I have watched a gaggle of documentaries on various streaming services during this pandemic. Most of them have been worth the time invested and many have raised my eyebrows in curiosity. A significant number have prompted continued thought, and all have achieved their goal of provided an entertaining escape from the structure of pandemic life. I'd like to point you in the direction of three (they are all multi-episode) in particular, that have provided subject matter for Joyce and I as we walk our way to better health.
"Chile: The Longest Descent" on GCN+
Many of you who have read my Blog posts are already well aware that I've fallen hard for the #bikelife. One of the many pleasures that come with that choice is the phenomenon of the Global Cycling Network (search GCN ... free on YouTube) and its zany, but knowledgeable, hosts/experts. Easily the furthest along the zany scale is James "Hank" Lowsey-Williams and his effervescent, life-is-awesome, quick-to-the-challenge personality. The gist of the two-part documentary is about stepping up to the plate when challenged to ride, as the title suggests, the longest cycling descent, a journey of over 300 km starting at the top of Chile's Ojos del Sando peak (6890m) and riding to Chile's Pacific Coast. What at first fits the bill of simply zany, becomes outright ludicrous as the movie unfolds the twists and turns of mountain climbing. If this sounds like something intriguing, the only downfall is that the streaming service GCN+ has a cost. If you a bike-head, the cost is completely justifiable. If not, you might have to do some research and thinking.
I don't wish to spoil the surprise of The Longest Descent, but I can tell you that the task amounts to something a select few on this planet would/should consider, let alone add to their Bucket List. If you take a flier and give this documentary a watch, you'll quickly understand (a) the significance of the task, (b) the commitment required to achieve it, and (c) the questionable sanity of the participants, at least IMHO. The choice made to not only check this off, but to film a documentary about the action, is a 100% head scratcher.
"Talasbuan - An Off-Grid Life" on YouTube
I'm really not sure how the wife and I stumbled across this particular YouTube channel. We made the decision a few years ago to drop our long-standing relationship with Rogers cable services, relegating our watching efforts to what we can stream. We subscribe to a couple of pay services, but YouTube isn't one of them, so we endure YouTube's regular interruptions with commercials, but it's those commercials whose very existence allow "Vlogers" to make some much needed income, leading to the conception of this particular channel. With it's production, the channel's series of videos gift us an intimate look at life off-grid in northern Sweden, Jamtland to be specific, leaving this retiree perplexed. The channel is an expose of the life that Tova and Mathias have chosen for themselves featuring seriously old-school farming techniques, shunning running water or plumbing or grid-delivered electricity, managing their desire for the past with the ramifications of their presence on-line. Unlike GCN+, anyone can choose Talasbuan, and if so moved, can provide support in the way of a donation through the couple's patreon.
Here in Canada, there is a rising swell of people who are going stir-crazy thanks to the variety of stay-home orders and lockdowns in the wake of Covid-19. Many of those people have access to government assistance that helps them to fill what they complain is missing with a variety of technologically inspired options. Add to this, the very Canadian habit of expounding on the weather ... in particular, winter weather ... that forces them out their front doors to cozy up to their snowblowers, snow-throwers or shovels, and your retinas will behold a wide variety of choice words and phrases. The fearless couple of Jamtland would look at our conditions here in southern Ontario with a sheepish grin since they pale in comparison to the conditions they choose to find themselves in. Yes, their's is a choice that carries a huge impact on day to day life, but it certainly provides pause and perspective, not to mention massive intrigue about how they manage the day to day, month to month and year to year issues of living in the far north.
"Big's Backyard Ultra: It's Easy Until It's NOT!" on YouTube
Another "freebie" on YouTube, the Backyard Ultra series of videos documents a variety of ultramarathon type competitions ... it's not fair to call them races ... that are the result of the maniacal lunacy of race director Gary “Laz” Cantrell, of Barkley marathon fame (see SIDENOTE below). An apparently simple race concept, Big’s Backyard Ultra has been described as one of the most mentally and strategically complex competitions in the world that features contestants running a 4.1 mile loop every hour, day or night, nonstop. The last person who can, or chooses to, continue to complete the loop in the 60 minutes allowed is crowned the victor. If you watch a few of the films available, you'll shake your head at the staggering mileage these incredible athletes put on their bodies in the pursuit of the crown. You don't have to be runner or the like to enjoy and appreciate the accomplishments enshrined in the footage.
*SIDENOTE: If you haven't watched the Barkley Marathons documentary, put that on you list! "Laz" has some serious issues with enjoying other's pain.
Each of the videos about the Backyard Ultras run in a variety of countries around the globe focuses on a few of the athletes and why they would choose to endure the craziness of such a competition. While confounded by their choices, I am in incredible awe of the drive, focus, and sacrifice of these people, mostly since I know that I could not follow in their unbelievable footsteps. If you're at all curious, you won't be disappointed investing the minutes viewing will cost.
It's always about choices ... and some just leave with a sheer sense of bewilderment!
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