To fully understand the extent of this film, it's probably best to be fluent in the language of mountain biking and everything that entails. Given that some people may not have enjoyed the characters involved and their attitudes that came with, it's easy to see that this documentary can be misjudged from an outsider. For starters, there are only a handful of riders in the world who can navigate a mountain bike down one of these virgin trails. Adding front flips and scrubbed jumps at 40+ mph into the mix ups the adrenaline ten fold. A film that captures less than 120 minutes of condensed footage from over two years of planning and shooting is not going to be your accurate portrayal of a man's travels. When sitting at home and watching this movie from the comfort of your surroundings, it's easy to forget that many of the tricks performed could result in fatal injuries. For athletes that have experienced endless crashes and pain, it's necessary to act quick in order to prevent major damage. The same way a situation is handled on a football field or a basketball court, these riders must pay careful attention to their bodies and how they've reacted to tumbles. After all, these men are paid to mountain bike around the world, whether its racing or pleasure. There's no future if you're in a wheelchair for the rest of your life.
For a mountain biking documentary, there are few films that have ever approached this level of commitment and direction. Jeremy Grant doesn't rush any of the scenes, and he provides plenty of great cultural scenes in between the action. For those who have never experienced mountain biking firsthand, this seems to be a great introduction to the sport. I was fortunate to catch this movie in theaters here in Atlanta, as part of the Atlanta Film Festival. Many of the audience members were vocal about their mountain biking ignorance, yet all were pleasantly surprised with the movie itself. It's hard to ignore the human accomplishment that this film captures, both in the success of the riders and their interaction with differing cultures.
