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THE MISSION
To help mountain bike communities around the country form partnerships with their local land managers.
Our sport has seen a significant shift in the way mountain biking and trail development are contributing to communities. Towns that once relied on booming local economies, often driven by industry and manufacturing, are now turning to tourism and outdoor recreation as a way of reinventing themselves and creating a healthy future. This documentary is a story of success, examining multiple paradigms that span local and national levels, and the effort it takes to create a “Biketown”. These different scenarios can provide a road map to help guide communities around the globe to similar prosperity. This film and multimedia project delivers a message of hope and sheds light on the unique partnerships responsible for a new era in outdoor recreation.
THE IMPACT
In partnership with FreeHub Magazine, we created Biketown to entertain, educate and inspire. We set out to raise awareness for nonprofit trail advocacy and help generate $100,000+ in donations via crowdfunding and live events. This multimedia campaign directed resources into trail development, stewardship and access for more riders throughout the United States and beyond.
Through in-person screenings, a digital campaign, earned media, and a print campaign the film has reached all corners of the United States and the story told on screen has helped drive real impact in developing trail communities.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS (12/13/22)
482,000+ Total Video Views
865,000+ Total Audience Reach
3,287,024 Impressions
Awarded Vimeo ‘Staff Pick”
44 Screening Events with 4,400+ in attendance
$96,000+ Raised for nonprofit trail advocacy organizations
THE APPROACH
Over a two year process we worked to develop this film from the ground up that highlighted the voices of trail advocates and land managers that are choosing to find ways to work together despite a somewhat turbulent past. Through casting and our creative development process we chose to focus on four communities across the country that exemplified the challenges of developing a mountain bike community. From there, we continued to work through pre-production, production, and post-production to continue to refine our story.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Valley Off-Road Bicycling Association in San Benito, TX
We had a successful event, and received 10 new registrations for our IMBA local chapter, VORBA! The film was well-received and really reflected the challenges and success we have gone through in our own community. Thanks for sharing this awesome video and marketing resources. This really filled a need in our growing MTB community!”
AccessForBikes Foundation in Mill Valley, CA
It was an amazing experience all around. The film was well done and I loved the message about community. I was able to wrap that into a speech at movies end. The crowd loved it. Our venue host, Proof Lab, donated $4 of every beer sale so that added to the revenue. I would do this again if the opportunity came about.
Evergreen MTB Alliance in Wenatchee, WA
The showing of the film in Wenatchee was a smashing success. The film is great; very well done! We estimated approx 100 people in attendance. We raised 18k for our Central Evergreen chapter! Approx 8k directly from the event: tickets, beer, raffle. And the remaining 10k through donation! Thank you for the opportunity and all the work you guys put into the film and for benefiting the broader mountain bike community through it!
Directed
Brandon Watts Cole Heilborn
Produced
Brandon Watts Cole Heilborn Jon Grinney
Executive Producer
Jon Grinney
Director of Photography
Spencer Astra
Edited
Liam Tangum
Liz Astra
Spencer Astra
Additional Cinematography
Chris Grundberg
Harrison Mendel
Hiram Stelzig
Joey Schusler
Scott Calvert
Aerial Cinematography
Dennis Minor
Michael Dyrland
Nathan Harris
Photographers
Brett Rothmeyer
Eric Mickelson
Oliver Parish
Riley Seebeck
Grip
Lincoln Humphry
Additional Editors
Brandon Garcia
Liz Astra
Post-Production Sound Design by
Jeffrey Yellen
William Berridge
Post-Production Color by
John Rogers
Archive Footage Coordinator
Jake Warren
Archive Footage Supplied By
Brad Walton
Chris Mellick
Critical Past
David Waugh
Eric Brown
KOMO News
Pete Kero
Shutterstock
SRAM Corporation
Taylor Sage
Catering
Arica Venti
Let’s get started.