What if you were told you’d never ride your mountain bike again? The critically acclaimed film ’Evolution’ – released in October 2022 – delved into Shimano-supported rider Andy McKenna’s approach to a life where this hard hypothetical is a heavy truth.
Andy’s e-MTB was the life-changing lightener of his incurable challenges. In the next chapter of Evolution Stories, we’re following our Scottish soulful explorer astride his EP8-equipped Santa Cruz Heckler. Andy’s in search of answers to the harder questions in life, hitting the trails with new friends, tracking that spark of vitality to its most optimistic end.
The series shines a light on Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis (OMS) - the unsung hero charity committed to improving the lives of people like Andy who are affected by MS.
In the first episode, Andy meets James “Jimmy” McCallum a living legend of Scottish cycling. As a once-professional medal-winning road racer, Jimmy now pours a lifetime’s experience living at the sharp end of the sport into his coaching life, building the future stars of the road, track, and mountain.
Beneath Jimmy’s deep focus, determination, and devilish sense of humor, there’s a demon or two clawing at him with greater frequency than he’d wish. Swapping training plans and smashing cols for school runs and changing diapers, finding a place for himself in the world post-cycling career is a bitter pill. As he comes to terms with the void of recently losing close friends from within the sport – Jimmy finds himself at a crucial tipping point.
This story is an emotional two-wheeled rollercoaster. Where does Jimmy find the perspective to keep moving forward, and what can Andy learn from Jimmy’s mindset? Join the duo on Jimmy’s first-ever bikepacking adventure as they explore the beauty of Scotland’s southeastern coastline together in search of fresh outlooks, fire, and fist turkeys (when one person reaches for the high five and the other goes for the first bump).
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