After the riders had a quick warm up , we started filming as Shane got to work with the zip line.  Was a strange but cool day having Irelands top riders all together but not competing against each other, I think everyone enjoyed the experience of riding together and checking out each others lines and riding styles!  Was very chilled out and funny when the riders started trying to overtake each other, there were a few funny falls!  After the zip we had a few interviews to finish off then called it a day.  A few of the riders took the opportunity to spend another few hours out on their bikes together while they were all in the same part of the country and had the chance.

So with shooting finished Andy is now getting stuck into the editing.  We have had requests from people in Canada, America and UK for screening evenings, and are currently checking out some film festivals also.  Subscribe to the site to be the first to hear of screening event details and World Wide dvd release dates.  I am currently trying to organise a launch party in Belfast which should be pretty big with some of the bands involved playing.  Details will be posted here when I have them, don’t miss out!

[Show as slideshow]

 

We started off at the big mast above Ravensdale Forest, the views were unreal, it was pretty hazy at first but it wasn’t long before the sun came out and the hours just seemed to fly by as we filmed some pretty sick riding by Meave.  I even had a go on Meave’s bike (my first ever go on a downhill bike) which I totally loved, as you can probably see from the photograph below!

After scaring a few sheep and coming across a random plastic chair halfway up the mountain we headed back down to Meave’s house were we all stuffed ourselves with some lovely sandwhiches made by Meave then headed to a Forest just outside Newry, Co Down to meet up with Liam, Meave’s brother for a cross country section.  The forest looked amazing, the sun was just setting and the bluebells were in full bloom, the footage looks pretty cool!

[Show as slideshow]

 

Andy and I got back to Belfast quite late in the evening and are now getting ready for the final group shoot today!  Should be a good one!

Sharon and I drove down to film Masters Downhill World Championship Silver Medalist Meave Baxter.  Meave is lucky enough to have grown up close to loads of amazing trails in Rostrevor, near Newry. She took us to one of her favourite places to ride nearby in Yellow Water forest.

The trail there ran down beside a river and looked really fun to ride.  It was really flowy singletrack, and opened up more towards the top of the mountain with some stunning views.

Like all of the other riders, Meave was totally wrecked by the end of the shoot.  We got her to do each section a few times to get the best angles.  

After shooting we headed back to her parents house for some interview fun.  This is the part that every rider hates but Meave got through it pretty well even though her wild cat and dog were there to interrupt. Check out the pics and video clip for a sneak peak of action from the day.

On the way home we called in to catch up with Glyn O’Brien and check out his new house that he built himself.  When I first heard he was going to do this I didn’t know what to expect but when we arrived and went inside the place was pretty cool.  Things are still in progress but he has loads of cool features like an outdoor stone fire built into a wall, a Jacuzzi bath, and tons of room for all of his bikes.

[Show as slideshow]

 

Coming up next:
Irish Pro Ben Reid