It's taken Amanda and I a long, long time to put out this episode - and in the last several months since we released 8, the script for 9 has gone through many changes. The last two weeks that we've been working on this has been exciting, I didn't realize how much I miss posting new episodes.

I'm watching the progress bar on Vimeo slowly climb past 8% and it's a little before 1 in the morning as I'm writing this. It's gonna be a long night - but it's worth it.

So - a brief introduction to this episode. This is the 9th episode overall that we've put out, and it's the 4th chapter in the 64 Days series. It introduces in greater detail the three crew members: Olan, Olivier, and Jef. Who all flew out from Belgium to work on Pedal without any pay... at least yet, I hope I'll be able to change that when the film is finished *fingers crossed*

Our time on the road with them taught us both so much. It was an experience I will never forget - and never really know how to properly put into words. Well, enough talk. I hope you enjoy it. Amanda and I worked very hard on it.

64 Days - Part 4 from mike ambs on Vimeo.

If you do enjoy it, as always we'd love to hear your comments and questions - but also, if you have a twitter account, we'd really be flattered if you send out a quick twitter about it. Which you can do all with one click here.

We're also excited about being able to embed this episode on your own blog in beautiful HD - we purchased 10,000 HD embeds from Vimeo so you can see it in full resolution *anywhere* on the web - so please help us put those 10,000 embeds to good use!

And as I mentioned in my last post - here's a link to the PDF of episode 9's script. This was scanned in about two weeks ago, so you'll notices some slight differences in what's typed out and what ended up in the timeline. We tend to make small changes and rearrange the edit up until the last minute.

Thanks for being so patient with us - and thanks for all the support.

Labels: 64 Days, Crew, Episode, Post-Production

I guess I should start this post off by answering two questions: 1) "Why did we re-release Episode 8?" And 2) "Do I really have to re-watch this?"

First; Episode 8 was extremely exhausting for Amanda and I to write, record and edit. And by the time we were 2/3rds of the way finished cutting it together, we stepped back and said, "ehh, this is getting long, I think it's good enough the way it is now". And we chopped off the whole ending we had written. What bugged us about doing that after the fact, was that the ending is what tied the whole episode back into the rest of the 64 Days series.

And second; If you're pressed for time, then my honest answer would be, "No.", you don't have to watch the *whole* thing. But if you wanted to see the major change, then you could skip to the last 3 minutes. As for the rest, there are only minor changes... many things taken out, several small things added in.

64 Days - Part 3 - Extended Edit from mike ambs on Vimeo.

I believe Amanda and I said this before, when we first posted Episode 8, that we would never be 100% happy with this episode. That there was just too many things that could never be squeezed in - but I think we both try to remind ourselves that 8 was one of our most successful episodes. Not in number of views, but definitely in comments and reaction. People really opened up after watching it, and no matter how many little things we know we had to leave out, I think we still managed to make something people can relate to.

Okay, enough stalling. I hope you like the extended cut of this episode. As always we'd love to hear your comments and questions - but also, if you have a twitter account, we'd really be flattered if you send out a quick twitter about it. Which you can do all with one click here. Thanks!

Labels: 64 Days, Episode, Post-Production

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

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

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

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

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

Labels: 64 Days, Episode, Post-Production

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

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

Labels: 64 Days, Episode, Post-Production

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

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


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

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

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

Labels: 64 Days, Episode, Post-Production

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

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

Labels: Episode, Jay, Larry, May 26th, Thank You

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Labels: 9 Years, Another State of Mind, Black Sheep, Blip.tv, Episode, Network2.tv, Pre-Production, The Flux, Veoh, WOM

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

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

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

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

The deadline for introductions is May 1st.

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

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

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

Labels: Casting Call, Episode, Pre-Production, Routine, Vlog

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

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

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

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

Labels: Blip.tv, Episode, Logistics, Pre-Production, Production, Questions/Concerns, Vlog

Episode One: From the beginning from mike ambs on Vimeo.

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

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

Labels: Blip.tv, Episode, Feedback, Pre-Production, Promo, Vlog