bikes and things

About two years ago I went on the amazing Seb Rogers Photocourse with a cast of characters, some of whom I manage to keep in contact via the joys of Twitter. I don’t think I realised how much I learnt that weekend but now that I’m trying to make a part income from photography that I realise that almost all of what I saw that weekend was of use. Exposure, focus, RAW processing, histograms, basic camera technique etc etc. I’d read about all of this stuff on the web before but it didn’t really click until then. After putting it into practice afterwards things got a lot easier and allowed me to take a few more steps up the ladder. Plenty more steps to go but it really helped me on my way.

Anyway, the point of this is that the below photo is of Guy Parry who was on the course.

It also happens to be one of the most viewed photos on my Flickr stream, mainly due to being added to the Strobist group I’d imagine. This was a little plop into a stream that we both rode through it taking turns to light each other with a flash held by Seb (Voice Activated Lightstand). I’d always wondered what those photos turned out like and Guy uploaded a few today. Being the other side of the camera means that I don’t normally see decent pics of me riding. Nice to see a few decent ones at last. Thanks Guy!

Lighting test

Plop

Nice panning shot

Last weekend I headed out to ride some trails with Vaughan. After working, working and doing some more working recently getting out of London and using my bike was a joy. Day one of riding Machynlleth first I seemed to have forgotten how to ride a MTB. No real trail skills and those bars felt rather wide after the daily commute. Back up to the top for another trip down the final black section and things were starting to come together again. Usual beer and meal in strange Welsh town in the evening then up next day, breakfast at Little Chef and over to Llangelda to do the black. It felt like we were flying along compared to the previous day.

Loved it. Going again soon with Matt & Graham I think. Can’t wait.

Here’s a picture of me on my new bicycle. Takes a while to get used to but great for nipping around town. A little bit much to go all the way to Camden on it from Peckham but bearable. Slightly odd to get used to the smaller wheels after using 700c for riding around. Feels very twitchy at first. I think I may swap the bars for the lower ones for a bit more tucked in position.

As the recent owner of a Brompton bicycle – purchased on the cycle to work scheme for meetings and general pootling around town – I find this really impressive. Beautifully shot and edited too. Leaves a really nice feeling after watching. Makes me want to do Lands End to John O’groats. Looks like a fantastic experience.

60° North – A British Adventure from Joe Sheffer on Vimeo.

This is a short film about our pack raft and folding bicycle adventure from Sumburgh Head to Muckle Flugga in the Shetland Islands.

By Joe Sheffer www.joesheffer.net
and Alastair Humphreys www.alastairhumphreys.com

Music by Cinematic Orchestra.

All shot with 2 Canon 5Dmk2’s and as many lens/tripods/sliders as we could cram onto the back of a Brompton.

…is something that I’ve strangely neglected as of late (apart from commuting). The chance to take a trip to Wales with Jenx, Matt and Jim was something I was keen not to miss, as much for the riding as the shits and giggles that usually follows. We went to the usual spot of Afan for a trip round Syline on the Sat. As usual it started of sunny but ended up wet and muddy as hell. Some funny moments of Matt riding through hub deep mud and also endo-ing into it certainly kept the smiles coming. The lack of views was a shame but thats what happens when you ride in Wales.

After getting cleaned and dry we headed up to a tiny little village near Brechfa and a superb little bunk house with a pub attached. Great fun and almost everyone in the bar was speaking Welsh. Good food and lots of Guinness followed. An early night was needed. Waking up to a room of wet kit, skinky feet and farts was less pleasant but it’s all part of the experience. After a leisurely start it was off to Brechfa for a quick route around the Raven I think. I was far too tired for it after Skyline the day before. Would be nice to go back with a bit more energy and after a less hectic week at work.

Glad to be back in the saddle though. Thanks Graham for organising and thanks for Matt and Jim for the additional shits and giggles.

Team shot

Bike tree

Can’t see the view unfortunately

Mist

Resting freeriders

That’s the sound of our new car. Amazing! Doesn’t leak, has air conditioning, these things that put the windows up and down automatically, a little bleeper on the key and you can even talk to each other without shouting. Crazy. Hoping to use it for some biking trips soon as well as seeing our respective folks in Bath & Cambridge.

Awaiting a formal naming.

Beautiful little video showing the making of hand built mountain bike frame.

FROM STEEL: The Making of a Soulcraft from michael evans on Vimeo.

Via @lambluvva

Last month I collected my new Belk Tech Backpack. It’s a thing of beauty and tough as anything. A proper review coming shortly once I’ve taken some pics of the bag in daylight but for now here’s a few photos of the man who made it.

Awesome sewing machine and nice to own something completely custom and made by someone here in London.

I hate being away from my bike but unfortunately going to meetings out of London involves getting buses and trains etc. This is looking more and more tempting… If a job takes off at work then I think it’ll be getting one. Only for trips to the station though. The fixed will still be my main travel around town.

One of the best things about the office is the sheer number of cyclists amongst the staff, as well as having a dedicated secure area to store them. Out of an office of around 25-30 people I’d say almost half cycle. Slightly less on a regular basis perhaps. Anyway, the other day I saw the sun shining on this lot and thought it deserved a quick picture.

Bikes are amazing!