Cross Country bike documentary

[Strider01]

We've had the unique opportunity of being in the cross
country bike industry as well as the documentary film
industry for the last few years.  Recently, we
released a documentary covering the ride of the
Northern Tier and the West Coast.  After looking
around, we really couldn't find any other films on
cross country biking, so we decided to put one out.  
The film, 'Share the Road: Tales from a Band of Gypsy
Bikers' captures every part of a long distance cycling
trip including amazing and diverse scenery, the people
you meet, the friends you make, the challenges you
face, huge hills, and the amazing lifestyle of living
day to day on a bike.
We're interested in how people like the film, and how
their trips relate to story we pieced together.  So
please hit us up with feedback.  You can check out
more information and a trailer to the film at
www.CirqueVideo.com

[expectspandex]

I am interested in making a very low-budget documentary film similar to "Share the Road." I am planning a transamerica trip for this coming summer, and the trailer for your film has inspired me. I don't know a lot about film, but I am willing to learn in order to create a piece that documents my trip. I don't have very much money and was thinking about writing for a grant. Do you have any suggestions? I really enjoy the short film clip on your webbsite, and I plan on watching the full length film soon. I would appreciate any words of wisdom you have to offer.

[biker_james]

I bought the video of Share the Road, and I have to say its a real Love/Hate thing. I love seeing people out there doing the type of riding I enjoy, and which as you point out, only others who do the same can ever get it. However, I hate the fact that I'm not out riding, and that I will only have 3 weeks holidays for our annual bike tour, so instead of going right across Canada, we will do another section (Thunder Bay to Montreal , I believe)and then come back to reality. Maybe I'll create my own video memories-we picked up a camcorder this year. I just need to figure out how to mount it on the bike to get the footage while riding.

[TheDaltonBoys]

Biker James - Skydivers use helmet mounted video cams and we're not talking heavy motorcycle Bell helmets either especially given the compactness of todays units.  Just a thought. Also have seen some pictures (Adventure cycling Magazine) where a still camera was mounted on a trailer....pretty unique angle.  enjoy the voyage.....Mark of the Dalton Boys

[sccr2337]

Jeez, $24 for an hour long DVD.  

[sccr2337]

Ok, I watched the trailer, it looks cool so I bought it.  It is still really expensive though.

[Lucky13]

>>We're interested in how people like the film>>

Frankly, I didn't care much for the trailer. It may be a generational thing.
If I were much younger, then I could possibly feel different about it.

Also, the audio track left me cold. I am not at all surprised that a small
dose of vulgarity was added to the mix.

[sccr2337]

Lucky,

I liked it but I am exactly the demographic they are shooting for.  23 years old, college grad, adventure seeker, yada yada.  I liked the music to it and when they said something funny I cracked up, while my Dad (59) thought it was unfunny and boring.

I dont want to tell you if you would like it or not, but from your post, I would have to guess that you wouldnt really enjoy it.  Of course the scenary is beautiful and it will get you pretty pumped to get on your bike and go somewhere.  

Overall I liked it, and all my roommates liked it, but we are all 23 years old.  I can definatly see how a different generation may not like the humor and music, but the dvd is very well done and entertaining.

[Lucky13]

>>Overall I liked it, and all my roommates liked it...>>

Fair enough.

Sometimes, I wish I were 20 years old again. At other times, I'm glad that
I am not so young.

Anyway...

[capejohn]

I purchased a copy of the documentary and found it very entertaining. The  music, especially the cello, was a nice touch.I have two questions.

1. Is the music available on a cd

2. A couple of comments in the 2005 summer ride with the NC group gave the impression there may be a documentary about that trip. Yes?

I had company from Toronto this past weekend and showed the movie.  The reviews were all great. If there is another, I am a definite customer.

$25 is not "that" bad. Everyone should keep in perspective that we are not dealing with a major distributor who can mass market its' product.

This message was edited by capejohn on 3-7-06 @ 7:23 AM

[sccr2337]

You are right, $25 is not that bad.

But you have to consider what I said in my reply

23 years old + 3 roommates + just graduated from college + on a message board in the middle of the day = UNEMPLOYED

$25 is my food budget for a week!

[theyesride]

Hey man, we have created a cross country bike ride to end global
poverty.  The ride is on the northern tier of the US.  

We already have everything set up for the ride, where we are staying,
meals, the ride is fully supported so no one has to carry any gear, and
we have a support van.

Id love to talk about you making a documentry about a bunch of
college students cycling across America to end poverty.

For more information about our ride go to www.yesride.org

Feel free to call or email me anytime

Chris Markl
Project Coordinator
The Yes Ride
chris@yesride.org
904-476-0277
www.yesride.org

[vanlyle]

My husband and I are planning a cross country tour on the Lewis and Clark and Northern tier this summer and so I bought the DVD for his birthday.  We really enjoyed it and we are probably not the "target" audience.  (I am 50 and he is 62.)  We do have  children that are in their 20's, but we still enjoyed the humor and the happy go lucky atmosphere in the movie.  My husband wanted to find a way to leave now, but we decided that it might be cold crossing the mountains in Idaho.  It was great to see the different experiences and equipment that people use while riding on tours.  Thank you for a great chance to get some more information about our next adventure and a way to increase our excitment about it.

This message was edited by vanlyle on 3-28-06 @ 8:09 AM

[rtwbikerider]

This subject interests me because I produced a DVD of my round-the-world trip in 2001-2002, mostly for the benefit of friends and family. Judging by the trailer, the post-production that these guys put into their DVD looks very professional, very well done. They shot it well also.

If I were to undertake a similar trip now, I would use a Sony HDR-HC1 hi-def camcorder, a helmet-cam (like Viosport's), a wireless FM lavalier mic, and a very light, full-size tripod. A wide angle lens adaptor is helpful when shooting in cities. Mini-DV tape is cheap, so shoot lots of it. When you get home, you can decide what's worthy of inclusion in your DVD.

Remember, your camcorder can also be used to shoot the digital stills for your website, and as a web-cam for video-conferencing (check out Microsoft's Portrait software for Pocket PC's). It's amazing what we can now do with a few pieces of equipment that fit easily in most handlebar bags.

[2010]

23 years old and unemployed? The Army/Navy/Marines/Air Force/Coast Guard are hiring! Plus you get paid to exercise! Time to give back to the nation... Just an old VN Vet, with outdated ideas.