So I remember what I was going to talk about yesterday. Road grading. Getting on the dirt roads around here is a big part of stringing together rides. And it’s usually no problem, but about once a year you hit a road right after, or while, it’s been re-graded. Pretty much turns a nice hard dirt road into a shifty, soft, sketchy nervy ride. And you’re lucky to get off the dirt without flatting. Interesting observation, eh? Took my CX bikes out of the rafters yesterday to start fixing them up. Not too early for that is it? Shot this at Eastern China Normal University in Shanghai.

I had something interesting to talk about but I forget what it was. So I guess just check out this shot from China, one of my favorites from the trip. Shot at Ocean University in Qingdao. A closed lunchroom on campus, the colors were great. I’ll let you know if I remember, but it seems unlikely.

Yes, I do still shoot bike racing, just not nearly as much as I used to (mostly a conscious decision.) But when I do I try to make it cuont. Certainly shooting Adam C winning NORBA mountain bike nationals at Mt Snow was worth it. AC was going so fast on the downhills, just visibly much faster than any other rider. The challenge turned out to be the course change, which eliminated the first section of technical riding in the woods. That section was where I liked shooting because it was so close to the base area. When you’re carrying over 100 lbs of camera/lighting stuff by yourself climbing halfway up a ski mountain is zero fun and that’s exactly what I was forced to do this year. But I did find the right spot and set up the full lighting system. Another photographer, who shoots a ton of racing, came by and asked if my set-up wasn’t “overkill.” I conceded that it was but that I’d not found a way to make images look like I wanted otherwise. He snickered. I still think it’s worth it but it may explain why I shoot racing sparingly.

Last summer was all about getting on planes and flying all over creation, this summer has been more about getting in the car. Seriously, I’ve had countless 2+ drives all over New England the past 8 weeks which I guess is better than flying (no airports.) This shot is from the West 4th St Playground in NYC, part of that project I’ve been gestating. Oh, raced the Mt Snow NORBA champs on Friday. I flatted while riding in 4th place, right behind 2nd and 3rd. I know, KNOW, I had it in me to finish 2nd, it was that kind of day. Finished after fixing the flat, but 12th ain’t the podium. Guess I need to get on the tubeless tip. I’m going to the circus today, seriously.