Video & Photo Epic: Bikes, Storytelling & Giant Mountains in 'True Story' with Joey Schusler

Mar 31, 2020
by SRAM  


With some people, it’s hard to separate their character from the environment that shaped them. Joey Schusler is certainly one of those people. A Colorado native who spent his youth roaming high in the Rocky Mountains on bikes and skis, Joey is a product of the wilderness that forged him, just as a metal casting assumes the form of its mold.

Though his trajectory as a professional mountain biker started with World Cup downhill racing, Joey’s spirit has never strayed from the high country—and he’s melded his passion for bikes, storytelling and giant mountains into a fulfilling career as an adventure filmmaker and photographer. His evolution as an artist has been defined by the alpine landscapes that inspire him, with the ever-thinning air of elevation unleashing his creative energies. His filmmaking journeys have taken him through the towering heights of the Himalaya and the hand-numbing descents of the Andes, but nowhere is Joey more at home than in his sprawling backyard of the Rockies.

On any given weekend, he can be found far in the Colorado backcountry, exploring remote pockets of emptiness on his mountain bike, with only the narrowest slivers of singletrack to guide him. For Joey, these slivers are avenues to freedom, and navigating their ruggedness is his redemption. From the root-filled terrain of the forested foothills to the rocky reaches of the alpine, these natural obstacles represent a never-ending succession of opportunities for Joey to interface with the elements that continue to hone him as a human. They are his molds. And this is Joey.

We hope our storytelling can help you escape current events, even for a few minutes, and bring some positivity to your day during these strange times. For those inspired: we ask that you respect your region’s legislation towards COVID-19 and only ride when appropriate.


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Sram G2 - Joey Schusler - Colorado

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Sram G2 - Joey Schusler - Colorado

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Video by: Mind Spark Cinema
Photos by: Anthony Smith


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Author Info:
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Member since Apr 1, 2011
178 articles

33 Comments
  • 13 0
 The sneaky aspen eyes composition is especially good
  • 5 0
 Anthony is a master, and those Colorado Aspen forests are nothing short of Magic!
  • 8 3
 I love that Colorado allows mountain bikers to ride IN the mountains. More Western states and more importantly the federal government need to open up at least some of the wilderness areas to human powered cycling. Most especially now, given that trail systems are packed when for the next few years, we need to be spread much further apart.
  • 6 11
flag Sycip69er (Mar 31, 2020 at 9:45) (Below Threshold)
 Yeah I'll be the guy to say it. We don't want high speed bikes jumping and skidding down wilderness trails. Sorry not sorry. They are characterized by being remote and difficult trails for hiking.

Don't like horses or burros? I wouldn't worry about it, there aren't many people using those these days.
  • 11 0
 @Sycip69er: I don't think it's fair to jump to conclusions that all bikers are jumping and skidding down trails. Sure there are some of them and with more and more bike parks opening up hopefully they find their jumps and skids on the trails there. But to discriminate against a human powered bike on trails where horses are allowed is simply an old way of thinking. #trailsforall
  • 8 0
 @fast-n-loose-podcast: The bike industry had better work on its "optics" then. Less full enduro and more hippy granola bikepacking. Good luck.
  • 2 0
 @Sycip69er: This is true. One of those resonates with the kids a little bit more haha!
  • 2 0
 @Sycip69er: Everything you see above, or nearly (notable exceptions) would be inaccessible Wilderness trail if it were in Washington. Was there any misuse or jumps featured in this feature? Many of us simply like pedalling in the mountains, not just the foothills. There's room in the mountains for mountain bikes. Not all, just some.

I also do not dislike horses or burros.
  • 7 0
 Can't wait to ride in the alpine again.
  • 11 0
 Same. It’ll happen. I’ve been drawing a lot of joy lately by reminiscing on all the amazing experiences I’ve had on two wheels in the alpine, while dreaming up some more for the future!
  • 1 0
 @joeyschusler: Which hut is that? I am somewhat familiar with the huts down there in the san juans but don't know that one. Looks like I will have to make s trip down to explore.
  • 1 0
 @joeyschusler You and Matt Hunter have been super inspirational for me as a guide in the UK - all the rides, routes and content which we aim to create we always have your art in mind to aspire to so thank you Smile If ever you find yourself over here do hit us up - we've got some fun coast to coast routes and national park crossings to show you in ol Blighty!
  • 5 0
 That was a sick vid Joey! Reallllly making me ready for some good riding.
  • 5 0
 Colorado. What a great place to ride.
  • 2 0
 So deadly! This is right up my alley. Joey brings some of the best mtb content out there. Writer, photographer, cameraman, and shredder all in one package! This snow has got to GTFO!
  • 3 0
 Dream team. This was great!
  • 3 0
 That is pretty nice terrain to ride your bike.
  • 1 0
 All I've been thinking about is summers in the alpine since the shelter-in-place orders went into effect. Thanks for the video!
  • 1 0
 Epic riding and pictures! Stoked to get to the high country after this f*cking shelter in place shit it over ????????
  • 1 1
 Really enjoyed that. Thanks for sharing. Especially with local trails here closed and big ?s surrounding probability of another bikepacking trip to the San Juans this summer.
  • 1 0
 Colorado alpine biking sucks. Snow fields, thunderstorms, push a bike climbs. Its brutal, trust me.
  • 1 0
 Hail storms, mud, mountain lions, bears, jank corners, no flow. It sucks.
  • 1 0
 Really enjoyed that vid! But the photos - absolutely love them! So well done! Smile
  • 1 0
 Shimano and Sram putting their marketing budgets to great use the past few years Smile
  • 2 0
 Same boxer shorts for ten days??? Ring of steel!!
  • 1 0
 Epic landscapes, Epic story, epic shots and the sneaky crocs.
  • 1 0
 Pre-ride feels @ 0:15. Every time!
  • 2 0
 Sick.
  • 1 0
 Aaah, those pictures make me want to ride for a week …
  • 1 0
 Now this is my kind of social distancing.
  • 1 0
 This is a very kind and gentle film. Thank you!
  • 1 0
 Fire man jus pure fire
  • 1 0
 Get HIGH man.







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