Cycling Photography

Photography for cyclists raises several points. Now we are talking about taking pictures when you’re out riding a bike. I'm talking about shooting from the side of a road during a race, or even shooting a picture while on a bike. There are specific shooting techniques that you should use. But don't forget you also have to think about the best way to carry a camera when you’re riding. But first there’s something even more basic to think about first.

The basic issue is this: you have to stop to take a picture. Well, yeh, you can be shoot from your bike seat, but most of the time it isn’t a good idea - certainly not on roads shared with other traffic, nor on tricky mountain bike trails. Most of the time, both for safety and to get the best pictures, stopping is a very good idea. The thing is to make your stops count.

This is definitely a huge issue in cycling, more so than in many other activities. For example, when walking you might just stop a sec to click a pic.However, while cycling you need to jam on the brakes, pull to the side of the road, getting off the bike and find somewhere to put it. That's irksome, at best. So make every stop count by thinking ahead about what pics you want to grab.

This bring to view ye two holy writs of shooting pics:

*

You need to be at the right place at the right time.

* You need to have ye camera ready.

That means you must use forethought.

Taking a pic of a great view is one thing. But if you ride with friends, you’ll probably want pics of them. Of course, if you simply pull into the side, they’ll probably all have gone sailing by before you’re ready, leaving you with a distant view of rapidly diminishing rear ends. Wouldn't you rather see some smiling faces - or even grimacing from the effort on a climb?

This is where thinking ahead really counts. If you think there’s a good spot coming up, it’s time to sprint well ahead of the troop, then stop to take the pics as they come towards you. Then mount the bike and catch up.

This all underlines another central point: cycling photography is action photography.

Serious Trail Riders Need a Camelbak

Serious bike cyclists and trail riders use a camelbak, period. A Camelbak is a convenient, light, stable, and comfortable means of carrying a lot of water and other stuff essential to your ride. Only amateurs carry water bottles and fail to bring all the equipment and food needed for short or long rides. Camelbaks keep the water cool and has all the room you need for everything else. It is essential.

What would you want to bring on your ride? Well, you need to bring everything you really need. That also means enough of what you need. Only jerks travel unprepared. Here is a list of items you should carry:

* Enough water

* Compass

* Map

* Extra Tube

* Tire Wrenches

* Chain Tool

* Spoke Wrench

* Hex Wrench Tool

* Hand Pump (not too cheapo)

* Patch Kit and maybe also a quick patch kit

* Needle / Dental Floss (Very handy for repair of a tire sidewall)

* First aid kit (small basic stuff)

* Multipurpose pocket knife

* Flashlight & New Batteries

* Waterproof Matches

* Whistle (when you need it you really need it bad)

* Emergency Foil-Blanket (if you are forced to camp)

* Money

* Pen / small pad of paper

* Sun Block

* Chapstick

* Insect Repellent

* Aspirin or other pain reliever

* Tums

* Power Bars and maybe a snacks you like.

There are many camelback models to pick from. For short rides, a Rocket or Lobo will work well. For one-day rides, the accepted standard and the most popular is the Mule. For multi-day treks, something larger will be needed such as a Blowfish (expandable main compartment), or better yet a H.A.W.G. The top of the line is the Transalp.

Hope this helps.

Riding in Cold Weather

Serious bike riding in cold weather can be great fun, but only as long as you can keep all parts of your body warm. Normally when we go outside to walk on a cold day, we put on a heavy coat, maybe a hat, and we can either put on gloves or put our hands in our pockets. This is fine for walking to the bus, subway, or around town or campus. We wear no protection on our face and we wear jeans or the like, and we wear gym shoes or whatever. However, when we ride our bike in cold weather, we need to be mindful of three things:
(1) A heavy coat will be too heavy and we'll end up sweating like a pig.
(2) The hat, gloves, and shoes for walking outside are all wrong for serious riding in chilly or cold weather.
(3) Concern should be focused on controlling wind contact as well as warmth control.

For a good riding jacket in cold weather use polypro or any one of its cousins (thermax, caprilene, etc), polyester fleece, or wool. Avoid cotton; it can soak up water, stops insulation, and will feel really disgusting.

For wind control, use a non-stretchy nylon. Or you can go fancy with Gore-Tex, Silmond microfiber, and friends. The difference between non-stretchy nylon and the fancier stuff is the weight of the fabic and water-restistance. They are all equal in wind protection.


On a chilly day:

- Padded tights (Performance Polypro).
- A fleece vest, a wicking T-shirt, or short-sleeve jersey is good as a base layer.
- A second vest of windproof nylon, a plain nylon jacket, or a cycling jacket with nylon on the front and insulating material elsewhere.
- A bike jersey with pit zips and a thin hood (such as Performance). They are thin enough to fit under a helmet and will not move around. If you don't need the hood, you won't need to put it in a pocket. Pit zips are adjustable so you can control the amount of wind cooling. This will keep you from overheating when you're working hard, and allow you to keep out drafts when you're not. A fabric such as Activent is very nice.
- A Gore-Tex helemt cover pretty much non-stop from Autum to Spring.
- Select a pair of Long-fingered gloves appropriate for the temperature. You don't want your hands to sweat.
- Socks, then cycle shoes. You may want a pair of hiking socks for warmth.
- Either your regular glasses or in windy weather, wear a pair of cycle-specific glasses.


On colder days, add:

- Wear several layers of nylon pants. You can wear padded tights and on top pair of tights with a wind-stopping material.
- A balaclava, which is stretchy fabric that goes over your head and face. It will also cover your neck. You can usually pull it up to cover your mouth when needed.
- If its below freezing, then also use a Gore-Tex helmet cover. It stretches over your helmet and will block the wind from entering the vents.
- Gore-Tex ski gloves.
- Wear several layers of socks. Two pairs of socks (one pair thin, the other pair fleece) or a pair of fleece socks with a pair of polypro sock liners. Or try Gore-Tex socks. Chemical heater packs are available if you have the room.
- Winter cycle shoes, for insulation and water protection.

So, there you have it.

Old Bikes Are Worth Selling

There are places, nice places, where you can advertise (usually free) and well that wonder bike you never use any more. You can sell local or you can sell on the Internet. Selling local means dealing with the buyer face to face, and just handing the bike over after they pay (get cash not a check). Through the Internet, you can find potential purchasers easily, but you'll have to box it and send it to the buyer. Open a PayPal account and require payment thru PayPal.

Where Can you find such nice places?

Local want ads - Ye old community newspaper for strictly local sales (with no packing and shipping).

Local bulletin boards - Ye old bulletin boards are located in some neighborhood schools, supermarkets, stores and other public places. They're usually free and are worth a shot (again, with no packing and shipping).

CraigsList.org - is a free want-ad service, branches are located in many U.S. cities.

rec.bicycles.marketplace - This Usenet Newsgroup is widely read.

eBay.com - The famous auction place, must join to sell, a hassle. It is not free. You never know how low or high the bids will move (or not go). With the present economy, things move slow on eBay and are getting lower prices.

When Advertising:

Do NOT advertise a bike without a price. No one wants to be bothered if you can't tell them what you think it's worth.

Be HONEST about the condition. One look at a misrepresented clunker and your potential buyer won't trust you, and away he will go (without buying the bike).

Mention positive features, but avoid commonly misused terms like "Mint" "NOS" & "Perfect" unless they actually apply.

Mention the size. The size is the most important thing to know about a bike. If you don't know the size, find out at a bike shop.

Mention as much detail as possible, brands and models of such parts as hubs, wheel rims, crank sets, derailers, pedals, handlebar and stem, saddle.

Oh, one more thing, a photo is a big help.

Well, good luck.

The Perfect Trail

At one time, I thought I know what made a perfect trail. It was near my home and had easy access. It sported rollers, a huge drop called "death hill," and a giant jump. Well, now 20 years later, I still look for rollers and all those neat things but now I know that's not all to look for.

A trail should always end while you are still having fun. Part of the fun is not finding traffic, including horses or hikers walking in the opposite direction-- toward you! The sad news is that some trails are far too long and become torture to complete. However, some trails such as the Great Western Trail are, indeed, perfect with the right mix of this and that that makes for a great ride.

All trails should be a single track about 24" on the straights, with somewhat wider areas at the corners. I think corners and turns should be together in sections between long straight sections.

All trails should be downhill and the sides should curve slightly 3 to 5 inches at each edge. That amount of curve is safe. Did I mention that all trails should be downhill? I hate climbing. Ideally, the descent should prevent the need for much pedalling, while preventing the need for constant braking. The soil should be soft but packed. It should have just enough moisture to allow the biker behind you to breath without a filter. Obstacles should also be together in sections with long stretches between them.

Well, that's what I think the perfect trail should be like. You can find trails like this. But sadly, many are not as nice as my perfect trail as I have described it. So, anyway, happy hunting.