About this project
This documentary has the potential to advance our collective understanding of diabetes and ultimately push us closer to a cure. If you are living with diabetes or love someone who is, or if you feel moved by Tony's story, please donate. If you cannot donate, please forward a link to this page to friends who may be interested in supporting our endeavor. We are humbly grateful in advance for your support.
A TAPROOT FILMS DOCUMENTARY -- ABOUT THE FILM
Tony Cervati -- known in the diabetes and cycling worlds as "Type 1 Rider" -- is a 42 year-old man with Type 1 diabetes. In June, he will leave everything behind to bike the longest, most
dangerous, unsanctioned mountain bike trail on the planet.
After three years of training he will ride the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from Canada to the Mexico border. This route is roughly 2800 miles long. He will ride through extreme conditions -- grizzly country, ice, wind, snow, desert and more than 200,000ft of elevation gain (roughly the equivalent of climbing Mt. Everest seven times). For thirty days, he will be alone without any support from the outside world. Should something go wrong, he will have only one way to communicate for help: a satellite SOS
device. Even then, if Tony is in an extremely remote stretch of the ride, it could take medical teams up to 24 hours to get to him.
Tony's insulin dependency creates mind-numbing logistical hurdles. His insulin pump is not FDA approved over 10,000 ft. His body's ability to use and process insulin will change throughout the race in ways that are somewhat unpredictable. Potential hypoglycemic lows pose the most serious risk. Tony knows he is facing life-threatening challenges, but he will stop at nothing -- even if it means putting his own life at risk -- to prove that a life with diabetes can be lived without limitations. Completing this ride is his life mission.
TONY WILL MAKE DIABETES HISTORY
No one with type 1 diabetes has ever attempted such a dangerous ride. In fact,
if Tony makes it to the Mexico border, he will break a world record by
2300 miles. This is a story about the extreme outer limits of physical
strength, emotional endurance, commitment and human potential -- one man
versus himself in the great outdoors. This is a story that must be told.
$50K HELPS TONY SHARE HIS STORY.
The Taproot Films crew has already documented Tony's daily struggles with diabetes, his
extensive race preparations, training rides, doctor appointments, interviews with medical and mental health
professionals, the raddest bike build ever, and so much more. Producers Kristin and Michael have put everything aside to focus on this film. The entire crew is at a critical crossroads.
We need $50K to get our crew and cameras alongside Tony for the duration of this historic journey.
$50K PAYS FOR:
- An RV for the crew. We will live in this RV for the duration of
Tony's trip. The RV will also serve as the mobile editing and production
studio, as well as a safe storage unit for all of our gear. This is
significantly cheaper than driving the route and paying for hotel rooms
each night. It is also significantly cheaper than flying back and forth
from NC during the race.
- Flight travel from North Carolina -- where we live -- to Canada. RV gas, food and parking for the trip from Canada to Mexico, and flights back home.
- Special equipment rentals and purchases, including small cameras that attach to Tony bike and helmet, hard drives, lights, weather-resistant gear for cameras, etc. This is a logistically-complex production which increases expenses significantly.
- Location fees.
Any penny over $50K goes directly toward editing and post-production expenses. We need professional color correction, pro sound mix and design, etc. We have set our Kickstarter goal lower than the budget we actually need in hopes of surpassing it.
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A QUOTE FROM TONY
"All of us with diabetes face challenges, fears and complex, life-altering situations every day. We know this, accept it and do the best we can. My dream and vision is to use this race and the film to intimately document these struggles while proving that diabetes can indeed be conquered." -- TONY CERVATI
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.type1riderthefilm.com
or, visit the film's Facebook page.
Sincerely,
The Type 1 Rider film crew / Taproot Films
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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Funding Unsuccessful
This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on June 18, 2011.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
A "Special Thanks" credit in film. If you would like donate "In Honor" or "In Memory" of someone with diabetes, we can use their name instead of yours in the credits. (We can obtain this information from you when we meet our funding goal).
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
A personal shout out on Tony's blog. Plus, the above.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Receive a private digital sneak peak of film trailer, a personal shout out on Tony's blog, and a credit in the film!
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
An exclusive email update with production stills from shoots. See behind the scenes. Plus, a private digital sneak peak of the film trailer, AND a personal shout out on Tony's blog type1rider.org.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
A signed copy of the final DVD. Plus, the above. A private email update with production stills from behind the scenes, an exclusive sneak peak at the film trailer, a shout out on Tony's blog, and a credit in the film!
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
Exclusive invitation for two to a premiere of the documentary (travel and lodging not included). Plus, you get a signed DVD, a private email update with stills from the behind the scenes, a sneak peak of the trailer and a credit in the film!
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
Congratulations! You get an ASSOCIATE PRODUCER credit in the film. That means you appear after the director and co-producer credits! Sawweeet! Plus, you get the DVD, the exclusive invitation and all the above.
Pledge $2,500 or more Pledge $2,500 or more
Tony will call, Skype or FaceTime with you to update you on his ride, the film and thank you for your support. He'll also send you a handwritten postcard during the making of the film, from wherever he is between Canada and Mexico. Plus, you get exclusive tickets, the associate producer credit, and all the above.
Pledge $3,000 or more Pledge $3,000 or more
Co-producer Michael Sullivan will give you his rad bike -- the one-of-a-kind, handmade Endless Lifetime prototype. You get the entire bike, not just the frame. The Endless Lifetime was either the first street capable cross country bike or the first cross country capable street bike. We don't quite remember which one it was, but dang it's a killer ride. Plus, you get all the above.
Pledge $3,500 or more Pledge $3,500 or more
Co-producer Michael Sullivan will give you his tricked out Specialized Langster (as seen in the film trailer at 1:00 - 1:05 minutes). This bike has pink, custom Velocity Deep-V wheels. The front wheel is laced to a Chris King classic hub and the rear, to the coveted Level Industries fixed hub. Thomson seatpost and stem. FSA carbon crankset. Specialized Toupe saddle, and moustache handlebars. This is totally trick. Plus, you get all the above (excluding other limited rewards).
Pledge $4,000 or more Pledge $4,000 or more
You get one of Tony's bikes -- a Surly Steamroller fixed-gear, complete with blue Velocity Deep Vs, laced to Phil hubs, and carbon cranks. Plus, get all the above (excluding other limited rewards).
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
Tony will give you an on-camera shout-out in a special outtake. Available only on DVD. Plus, Tony will call you to update you on his ride. And, of course, all of the above (excluding other limited rewards).
Pledge $7,500 or more Pledge $7,500 or more
Get an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER credit. Your name will appear before anyone else! Plus, the above (excluding other limited rewards).
Pledge $10,000 or more Pledge $10,000 or more
Go on a bike ride with Tony in your town. Plus, a private screening in your home with Tony. Plus, the above (excluding other limited rewards).
Pledge $10,000 or more Pledge $10,000 or more
You get Tony's custom-built Industry Nine wheel set with three red spokes representing the three people who are diagnosed with diabetes every minute. Plus, all the above (excluding other limited rewards and the other $10,000 reward).
Project By
Connected as Kristin Brewer (732 friends)
TYPE 1 RIDER FILM CREW
KRISTIN BREWER -- DIRECTOR
Kristin is an independent documentary film producer. Kristin has fearlessly field produced and coordinated 12 series and one-hour docs for Discovery, TLC and Animal Planet. This girl brings heart, know-how and a keen eye for beauty and simplicity. She grew up with three Type 1 diabetics in her family and understands the complex realities of living diabetes.
MICHAEL SULLIVAN -- CO-PRODUCER / PRODUCTION MANAGER
Michael manages our shoots and our budget. He's the one with the business chops, and he's an avid cyclist. He also builds bikes, runs sound, leaves his creative fingerprints on everything we do, AND keeps Kristin in check. Right now, he's busy counting our pennies, mapping the crew's RV route from Canada to Mexico, and figuring out how to ward off grizzly bears. Thanks bro!
STEPHEN GARRETT -- CO-PRODUCER / SHOOTER / EDITOR
Stephen is a special kind of amazing. He is our everything. He's also a cyclist and talented filmmaker who has worked on productions in 12 countries and runs his own company. Right now, he's probably editing the ONE TERABYTE of footage we've already shot for this film!
ISMAIL ABDELKHALEK -- DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Ismail is the painter of light, the brains behind the camera, and the master of all things film. He's also an avid cyclist who does't mind a little bike grease on his camera. Having shot for major television networks, he brings big-time knowledge. And, he brings the adventurous spirit we need to pull this crazy thing off.
