Big Dreams and Leaps of Faith: a FattyCast with Ryan Cleek

02.8.2016 | 1:00 pm

NewImageLet me start with a little bit of full disclosure: “Reach for the Sky” is one of my favorite songs from my favorite band (oh, and be sure to listen to this acoustic version, too).

So yes, I was predisposed to like Ryan Cleek’s documentary: Cam Zink: Reach for the Sky

In the end, though, it takes more than an awesome song to make an awesome documentary. And this is an awesome documentary. It essentially shows a year in the life of Cam Zink, the extraordinary freerider.

Talking About Big Dreams

Bookended by Redbull Rampages, this movie has incredible footage on the bike. But it’s what happens off the bike that makes Cleek’s Reach for the Sky really worth watching.

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Cleek captures an extraordinary year of transition in Zink here, even as, behind the camera, Cleek is making an equally big bet himself. To make this film, Cleek quit his job and took a leap of faith, quitting Specialized and loading up his credit cards while he made a film he knew he needed to make.

So while we for sure talk about the film itself, my interview with Cleek in this new FattyCast is just as much about Ryan and taking big risks.

I have to say, I loved this conversation for a lot of reasons. Cleek — an accomplished rider and racer himself — is an amazing storyteller. He’s honest, and direct, and he’s unafraid to chase down things that are important to him.

He’s an inspiring guy. Who also, it should be known, owns what must be the squeakiest chair on the face of the earth.

Squeaks aside, you have to listen to this edition of the FattyCast. Listen to it on iTunes, using my RSS feed (http://fattycast.com/rss), or on FattyCast.com. Or, if you’re so inclined, just listen to it (or download it) below. 

Where to See the Film 

It doesn’t matter whether you even know what Freeriding is; you’ve got to watch this film. Click here for links to the many ways  you can download and / or stream it. Supporting indie filmmakers is good.

Inspiration

I am not going to go into the “what” quite yet, but let me say this: seeing people like Cleek go out on a limb and do something amazing is inspiring. 

I’ve got something big in mind, something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, but have lacked the will to try. 

If I can gather the courage, you’ll know more soon.

4 Comments

  1. Comment by Dave | 02.8.2016 | 1:42 pm

    You already do amazing things but I am always interested and entertained by your escapades and adventures so cannot wait to hear about something that you would term “big” Most of what you already do seems big to me. love the podcasts. they are awesome. It took me awhile to figure out what the background noise was. At first, I thought it was a baby but then figured out it was a squeaky chair

  2. Comment by Kate | 02.9.2016 | 2:09 pm

    You’re the king of the cliffhanger. Even when it’s not a race report.

  3. Comment by Shugg McGraw | 02.13.2016 | 4:03 pm

    I’ve found out what Freeriding is. As good a way of killing yourself as any I suppose.

  4. Comment by Joel | 02.16.2016 | 3:54 pm

    I’m loving the podcast. I was trying to find the episode with Janeen McCrae. I thought I saw it in my feed…now I don’t. Did I miss my chance?

 

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