Fiscal 2010 Fall Moab, Fruita Edition: The Video
A Note from Fatty: Meet Ted A, today’s Team Fatty Movember Model. I like this photo not only for the Mo Ted’s got started, but for the clues to his life he’s helpfully provided in the background. For example, the toolbox. And the beer. And the flowery curtains.
Says Ted, “Here’s the beginning of what promises to be an eye-popping marvel of bristly goodness.”
Indeed.
Fiscal 2010 Fall Moab, Fruita Edition: The Video
I love having a helmetcam. My VIO POV 1 makes it easy to get record hour upon hour of video (Disclosure: I have no relationship at all with VIO, and bought my VIO POV 1 on amazon.com, getting no special discount for it). I was tired of using the BMX brain bucket I bought as my first helmetcam mount, though, and last week bought a new helmet for the purpose.
Unfortunately, the positioning of the lens still needs a little tweaking. I can see that now. It points up a little too high, making it so it films too much sky. Which washes out a lot of the shots.
Still, I like this video. Especially since people seem to have become so used to the camera on my head they no longer think about it.
Leaving them free to dance in the parking lot without concern of whether it’s going to make the reel.
Yeah, it made the reel.
PS: This video surprised me in one way. I really, truly, and honestly remember there being a rock wall to my left when I crashed, but the video shows very clearly that there was actually no cliff to my left at all — the rock I hit with the left side of my handlebar was free-standing. It’s funny how inaccurate memory can be.
PPS: For those using iPhones or other non-Vimeo-using-browsers, I also uploaded a version of the video to Youtube, which you can see here — at least, until they pull it or strip the soundtrack.
PPPS: KanyonKris has made a good video too, with lots of footage from the first day’s ride, before I got there. See it here.
Comment by Bob P. | 11.12.2009 | 8:33 am
This was loads of fun to watch (and to listen to).
Comment by SYJ | 11.12.2009 | 8:35 am
Phenominal video. I spent a long time in Vegas and convinced myself that desert riding was doubleplusungood. This (and riding gooseberry) has me rethinking that position. However, I must say that I find the cognitive dissonance between the images of rocky trail and oh-soooo-smooth video to be wildly disconcerting. I mean, I know you’re good, but c’mon!
PS, killer mo, Ted
You’re absolutely right about the smoothness of the video being unrealistic. Once I’ve put the video together and have put it to music, I have iMovie run its video stabilization feature, which takes a few hours for even a short video like this. While it’s not true to how the video actually recorded, it’s much less hurl-inducing to watch. – FC
Comment by Tommy F | 11.12.2009 | 8:45 am
Better than caffeine this early in the morning…
Comment by TomE | 11.12.2009 | 8:47 am
Wait….you cut off Michael Jackson!!!!
Fun times indeed Fatty. My shoulder hurts just from watching you crash in “first person”.
Comment by Mikeonhisbike | 11.12.2009 | 8:53 am
In the words of Napoleon Dynamite(said with eyes closed) “That video was flippin sweet”. I loved the Michael Jackson bonus feature at the end.
Comment by Cyclin' Missy | 11.12.2009 | 9:00 am
That looks like an absolutely amazing ride!
I’m planning to do the Iceman Cometh race next November in northern Michigan. It’ll be my first mountain bike event. There may be snow, but no mountains to fall off of!
Comment by DanBike | 11.12.2009 | 9:19 am
Any chance you could provide a list of the trails you rode (specifically the ones in this video)? My buddy and I went out to Fruita a couple of weeks ago and the trails we rode weren’t nearly as sweet looking as these… I feel like we got gypped.
Comment by Jason | 11.12.2009 | 9:21 am
Awesome video.. But, holy cow – 600 large for the cam. I was thinking of getting a camera to show my boring Florida rides – but 600 may be pushing the WAF envelope. I may have to live vicariously through your videos.
Yeah, it’s crazy-expensive. There are a lot of new helmetcams coming out from different manufacturers now, though, and I think you could probably get a nice setup for your helmet for a lot less money. http://www.helmetcamcentral.com is a good resource / place to shop for most of the helmetcam brands out there. – FC
Comment by GenghisKhan | 11.12.2009 | 9:29 am
Nice video, nice soundtrack–what was the trail again?
Comment by Rose | 11.12.2009 | 9:38 am
Loved, loved, loved this! You guys look like you had a blast and those trails are incredible. Thanks for sharing!
Comment by axel in texas | 11.12.2009 | 9:39 am
cool video – crashes, stunts, dancing.
Good thing I get to ride the Barton Creek Trail in about 2 hours, or I would get trail envy…
Comment by cece | 11.12.2009 | 9:51 am
Fantastic video! It might temp this roadie girl to take up dirt! Cute scenery…not the mountains! LOL.
Cece
Comment by KanyonKris | 11.12.2009 | 10:25 am
Fantastic video, Elden!
Kenny’s big smile after almost making that climb, with us cheering him on, defines the joy of mountain biking with friends.
I submit I was the funkiest of the Jacksonettes, until Kenny upstaged me.
Seeing your crash again brought back a little flash of panic. I was just riding along and heard a terrible sound – looked up to see you and your bike falling. You were in serious pain there, but very glad to eventually realize you weren’t seriously injured.
Comment by KanyonKris | 11.12.2009 | 10:36 am
Trails list (best I can determine):
Friday – Kokopelli area: Horsethief Bench (out and back on Mary’s Loop)
Saturday – Tabeguache (Lunch Loops) area: up Eagles’ Wing, over to and down Gunny’s Loop, up Miramonte (?), down Holy Cross to the parking lot (via Curt’s, I think I saw a sign).
18 Road area – up Prime Cut, down Kessel Run
Sunday – Kokopelli area: Out on Mary’s, counterclockwise on Steve’s Loop, back on Mary’s, finish with Wrangler.
http://www.gjmountainbiking.com/
Comment by Brandon | 11.12.2009 | 10:38 am
Nice video once again. Fun to watch what we rode on video, while not trying to figure out how to get down or up some of the stuff.
Comment by dug | 11.12.2009 | 10:47 am
my favorite thing about the video is that after you fell, your shadow made it look like ET had been our riding his bike with a bunch of friends.
Comment by Zoonhollis | 11.12.2009 | 11:00 am
One of the more enjoyable MTB videos I’ve seen. You guys appear to know precisely how to have fun.
Comment by Clydesteve | 11.12.2009 | 11:07 am
ET is has some serious cycling skills. But I think he usually floats over the obstacles.
Comment by SYJ | 11.12.2009 | 11:12 am
Fatty – I figured it was some sort of technical trickery (thought it was the camera that did it, actually). I hope that didn’t come across as undue criticism…I totally dig the floating effect.
No, it didn’t come across as undue criticism at all. It came across as an interesting and astute observation, and it gave me a chance to talk about what I do when I make the videos. The steadicam effect makes what would otherwise be a jerky, hard-to-watch video pretty easy on the eyes. It’s definitely worth the time (and sometimes some increased graininess in the video). – FC
Comment by Jenny-Jenny | 11.12.2009 | 11:57 am
Great MOVIE! I especially like the bonus feature at the end!
Comment by Brandy | 11.12.2009 | 11:57 am
A) your friends are weird, but cool.
B) best soundtrack you have used so far !!
Great Vid fatty!
Comment by GJ Jackie | 11.12.2009 | 12:59 pm
Yahoo! The video was worth the wait. We riders in Grand Junction are super-proud of all the awesome new singletrack trails in the Tabagauche (Lunch Loop) area. It’s amazing what can be done when COPMOBA, the BLM and volunteers partner up. Where else do you get to squeeze past large boulders, ride over ledgy terrain on the side of a cliff, then hit smooth flowing desert track? These trails are FUN!
Comment by Dave H | 11.12.2009 | 1:20 pm
Always love the videos! Keep ‘em coming!
Dude, the MO is EPIC! you should keep it!
Dave
Comment by MattC | 11.12.2009 | 1:21 pm
Holey Schmoley! You have VIDEO STABILIZATION Software? (didn’t know it existed!) Crap….I have a cheap helmet cam…and the video I made of the San Jose LiveStrong ride was SO HORRIFIC that I thought it was a total piece of junk and never looked at it again. Completly unwatchable. THAT changes everything! (I thought your cam was so unbelievably cool and smooth that it must have Image Stabliization built into it). Not that your cam is a total Ferarri as compared to my VW Thing…I’m not convinced that the software will be able to help my cheesy cam tho. Will have to research this. Nice vid btw…epic weekend for sure. So jealous that I can barely stand it.
Comment by Jeff | 11.12.2009 | 1:22 pm
Anybody else think that Ted (today’s mo model) and Michael Phelps are long-lost relatives or something?
Comment by Paula | 11.12.2009 | 1:43 pm
So, how do you keep from getting hopelessly lost? Do you carry a trail map when you ride or do you have a GPS (if so, which one?)
Comment by Tommy F | 11.12.2009 | 1:54 pm
Just got my first Fat Cyclist jersey. It rocks! Good thing I’ve lost 25 pounds because it’s probably the smallest “Large” jersey I own.
Comment by John | 11.12.2009 | 1:55 pm
hey jeff,
you wouldn’t ask that question if you saw Ted with his shirt off….. ; )
just sayin’
(i’ve known him since we were 14; had to bust his b@lls!)
Comment by buckythedonkey | 11.12.2009 | 2:22 pm
Good sounds! Not many 26″ bikes left in your group (at least one very well ridden one though).
Comment by 100poundsago | 11.12.2009 | 3:16 pm
Rage Against The Machine….nice choice of tunes.
Comment by Kate | 11.12.2009 | 3:29 pm
Completely unrelated, but…
Finally got around to watching Julie and Julia yesterday at the cheap theatre, and couldn’t help buy crack up repeatedly every time Stanley Tucci came onscreen…
*snicker snicker It’s Elden! snicker snicker*
Comment by Spiff | 11.12.2009 | 4:13 pm
From this reader’s perspective, the helmetcam was definitely worth the $$$ you spent on it. Keep the videos coming!
Comment by Jeff | 11.12.2009 | 6:49 pm
Consider me inspired. I need to go find some singletrack.
Comment by justrun | 11.12.2009 | 9:30 pm
Is it wrong that that trail makes me want to go for a run?
Comment by co | 11.12.2009 | 10:14 pm
the camera angle’s not too high. it’s what a non-rider would see, rather than watching the wheel hit the road. it’s disconcerting not seeing what one’s about to hit, but definitely passenger-view, which is what makes for a good video.
Comment by Jarred | 11.12.2009 | 10:21 pm
What trails were those? I haven’t been to Fruita, want to go, and those trails looked like ideal ones to hit. Thanks for the video!
Comment by sarah | 11.12.2009 | 11:37 pm
man, now i want to go ride some dirt in colorado! i guess i’ll have to content myself this weekend with an office park in brisbane, california. thanks for sharing!
Comment by Shiny Flu | 11.13.2009 | 4:26 am
Great Vid!
Comment by Kitty | 11.13.2009 | 6:43 am
Hi Fatty,
I have been a silent reader for at least a year. Only commenting once or twice to leave you well wishes , mostly because I am not a cyclist.
I’m not much of anything other then a couch potato but not for long. I want to be a cyclist and I was wondering if you had any advice. Where do I begin? I’m a 31 yr old female. Former athlete whom is terribly out of shape at this time.
My current bike is about 10yrs old and has been ridden approximately once a year. The seat is uncomfortable. It is in good shape so I think I can get by with it for a while.
So where does a fat chick begin? And what are any pit falls I should know about?
Thanks in advance, Kitty
Comment by cece | 11.13.2009 | 7:20 am
Hi Kitty! I know you are writing to Fatty…but I could not resist responding. Just make a beginning. Make a start and get off the couch. Take it slow. make a plan and set reasonable goals for youself. I think that is how we all began. Check out my blog and links to Team Clydesdale and Stepping Beyond. With hard work, blood sweat and tears we can do it…and we can support each other through the process!
Cece
PS.
Got my Fatty gear yesterday and love the secret message in the back pocket…
Comment by Powerful Pete | 11.13.2009 | 7:59 am
Excellent video. Almost makes me want to take up mtb-ing… ;-)
Comment by Powerful Pete | 11.13.2009 | 8:00 am
Excellent video. Almost makes me want to take up mtb-ing… ;-)
Comment by Rose | 11.13.2009 | 10:42 am
Cece – there’s a secret message?! Now I can’t wait to get home and look.
Comment by Brian Sherry | 11.13.2009 | 10:52 am
Fantastic – I need to go west apparently as that looks like more fun than a barrel full of monkeys – and everyone knows how fun that is
Comment by MattC | 11.13.2009 | 11:06 am
And Fatty….to bust your chops a tiny bit (irt yesterdays post…cuz it just occured to me)…COTS? You sleep on COTS?? You call THAT camping? What…do you have somebody make your bed and turn down the sheets too? Leave a little mint maybe?? (sorry…couldn’t resist).
Comment by Freedom | 11.13.2009 | 12:00 pm
I’ve ridden a lot of places. A lot of very fine places. Vermont, Arizona, CA to name a few highlights…fruita, by your video, looks to blow my whole frame of reference away.
I am envious now, not just of your outstanding quiver of bikes, or your local trails, or even your compassion and motivation to get things done, but now of your trip to fruita.
Thank you for the introduction, nice to meet fruita, even online, goal accepted and will follow up asap!!!
Road trip? I hope so!!!
Comment by Haven (KT) | 11.13.2009 | 4:30 pm
Kitty, I’ll add to what cece has said.
Start off easy. Don’t plan a 25-mile ride over hill and down dale right off the bat, it will only discourage you.
My first serious ride in my adult life was a ride from my house to my office– about 5 miles, somewhat hilly at the start. I thought I would never make it to the office. That was 5 or 6 years ago. I now own 2 bikes and love commuting by bike and doing long recreational rides, and charity rides, and “going to see the Christmas Lights” rides and what not. My legs got stronger, my body got used to the physical act of riding, and while I still struggle up some hills, it’s not nearly as bad as it was in the beginning– and I was WAY out of shape.
Your confidence will increase the more you ride, the key thing is to just get started.
Comment by asmathews | 11.13.2009 | 9:31 pm
The video was great. I loved the dance sequences. Put a big smile on my face. Thanks Fatty!
Comment by ryant | 11.13.2009 | 9:47 pm
Hey Elden, that was great! Ryan had SO much fun, thanks for letting him go with you guys! You are all hilarious…I’m hoping to come next time and ride in a sidecart =)
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