REI Presents: Engaging The Curve

Graham and Shannon have been dating for 5 years and currently live together in Bend, OR. They’ve each had professional athletic careers in two very different sports: Ultimate Frisbee and Alpine Climbing. This is the story of how they share their respective sports with each other, and how the idea of learning to mountain bike was inspired by their community and environment.

Together they will step back into the mindset of beginners as they learn to mountain bike. With crashes and frustrations alongside the joy of progression, they whoop and swear their way through this comedic and painful learning curve.

With some (but probably not enough) experience under their belts, they head for the remote hills of Eastern OR to test out their new skills. Inspired by friends’ stories of mountain bike packing in wild parts of the world, they explore the wilderness in their backyard while seeking out engaging terrain to shred.

As they wrap up their journey, they reflect on the experiences of learning to bike and how it helped them build a stronger relationship with each other and their environment.

[TheDenisedrake]

SO GLAD you are showing beginners! Fabulous couple.

[ruguoserliegise]

Such a great way of conveying “there’s a start to everything”

[abstraddic]

I love this one, that was an incredible adventure shared
. REI is killing it.

[COFR]

This Portlandia episode didn't make me laugh once. Okay, I lie, the frisbee bit got me chuckling.

[cyclingnut]

The great thing about cycling is, it doesn't matter how good or bad you are, just ride 😁😁 love this video, very inspiring and such a cute couple, whose enthusiasm is infectious 😉😉❤️❤️😉😉

[PhilSnider]

"We found mountain biking, it's great. We're really bad at it."

[flpirate]

Loved the video slot. You both now have some wonderful memories to share for the rest of your lives, and to tell your children about it later on in life. Thanks guys and li e long and prosper.

[jeffmcilroy]

This look like a blast. Must have been an unforgettable experience

[spiritofzen]

What a very inspiring video, and a great couple who have a genuine love for one another and mountain biking, I’m a cyclist and my boyfriend isn’t so if I show him this maybe he’ll be encouraged to ride with me 🚴‍♂️👍👏👏👏👏great video guys, love it, and love you 👍❤️

[JasonWightman]

First bike vid I've watched where the riders were not shredding $10k bikes

[gibson]

Loved this. Stuck in isolation in a London hotel, just what I needed thanks!

[No-thing-ness]

Well produced video good job! - oh i remember these days, you have taken me back to when i first met my now wife 20 years ago. i cant wait until our kids, as much as i love them, are old enough to stay at home by themselves because we have already been planning some riding tours. And yes there is going to be some major ups and major downs, but when you strip everything else back, 'its you and me babe, i got you and me', to get through.

[resolve-lifetrainingmichae]

Nice to see beginners. Great video. Great concept.

[vothry]

Now, they’d get gravel bikes. The full spectrum from road to single track, fire trail to urban broken pavement. I love my Giant Revolt. It gets me off my criterium race bike and back to the heart of cycling; exploring.

[Martinmr]

I want to do this with my future other half!!!. Love Mtb!

[alannorman]

Super awesome, heartwarming film. Thanks guys.

[lukejohnson]

Great couple and so proud have shot highlights from Shannon's ultimate career at both Oregon Fugue and Seattle Riot. Good luck on your continued adventures.

[madratter]

What an experience. Great trip. Thanks for sharing

[karthik_z]

Incredible story telling. Awesome couple, I wish to be like them

[mediumrick]

glad to see REI giving more attention to bikepacking