Episode eight: 64 days - part 3

Episode Eight: 64 Days - Part 3 from mike ambs on Vimeo.

so this is episode 8. initially we planned on making this 3 parts. first the story of our break-up, followed by the story of our relationship, and ending with the decision for me to continue working on pedal. a few days ago we decided to end it after the 2nd part. mostly because it was getting too long. we plan on adding the 3rd part to a future episode, most likely episode 9.

i have to say that mike and i are both very worried about this episode. i am normally pretty shy and get very awkward in front of the camera.. and although i have a lot of face time in this episode, that's not what i'm worried about. i'm happy to say.. after this episode, i think i'm finally starting to get over that and warm up to the camera. i'm pretty happy with my camera time and our voice overs. so, no.. that's not what worries me.

i can't speak for mike and i'm not sure exactly what his worries are, probably something like, people won't like this episode as much as the last two. but for me, i think of this episode as the story of one of the most important times in my life and i just want it to be perfect, and i don't think that it is. i'm afraid it was rushed, i'm afraid things were over looked, i'm afraid it might be boring.

so.. that's that. i hope i'm wrong. i look forward to your honest comments.

Episode Seven: 64 Days - Part 2

As always, we'd love to hear your feedback - it will help greatly in deciding what questions to answer and in what order. Thanks for watching. Digg this episode here.

Note: If you'd like to watch this episode in 1280x720 HD, click here :)

Episode Six: 64 Days - Part 1

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64 days was the exact length of Pedal's production, the number of days we were out on the road. It feels really exciting to be releasing episodes again, I've been editing and filming the last few nights till 5 in the morning, and although it's been hell on my cold, I've had a blast doing it.

I'm anxious to get started on part 2 - when Amanda and I originally began writing the production related episodes, we were expecting to fit everything into 3 cuts. But that doesn't look to be the case any longer - we're finding we have a lot more to say, and many different layers of the whole experience to cover.


We'd love to hear your feedback - it will help greatly in deciding what questions to answer in what order. Thanks for watching.

Note: If you'd like to watch this episode in 1280x720 HD, click here :)

Special thanks to: Angela for her footage of our last dinner home - and to Justin and Amanda for helping operate the camera.

Episode Five: May 26th

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Special thanks to Jeff Pulver, Kelly Russell, Tricia & Tim, Erica Hampton, Dawn Caron and Charmaine Ruppolt for their generous donations.

tags: pedal, documentary, indie, vlog, blog, bicycle, coast-to-coast, community, funding

Episode Four: This is it, Two months left...

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The idea of Project Pedal came about, thanks to Amanda, almost exactly four years ago - and for the last three years, I've been pouring myself into it with my fair share of difficulties along the way.

But thanks to the encouragement of close friends, family and the readers/viewers of this site - I've always picked myself up and kept trying when things dead-ended with Pedal.

I can't imagine where I would be without this site and without everything it has directly been instrumental in sending my way. My amazing crew, the Black Sheep... the professional advice and support of Matt... the much needed and much appreciated relationships with total strangers who've stumbled onto this site in there own ways.

I've learned so much in the last three years, and if I had any advice to pass on to people reading - it would be, whatever your passion or personal project may be, don't go it alone. Start a blog, and be as transparent and inclusive as possible.

I'm excited about these last two months and the two that will follow - I can't wait for the trip to come. I'm nervous. I'm excited. "Breath in pink, exhale blue". There's a lot of details to get into place - but... this is it, two months left. Here we go.

Pedal's 'Episode One' is a finalist in the Flux iPod Film Festival! Please take a moment to vote here. Thanks!

tags: pedal, documentary, indie, vlog, blog, bicycle, coast-to-coast, community, network2, blip.tv, the black sheep, the flux, von 2007

Episode Three: Casting Call (or: Hello, my name is...)

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Hopefully you've watched Episode Two, and have a basic understanding of "how" the relationship between bikers and crew will function.

Here's what we are looking for: A small group of bicyclists - already planning to ride coast to coast (west to east), preferably along Adventure Cycling's Northern Route, during the months June & July of this year.
The less money you have as a group: the better. The more you are fundamentally opposed to staying in hotels and hitching rides: the better.

So, how does this work? Easy - simply introduce yourself. You can do this by sending an email. You can write a blog post and leave a link in the comments of this site. You can use your friend's camera to post a video on Blip.tv, Revver or YouTube. Contact us through Pedal's mySpace.

Be creative. This process is simply an introduction. The more you include - the better for starting a conversation.

The deadline for introductions is May 1st.

(Note: I should make it clear that Pedal is not a safety net... meaning Pedal will not be financially involved or supportive in anyone's travels. We are merely searching for people who are comfortable in being tailed - as unobtrusively as possible, of course.)

Special thanks to Angela from BlackCatInc.blogspot.com & Tiff from TheFemGeek.com for their generous donations.

tags: pedal, documentary, indie, vlog, blog, bicycle, coast-to-coast, community, funding

Episode Two: Logistics

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The large majority of questions "slash" concerns (from people after watching Episode One) dealt with Pedal's exact process, and in relation to this; the exact results. 1) Who are we following? 2) Who are we interviewing? 3) Are we driving, or also riding bicycles? 4) How long will this take?

Which brings us to "episode two" - where I do my best to answer these questions as clearly as possible, while walking through what's to be expected during filming. As always I love to hear your feedback!

Special thanks to Len from LenEdgerly.com & Steve from SleeplessNights.com for their generous donations.

tags: pedal, documentary, indie, vlog, blog, bicycle, coast-to-coast, community, drawing, episode

From the beginning: Episode one

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This vlog marks the beginning - the roots of Pedal's inspiration, and its upcoming monthly video-podcast. I treated this cut as if I were starting from scratch, I wanted to explain what this project means to me, what to expect during filming, as well as after, and what I hope to achieve in the end.

I'd love to hear your feedback, your questions, comments, confusions - they will greatly help me in shaping the next episode (and in not getting ahead of myself).

tags: pedal, documentary, indie, vlog, blog, bicycle, coast-to-coast, inspiration