24 Solo

Ahhh the good 'ol days...

Jason Berry — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 19:18:00 +0000

Days away from October
(this marks the first blog on www.jasonberry.com (coming soon) and the last blog for 24 Solo)

September came and went all too fast. My favorite month of the year started with the SM100 and will finish with my 20 Year high school reunion.
20 years? What the hell happened? This sort of thing always causes one to reflect so I'll briefly share a bit of my past since you might find it humorous. Cast your mind:

1987 (Pittsford, NY) was a time when it was considered funny to mock other ethnicities and Terrorism was a joke. Click on the photo to read the caption. Can't pull that crap these days...

I can't possibly make this stuff up. Oh how the times have changed.

1985, 10th grade. Lower right.
In an environment where everyone is scrambling for an identity, it's really no wonder I was mocked in those impressionable years of high school. The rich kids in my class spent their summers on the "Mustangs Travel Team" picking up soccer tips in Europe and subsequently played Varsity. Even tho I played soccer since I was 5 years old, I couldn't make it off the bench in JV. Pittsford Sutherland was always a contender for State Champions and only the best made the team. There wasn't a volleyball team (our lunchtime pressure release) so my sports career ended here. While the cool guys who did make it to Varsity soccer were smoking dope and popping ecstasy, Dave and I made the misatke of a lifetime thinking our ticket onto the Popular Train would be breakdancing.

This is from my locker - can you say "Identity Crisis"??? The ticket stub was my first concert - the Swatch Watch Fresh Festival in Niagara Falls. I got crushed against the stage so one of the Fat Boys pulled me aside and let me stand next to Run DMC. It was a big moment for me.

We were labeled "Breakers" and not in a nice way. One night Dave was determined to master the head-spin and after hours of practicing, woke up the next day completely immobile. He couldn't get out of bed for the next 48 hours. How can a couple of white kids, in Upstate New York, surrounded by farms, think breakdancing would do anything for their social life? Our reputation was set in concrete the night we took the stage after the cheerleaders in the big high school dance show (which was an evening event - so parents came too, packed auditorium, humiliation factor high). I don't think Sutherland was ready for 4 white kids bringing that much 'culture' into their hallowed halls (refer back to school newspaper above). Granted, this was 10th grade and truth be told we could dance well. We even went downtown to break with the brothers and got props. But for the love - Mom and Dad should have stepped in and told us to take the path of drugs.

From left to right - Steve Donnaly: Now owns an auto-body repair business, Dave Jewett: 2x World Champion Lumberjack with new kidney, Jason Berry: could not look more gay, Chris Wojiechowski: Advertising Executive

1986, 11th grade
In were rugby shirts with big white collars and anything with stripes. I got my left ear pierced. Still didn't work, now I was a "Gay Breaker". While any guy with an ounce of athletic ability and half-baked brain was earning points with the ladies by competing on the Downhill Ski Team, I was hiding away in art class painting lamborghini's... This is what watching too much Miami Vice gets you...

It is NOT surprising that I was a virgin until my 20's. If I had only stuck with this one sport I kinda dabbled in...

But no, instead I viewed the bike as a way to get around town (and in this photo, a way to get to Canandaigua Lake to renegade camp on some unsuspecting person's land and enjoy time away from high school and my job at Service Merchandise).

1987, Senior with bad mullet
I'm about to graduate and am looking forward to art college in Columbus Ohio which clearly showed my limited exposure to anything outside of Rochester. I had heard Columbus was a testing ground for Mall stores. That's about it. There was some big college there with a popular football team but I wasn't into football and that college was NOT Columbus College of Art & Design. Ohhh no. CCAD was a gritty little school in the ghetto struggling to make a name for its self against the industry giants like Rhode Island School of Design (my number one choice - and while I was accepted there was no way this kid could afford the $22,000 per year to attend). Since I had won a scholarship to CCAD the choice was made for me. So no cool name to tell people when they asked "what college are you going to?" and no cool girlfriend to bid adieu. No awards, newspaper clippings or big victories. I guess this was meant for later in life. And I guess this is why I took pleasure in saying 'goodbye Sutherland' in our front-page yearbook photo...

A closer look:

Luckily things finally got on track many years later. Since the last update I returned home to attend a fundraiser for Dave - it was days after the event while fishing with Dave, I realized I had not taken a single photo so I shot the only evidence of the event - a brand on my leg stating "Do It For Jewett".

Seconds later Dave hooked a sweet bass.

Dave is doing well - new kidney seems to be slow but getting up to speed.

So as I head back for my reunion, wish me luck. It's been a long, hard 20 years of living this shit down.

Almost Forgot

Jason Berry — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:41:00 +0000

There were many times I thought of my friend Chuck while I was out there. Many times I was asking him to appear and push my ass up the hill. And many times the pain in my legs shifted to the pain of knowing I'd never see him again. Sucks to lose a friend, but hopefully Chuck would have been stoked for me.

On another note, 24 Solo was named an "Official Selection" to the Taos Mt. Film Fest!!!

Validation, Detours and the start of Gripped

Jason Berry — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 18:59:00 +0000

(photos borrowed from friends, www.iplayoutside.com and www.jonathanbruckphotography.com)

8 years ago Ken Bell moved back to Harrisonburg, Va from Arlington where I had met him. He attended college at JMU and wanted to raise his budding family in that college town. Besides the ideal location for his family and business, there was an incredibly strong mountain biking community led by the guys who would eventually open the Shenandoah Bicycle Company. Along with a semi-pro endurance freak named Chris Scott and his fellow riders, the idea for a 100 mile mountain bike race was hatched and brought to fruition. Ken caught wind of this and somehow talked me into competing the second year it was held, September 2nd, 2000. Over the years it's amazing what Ken has talked me into - but I am lucky to have a friend who either believes so strongly in my abilities or simply enjoys watching me tackle all the crazed ideas he comes up with - either is fine by me. The results from that rainy September day can still be found on www.iplayoutside.com but you'll have to scroll down quite a bit to see my name at 144th place. Back then there were less than 200 riders competing but ironically Chris Eatough would beat us all. I had no idea how that race would alter the entire course of my life, let alone destroy my ability to walk, sit or ascend stairs for many days after it. It was the hardest thing I had ever done, physically - and I was hooked. The problem was and still is, I'm no endurance athlete. Hell I wasn't even a good cyclist. I think I had done less than a dozen mt. bike races and refused to own a road bike. I was one clueless kid way out of my league.

Who is this Chris Eatough guy??? 2000 winning time:7:12:00 My time: 12:54:00 sigh.

In 2001 I added a few more days of "training" before the event but fell victim first to a broken chain and then a smashed derailleur. I rigged it with a piece of inner tube and finished with 3 gears and only slightly better than the year before in 133rd place. I think the best part of it was being mentioned in the 2001 race review on www.iplayoutside.com by Meghan Ryan who rode with me for a bit. I was thrilled to be named among such talent ("...Iggy's friend Jason..."). Eatough again had smashed the field of 235 riders including team mate Jeremiah Bishop. Here began a strong desire to fit in with this crowd that so impressed me but clearly it was never going to come from my race results. I was a true wannabe.

E-tough wins again. Winning time:7:29:36

Will I ever break the 12-hour mark? 12:10:19

2002 arrived and after what I then considered "serious training" I figured I was ready to not only break 11 hours but go after the coveted "10 HOUR" mark - this is what separates the boys from the men. The rockstars from the wannabes. Well as lady luck would have it, I ruptured a disc in my neck about 2 weeks before the race in a nasty wakeboarding accident. Ken suggested I shoot the event and "make a little movie" out of it since I couldn't compete. Seemed like a good idea since I had just started filming and editing for ESPN and was trying very hard to cut my teeth in a new career path. From this came the first SM100 movie and Gripped Films was born.

In 2003 I bagged riding competitively (and instead kayaked almost 200 days) and looked forward to making another movie out of the event. This time I had Ken help me with shooting and in January of 2004 we rented the Court Square Theater to show the movie. What a feeling that was.

2 months after that screening my phone rang and it was Ken with yet another challenge for me. "Dude, you should make a movie about Jeremiah and Sue trying to make the Olympic Team. I dare you to do it." I took the dare and made "Off Road To Athens" with Ken's help. The problem with shooting all those mountain bikers in such cool locations was I longed to get back into racing shape however making movies and racing bikes do not go hand in hand. For 2 years I sat out the 100, focusing on the new career detour I was on. In 2006 amidst the making of "24 Solo" I again signed up for the SM100 and came with my gameface on. I was full of inspiration from Chris Eatough and egged on by the massive volley of trash with Jon Posner about how bad I'd spank him at the race since he had never done it before. I was the one who got spanked after suffering through massive mechanical issues with my bike as well as massive cramping issues with my legs. I finished 3 minutes SLOWER than I had back in 2002 and a full 2 hours behind Posner.

2006 gave me 12:13:36 of torture.

2007 was going to be my year. 24 Solo was wrapped up and I had no new projects gobbling my time. I dedicated myself to the bike and applied all the little bits of information I gleaned from the best mountain bikers in the US. I was logging more miles each week than I ever thought I could, riding centuries on the weekends, racing during the week and constantly in the back of my mind was the fear it wasn't enough. I knew that with such effort - I would either have a breakthrough day at the race or vow never to do it again. The thought of another 12 hour day - which is quite painful when you're cramping violently 3 hours in - kept me dedicated.

Race Day. September 4, 2007. Time to rise...
After a solid year of worrying, cursing, training, stewing and stressing it was here.
Waking up might be the hardest part of the day. 4:30am I laid in my tent knowing it was about to begin and my heart rate was already racing. 5:00am Chris Scott makes the rounds banging the same gong each rider gets to smack at race's end. Then the morons who think it's funny to play obnoxious death-metal at dawn fired up their amps and assaulted the campgrounds. Not far from kindergarten potty-humor are these idiots who help ruin the mood by adding violent tension to the already tense air. Like I needed that. I cooked up some eggs and pounded a mug of coffee. Before I knew it I was rolling up to the start line, nervous as hell.

Local legend and Sm100 veteran Paul Buschi greeted me on the front of a line 50 riders wide and 400 deep. He gave me a great compliment of, "You look fit, REALLY fit!" This reminded me that yea, I put my time in this year. I'm ready for this thing. Minutes before the start now. Heart rate thumping. Chris Eatough rolls up and squeezes in beside me. Like last year I smile big - good to have a friend there even if only for a few seconds. No sign of Floyd but I knew he was there somewhere. Deep breath. "2 Minutes!" Deeper breath. If you don't race it's hard to know what those 2 minutes feel like. Your mind goes a million miles an hour as you sit there trying to ready yourself. Waiting. All those hours and days and weeks of training. Wating. I shake Chris's hand, wish him well. Waiting. Will it go well? Will I have good legs today? Will I bonk and cramp? Will I crash? Will the bike hold up? Waiting.... "GO!!!!!!!!"

And we're off. I concentrated fully on navigating the sandy and gravely fire road out of the campground terrified I might crash and be run over by the heard so tightly packed in every direction. This is the definition of sketchy. Once we hit pavement I sighed with a smile. Goal #1 achieved. That's when I noticed how fast we were going. It's like vertigo - those around you are barely moving but when you look to the sides you're barreling down the road at 25mph. The race leaders were already out of the saddle sprinting ahead. Huh? In a 100 mile race? That's what you call the "Floyd Factor". Everyone wanted to show him what they could do. Not this camper.

There's roughly 6 mountains you climb in the race. Half way up the first climb I was hurting last year from having tried to hang at the front of the pack. This year I kept to my game plan of slow & steady. Poz pinched my ass as he rode by snickering. I let him go and didn't even think twice, except that he pinched my ass. What's that about? I steadily pedaled past points on the climb where had I dismounted and walked in every previous race. I could feel the bike going up with less effort than normal. I was even stronger on the downhills, glazing over rock gardens and around trees.

Poz was on fire as well, just ahead of me on the first road section leading a paceline in full timetrial position.

I came through a minute later, following suit.

The second mountain is the toughest climb of the day but I was ready this year. What I wasn't ready for was the #2 numberplate walking his bike down the trail towards me. It was Chris, looking more pissed than I had ever seen him. "My rear wheel locked up! The freewheel or axel is broken! There's nothing I can do!" I was floored, Mr. No-Mechanicals in 5 years was out of the race he was favored to win. Just like that. I felt bad but not bad enough to offer my back wheel (which Poz had done, good man). Nope, this kid had too many personal demons he had to put to rest. Onward and upward we climbed 2,000ft to the top of that unforgiving mountain and then bombed down it, full throttle. Goal #2 was achieved when I passed the rock garden that claimed my chain and derailleur last year. I briefly saw a body sprawled out in the weeds, full starfish facing up. I yelled "You ok?!?" No answer should have stopped me but I kept on with a twinge of guilt. I later found out it took medics 8 hours to get the guy down. I still don't know what happened but I'll think of that for a long time. What should I have done with a freight train of racers nipping at my heels the entire way down the mountain? Tough call.

Speaking of crashes, Poz had a good one on the headwall of Dowells Draft.

This shot below was taken before his crash, lends insight as to how it might have happened...

Ken saw this and said, "No wonder you crashed POZ, jeez, it was a race not a jib ride!" Poz answered, "Dude, sometimes you can't help it. It was that kind of day!"

The day went on, sometimes very slowly and sometimes faster than I wanted (the downhills always end too quickly). I passed the places that held onto me last year and made mental note. These strongholds of negative memories and bad juju were one by one being put to rest. Equalized. Made good again. For a brief second I heard my name yelled - Kenny and his son had climbed to the top of the Dowells Draft descent and cheered as I roared past - how cool is that? I was amazed at the racers in front of me who were not so daring on the downhills who quickly pulled aside when I would approach behind them. That is the kind of person who does this race, courteous and encouraging. Of particular note was a single speeder named Keith Ridenour who I traded spots with all day. He'd grind past me on the climbs but graciously let me pass on the descents, often times cheering me on. So many times these folks would repass me on the climbs and we'd chat. It renews my faith in humans to have this alternating respect on the trails. It's good stuff.

Goal #3 was to arrive at checkpoint 3 with a smile.

Got that in the bag. I heard Poz had crashed and was beat up but pressing on just a few minutes ahead of me. I gulped a pbj and rolled out just in time to see Floyd blasting by having finished the Brailey's lollypop loop. He was less than an hour in front of me after 5 hours of racing - not bad! I churned out the next mountain, danced down the ripping descent and rolled into checkpoint 4, still smiling. Then came the death-climb...

Checkpoint 5, ok I wasn't smiling and wanted to puke my lungs up. But that's ok, everyone feels like that at 5 since we've just climbed for 20 miles. I was in a bit of a daze getting some food in my gullet when my riding buddy Shawn pulled in with heat and told me we were gonna rock the rest of the course. This fired me up and we charged up the rest of the mountain (3 more miles of false summits and discouraging headwalls). We reached the top of the 7 mile downhill and I found my smile again. Shawn led it out until I took the lead for some of the fastest, most intense and even dangerously entrancing downhill riding I've ever done. No, I mean it. Re-read that. I can't emphasize enough how amazing that felt. Runners talk about feeling "high" after a marathon or a few hours of running. This was hour 8 and I was euphoric to the point of not wanting to touch the brakes. Had Shawn not come around me on a short climb to retake the lead I might have drifted right off that mountain. Riding ahead of me, a bit more conservatively, he kept me from complete intoxication and certain carnage.

We rolled into checkpoint 6 and Shawn grabbed the Pedialite Dori had for me (key element in my success, that stuff rocks - thanks 'Lil D!). He realized it was mine, reluctantly gave it over and asked for a coke. The volunteers at this race are the greatest people on earth. They got Shawn and I cokes in hand without my feet even touching the ground. Now that is service. One more mountain to climb and even tho Shawn dropped me like a hot potato I came into the finish with that familiar smile and a wheelie to boot. I have left the wannabe title behind and even tho Poz nipped me by 10 minutes I cut over 2 hours off my best time.

9:48:52 - Validation at last.

I think the "P.O.Z. Speed Chops" helped me ride faster. It's science. I'm thanking Shawn for keeping me in check on that descent.

I've read a bunch of people's writeups from this day and all are worth the time. I hope you feel the same about reading mine. Big thanks to the kick-ass group of people I ride with for all your encouragement this past year. Thanks also to Chris Scott for hosting what continues to be the greatest race I've ever attended, thanks to Floyd for not being so proud as he can't return to his roots for a sound ass-whooping (not only did he get 3rd but told me later, "That was HARD AS HELL!"). Thanks also to the encouraging, friendly and courteous racers who make this the best 10 hours on a bike - people like Paul Buschi, Thomas Jenkins, Joel Gwadz, Jon Posner, Jens Nielsen, Sue Haywood who broke her own Women's Course Record with a mind-boggling 8:11:10 and Wayne Stone who commiserated with me on the hour-long climb up Hankey Mt. and TJ who gave me props for my films on the way to CP5. Lastly, thanks to you for reading about this journey. I'm going to revamp my personal website soon and will continue the adventure there since 24-solo is winding down and these posts have less and less to do with that film. Check www.jasonberry.com in the near future. In the mean time check www.mountaintouring.com for more info on this race.

Until next week...

The Lowdown

Jason Berry — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 21:31:00 +0000

I'll have to make this a little more brief than I had hoped since I'm in the midst of packing for the big race this weekend. Hang onto your seat - this will move qiucker than the Tower of Terror.

Last weekend - drove to Slatey Fork, WVA to do the Wild 100. The gang this year was solid - no less than 4 of us would tackle the 100k or so of self-guided racing through 6 checkpoints in the backcountry. We started worse then ever when Olsen broke his chain about 100 yards from the parking lot. We were passed by every single rider but that was kind of a novelty. Little did we know that woulld be par for the day. After last year's debacle when Olsen and I shared 5 flats, I hoped for some redemption this year but it wasn't to be. I think the other 3 each had at least one flat and Olsen's chain needed love a couple more times. Luckily the weather was perfect, even a slight bit chilly so we soldiered on and made good time when we were not immobile. I was enjoying the fact that we learned from last year's poorly chosen routes through cow pastuers and briars and applied new routes to shave off time this year. I paid close attention to my efforts and eating and felt great all day. Well up until some clown called me a roadie as we pace-lined past him and his slowpoke buddies in baggy shorts. Whatever. We got to the final decent and Chris Brown asked me for a spare tube in case he flatted. I didn't see the wisdom in this request and told him I'd be right there if he did flat and kept riding. He flatted. And I was long gone. Poor bastard had to wait for other riders and ask them for a tube. Then for a pump. What's worse is that Shawn then flatted leaving me to head in for a solo finish. But not before I took a wrong turn about 100 yards before the finish and started climbing again. Those name-calling-clowns somehow passed me before I got turned around and finished in front of me. UUUGGGHHH. Bike racing.

I took a couple days off before heading out with Shawn on a light training ride. It had recently rained and the road was kinda slick in spots. We had just bombed down a hill and around a corner at top speed when the thought of taking it careful entered my mind. I slowed down a little as I headed into the next turn. Before I could tell what hit me I was sliding on my hip with the bike still attached to my feet which were now in the air. I knew that would leave a mark but I wasn't prepared for just how big it would be. Due to the family nature of this blog I'll keep from assaulting your eyes with a shot of my skinless ass but take my word for it - road rash is nasty-mo-nasty. Clothed photo is below...note ugly ensemble of clothing. This is why roadies hate mt. bikers. We have no fashion sense and aren't afraid to bring it to the streets.

This lead to Saturday when Shawn joined my friend Al and I for our last big ride before the SM100. We planned to do 5-6 hours of Gambril, just outside of Frederick, MD. Things were again wet and slippery from a recent rain and the temps were forecast to be the hottest of the summer. Great. 107 with heat index - no really. WHich is like sucking on the tailpipe of a car while riding. It was brutal. 2 climbs up the mountain took us 4 hours and I was hurting. Luckily Al was worse and I graciously offered to follow Al back to the car to make sure he was ok while Shawn went on for another 2 hours of sweat-lodge-cycling. When we got to the car, the stream a few paces away was beckoning. Al and I approached what seemed to be a quaint, innocent little brook with nice, cool water babbling through it. I spyed a refershing looking pool about knee deep and slowly waded in. Suddenly, something wrapped around my leg and I shot out of the water like I'd been electrocuted. In a blazing flash of water, flying flip flops and scales, I shook what appeared to be a snake off my leg. When I landed about 10 feet away I saw a splashing in the water that was very confusing. Amidst Al's laughter I tried to identify what had attacked me. I saw what looked like a fish, then a snake, then a fish. WHen the whitewater settled it was both! I snake had bit the tail of a fish about the same time I entered the water - it must have gone around my leg for the attack and unfortunately included me in the ensuing hoopla. The fish was huge for such a small stream - a solid 7" brook trout. The snake was huge too but that might be my memory short circuited through an electric jolt of fear.

Al busted out his trusty video-phone and recorded this short clip:

I thought for sure it was some sort of man-killing copperhead or watermoccasin but nope, after further research it turned out to be the very timid, very safe Northern Water Snake. Huh. Seems like a lame name for a creature than can drag a trout out of water and eat it whole.

In an effort to remove this day from the books, I rode into work at InnoTech on Monday only to mis-judge a bunnyhop over a curb, thus landing square on it and denting the #@*%# out of a pricey Kysirum (sp?) wheel on my road bike. Expensive commute.

After all this nonsense, I honestly hope I have rid myself of any bad juju before this weekend. I've got everything organized and ready to roll. The photo above represents about half the food I will take in during the 10-? hour race. Floyd Landis will be lining up beside 449 other mt. bikers who hope to finish the grueling 100 miles that will test every nerve and muscle fiber we have. I've done everything I can think of to prepare, now it's just time to let it roll. So this Sunday, if you think of it, send some good vibes my way - I'll surely need it.

Peace-out.

Road Rash, Rims, Fish and Snakes...

Jason Berry — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:37:00 +0000

I know, a motely crue of words but trust me, this one is gonna be good.
Coming in another day or two...

In the mean time check out http://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com

King for a Day

Jason Berry — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 13:28:00 +0000

It's almost been a year since I did the Shenandoah
Mountain 100. Hard to believe it went buy so quick.
But I anticipated feeling like that since every time I
do this race I feel like I should have put more
training hours in. Not this year. For many months I've
sacrificed any social life or mid-week lolygaging for
training. It's all about cash deposits in the U.S.
Federated Bank of Pain and I've never been so rich.

Picking up again from last week, I've resolved to race
in the name of my friend Chuck. Not so much to
remember him since I'll surely be swearing up a storm
out there and who wants to be thought of during such times -
but to remember what it's like to push past
what you think you can do. Way past. Even tho I had to
miss the Wilderness 101, I came back from New York
City and rocked out over 330 training miles last week,
most of which was off road. The average daytime temps
did not go below 92 so it was honest work, honestly brutal.

The week culminated in the GW National Forest with a
solo ride up Narrowback ridge where I was greeted by a
slumbering bear in a tree. He saw me first and dropped from
his perch with a BOOM and took off through the brush like a
bull in a china shop. This tactic worked well in scaring the S#!T out
of me (I was only about 20 feet away) but I pray he doesn't do
the same thing to escape one of the hundreds of local ding-dong
hunters who, this time of year, love to send a pack of dogs after
Mr. Bear, tree him and then blast his brains out. Boy
I can't think of a better way to feel manly then to
chase a very timid animal thru the woods with a pack
of dogs and then, from at least fifty feet away shoot it dead.
Tracking a buck with a bow and arrow is one thing
but hunting bear with dogs is another. Is that really a fair fight?
Does that exhibit one's hunting skillz? Where is the sport in that?
When you bring the pals over to show them the menacing pose
Mr. taxidermist put Mr. Bear in? Shhhh, don't tell anyone you shot
him down from a cowering, terrified position in a sapling.
I really need to get this out of my system sometime.
I'm considering writing a book or making a film (I can see it now, "TOUGH GUY. NOT.")
about all the yahoo's out there who think they are tough but in truth are
insecure, fearful little men hiding behind their monster trucks and Hummers.
These are usually the idiots who yell at cyclists as they drive by.
Just once I'd love to have one step into the ring with me. Just once...

Breath deep. Where was I?

So after I took the wrong trail 3x, I made it out of
the woods as a triumphant burst of shotgun blasts
bid me adieu. The darkness was growing as I quickly pedaled
past the scores of parked pickups with dogbins (they really are
in the woods training their dogs for bear season) and back to
Todd Lake where I had parked my wimpy 4 cylinder pickup.
Here I scored a nice little camp site and had
dinner. Poor planning found me eating the only quasi-nutritious
food the nearby country store had: graham crackers,
beef jerkey and shot blocks but I was ok with that. They also only had
Bud and Coors in cans (which looked much more
refreshing than bottles) so I opted for the latter. It's been a while since
I've enjoyed a Coors. Cold as it was, it still sucked.
BUT - I felt wonderfully detached from the petty issues I left
in DC. I thought about my buddy Chuck and all the good
times we had. I read my latest issue of VeloNews by
the light of a cheap latern ($4), the night sky was packed with stars
and everything seemed ok for a little bit.

For that one evening, I was King of the World.

The next morning some of the DC gang met me for more
training. Most went off on their own ride but one
buddy, Dave Caz must have been looking for the USFBP
to make a deposit. I dragged him along for 65 miles of
tax-free toil through most of the SM100 course. The
best part about it was ovalizing my granny gear about an
hour into the day's ride(if it's only got 2 bolts holding it on,
consider it useless).

That gave me even more return on my
investment! Now I know that I can do most of the course w/o a
granny - and that might be the mental edge I've needed.
Or not.

So after almost 8 hours of riding goodness, I raced 3 hours home
to sleep for a few hours before heading out to film some
bass fishing for ESPN at 4am. I had sworn never again but
since this tournament was close to home (right on the Po), I figured
what the heck? It wasn't easy to find but luckily I noticed a parade of
bass boats at a gas station and followed them to the launch. I felt ill from
lack of sleep and my legs were twitchy. I was afraid the day would just plain
SUCK. But instead, I lucked out and got paired with a guy
named Grant Goldbeck.

He's the nicest, most polite and down to earth bass fisherman
I've worked with. Figures he's a Northerner - from just outside DC.
We chatted the entire time he fished and luckily for him (and to my complete amazment,
he was catching good bass right off the discharge for a water treatment plant
across from National Airport. I've never seen or would have imagined big largemouth
being pulled from under the flightpath at National but there they were.
He ended up in 12th for the final and that brought home over $12,000.
Not bad compared to cycling!

Today I head to West Va for the Wild 100 and
65-some miles of more training in the guise of a race.
Makes me wonder what Jon Posner is up to. I hear he's been
working at the bike shop a ton. This is good - less riding and more working.
No I won't talk any trash but I'm starting to grin...yes Poz, I'm grinning.

Unfortunately my buddy Dave had to go back to NYC for
a followup visit where they found a sac of fluid pressing
against his new kidney. They rushed him in for emergency
surgery to fix it. Poor bastard has lost over 30lbs since this
started. Say a prayer if you would. He sure could use
it. That or send him a box of twinkies.

Till next week-

End of a life

Jason Berry — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:59:00 +0000

Sometimes writing is a good way for me to deal this crazy life. Guess this is one of those times. It's been a rough couple weeks filled with some great things and some not so great things.

Picking up from last entry, and keeping with the racing, I wrapped up the local Wakefield series in the Masters class with a very close 2nd after having a solid race. I had held first for most of the race and in the last 200 yards, I was trying to get around a guy from the single speed class and he stacked into a tree instead of letting me pass and I got caught up in his bike. My 10 second lead over the next guy evaporated in a flash and I got second for the race and second for the series. Guess that's bike racing.

Next came some solid training rides preparing for the Wilderness 101. I ran down to Harrisonburg to refresh my mind on the first half of the Shenandoah Mountain 100 with Kenny. In typical Gripped fashion, Ken and I were both late and we didn't depart from Stokesville until about 4pm. Not the best idea when looking at a 4-5 hour ride. Did I mention the ominous thunder and darkening skies in the distance? Ken assured me the showers would be "localized" so we set out. The first mountain was easy and fun - which is odd considering at last year's race it was painful and long (never try to keep up with pros). We were starting to climb the second mountain when the localized squalls found us and unleashed some fury from above. We changed our plan and took to the road for the climb up Reddish Knob. This would be an easier climb but would go for about 1000 ft. more than the path but since the paths had turned to streams it made sense. Once at the top we realized how brilliant it was to not bring so much as a pair of arm warmers (I was freezing) but luckily Ken did pack an industrial-sized trash bag. We split it in two and I wrapped it on like a man-bra under my jersey.

I was instantly warmer but we had 6 miles of screaming, technical and slippery downhill ahead of us. We made it back as the darkness settled into the valley then hit up Luigis for some local pizza and brew.

Something must have been jarred loose or open or something as I woke the next day with my elbow resembling a tennis ball. Clearly I had not done a good enough job cleaning out my Michaux 100 memento, or perhaps racing for 7 hours in the dirt and dust with a gaping wound had something to do with it...but I thought for sure the bandaid and superglue was every bit as good as stitches.

Only days away from the Wilderness 101 I immediately hit the Dr's office. They gave me a script for some huge pills that should have done the trick but 2 days later the infection was worse. Here began the daily visit and daily shot in my ass. The notion that racing 100 miles hopped up on anitbiotics with a worsening infection in my arm was a bad idea slowly began to creep into my mind. Good thing I paid the $160 already. I called Poz and asked if he'd like to take my place but earlier that day he crashed hard on a training ride and declared he was out. Even Chris decided to bail due to his own fight with an infection. So that took care of that race. But that was ok since the flip side of doing that race meant having to postpone visiting my buddy Dave in the NYC hospital he'd be in for a week after getting his kidney transplant on Thursday. The date of this transplant wasn't known until after I had signed up for the 101 and I didn't like the idea of not being there soon after Dave's operation but once you get your head wrapped around doing a 100 mile race, you feel the need to see it thru. It's odd how now when I look at it, I should have changed plans the second I knew the date for Dave's operation. Guess it all worked out ok in the end. I got to see Dave and I think he appreciated my effort. His surgery went well for him and his Dad who donated his kidney. Dave even started to smile again!

The last bit of story here is the disrupting news that a friend who had been a huge influence on my life had died last week. I don't know why I feel the need to mention this but as I said earlier, writing sometimes helps a person to deal. Part of me honestly thinks I owe it to Chuck. He earned some praise, some credit for being the person he was.. Even if only on my measly blog. Don't worry, I don't plan to waste these words with typical cliche's or the usual melodrama that accompanies a reflection of a friend after their death. And that's precisely why something should be said.

Chuck Tanguay didn't die doing what he loved. He blew his head off with a shotgun. But that was what I'd expect from Chuck. No second chance with that one. It was a very sure move. I think I would have put money on a jump from a tall building as his way out of life since he didn't even like guns but I think that decision had more to do with how he felt about himself in those last days. Back in the 90's when I briefly worked for Chuck rebuilding church steeples (www.steeplerestore.com) he said more than once that the best way to exit life would be in a fall. "Think about it, you get a great rush before you smack - one more ride to enjoy before it's over. " This from a guy who 6 months before I met him had fallen off a steep church roof and impacted into the grass just inches from a concrete walkway 46 feet below. Anyone who lives to tell such a tale deserves credit but his tale only grew from there. Chuck was larger than life, a shorter version of Patrick Swaze in Point Break. He was a solid skiier, mountain biker, windsurfer, accomplished mountaineer, class V kayaker with more than one rapid named after one of his multiple first-decents. Rock climbing lead him to a profession of steeplejacking. Self-taught and very successful he would work during the summers and travel all winter chasing adrenaline around the globe. He despised in-active people. He saw the value in working hard and playing hard. He had no patience for the typical overweight and consumption-driven American. He was a very vocal person and found joy in arguing points with anyone who would get in the ring with him. He was a passionate person to say the very least. But this also had a way of working against Chuck. He had sustained a head injury in '85 while skiing which left him chemically imbalanced for life. I don't know much about that injury but I got to see first hand how it plagued him. The medications he required to keep a positive outlook on life made him nausious so he would replace them with adrenaline. This worked for the winters but upon returning from big adventure to a regimented Spring of work, Chuck would enter what I called, "the Dark Place" where logic went out the door and his passion turned into sheer, grinding anger. After a week or two in the Dark Place Chuck would resume his meds and slowly get back on track.

After working for him and feeling the brunt of a visit to the Dark Place I quit and didn't see much of Chuck in the years to come. We would e-mail occasionally and keep each other up to date on our adventures. Me running around Europe filming mt. bikers and Chuck kayaking in South America or New Zealand (his adventures always trumped mine). We last spoke about 3 months ago as I drove home to Rochester. He had moved to a town outside of Boulder, CO and asked when I would be visiting. I was honest when I replied, "... hopefully very soon."

In his final letter to those who touched his life, he listed the places he had been and some of the adventures he had lived, noting that the depression spells were getting longer and more frequent. From his departing note:
"...There has been kayaking in Nepal, New Zealand, South Africa, Ecuador and in every whitewater state in the US. I’ve skied all the west and Canada, leaving very few snowflakes unturned. I’ve sailed the breaks of Maui, Taranaki, West Oz, South Africa, Mexico and the two coasts of the US. I’ve climbed mountains of New Zealand, Canada and the US. And I’ve mountain biked, well, everywhere… I’ve lived in different countries for 13 winters. A lot of this I did after the illness started, as I used to have long periods of health in between the utter earthshaking hell of the depressions. "

Some jackass Doctor had even mentioned institutionalizing him in the not-so-far future. Some souls were never meant to be caged and here I'm sure, is where the line was drawn.

I'm still going thru the typical "anger" and "sorrow" phases. Conversely I also can't help think about how much Chuck influenced me. Here is where this entry connects to 24 Solo. It connects to ORTA, and to anything else I've done since meeting Chuck Tanguay in 1990. He was one of those people who would bring everyone around him up a notch. He would motivate you to question your position, your views, your self. He would never be satisfied with status quo and ridiculed those who were. His logic, while sometimes skewed in it's delivery, was usually undeniable. He made me believe in myself and forced me to face my fears, even when it was he I was afraid of. He was one of the first people I went mt. biking with. He pushed me to risk more and take chances when others would stay behind in doubt, always wondering. He was the first guy to convince me into following him onto the ocean, thru the 8 foot crashing shore break at Cape Hatteras in the winds of an approaching hurricane. We windsurfed waves for 10 miles downwind to the lighthouse and survived, hitch hiking back to our trucks. He knew very few mental boundaries and I was in awe of him for that. In 1994 I had planned to leave my home town, quit my job, leave my girlfriend and drive out West to try something different. Many people scolded such a move but Chuck was all for it. "Follow your heart Jason. Always follow your heart. Even if you go into debt, even if you lose friends - because people flock to a person who is following their heart and everything will eventually fall into place. So go, and don't look back."

Chuck lived his dreams, never wondered "what if" and stuck to his words when he said, "If life isn't an adventure, it's not worth living." He was the stuff legends are made of and I will always think of him when pushing myself or following my heart. As always, thanks for reading.

Chuck Tanguay
1954-2007

Racing, Not Filming Racing

Jason Berry — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 14:49:00 +0000

It doesn't happen often. In fact it's only happened 2 other times in my racing career. 2nd's don't count, I'm taking first place baby! Sure it's just the local, mid-week race but hey - I'll take what I can get. And when you consider the talent that lines up at these races (sometimes including National Champions) then it's not to shabby. But I kicked some butt at Wakefield last night and for the first time in 2 years, came in first and a full 5 minutes in front of my main competition, Kenny. I guess after hearing him call me out for a week on how bad he was gonna beat me, and how his kid was going to beat me, I found some motivation to shut him down. But he does get big props for driving 2 hours up from Harrisonburg, racing for one hour, then driving 2 hours home. Big props. Now if only I could talk him into a Prius.

Which brings me to the next bit of news. I know it would be very "PC" of me to say I don't condone violent acts but this one is getting a double thumbs-up from me...the day of the peaceful hippie are past. The new revolution will not be motorized!

Someone spanked my Hummer! Whaaa, whaaa whaaaa
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/17/AR2007071701808.html?sub=AR
I wasn't involved but hat's off to those who were.

Moving along, I had the pleasure of entertaining Adam Craig in my 'hood last week for 24 hours. He was on a layover heading to Brazil to compete in the once-every-4-year Pan American Games. We fit in some singletrack at wakefield where I stuck Adam on my single speed in an effort to keep ahead of him on my geared bike. Didn't work. Even on foriegn trails the guy is SUPER FAST. No surprise he left me huffing after the first lap but we both had fun and according to Adam we were 'Pinning It"

The next day I picked him up and along with my paddling mentor, Mike Hodge we ran the classic low-water lines of Great Falls.

Scouting the run, Mike shows Adam where not to go...

Adam is every bit as solid in a boat as he is on a bike. I was somewhat worried all this adrenaline might tire Adam before heading into a huge race. I mean, Filip once said, "These Americans don't know how to rest.." Well Adam went on to take GOLD in the Pan Am games so I guess the 24 Hours of DC agenda worked.

Lastly, big props to Chris Eatough who took second this past Sunday at the newest Ultra-Enurance challenge on the East Coast - the Michaux 100k. I drove up with Chris and Poz to get my fair share of pain amidst the tougest course I've ever pedaled. I did this race last year when it was only 42 miles and it kicked my ass. So it's no wonder I was smoked at the end of 65 miles this year. But I did ok with 12th place (I don't count the dude who passed me while I tried for 5 minutes to find the "Official" finish line that was poorly marked). Even tho I cramped a bit, walked a bit and swore a LOT, I guess the training is paying off. And as local single speed legend Larry Camp told me, "You must be doing more training than you let on in those grumbling blogs you post..." - dang, called out!

http://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/
Keep an eye out for the next issue of Blue Ridge Outdoors as I did a long interview with them yesterday. Should be on their podcast as well but be warned, I was in a bit of a fiesty mood and went off on a few tangents. Us creative folk have a tendancy to do that (as you well know having read all this malarky). I fly out tomorrow for Minnesota to film the last segment of this year's Timbersports Series. Never been to Minnesota. Kinda looking forward to it.

And for now I'll leave you with more political banter. Some people simply need to be slapped and sterilzed...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77aw9dG7tis

Trying To Keep Life Simple

Jason Berry — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:04:00 +0000

A new post! Wow, it's hard to grasp how fast the summer is going by. Here's a quick recap of recent GRIPPED FILMS events...

Picking up from the last entry, I left Iowa and returned to DC for a couple short days before the Baltimore screening. Odd side note, I almost went to college at the Maryland College Institute of Art but ended up in Ohio instead. So it was kinda fun for me to be there with my latest painting so to speak. The venue was great and the crowds rolled in. Chris surprised me by taking the mic during my introduction on stage and gave me a shout-out for making the movie then presented me with a custom "24 Solo" bottle of wine. I was floored. It was one of the more rewarding moments of the film tour. Chris is first class. He is currently stomping in the BC Stage Race - keep updated at www.velonews.com I think next year Poz and I may tackle that one!

Chris signs for the local fans. If anyone has any photos from this event, please send 'em to me.

Shortly after the Balto screening my trusty "Hell-Cam" operater arrived in town for a visit from Denver. Nick and I scored a good road ride in before leaving, just under 100 miles in 95° heat which found me severely cramping at mile 86. Nick was quite proud of having kept his gearing "In the dog" for the entire ride. We would have gone for more miles but I was limping badly on the way back. Looks like I've got a lot of training to do before this year's Shenandoah 100 ( http://www.mountaintouring.com ).

Thought you might enjoy the juxtaposition here. Nick did.

I didn't mind taking a few days off and driving up to Rochester. I forget sometimes how beautiful that area is in the Summer - lot of rolling green hills (which helps explain why I hate to see land butchered by development - there's so much left in Upstate NY that you get to see the beauty of land without homes).

The weather was amazing, you don't usually equate good weather with Rochester - summer is typically 2 months of bad sledding.

Big thanks to my family for helping spread the word. Especially to my Dad (in the photo) who distributed posters to over 40 locations and send 35 letters to my alma matter, RIT. 'Ol Pop is a one-man-PR-wrecking-crew!

The hometown crowd turned out in droves. There were only a few seats left as we raffled off goods from some of the local shops. Big thanks to Scott, Towpath Bike and the Victor Mt. Bike club for creating the only legal place to mt. bike in Rochester.

Things are starting to look up in my hometown thanks to these guys.

A couple days after the screening I had my second road crit - the Saturn Twillight Invitational. This is one of the only crits on the pro tour and it made me proud to see the crowds of Rochester pack the course. I raced with the Cat 5 crew before the pros. The field was solid as about 50 hacks made their way around the 8-turn course. There were a couple of wild crashes I was lucky to avoid and the race came down to a sprint that I started with 2 turns to go, meaning I started one turn too early...
I got edged out by local Pete Kocher at the line but was pretty surprised and happy with a 2nd place. Then the pros went and I got to see what real bike racing is like.

With a field over 150 deep, these guys were at the rivet the entire race. A group of 6 attacked early and actually bridged up to the tail of the peloton half way thru the race! I was going hoarse yelling so much for them. In the end the organizers pulled the peloton and let the 6 do 2 more laps to duke it out. Navigators came thru for the 2nd year. It was estimated that the spectators numbered over 35,000 - and this in Rochester!!! I was super proud of my home down to see that much support from what are normally just football or hockey fans. I'm going back next year for sure.

My buddy Dave was looking better and with the recent news that his Dad is a match for a kidney transplant, Dave had plenty to smile about. It's not often one gets to see a lumberjack in a tux - but for his buddy "Stumpy's" wedding Dave cleaned up his act and put on his best GQ-face...

Soon after leaving Rochester I had to fly out again. This time to the country of Alabama. "Rocket City" is the locals name for Decatur due to the production of missles for our military. As you can expect the propaganda at the airport was thick. I snapped some photos for you to enjoy...

Uhhh, Bush shares a vision with Kennedy? Ummm, yea. Right.

They make you feel guilty for not supporting the war.
Any war.

EVERY WAR!!!!

Needless to say it was hot. Needless to say there were lots of monster trucks with monster rednecks behind the wheel. I tried to pick up some local culture by reading the newspaper and came across this gem - nothing says "I am origninal" more than paying by the letter for your wedding proposal. But hey, you gotta give points for trying right?

NOT.

I am now happily back in Virginia and trying to reconnect with friends I haven't seen in months. Many of them recently married or showing off new babies. It's amazing how fast life goes by. I even got to head out on a group ride with Poz yesterday only to have my new bike snap loudly 3 minutes into the ride. So much for a fun 4th!

Luckily I have a connection or two with the fine folks at TREK so I should be back to racing soon.

This shot from my buddy Martin who came to the Wakefield races last week (he has a special filter that makes me look faster than I am).

So now that you've wasted at least 30 minutes of your employers time, I'll leave you with a bit of "Jason-Wisdom"

Keep life simple

Untill next week...

The Tour Rolls On

Jason Berry — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 18:07:00 +0000

Sorry for the delay in posting something new here. It's been a busy few weeks and here's what has gone on:

2 weeks ago I joined National Super D Champion Sue Haywood at the Massanutten Hoo Haa outside of Harrisonburg, PA. I got to see first hand why this woman is a national champ. Most NORBA Super D races last about 4-5 mintues. This one, however, was to last over 20 minutes. AFTER riding an hour UP the mountain and out the steep, exceptionally rocky ridgeline, the 40 or so racers turned around on the overgrown, narrow path and began the race back down the mountain. 30 seconds separated each racer. It was a burly course but I was happy with my result - even tho I full-on starfished 4 times. I even passed 5 racers in front of me and was only caught by one crazy-fast TONY from BALTIMORE who I re-caught at the finish line. THEN CAME SUE!!! A full 4 minutes faster than me finishing at 22:00!!! She finished 4th overall - with all the boys. Big props to her - that course was NOT EASY.

Then the rains came and by morning the real challenge was talking Kenny out of bailing on the XC race.

BEFORE
He decided to stay but would only race Sport. Ok, that's sporting. Turns out he made the right choice. The Sport course was marked better than the expert course and after almost 3 hours of slogging up and down that mountain in the mud, I ran into the leaders of the race coming towards me on the trial. Everyone had made the same wrong turn and we all finished together - earning a fine DNF from the promoters. Can you say JACKASSES?? Just what you want to hear after slugging it out in mud conditions for 3 hours...
Like it was OUR fault that they couldn't mark a course. How stinkin hard can it be folks??? Anyway, it was fun - kinda - and I felt better about getting on a plane the next day for some rest.

AFTER

So that Monday - just over a week ago, I left for my first visit to San Diego. Ken's college friend Alex was hosting a screening and invited me to come out for some riding and surfing. Hard to refuse that. I escaped thunderstorm delays (very common on the East Coast this time of year) and arrived to a foggy city on the West Coast. Alex apologized for the "May Gray and June Gloom" but I thought nothing of it. Unfortunately for Alex, his boss was riding him fairly hard and the VP of his company was in town on Wednesday to ride shotgun with Alex on his sales rounds. Like hosting a screening wasn't enough pressure, right? We still found time to get a few rides in Alex's back yard.

This is The Way Up trail. And it went up, and up, and up...
Granted, I had just come off a 3-race-week but I was still HuHR-TING on the climbs. Gimme a solid DH anyday.

The WAY DOWN!

Lot of steep climbing on loose scree but it was a great challenge for a vertically challenged East Coaster.

The view I had was often of Alex up ahead waiting for me. It's always good to be schooled - provides motivation for improvement.

Fun riding, soon to be mowed down by SPRAWL.

Usually I try to take the thumper rule when it comes to being negative but I'm also a bit outspoken so I'll bleed a bit of my mind here. I have to admit that the great views of the area were spoiled by the massive amount of SPRAWL. Like a virus humans are spreading into the desert at a disturbing rate, cutting the tops off every mountain top around, terracing flat spots and junking them full of houses. It's sickening to say the least and was only reinforced by the "Me-Me-Me" vibe that prevailed when we drove from one place to another. Watching and listening, it seemed to me that many of the locals were far too busy being HIP, COOL, TRENDY and STYLISH to give a damn about their surroundings. I saw more jacked up 4x4's, Hummers, SUV's and outrageously priced luxury cars than I care to mention. It was like a parade of greed & pride. Most people had bigger sunglasses then Paris Hilton with billboards on the earpieces to let you know how cool they were. Gucci, LV, Prada - you name it. Made my Oakleys feel "so nineties".

Looking over the land I could not escape the growing amount of new homes and how each will require more water, energy and materials and give back loads of more trash and exaust. No, it's not different on the east coast but it's very visible there. Maybe because there's fewer trees. Although the humming birds seemed to like the newly landscaped flora...

Juxtaposed to all this was the extremely warm hospitatlity of Alex. He clearly puts others ahead of himself - and he's one of those guys who is just plain good. I felt bad to add to his responsibility during a stressful time but I was more than happy to take his bike for a ride while he was working.

The morning of the show we hit the ocean for a solid chest-high swell that we shared with scores of curious dolphins. I will never grow tired of surfing with the originators of style. It made me appreciate the best part of California - the water just off the beach. It's too bad most of the non-surfers, non-cyclists, non-outdoorsy-types don't see much more than a big ashtry and a cool sunset as they speed by in their consumption-mobiles. I actually saw a bumber sticker that read, "Burnin Gas and Haulin' Ass". Can you imagine my surprise when we passed to see an overwieght goat-tee-doning male at the wheel. Yapping on his cell. What a brilliant human being.

On to better topics-

The screening went very well. LaPaloma served up a great venue, the staff were helpful and the crowd seemed very stoked that we were taking donations for the Challenged Athletes Foundation. With multiple bike shops represented (more effort from Alex) we had tons of giveaways and raffled off a sick XTR package for a lucky San Diego MBA member.

We were in good company beside Hot Fuzz (an excellent flick!)

The next morning poor Alex had to drag me to the airport at 4am so I could fly to Iowa for a Stihl Timbersports show. I had to use a super-heavy HD cam which took a toll on my back.

My buddy Dave was supposed to be there competing but he had some serious complications with his dialysis catheter and had to turn back and drive home. It made the 2 days of shooting a bit of a bummer but hopefully he will realize that his competition will be the transplant and the tour will be there next year.

Ok, enough for now. Signing off...

Gone Fishin'

Jason Berry — Mon, 14 May 2007 17:15:00 +0000

Yes, that is correct. I got OUT of the office and BACK to the beach. Sure it's freezing cold but it beats sitting and editing all day. So last week I took a few days to go visit my very sick buddy Kidney-Dave at his cottage on Long Beach Island. His grandpa built the place in the 30's and I've gone every Spring and Fall to help open and close it for over 20 years.

Dave caught more fish but I caught more waves (no photos).

The wind was blowing but not quite enough for me to get any great rides in on my saliboard (tho I did get munched by some good waves). The water made surfing painful (barely 50°) but the fishing was great. Both Dave and I scored our fair share of striped bass.

Dave's golden Tommy loves when we catch fish.

Here's Dave hooking up to his dialysis unit - fondly named "The Fax Machine". Every night he does this until he gets a transplant. Crazy. But at least he can take it with him.

Dave got himself an RV. Sorta. This stainless steel buggy can eliminate the need for tortuous walks to the beach dragging arm-fulls of gear. And this way we can keep the beer and bait separate!

Other than my quick departure from reality, we're moving ahead with new screenings on the East Coast and I'm trying to pull together the Australian tour.

Oh, and unfortunately when I checked in on the mice a day later, the mama and one baby were no where to be seen and there was half of a baby left. Not sure who ate the other half but it was very weird and I'm not afraid to say pretty creepy to see.

Stay tuned for more adventures!

Red Carpets to Birthday's to Mice

Jason Berry — Wed, 02 May 2007 04:00:00 +0000

Yea, you read that right. Mice.

What the...?

Let me start by saying the HOME TOWN SHOW KICD @SS!!! I gotta say I LOVE my Arlington. Of course it helps having all Haik's, Kens and my own connections here but STILL - 2 nights, SOLD OUT. What's not to love? Besides having the BEERS flowing at the Arlington Cinema & Draft (yea yea yea, I kept it in check this time) we had a better projector AND sound than Monterey.

Which might not sound like a big deal but when you LABOUR over every darn clip in the movie - which was shot high def, and you see it projected looking like CAH-RAP it breaks your heart. So here in VA we had it dialed in for the hometown crowd. Not to mention having Chris and the Notorious P.O.Z. in the hizzouse to add some flair to the fling.

So that was Thursday and Friday of last week. Saturday I jammed down to Harrisonburg (the birthplace of Gripped Films) and helped Kenny with the screening there. Not quite a sold out crowd but those who came filled in the stoke. Sue Haywood was present along with the Shenandoah Bike Co. Crew, even tho Sue was racing the next morning at Greenbriar (where she STOMPED OUT the SECOND PLACE, Eatough scored 3rd).

Then I ran further South to Douthat State Park for a bachelor party amidst some of the best single track riding on the East Coast with the DC boys. Dave Olsen (groom to be) found a better way to hydrate after an epic ride...

And finally - back home to the mice. You'd THINK that my cat (Duck) would have taken care of business while I was gone but no, she decides to wait till Daddy comes home to let him see what shes's been entertained by all weekend. I didn't think much about the cat going bonzo reaching under the bookcase - I even looked under and found her favorite play-toy which I then threw for her. She didn't budge and kept reaching under the bookcase. Hmmm I thought. That's odd. I looked under there and saw nothing. Minutes later she ran across the room and tried to reach under my file cabinet. Ok I thought, something's trying to escape. Must be a cricket or a beetle. I grab the maglight and look under the cabinet to see a toy mouse and 2 pieces of gum.

Huh. Gum? I don't chew gum...how did they get there?

The gum then sprouted legs and arms and started wiggling in place. Oh CHRISTMAS, they were baby mice! That's when I noticed the toy mouse weren't no toy. It was the real deal! FOR THE LOVE. I sat up and had one of those moment's like, "Do I really have to deal with this?"

I don't know about you but I'm sure most people would have either called in reinforcements in the name of exterminators or perhaps set out some sort of trap. Not this cowboy. Even tho it was my Dad & neices birthday (both of whom did not recieve tilmely phone calls because of the ensuing madness) I set into motion like an indy pit crew.

Duck - downstairs. Back room - quarentined and barracaded. Me - full-finger riding gloves ON. Game face ON.
The plan seemed simple. I would make a low profile box with a small door to put the baby's in. This way I could catch mama and stuff her in the box, shut the temp door and put the box outside. Mama would be locked in with the temp door closed and realize her young were there with her (enter thought of - are there any other babies in my house????!!!!????) and settle down and hopefully feed them instead of bolting when I finally did open the door. Genius.

I really believe in Karma (sp?) so I'm not into killing things. I figure when I'm on my deathbed, all the little animals and bugs I've saved will send me some life force and I'll eek out another 10 minutes. Sweet.

So right here I've got like a whole 30 seconds more life if I pull off the transfer of Mama in my house to Mama in box-house. I had the babies situated in there but I knew if I screwed up the transfer and Mama got free the babies would die and I'd feel terrible. SO - the box is outside, with the tiny temp door open. I hearded Mama-mouse into one corner of my office and after about 20 minutes of chasing, she runs into my cycling shoe! Sweet. I put my hand over the top and walk outside, ready to transfer. I start shaking the shoe and no mouse. I look and in and Mama has herself wedged in there with no plan of coming out. That's when I realized if I shook her out and she missed the tiny temp door, she'd be scott-free in the yard and the babies would be stuffed. So I ran back inside and shook her out into the bathtub. MORE GENIUS!!! She dropped in and could not scale the walls out. A sly grin ran across my face.

Now just reach in and grab that tail...
In a flash that damn mouse ran up my arm, over my shoulder and hucked off my ass to the freedom below while I screemed like a school-girl. Luckily I had closed the doors to the bathroom and after 20 minutes of chasing Mama 'round the toilet (hey, I'm not proud) and I got me some tail.

I hoisted that rodent high and walking proud, I stolled out to the mouse-house and as I stuffed her in, one paw made contact with the door and she yanked herself out the second I released her tail. She hit the ground running but I was on fire. Lightning fast reflexes and some serious luck got me that tail again. I finally made a clean insertion of mama into the nursery then slammed the temp-door shut.

Talk about a wild night. I forgot what real adventure was. Then I noticed it was 11pm and I had not yet called my Dad or 12 year old neice to wish them happy birthday. Crap. Kelsey, Dad - please forgive me. I was busy.

Hearding mice.

Sorry no photos of all this. I couldn't deal with chasing tail and taking pictures too.

Premiere Success!

Jason Berry — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:59:00 +0000

A line starts to form

I'm still in a bit of shock and for some reason there's still a TON of work to do but it sure does feel good to know we pulled off another big premiere without a glitch. Big thanks to TREK/VW for providing such a great reception before the show and to Chris for being so accommodating doing something he is clearly uncomfortable doing (being in the limelight).

The Red Carpet Walk...

Posners in the house, socks in effect...

We're pulling together a new newsletter and trying to promote the upcoming shows. As far as the director goes, I'm slowly catching up on sleep and today I will get on the bike for the first time in a week. If anyone was so savvy as to see my name in the "results" for EXPERT XC at the Sea Otter race - surprise. Wasn't really me but my trusty HELL-CAM operator, Nick. Yup, I indulged myself a bit too much at the premiere and found out the hard way that Margaritas, red wine and shots (on top of 2 months off from drinking) DO NOT MIX. I even forgot to thank Chris and Poz when I announced the movie. UUUGGHHH...

Haik, Ken and I

Trek Team Manager Zack Vestal shows off his kills.

If you ever see me this happy, please - PLEASE say these simple words, "PUT THE DRINK DOWN, JUST PUT IT DOWN!"

What was even more fun was after I had my fill at the post-premiere party (wasn't really our party), I left the bar in search of a quiet place to detox (isn't that a nice way to put it?). That's when half the film crew talked the front desk into giving up my room key so they could come and poke the sleeping bear. Needless to say, the nearby guests at the Monterey Hotel (Posner's parents included) must have thought a violent domestic dispute broke out when I tried to politely ask my crew to leave me in peace.

Ummm, how old are we? At least they didn't draw on me with markers. Never a dull moment, that's for sure. So no racing for me but alas - also no DNF. All photos courtesy of Aaron Kobilis - www.kobilis.com and thank you Aaron, for not snapping any comprising shots of me in detox...

Time To Roll

Jason Berry — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 09:09:00 +0000

5am

Pouring rain.

Headed to the airport with bike, massive bag (I have already practiced the phrase, "Go ahead, charge me extra") and carryone consisting of one BluRay player.

Here we go...

Always Something...

Jason Berry — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 15:38:00 +0000

So by all counts, the movie was done, the surround sound was done and all I had to do was deliver the terrabyte raid tower (computer speak for massive storage drive) to Ken in H'burg and it was outa my hands. Lent was coming to an end and I could just smell the hops in the air...

But do not forget, this is a GRIPPED production and therefor, all aspects will fight to the bitter end to keep from going smooth...

Strap in, this is a sick ride. FIRST I burned a test DVD before heading to see Ken. THEN I noticed the sound was way off (didn't sync with picture). I went back and checked settings, rechecked outputs, tried it again and again to no avail. My baby was looking more like a bad chinese monster movie than anything. Stress levels started their familiar march skyward. Sleep was again held at bay. Tech support said I had to pay $800 to get a straight answer and PRIDE said no way man, we can do-eeet!

Hours and hours go by. Every time I tried to export it would take more hours, then the frustration of seeing what I thought might solve the problem was not the silver bullet. It was time to drive the files to Ken even with a ghost in the machine. WHAT COULD IT BE???

In the chaotic arena of Ken's hyper-busy office with his dedicated crew pulling insane hours getting their largest "Banner Stand" order out the door (great timing right?) we labored over test after test. In the quiet corner of the office Ken's kids were filling poster tubes for delivery around the country. Luckily they have the same entrepenurial instinct as Dad and are keen to work for the latest PS2 or for Connor - a new Trek Mt. Bike.

Thru the night and into the morning we worked on the problem. Ken doing tests on BluRay discs which support the 720p30 frame-rate we shot the film in (meaning if you get a BluRay player, we'll be happy to make a disc for you, price not yet known but somewhere around $50 is going rate). Seeing this puppy in full high-def WITH surround is our goal and we've been killing ourselves to reach it. 1 week after Sea Otter, Apple is expected to announce a full launch of upgrades that support this new technology but we're a couple weeks early and have to find other ways to make it work. Fun. We ran into Sue Haywood and Erin Bishop (Jeremiah's wife) at the local coffeee & bagel shop. They were headed out for a ride and Sue says, "Jason, I hear you're racing at the Otter!" Great. Now people will actually see how little I've been riding. No fear - there's still one week left to train!

So I had to leave Ken w/o a clue as to why it wasn't working still. But not before adding one more challenge to my plate! On a quick ride around the block on Ken's single speed in an effort to wake up (forcing cold air into the turbos), I came flying down the sidewalk in front of his shop thinking he might see me out the window. Feeling a bit daring I tried to ride an endo up to the front door. Ken's brakes are much more effecient than mine and the second I touched that left hand lever I jackhammered into the concrete. Smooth. A couple of JMU coeds were walking on the other side of the street and a slight snicker could be heard amidst my gutteral moaning. So now my pride is all gone and in place I've got a really messed up wrist. I hate to hear people jump to the "Oh I broke it!" conclusion but I would have bet a solid chunk of change that I did. X-rays proved otherwise but the Dr. noticed a bunch of calcium deposits on my bones and asked if this sort of thing happens often.... "Uhhhhh, well usually I land on dirt...."

Anyway, wouldn't you know that I get home and my new Top Fuel is here waiting. Too bad I can't even ride the thing. But hopefully I can tape up for one ride before I'm racing it at the Otter...

Oh, and last night I figured out a way to make the audio sync by using the Apple Intermediate Codec - VICTORY. It was after midnight so I went out and had a beer with the boys. All is well once again.

Now it's back to H'burg for me....

WE DUN!!!

Jason Berry — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 04:35:00 +0000

Feels good, I'll say that much.

I'm done. Haik is done. Ken - not so much. But I finished editing today and wow - that's a very nice feeling. I'd kick back and have a beer but I've got one more week till I can. I DID splurge tonight and mix some fruit juice with some sparkling water and MAN was that a lame substitute for a beer. But hey, you do what you gotta do.

Things are moving along according to plan here and now we switch gears into promotion mode. I can't believe how many shows are lined up in April alone. Not to mention the new e-mails we've received requesting shows in Alaska, UK, China and Canada. Looks like it's going to be a fun year - well, rest of the year.

If anyone lives near a good surf spot and wants to screen the film let me konw. I need a vacation and would love to piggy back a screening with it.

Someone out there have a cold one for me tonight!

JB

What Day Is It?

Jason Berry — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 16:27:00 +0000

Sometimes I find it funny that I'm making a movie about sleep deprevation and to finish it on time I'm actually experiencing that very thing. Sometimes, but not now. Day 3 of 4 hours of sleep each night. I'm still trying to get the front half of the movie sorted out - details, details, details. For the first time in 5 days I left the house yesterday - or wait, last night - or was that the day before - to goto Haiks and work with him on the soundtrack.

As Haik and I were getting punchy, we both realized that neither one of us has been formally trained in what we do. Haik didn't even learn to play the piano until he was 18. One year later he was on stage with George Winston at The Kennedy Center. At the premiere in Monterey we plan to stick Haik on stage and have him play a Steinway Grand while people take their seats. He's trying to convince me to play dualing guitars with him as well but alas, my breadth of knowledge of said instrument expands to a staggering 3 chords. Haik says to me "But man, you can play those chords really well!"

Haik shows me how it's done...at 4am (after a couple hours of sleep Haik went to work at his 'day' job today).

So not much to say except that I honestly think this movie will rival ORTA. The music is more invovled (as Haik reminded me - "Do you realize there is at least 2x as much music in this - and the movie is shorter than the last one! You told me I would be doing less work! Lying rat bastard!").

I need to do some research on broadcast-safe color filters, something I should have learned in film school had I gone. Need more coffee. One pot already down the hatch, time to brew more. Stay tuned, the fat lady is warming up and the PRESSURE CLOCK is winding down...

-Rat Bastard

2 THUMBS UP

Jason Berry — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 03:50:00 +0000

Well that might be 10 but who's counting? Tonight we had the first full-length screening of the film at Haik's studio and everyone in attendace seemed to think this film is even better than Off Road To Athens. I just like that it's easier to follow. Chris and Poz (of course they would like this movie more, right?) came down from Baltimore to kick it in Arlington with us and it seemed like they were glad they did. Ken's brother came along as well and had this to say:

As good as ORTA was, I think this is even better. The storytelling of the World Championship race is so compelling. It's gripping:) And the music is really good, once again.

I think folks are really gonna love this film. I felt drained after watching it -- like I'd just been part of the actual race! And I thought Chris's reaction was very telling -- when he said watching it was way more intense than DOING it. That was pretty cool.

So if we can get the dolby surround squared away this week, and get the final touches on the edit and the music - it seems that we've got another winner on our hands. Which is nice to think about after a year to the day of working on this monster.

The animator who I hired sent this today. Made me laugh - so very very true!

Support

Jason Berry — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 17:53:00 +0000

Check out www.bikemag.com for mention of our trailer on their home page.

Also - it's official that we're showing the film in a BUNCH of places in April.
Including Boulder, San Fran, Georgia, Arlington and Harrisonburg.
Check the FILM TOUR page for details!

We need help getting the word out for these shows so please tell your friends!!!

Thanks a bunch,

JB

BEST E-Mail Of the MONTH:

Jason Berry — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 03:56:00 +0000

From Nathaniel Pellman in Seattle:

thanks for following your hearts and making movies about subjects that others choose to ignore. thank you for making movies that aren't all hucks. i apprecitate it, not that I don't like hucking, but this is more real. I support you all the way,and will do my best to help promote what you are doing. I am a huge fan of off road to athens. thanks again. nat

Just can't help myself

Jason Berry — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 04:26:00 +0000

It's not like I don't remember how bad I got beat in the SM100 - the pain still lingers.

It's not like I won't get whipped at Sea Otter in the 38 mile XC race that he and I will both do.

But sometimes, like now when it's late at night, I'm a bit punchy and haven't talked to a person in person in days - I come across a little gem like this and I can't help but share how much laughter it has brought me.

Sure he's gonna use this as just cause to beat me at every bike race we both enter for years to come.

But some things are worth the pain.

(background - while recording his interview, I had a call come in so I turned away for just a second to shut my phone off and did not see that the NOTORIOUS P.O.Z. was making faces at the camera...)

ARE YOU CONNECTED?

Jason Berry — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 20:59:00 +0000

Here's one for you:

I'm trying to get a piece of music by the band Angels & Airwaves and according to Universal Music (who holds the licensing rights for them) they say the band isn't interested in working with us. Does anyone out there have a connection to these guys? It's mainly Tom DeLonge. PLEASE - if you are in ANY way connected to him, hook a brother up...

jason@grippedfilms.com

In the mean time I'll be here in my back yard working on cable-cam shots of bike trax in the snow...

Getting Better

Jason Berry — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 20:35:00 +0000

I'm happy to report that my buddy Dave is doing better now that he's on dialysis and a cute nurse is tending to him. He is just now beginning the process of finding a donor - he's blood type 0 so if anyone want's to be a hero and step up - please let me know. We've got a year's supply of beer for your other kidney if you do.

FINALLY - I scored some footage of Chris in inclimate weather yesterday. Huh? Oh sure, I'm still filming. Why not? Heck I might try to get some footage of Chris racing at this year's Sea Otter in the movie...(just kidding). But it's nice to have the weather give me the goods for once. And if you ask me, any clown can train in the rain, it's trudging thru the snow that shows a dedicated professional nutjob-cyclist. Since Chris and Poz love days on the trails surrounded by the white fluff and this wasn't just mugging for the camera (well, maybe for Poz it was) then I'm happy to put it in the film.
Who said 24 Solo isn't going to have some HUCKING?

With a soft, snowy landing Poz sure wasn't afraid to go big...this is how he breaks bikes.

I also got a great interview with Poz wrapped up. I only needed 2 statements but we sat on his porch and chatted about all sorts of things since it was so balmy out (it took my fingers a good 30 minutes to thaw).

Here's your fix for baby photos:
Chris's new child:

Posner's new child:

Update

Jason Berry — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 02:52:00 +0000

What a rollercoaster life can be. I realize that's not the most intuitive statement but lately life feels less like a rollercoaster and more like I'm being dragged behind one.

I spent a good part of last week in my hometown visiting "Super" Dave Jewett, as they refer to him on ESPN. He's been the poster-boy for the Stihl Timbersports Series more than a couple times and now he's the posterboy for "Hospitals Suck" weekly.
Notice the difference:

Dave's kidney's seem to have been attacked by some sort of virus long ago and have all but stopped working. He's going to need a transplant and while there's many successful translpants these days, the thought of it is slightly un-nerving to say the very least. But Dave's going to learn all about it, like it or not. Luckily he's a popular guy and all sorts of people have been stepping up to offer their kidneys, including myself although they mentioned something about not wanting stressed out film makers in the mix. But his family will likely come up with the spare parts. Which is really pretty cool. What isn't really cool is that he's already lost 20lb's in 2 weeks. Hopefully once dialysis starts this week he'll get back on track a bit.

Notice Dave's anti-hall-surfing footwear. Looks like the hospital is cracking down on fun.

Which is where I come in. Keeping the "Obnoxious" in "Kidney Failure"

Getting back to the movie - oh yea. I'm now back in DC and trying to focus. Now that I'm again in the swing of working crazy hours on this thing, I'm starting to see what is shaping up to be an absolutely epic endding thanks to Chris and Craig. Only problem is that I had about 15 minutes budgeted for the final scene and it's up to 20. Yikes. But better to have too much good stuff then not enough.

So that's it for now. If anyone wants to e-mail Dave to wish him well, or to donate vital organs, he's at djewett@rochester.rr.com

Me, I'll be right here wondering WHY THE HELL I gave up alcohol for Lent this year...

Dry-as-dirt-JB

It's all relative

Jason Berry — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 02:52:00 +0000

I've kind of stopped believing even myself when I say I'm done shooting for this movie. I know, if you read the press months ago we supposedly finished "principle" photography sometime in November but I guess there's a lot more to "subordinate" photography than I had hoped.

Last night Ken came up from the 'Burg to give some much needed perspective on each scene since they are over the time budget by 4-8 minutes each. Haik joined us after a few hours and we hashed out much of the film, leaving a lot on the cutting room floor. Such is the bittersweet process of editing. It was another late work night and Ken camped out at Casa Berry to help me film Chris's final interview up in Baltimore today since what I shot last week not only was plagued by a burnt out pixel on one of our HD cameras - UUUGGGGHHHH - but according to Ken (and I had to agree), the shot setting was poor. I'm all for making it better so that's what we did.

Luckily we had the warmest day in weeks which allowed us to drag Chris outdoors and shoot him (always sounds funny) near the Patapsco River - basically his front yard.

Ken and Chris decend to river level for one last interview. No, really. That's it.

The shoot went well but it was a mad dash to get home before traffic got too bad. I scored a quick (?) hour on the trainer, shower, dinner, washed dishes and checked e-mail before getting back to work...

Amidst all the baby stuff, my sister decided to hop on the train and popped out Elijah Cooper Ryder back on February 7th. She sent this recent photo of EJ on my Mom's lap - sporting the jumper I got for him...

After wolfing down a salad with recovery drink I was feeling very overwhelmed by all the new footage I had to import, new clips I had to send Haik and new directions for the animator doing the titles. There's so much going on and time is running out- then the phone rang.

Deep breath...

My life-long buddy, Dave Jewett was rushed to the hospital yesterday for kidney failure. He's got really bad headaches, his blood is full of protiens and his blood pressure was through the roof. It absolutely stunned me. Bad.

Dave is one of the closest people in the world to me. Has been for over 30 years. The doctors have been running all sorts of tests but they still don't know what is wrong with him. He's getting a biopsy done tomorrow since all the blood tests, cat scans, X-rays and ultra-sounds have provided no clue or explanation for his barely working kidneys. Talk about a large dose of "my problems ain't so bad..."

Dave and I 24 years ago, wannabe surfers.

I'm not much for organized religion but I'm a fairly spiritual person and I believe in the power of positive energy, so if you have a spare minute please do me a favor and send some good thoughts up to Rochester, NY for my buddy Dave.

Thank you-