New Local Film ‘Adapt(ive)’ Spotlights Ogden Valley Adaptive Riders, Shattering Mountain Biking Stereotypes
NEWS
Local athlete Kristi Prall rides at North Fork. Image provided by Terradrift Media Co.
An Ogden-made documentary seeks to highlight mountain biking as a sport for everyone. “Adapt(ive): An Unconventional Mountain Biking Documentary,” by Terradrift Media Co., features personal stories from adaptive riders involved with Northern Utah’s Ogden Valley Adaptive program. Filmmakers Alisha and Josh McDarris are raising funds to complete the final stages of editing and distribution, to get these stories about overcoming barriers out to the public and film festivals.
Last year, Alisha McDarris attended a local mountain biking film festival where most of the films didn’t represent riders like herself or those she rides with. “That’s when the idea sprouted to make my own film (with my husband) about underrepresented and undercelebrated mtb [mountain biking] communities, she said.” Soon after, they met Ogden Valley Adaptive (OVA) at the farmers market, and it grew from there.
“This documentary won’t be another compilation of sick stunts and epic jumps,” the Kickstarter page states. It shows that mountain biking is for everybody, no matter their physical ability. “Since the birth of mountain biking, the sport has appealed to, catered to, and been advertised to a very specific type of person. Non-disabled men – mostly white – ride, shred, climb, do extreme stunts, and film it to dazzle audiences.”
They say this one-sided presentation, along with other barriers like the high cost of equipment and accommodating trails, has created a false perception that mountain biking is a spectator sport. The riders in the “Adapt(ive)” film tell stories of how they overcame these barriers to experience the joy of riding.
The film also highlights Ogden Valley Adaptive and how organizations like it “redefine possibility.”
Alisha McDarris is a passionate mountain biker, documentary filmmaker, journalist, blogger, and YouTuber. Through her work, she seeks to help make the outdoors more welcoming and accessible for everyone. Josh McDarris is a documentary filmmaker, video editor, and producer with a passion for the outdoors, sustainability, and equal access. Together, they’re the creative team behind the website and YouTube channel terradrift.com.
Terradrift is donating 10% of all money raised for the final film to Ogden Valley Adaptive. They plan to submit the film to Utah film festivals and other mountain bike and outdoor adventure film festivals to spread the message that all riders are welcome on the trails.
For more information about the film and to donate, visit the Kickstarter page. The campaign ends on Friday, Oct. 3. Individuals or businesses wishing to support the film may continue to reach out.