From the Ground Up
Watch all five episodes of From the Ground Up below…
From the Ground Up follows four beginner cyclists as they train to conquer the 125-mile Steamboat Gravel Black Course, one of the toughest gravel races in the country. Along the way, each rider faces their own unique battles - from chronic pain to balancing family responsibilities - pushing beyond physical and mental limits they never thought possible.
My interview with Brandilee to kick off the series in Memphis, Tennessee
As a storyteller, I always hope to capture something raw, something real - an experience that goes beyond what’s visible on the surface and delves into the emotions and human spirit behind the story. With From the Ground Up, that opportunity came to life. What started as an idea to showcase the journey of four beginner cyclists training to complete the Steamboat Gravel Black Course turned into an extraordinary exploration of perseverance, vulnerability, and grit. For real, this project was MASSIVE.
The Steamboat Gravel Black Course is no ordinary race. It’s 125 miles of relentless terrain, boasting over 10,000 feet of climbing. For anyone—beginner or experienced cyclist—this course is a challenge that tests both body and mind. But for the four riders who joined us on this journey, it became a proving ground for their individual strength and determination, transforming them as they pushed beyond their limits. We filmed for over 7 months, I edited nonstop for two months and we pulled together a documentary series I’m super proud of.
Finding Extraordinary in the Ordinary
At the heart of From the Ground Up are four unique riders - each with their own story, their own battles, and their own reasons for taking on this challenge. They didn’t come from a background in competitive cycling, nor were they seasoned athletes ready to tackle a brutal race. They were COMPLETE BEGINNERS. Most of them hadn’t been on a bike ride longer than 5 miles in their entire life. So, what united them wasn’t their cycling abilities from the beginning but their willingness to try, their determination to see what they were made of.
Lou had always been active, but life had caught up with him. He’d found himself slowing down, gaining weight, and losing some of the fire that had once driven him. For Lou, this race was a way to reclaim something that felt lost. “I’ve been active my whole life, but the last few years have been tough. I found myself losing motivation, but deep down, I knew I wasn’t done,” Lou shared during one of our initial interviews in Memphis, Tennessee. The journey for him was less about cycling and more about finding himself again, proving that age and time don’t define what he can accomplish.
Then there was Kristen, a mother whose life revolved around her children, including a son with special needs. The daily pressures of caretaking had shaped her world for years, leaving little room for personal challenges. Yet, she felt a deep desire to do something just for herself—something that pushed her physically and mentally in a way she hadn’t experienced in a long time. “At home, the stress of taking care of my kids and my husband is constant. I wanted to do something for myself, to push myself and see what I’m capable of,” Kristen admitted. For her, this project was an act of self-care, a reclaiming of personal identity outside of motherhood.
Rich, at 60 years old, was perhaps the most seasoned in terms of life experience but not necessarily in cycling. He had battled psoriatic rheumatoid arthritis for years, yet his spirit remained unbroken. He had a simple but profound reason for taking on this challenge: “Age doesn’t mean you can’t keep trying. I’m here to prove to myself that I’m still capable of doing hard things.” Rich’s journey wasn’t about winning—it was about showing that resilience isn’t defined by age, and that the willingness to push yourself doesn’t fade over time.
Finally, Brandilee, a woman who had battled chronic pain and other physical challenges, saw this race as a way to prove that her body, despite its struggles, was strong and capable. “I’m here to prove to myself that I’m not defined by a disease or chronic condition. My body is mine, and it is powerful,” she said during one of her most poignant interviews in Memphis. We were both sobbing during that interview which was a pretty vulnerable way to begin this whole documentary. Her story became one of defiance - against the limitations her body had tried to impose on her, and against the doubts that had built up over years of living with pain.
Training in the Rolling Hills of Bentonville, Arkansas
Kristen practicing her left turns on some grass before stepping up the difficulty later in the week
To prepare these riders for the grueling Steamboat Gravel Black Course, we took them to Bentonville, Arkansas, for a training camp. Bentonville, with its rolling hills and rugged gravel roads, served as the perfect setting to introduce them to the challenges they would face in the coming months. These four riders couldn’t do this journey alone and the idea, sprung from professional athletes Ryan Petry and Alexey Vermeulen, was to see how far beginners could go when they were given the right support. Ryan and Alexey were able to provide some invaluable wisdom from their decades of bike racing.
For most of the riders, Bentonville was their first real experience with cycling at this level. Lou, despite his athletic background, found himself grappling with a new level of endurance.
Kristen found that her biggest challenge in Bentonville wasn’t physical - it was mental. The constant mental strain of caring for her family often left little room for self-focus, and training for Steamboat required her to make a difficult shift. “It’s hard to turn off the part of my brain that’s always thinking about my kids, about my responsibilities. But I need this - I need to focus on myself for a change,” she shared. Bentonville became a place for her to begin that process - a chance to quiet the noise of everyday life and listen to what she wanted for herself.
Kristen practicing a stepper left turn on loose gravel in Bentonville, Arkansas
As the riders navigated the gravel roads and rolling hills, there were moments of frustration and doubt. But those moments of frustration were tempered by the small victories - the first time they conquered a tough climb, the first time they completed a long ride without stopping and the first time they discovered the joy of the community that came with cycling.
By the end of the Bentonville camp, the riders were exhausted but stoked. They had a long way to go, but they were beginning to understand the magnitude of what they were about to undertake. The small victories in Bentonville laid the foundation for the bigger challenges ahead.
The Highs and Lows of Gunnison
After Bentonville, we gave them a couple months of training at home then headed to Gunnison, Colorado - a landscape that would push the riders even harder. Gunnison’s high altitude, rough roads, and unpredictable weather provided the perfect testing ground for what was to come. Over two days, the riders faced long climbs, steep descents, and the kind of exhaustion that only endurance athletes understand.
For Kristen, the altitude proved especially challenging. “I knew it would be tough, but the altitude is just a whole different ball game. It’s hard to catch your breath, and every climb feels twice as long,” she said after one particularly brutal ride on the first day. But despite the physical challenges, she pushed through, determined to keep going. This determination seemed to be a common theme and, as you’ll see in the episodes, made quite an impact for everybody in attendance at Steamboat Gravel.
Lou pushing through the heat and altitude in Gunnison, Colorado to get his mind and body ready for Steamboat Gravel
Rich, too, found himself struggling more than he had anticipated. “At my age, you don’t bounce back as fast. But that’s why I’m here—to push past what I thought I could do.” Watching him navigate the rugged terrain was inspiring but he really got beat down on the first day. The combination of the high altitude, the heat, and the lack of difficult training he was able to complete at his home in Lincoln, Nebraska beforehand made this trip difficult for him.
Kristen taking a break in the middle of the second day in a row of riding, her legs and lungs exhausted from constant motion.
The toughest day in Gunnison came when the riders faced a series of punishing climbs. Brandilee, who had been battling chronic pain for years, felt the weight of the challenge but refused to back down. “I hurt. Everything hurts. But I didn’t come here to quit,” she said through gritted teeth as she powered up one of the steepest hills. Her resolve was clear - no matter how hard it got, she wasn’t going to let pain define her.
Gunnison wasn’t just about pushing the riders physically, even though that did end up being a common theme at the end of each day, it was about breaking them down mentally, so they could rebuild themselves stronger. And that’s exactly what happened. As they finished the final day of riding in Gunnison, exhausted but triumphant, there was a sense of unity among the group. They had faced their fears, their doubts, and their limitations - and they had come out the other side stronger. They also knew what lay ahead… two months of training before the ultimate challenge.
Steamboat Springs - The Final Challenge
After months of preparation, setbacks, and personal growth, the riders were ready - or as ready as they could be - for the Steamboat Gravel Black Course. Steamboat Springs is known for its beauty, but for cyclists, it’s also known for this iconic race that supplies unforgiving climbs, remote roads, and some of the toughest gravel riding terrain in the country. The 125-mile course, with over 10,000 feet of climbing, loomed ahead of them as both a physical and emotional gauntlet.
Some riders at the front of the pack enjoying the start to the 125 mile journey of the Steamboat Gravel Black Course
As race day approached, the riders arrived in Steamboat full of nerves and excitement. This was the culmination of months of hard work and sacrifice. One of the most memorable moments from that morning was when Kristen, reflecting on the journey that led her to this point, said, “I’m shockingly not that nervous this morning. But I’ve been so nervous all week. I’m just ready to go.” It was a statement that reflected not just the calm before the storm, but the mental journey she had been on—learning to trust her training and her strength.
For Rich, the stakes felt even higher. At 60 years old, he knew this could be one of the toughest physical challenges of his life. Now, standing at the starting line, all his training echoed in his mind. He was about to face one of the hardest days he’d ever experienced on a bike, and yet, he was ready.
The start of the race was electric. The riders were joined by hundreds of cyclists, all gathered in the early morning chill. As the race began, it was clear that the terrain would be as tough as everyone had feared. The gravel roads of Steamboat don’t offer any relief, or so it felt watching their struggle unfold in front of my camera most of the day, they’re relentless, with constant undulation and technical sections that can break even the most experienced riders.
For our beginners, it was a baptism by fire.
Lou enjoying some of the champagne gravel that makes Steamboat Gravel so iconic before facing tougher climbs ahead
The First Miles: A Battle with the Mind
The first miles of the race were a mixture of adrenaline and doubt. For Lou, who had trained hard but still felt uncertain about his endurance, the opening stretch was eye-opening. “You think you’re ready, but until you’re actually out there, you don’t really know,” Lou admitted later. The physicality of the race hit him hard, but it was the mental challenge that took him by surprise.
The riders quickly encountered their first major climb, Wahooligan Pass. This climb is infamous for its length and difficulty - 1,200 feet of elevation gain over just four and a half miles. For many riders, this was the moment of reckoning. It’s steep, it’s loose, and you’re just praying you don’t have to walk to keep the pace moving.
Kristen, who had struggled with the mental load of balancing family life and training, found herself wrestling with the same mental barriers on the climb. But, as she had done throughout her journey, Kristen found a way to keep going, to push past the doubt and focus on the task at hand.
The descent after Wahooligan Pass provided some relief, but the race was far from over. By the time the riders reached the first aid station at mile 37, they were physically exhausted and emotionally drained. For Rich, this was a pivotal moment. “I wasn’t sure I could keep going after that climb. But something clicked at the aid station - I realized I had already done something harder than I ever thought I could,” Rich recalled.
Rich putting his head down and checking off the miles at around mile 40
The Middle Miles: Digging Deep
The second section of the race, from mile 37 to mile 67, was where the riders truly had to dig deep. This portion of the course is known for its rolling hills and technical sections, but it’s also where our four riders would each hit their own mental walls. “The middle miles are tough because you’re already tired, but you’re not even halfway done,” Lou explained. It was during this stretch that the reality of the race set in for all of them. Brandilee, whose chronic pain had been a constant companion throughout her training, faced a decision at this point. The pain was real, but so was her determination. She had set out to prove something to herself, and quitting simply wasn’t an option.
For Kristen, the middle miles were about learning to let go of perfection. “I had this idea in my head of what the race would be like—how I would feel, how I would perform. But none of that was real. The reality was much messier, and I had to learn to be okay with that,” she shared. This was perhaps one of the most profound lessons she learned during the race - that it wasn’t about being perfect, it was about being resilient.
At mile 67, the final cutoff before the finish line, all four riders had pushed past their breaking points and were still going. For Rich, who had doubted whether he could make it this far, this was a victory in itself. “I didn’t think I’d even make it halfway. But here I am, still standing, still pedaling,” he said with a mix of exhaustion and pride. Rich left it all out on the course.
Kristen taking a moment at Steamboat Gravel… I’m not going to spoil anything so check out the full series to find out what happened :)
The Final Push
The final section of the course, from mile 67 to the finish line, was where the real battle began. By this point, the riders were beyond exhausted. They had already climbed over 8,000 feet, and the hardest climbs were still to come. I don’t to spoil the ending, you have to watch the episodes to find out what happens, but I will give a personal story from after mile 67.
At mile 80, Ryan Petry and I caught up with Kristen to film her. We had two other camera operators on the course, Avery Stumm and Ian McGrew, and we were all following different riders throughout the day. Avery and Ian were with Brandilee, Lou and Rich so Ryan and I hung with Kristen. As a documentary filmmaker that’s capturing a real-world experience for somebody my goal is to try to interfere as little as possible to their experience and just capture the magic. Watching Kristen push through her pain was a visceral experience. At multiple moments, Ryan and I were tearing up watching Kristen continue to move forward in the difficult moments after all of her months of training. I’ll never forget what happened on those backroads outside Steamboat and thankfully, because of this documentary series, neither will she.
What Makes from the ground up so compelling
What makes From the Ground Up so compelling is that it isn’t just about the race. Yes, the Steamboat Gravel Black Course is a monstrous challenge, and yes, it requires incredible physical endurance. But at its core, this series is about transformation. It’s about four people who started as beginners, unsure of what they were capable of, and who, through sheer determination, discovered that they were stronger than they ever imagined.
Catching up with Rich for his final interview of From the Ground Up
For Lou, Kristen, Rich, and Brandilee, the race wasn’t just about crossing a finish line - it was about reclaiming parts of themselves they had lost or doubted. Lou found his athletic spirit again, Kristen learned to how to push through hard things, Rich proved that age is just a number, and Brandilee discovered that her body was still capable of incredible things.
As a viewer, watching their journey unfold is, hopefully, an emotional experience. You see their highs and their lows, their doubts and their triumphs. But more importantly, you see their humanity - their vulnerability, their resilience, and their willingness to keep going even when everything in their bodies told them to stop.
Editing this documentary series took months of 10-12 hour days behind a computer and was an absolute beast to take the 28 terabytes of footage from nearly a dozen different cameras and phones over the course of the project and distill it into a story that was worthwhile. But, like the riders, I felt like I pushed myself in this project. This was the biggest documentary series I’ve created in my career and I really hope you all enjoy it and can appreciate the work that went into it, in front and behind the camera.
The End, but Also the Beginning
For the riders, crossing the finish line was the culmination of months of hard work and sacrifice. But in many ways, it was also the beginning of something new. Each of them left Steamboat changed - stronger, more confident, and with a new understanding of what they were capable of.
And for those of us who followed their journey, who watched them struggle and grow, the series offers a powerful reminder: We are all capable of more than we think. Whether it’s tackling a tough race, overcoming a personal challenge, or simply pushing past our own self-imposed limits, there is strength within us waiting to be unlocked.
From the Ground Up goes so much further than what happens on the bike. The hope is to share a story of transformation, resilience, and the incredible power of the human spirit. As the riders’ stories continue to inspire, I hope that viewers will take away something deeper from their journey.
No matter where you start and no matter how ordinary you think you are, with enough determination and heart, you can accomplish something extraordinary.
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Roo is an Emmy nominated documentary filmmaker and photographer based in Boulder, Colorado but travels all around the world for his filmmaking career. He has directed documentaries for Patagonia in California, produced films for Outside Magazine throughout Europe and Africa, camera operated for Netflix in the Rocky Mountain West, and photographed among indigenous communities in South America, and has received notable recognition in his hometown of Orcas Island in Washington State for his work telling uplifting stories in the outdoor space.