For a select group of cycling and cyclocross fans, the phrase “Joey’s Ok” carries a certain resonance. If you are not aware of the significance of this phrase, go here and you can see what I’m talking about (if you know what “Joey’s Ok” means, take a moment to revisit the video, because, it remains awesome). The video was shot in 2011 and has been viewed over 840,000 times.

In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit that I love the Joey’s Ok video. Every cyclocross season, I eagerly await the perfect moment to share the link once again—and I strictly limit myself to one post preseason—because I enjoy the clip so much that I don’t want to burn people out on it. I want Joey’s Ok to remain fresh and relevant forever—I like it that much. This is a sad statement about me, of course, but I am unapologetic in my delight at Joey’s Ok-ness, because the clip is a modern day 17 second masterpiece. It has all the components of a great film: aspiration, hope, tragedy, action, a stunt, redemption and, most importantly, a happy ending (he was ok!).

I tweeted my annual link to “Joey’s Ok” during the Superprestige Cyclocross at Hoogstraten, following Mathieu van der Poel’s crazy bike save after getting snagged in the barriers. (There’s a whole network of alternative cyclocross “commentators” that surfaces during live cross races on Twitter—this network, along with cat videos are what make the internet worthwhile). The timing was perfect, so I once again shared “Joey’s Ok” with the world. This tweet prompted a reply from Tim Johnson (who really should be voted cycling’s homecoming king for the rest of time—he’s that nice), which in turn prompted the following reply from THE JOEY.

I couldn’t let this opportunity pass, because in my world the most memorable cyclocross racers are named: Sven, Niels, Kevin, Wout, Tim, Jeremy and Joey, in that order. I contacted Joey (full name, Joey Mullan), and arranged for an interview to find out if Joey was still ok, five years later.

schmalz Let’s start at the beginning, where were you when this was filmed, what race was this?

JM This was the Rapha-Focus GP held in Lake Sammamish Park.  A little east of Seattle by 15 miles. It was a double header weekender of racing. This was day one1. After all the sanctioned racing was over for the day, an elimination race was held to determine the fastest Silly Speeder. We had an amazing drag strip layer out around the beer garden.

schmalz One of the things that makes the video so memorable is the voices of the crowd cheering you on. First there’s a man’s voice (yelling in that unmistakable tone of either excitement or inebriation—maybe both); then there’s a chorus of “Whoas” as you hit the barrier; followed by laughter and the phrase “Are you alright?”; and then finally a female voice saying famously (without checking, mind you), “I think Joey’s ok.” (Yes, I’ve spent a lot of time watching this clip.) Who are these people?

JM Riders were fumbling over the barriers and hitting the deck often, so it drew quite the crowd at that spot early on. The man yelling “JOEEEY” is an old racing buddy of mine for Old Town Bicycle, Jason Sabotka. He was a little buzzed as he really yells your name, or anybody’s name, loudly as a cheer. As for the woman who mistakenly thought I was okay (I like her optimism), that is Eliza Penick. She was also the one recording the footage. As for all “yeah, yeah, yeah” and screams, those are all unknown people and we probably won’t ever know.

schmalz So you were not actually “ok”?

JM No, it sucked. I really bruised my lower back. For a split second I tried to get back up in the heat of the moment and grab the bike but my legs wouldn’t work.

schmalz That had to be disappointing, because it looked like you were leading the race.

JM It was a bummer. All the elements of a great race were there. Riders had guys holding the seatposts of our bikes at the starting line, so we were already clipped in with our best foot forward. I also have a wicked sprint that can last for about 20 seconds, I knew I had the race in the bag. But speed wasn’t everything, obviously.

To better paint this picture, there is a less popular video from other angles showing the starts, and the crashes of myself and others by Craig Fowler, a.k.a. Scatman.

schmalz I was meaning to ask about the other rider that crashed in the video. Obsessed viewers like myself have spotted him, but it’s good to have confirmation. It seems that he was able to get back up and continue the race. Also, you are such a bike racer, “I would’ve won that race, too if only…”

JM That other guy is a local rider in Tacoma, Washington. Brian Myers. He is a ridiculously strong rider for the Hodala single speed team. I don’t usually have a racer mentality for most of my riding, but for cross it really comes out.

schmalz Eye of the Tiger, my friend, so how soon after the race was the video loaded?

JM It was uploaded that night, within hours I am fairly certain. I had no clue any photos were taken or video was shot until somebody told me after my race the next day. We all laughed about it the next morning (Sunday), but it really took off that evening after the weekend was over and people were looking for their results and race photos.

schmalz As of today, the video has 864,000 views, did you become internet famous?

JM I wouldn’t say that I became famous, just recognized as a name for when you fall at the barriers. “Don’t Joey the barriers!” There were some perks to the whole image of me flying through the air. Vinyl decals were made and distributed at the whole USGP race series. One was even stuck on the barriers and carried around for that whole series in 2012. That image was also made for public use through bikehugger.com website. I’ve seen it used for t-shirts, coffee mugs, and more stickers. It actually helped me with a few of my jobs in the industry to break the ice. People’s faces light up when they are told who I am. If they haven’t heard or seen the “Joey’s Okay” clip, sure enough, there is a smartphone with it loaded and playing within seconds.

schmalz Well, becoming a verb isn’t bad. And the highest hit count for terms “Sven Nys” and “cyclocross” on youtube are 113,523 and 755,652 respectively, so you my friend, are the protagonist in the most popular cyclocross youtube video of all time.

JM I haven’t counted those numbers, but I see what you mean. My equivalent scenario to this is like being the governor of Rhode Island. It’s sorta something big, but in a really small place.

schmalz That’s a good attitude to have (but be careful about disparaging the Ocean State, there’s a lot of “connected” people that live there—I think I’ve said too much already). I don’t suppose you or Eliza had the forethought to click on the button that says “AdSense” for this video, you know, the one where Google (in theory) pays you?

JM Eliza uploaded the video, but I don’t think either of us knew what “AdSense” was at the time. Sadly we didn’t take advantage. We did have some networks come ask us for rights to show the video on television. One of them being “Dumbest Thing on Wheels”, a bit of an ego bruiser, but it got lots of laughs and that’s really what all of it is about.

I did have the opportunity to say no to FOX network. That made me happy. We eventually sold off the rights to a video promoter. Sort of an agent to sell the video to prospective shows.

schmalz (Almost) fame and no fortune, that’s very modern! I guess the whole interview’s been leading up to this questions, so here it goes, “Joey, are you, in fact, ok?”

JM I am more than ok. I am great!