score some killer fly-fishing in Durango). My neck is in really bad shape these days and I’ve been reduced to wearing one of those funny looking soft collars. I’ve ditching vanity for less pain, tho it doesn’t help much.

Ken, Alison and Greg before an “epic” in Moab. No riding for me.

Here I am, scared as hell, scoring a killer shot for - ??

Not sure what the Grand Canyon has to do with the movie but I got the shot…

Update from Todd’s place in Durango next….

Ok, sorry for the radio silence for so long. When I get a minute, I’ll update the photos section as the filming continues! After securing new sponsors at interbike (will post names pending paperwork getting signed) Ken and I headed East to the Grand Canyon then on to Moab to catch up with Alison Dunlap. Ken rode Moab today with Allison and her hucking-husband Greg. I took a hike up Mill Creek Canyon since I can no longer ride. My neck is in really bad shape from that car crash. Prognosis is looking bleak. But the film is looking GREAT. Will try to post photos tomorrow when we meet up with Todd and Shonny.

j