Reveal the Path: A Life-Changing Film, Not Just For Cyclists
Reveal the Path may be a film described as a “visually stunning adventure by bike”, but even more so it’s what I would call an “auditory spectacle of incredible life wisdom”.
Last night I joined the sold out crowd at the Alamo Drafthouse here in Austin to experience the Texas premier of this amazing film from the creators of “Ride the Divide“, Mike Dion (Director) and Hunter Weeks (Producer). Ever since Mike first contacted me and asked to help spread the word, I’ve been majorly stoked for the screening….seeing as it would be the first bike film that I’ve seen in a theatre. Seeing those bikes and cyclists as larger than life figures on the big screen was enough to draw me in, but adding to it the incredible scenery from the worldly locations in which the film was shot totally blew me away.
Mike Dion – Director of Reveal the Path
But like I said, the visual aspects of Reveal the Path are breathless in and of themselves…especially if you’re a bike nut like me, but it was the words spoken from the films characters which filled me with inspiration and brought out my emotions. It is that part of the film that truly provides its brilliance in my opinion, and it is for that fact that I say this is a must see, even if you’re not all that into cycling. Oh, and it’s also very Family friendly. I took my 6-year-old Son with me and he thought it was great….he also thought his huge bowl of Alamo popcorn was amazing and chugged back the whole thing.
Mike and Hunter are the creators of this film, but also ride in it as well. They are joined by Matthew Lee (endurance cyclist and multi-time Tour Divide champion) and Kurt Refsnider (adventure cyclist and 2011 Tour Divide champ), and set off on an adventure which includes riding through Scotland, France, Switzerland, Morocco, Nepal, and Alaska.
Each of these locations was filled with beautiful scenery, wicked riding, and some of the coolest people this planet has to offer. My favorite “supporting character” was a guy named Jez who led the crew through Scotland. Following the movie, Mike explained that he came across Jez through Twitter of all places and he turned out to be a major part of this film. Anyway, Jez’s view on life is nothing short of perfection and more than once he spit out some words that spoke directly to my soul. My favorite line from him (as paraphrased by me) was that “time is used to measure the passing of life…but when you are really living, time is not a factor any more”. He said it much better than I can remember, but he was saying this as an explanation to why time passes so quickly while out riding.
But the four main crew/characters themselves were full of inspirational comments and moments themselves. Each of these guys were highlighted and shared thoughts on life that will stay with me forever. Dang man, that Matthew Lee should be a freaking movie star or something….he looks right at home up on the movie screen and his response and actions to what goes on around him is oh so totally cool.
This film is funny, emotional, deep, and full of bikey goodness and by the time it’s over it’ll have you contemplating life and which path you should take next. Because that’s really all life is….that’s all riding a bike is. It’s a bunch of paths, and they are all yours for the taking.
“If we open ourselves to the path, we can experience so many more things”
Have a look at the list of screenings for Reveal the Path as it makes its way around North America, and if it’s coming to a city near you be sure to jump at the opportunity to see this one on the big screen. Also be sure to pick up a DVD copy as well, because it’s a film you’re going to want to watch over and over. Trust me….it’s a life changer.
Upcoming Screenings: http://revealthepath.com/screenings/
Order the DVD: http://revealthepath.com/store/
I’d looked forward to seeing Reveal the Path as I’ve enjoyed Ride the Divide very
much and watched it more than once. I have to say that Path isn’t the sequel I’d
hoped for – for me the biggest problem with the movie is that the only rides
we’re shown seem to be daytrips or maybe overnighters (it’s never made clear)
making this no more interesting than any other mountain bike vacation in a
scenic place. Freeride movies follow a similar format but they have stunning
action, pumping soundtracks and some humor along the way. In Path the scenic
shots are overlaid with a voiceover that consists of relentless pseudo-philosophising
about personal growth and finding the path, which (for me) just became tedious
after a while.
As a small plus the DVD extras include Kurt Refsnider showing us his bike and
bikepacking setup, a beautiful, fully rigid ti Salsa and Kurt seems like a
down-to-earth individual far removed from the waffle of the
main feature narrative.
I hope a bike manufacturer will sponsor Matthew Lee and/or Kurt Refsnider to race
La Ruta de los Conquistadores in Costa Rica and Mike Dion to make a documentary
film about their trip – that would be a fitting sequel to Ride the Divide,
sorry folks, but Reveal the Path ain’t it.
Hi all! I was fortunate enough to see the premier of “Reveal the Path” in Salida, CO. While there, I met briefly with Mike Dion and Matthew Lee. Unfortunately, we had to leave early as my friend and I had a two-hour motorcycle ride over Monarch pass, and it was late in the evening.
The film was not riddled with action, but I did not expect it to be so. According to Mike Dion, it was created to present the true essence of travel, which is to explore different cultures while gleaning atlernative perspectives to sprituality, cuisine, geography, and life in general. All the while, bicycling these parts of the world was their medium through which they experienced all of the aforementioned, and, in some ways, offered a door through which commuication with the local population was easier.
This film showed the audience the possibilities of what life could offer, as well as trails riders could challenge in other parts of the world. Rather than complain about the film, perhaps critics should etiher make their own movie, get ouside to find their own adventure, or both.
Great job to Mike Dion, Matthew Lee, and cast and crew for making this film!
Cheers,
KT
I do not recommend this movie. If you edit out all the men-sitting-around-in-bike-jerseys-taking-themselves-too-seriously-and-waxing-philosophical about what “The Path” should be for me, you have about 10 minutes of pretty footage and funny moments from a bromance bike vacation of supported day trips. I literally started banging my head against my boyfriend midway through the movie, just wanting the drivel to end. Seriously, where did they find 4 bikers who could spend that much time examining their own navels? Were personalities edited out in favor of “the Path” monologues? Most of the bikers I know are playful and funny, and would only attempt to explain life when stoned and with ridiculous conclusions.
I wish I could have shaken the filmmakers and told them:
Don’t tell me what the path should be for me, show me the paths that the characters find
Don’t tell me how nice it is to talk to a foreigner, show me a conversation with a foreigner
Don’t tell me how being on a bike makes you feel, show me your infectious happiness while biking
Don’t tell me that “the path” is defined by moments of struggle, show me struggle, breakdowns, and triumph.
Don’t tell me that you’ve made better life choices than me because you’re on a Salsa-sponsored bike trip, show me the possibilities we can discover when we decide to get on a bike.
Don’t tell me you’ve grown, show me how you’ve changed, how your relationships with people have evolved.
Don’t tell me, show me. Let me interpret for myself.
Sorry to hear that you didn’t get as much out of the film as I did….but thanks for sharing your viewpoints on Reveal the Path.
I’m glad you got out of it what you did. It lost me in less than 10 minutes. I really enjoyed the divide film, but this on left me yawning and hoping it ended soon after just a few minutes. Guess everyone gets something different from a film.
Sorry to hear that you didn’t dig it like I did. You’re right, everyone gets something different from all things…that’s what makes us so interesting. Thanks for your comments.
This is a nice review, Darryl. We missed the movie showing last night but will need to pick up one of the dvd’s.
Looks great. Any chance this film will make it to Australia?
I’ll have to check with the production crew on that one. I”m sure you can order the DVD and have it sent there. I recommend it.
It doesn’t look to be coming here to Calgary, but it nice that there isa few Canadian dates. I’ll put in my order and watch it on my small screen at home.
I live in Tucson and saw that this was coming here. I hope there are tickets available because you just sold me on needing to see this. If not, I will pick up the Blue Ray.