Bike & Brew Festival AND Big Mountain Enduro

The weekend of May 19022 will be a big one for bicycle enthusiasts.  There will be the 3rd annual Outside Santa Fe Bike & Brew Festival.  Add in the season opening of the Big Mountain Enduro race series. 

I have been able to attend part of both of the first 3 festivals.  In 2014, I tried riding a couple of the group rides, but the 10 miles and the altitude, were just too much for me.  Had a nice time at the opener with the brew and hand-made bike show.

Last year, it was cold and rainy.  Braved the rain to attend the brew tasting & bike show, but skipped most of the other events - played "tourist" instead. 

I have been debating if I should attend this year's festival or go to the Celtic Festival in Albuquerque.  If any of my Omaha friends are racing in Santa Fe, I would probable opt to the bike & brew festival.

No Longer Shooting Race Photos

This has not been an easy decision. I have had a good run of taking photos at the Psycowpath mountain bike races. Thanks to feedback from some riders, I have improved my photo composition. There were good and bad shots – too many times I had the camera just set wrong. For other times, needed to refine my techniques. All-in-all, it has been an educational experience and a better photographer.

Many of you know I rediscovered the bicycle as rehab from a heart valve replacement. The first 5 years, my riding got stronger. But for the last couple years I have been plagued by 4 different cancers. That, arthritis in the left knee, and getting older (turning 68 later this year), I cannot get around to get the shots I used to get.

There have been another crop of photographers that can get the shot better than I can. Add in that most folks just want small photos for the social media pages, its not worth my time to send a day shooting photos, posting them up to the web site, and hope there are a couple of sales. One rider told me he just grabbed the photos he wanted from the web site (there were big enough for facebook). He was nice enough to tell me about it and gave me a donation for the photos.

The first 2 years, I just posted my photos. The rest of the years, I asked for $5 for a cleaned-up photo. When I was shooting 400-500 shots at a race, I was not going to process all of the for sales of 2-5 photos. When a customer ordered a photo file, I start from the camera RAW photo, touched up exposure, shadows and highlights, and sent them via e-mail.

I did not take a portion of sales as a donation to THOR. What I did was donate any photos that the THOR and Psycowpath folks wanted for their web site, facebook pages, and publicity.   I appreciate the support from my customers and race friends.  Its time to move on to a new chapter in my adventure called "life".
 

There may be more changes in the works. I am now at over 10 years from the stroke, open heart, and first cancer. In the next year or two, my cancers will pass the 5 year mark. I will be getting more information about moving SW for better riding weather and less humidity. Watch for updates.

Last year race photos are still posted on the win_photo.photoreflect.com web site. They, and the Tranquility races will remain on the site for a month or two.

Enjoy your racing.

Tranquility Tantrum Races

Sunday saw the Pyscowpath trail running and mountain bike races.  The races were originally scheduled for Saturday, but postponed due to weather and trail conditions.

Trail runners from GOATZ (Greater Omaha Area Trail Runnerz) took to the 9+ mile singletrack at Tranquility Park.  "Photo Finish" here as two runners sprint to the finish line to claim first and second places.

At Noon, the bicycles took to the trail.  First in the starting line were riders for the Marathon category.  These folks were making as many laps they can withing the 4 hours race time limit.  The second wave were the the Category 3 mountain bikers.  Finally, the Junior field were in the singletrack for a shortened lap.  The Junior field included a team from the Vikings of Omaha North High School.

Riders for the second group of starting times were scheduled for 2pm.  First of the starting line were the Category 1 rides.  Following were the Cat 2 riders. It heard there was a kids race, but I had enough fun for the time and left the park about 2:30PM.

Photos I took during the races are posted on my race and events web site:  http://win-photo.photoreflect.com

Kanesville Krusher

Yesterday was a beautiful day for a race.  The venue was Lewis & Clark Historic Monument in the Loess Hills of Council Bluffs. This was the second race in the Psycowpath Mountain Bike series for 2014.  The singletrack at Lewis & Clark Monument is considered the most demanding course within a 3 hour drive of Omaha.

The day started at 8am with a trail runner race.  The race was followed with podium awards and photo ops,   At 10 am, the bicycles took to the trail.

First into the singletrack were the marathon racers.  These fold were pedaling up and down the hills of the Monument for over 4 hours.  Right behind them were the Category 3 racers followed by the junior racers.  These groups rode one lap of the 5 mile trail.

The Category 1 and Category 2 racers took to the trail about noon.  There were riding 4 and 2 laps of the course, respectively.  During the later race, I had had enough for the day and headed home.  Before packing up my cameras, I had a double cheeseburger cooked by the THOR "grillmaster".  Host for the race was Greenstreet Velo.

As usual, photos I took of the races are posted on my race and events web site:  http://win-photo.photoreflect.com.  Photo files can be purchased from the web site.  Photos posted on the web site are "proof" jpg's.  If you place an order, I will reprocess the file from the camera RAW.

Swanson Shootout

The 2014 Psycowpath racing season is underway!  The first race of the season was held yesterday at Swanson Park, Bellevue, Nebraska.

With below freezing temperatures, there was some 30 trail runners for their race.  Runners had a start time of 8am and ran 5+ miles over the Swanson Park trails..  I did not arrive until 9 (Was at ham radio breakfast before). Was there in time to shoot photos of the trail running podium.

Large field of bicycle racers.  I heard there were about 40 racing the 4 hour marathon.  Once the Juniors, Marathon, and Category 3 races were off, i headed into the woods for shots on the trail.  Found a vantage point not too far from the shelter.

Temperature were still under freezing.  Missed some of the riders when my fingers would stop working trying to actuate the shutter button.

Visited for a while between races.  Shot the start of the Category 1 and Category 2 races.  Ended up with the photos of the early bicycle race podiums.  By then, I had enough for the day.  Stopped by the bike shop and grocery store on the way home.

Thanks for the race promoters, the volunteers, and officials.  Great job by the THOR (TrailsHaveOurRespect.org) trail maintenance crew.  Special thanks to Edge Physical Therapy for grilling and providing burgers and hot dogs.

Festival of the Trails Discontinued

Today i received e-mail from CAMBA including word the Festival of the Trails has been discontinued.  During the 5 year run of the festival, it was generally held over National Trails weekend (first Saturday of June).  I was afraid changes to the festival as the group got involved in the Mt Borah Epic race. I thought the attendance was heavy enough to support the function.

The e-mail says that "fund raising potential never attained the goals to which we had aspired".  I hate to see this NON-RACE event is gone.  Enjoyed the 2 years where i could attend Festival of the Trails one weekend in Hayward, WI, play tourist in the area, and attend the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival the next weekend.

This year I will have to decide if I want to make a 2 weekend trip in June.  With Black Hills Fat Tire Festival moving to June's 3rd weekend, I could do a trip including Cuyuna and Black Hills.  Part of the decision is hinging on the BHFTF event schedule.  I stopped attending that festival because it had become too much race-centered.

Bike Bash 2013

Last night, the Psycowpath Mountain Bike racing series held its awards banquet,  The event was at Plate River State Park near Louisville, NE. 

The banquet was proceeded with a bicycle rode on the trails of the park.

The kitchen volunteers cooked a spaghetti feed with 3 kinds of sauce,  Refreshments included soda and a pony of Fat Tire.  Food topped off with Mrs. Abbott's brownies, ice cream, and home made cookies brought by a race-group elf.

Two cups of Fat Tire, 2 helping of pasta, and desert, was too much.  That is, I ate too much!

Attendance was smaller than previous years.  Many were on the other side of Iowa racing in Jingle Cross Rock race.

The photo with this post shows the trophy winners that attended the bash,  Major sponsor the race series is the Nebraska Lottery.

All of the photos I took at Bike Bash 2013 are posted on my race and events web site:  http://win-photo.photoreflect.com.

Nebraska Cyclo-Cross Weekend - Day 2

Had to get out of the house yesterday - before the weather turned colder.  So, header out to Lake Cunningham for the cyclo-cross race.

Weather was sunny and in the upper 40s with a breeze (think it was from the SE?).  Sweatshirt weather.  Just after the start of the last race, the clouds came in, putting a chill in the air.  By that time, I had enough for a day.

Great to see my friends with THOR.  Really happy to have time to visit with Todd and Dan - a couple of racers I had not seen in a couple years.

The photos I took of the races are located on my race and events web site:  http://win-photo.photoreflect.com.  Congratulation to the racers!

Lewis & Clark Crusher

Saturday was the last race of the Psycowpath Series for the year.  The race was held at Lewis & Clark Monument trails, Council Bluffs.  This is a tough course.  Many riders succumbed so "Never Rest" hill near the end of the race lap.

My photos of the race are posted on my race & event web site:
http://win-photo.photoreflect.com

Calvin Crest Crankfest

Calvin Crest Crankfest was held yesterday near Fremont, NE.  Over the last couple years, THOR (Trails Have Our Respect) worked with Camp Calvin Crest, designing and constructing their singletrack trail.  Most of the time, the trail was available for riding by the general public 9closed when other functions at the camp).

Saturday was the inaugural race held at the trail.  It was a busy race weekend with two road races and the mountain bike race.  Race promoters reported about 100 racers at the event.

The photo here is of the "grillmasters" serving food for the racers and spectators.  Proceeds from the food went to the Camp Calvin Crest Scholarship Fund which helps those that do not have the money to attend camp.

Was a beautiful day for racing.  Temperatures were in the 70s at race time.  Skies were clear and with a light breeze.

My photos taken at the race are posted on my event and race web site:  http://win-photo.photoreflect.com

Moorehead Mayhem

About 110 mountain bike racers traveled to Ida Grove, Iowa for Moorehead Mayhem cross country mountain bike race.  Was a cool, partly cloudy day, near perfect race weather.

Racers give it all they have for the during of the race - here's a photo of one exhauseted racer after the Category 3 race.

The photos I took during the event can me found on my event and race web site:   http://win-photo.photoreflect.com. 

Thanks to race promoter Jesse Bergman and his crew for great course preparation and race.  Also thanks to race host Lakeshore Cyclery and the other sponsors. 

First Race Shoot with the Canon 60D

Today I took the new Canon 60D with Tamron 18-200mm lens to Moorehead Mayhem mountain bike race in Ida Grove, Iowa.  Was the first time shooting a race with the new camera.

I knew I would have to crank up the ISO as I was in deep tree cover.  But, the location gave me a good view of the trail - and could catch riders 2 different directions at one place.  To have any chance of freezing rider movement, I shot in Tv mode and at 1/60 to 1/125 sec.  As such, had to use ISO 800 to ISO 1600.

During the first race, I took time to review some of the jpg images I have captured.  Finding dark images, I was going to add some exposure compensation and found that for some reason, it was almost 2EV dark!  Changed the compensation to 0, and that made a big different.

The upper photo is the jpg images as captured and saved by the camera.

Fortunately, I was also saving the files as camera RAW.  This means that I will be able to correct the exposure in Photoshop Elements.  The lower version of the photo is after converted in Adobe Camera Raw and touched up in Photoshop Elements 11.

The reason I purchased the lens was so that I could use one lens, rather than swapping from the 18-55mm zoom and the telephoto zoom while shooting.  The lens performed perfect for that.  Just what I need for shooting races on the trail.

And, the reason for the new camera body - the number of shots I could capture before the camera had to stop to write the files to the SD card.  With my Rebel T1i and srandard class 4 cards, I would only get 4-5 shots when the camera paused to write files,  I did not experience and problems today - the camera and and Promaster Performance SD kept up.

I have sorted the jpg "proof" copies and have then ready for posting to my race and events web site:  http://win-photo.photoreflect.com.  They should be posted tomorrow (Sunday) morning when I go to Panera Bread.

Tranquility Tire Tantrum

Saturday was (twice rescheduled) Tranquility Tire Tantrum mountain bike race.  The race is a part of the Psycowpath Mountain Bike Series and was held in Tranquility Park in Omaha, Nebraska. Was a beautiful day for a bike race, though the wind could have dialed down a bit.

The photo shows some of the participants checking out the all-important race results.

Photos taken during Tranquility Tire Tantrum are posted. Think I only missed 2 riders in the first race. Did not stay for the end of the second race as it was about all my body could handle.

As usual, these are proofs for viewing and ordering purposes. If you wish to order a file, I will reprocess the file from the camera raw and e-mail the file to you.

Photos are located at: http://win-photo.photoreflect.com/

Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival

Today was the main day of the mountain bike festival. There were 5k and 10k runs early in the morning (before I got to the festival grounds).  The first function I attended was the Bicycle Parade (upper photo).  The parade route took the riders from the festival grounds, to and through downtown Crosby before riding back to the festival grounds,  Fewer riders in the parade than last year.

After the parade, it was time to prepare to shoot the crosscountry mountain bike race.  Riders rode their bikes from the festival grounds to the start/finish line at Pennington Lake.  This mass roll-out from the festival was to eleviate any parking problems at Pennington Lake.  Large group of racers.

After the group headed out of the festival grounds, I drove over to the parking area near Boot Camp (along highway 128).  Visited with a race trail guard as I waited for the racers.  I found a spot in the woods along the singletrack.  Caught most all of the riders as they came through.  Missed some when there were too many arriving at once and the camera couple not keep up processing the files.  Many of them I caught on the second lap.  Ended up with about 200 shots of the race. 

Back at the festival frounds, I was hungry.  Picked up a burger and Fat Tire at the vendors.  The first of the Twin Cities Fun Factory BMX stunt show was underway.  Smaller crowd watchng the show this year than last year.  Did not see the "money shot" I took last year "High Flying Bike".  They were having a second show later in the afternoon.

I took some time to head to the hotel to sort some of today's photo files.  Got some also posted up on the race & events web site.

Was pretty tired, but wanted to try to shoot the always popular kid's races.  The lower photos was the start of the kids race for the youngest riders.  After the kid's race, the moms and dads rode their kid's bike in a race.

I topped off the day with a sandwich and Fat Tire at Coach's Corner Sports Bar.  Now rest time, checking the weather, and probably packing the car for the trip home.

National Trails Day

Today was National Trails Day.  I spend the day at CAMBA's Festival of the Trail in Wisconsin.  The day started sunny, comfortable (about 60), and no wind.  I slept in a bit - finally got up after 6am.

Checked out Cooper's for breakfast.  Good place to eat.  Coffee is $0.99.  Special was eggs, meat, potatoes, & toast for $5.99.  Such a deal!

On to OO Trailhead.  Scoped out the skills class they were conducting.  Little different than the last time I attended the Festival.  Still does not compare to the course I saw at Midwest MtB Fest in Quad Cities.  The upper photo is one of the skills whey were teaching - riding up and over a little hill, with a turn.

At the trailhead, there was a taped off chute coming from the woods, crosses the road, under the ski-race hut, and disappears into the wood.  I asked and found out the at Mt. Borah Epic race was coming though this morning.  I settle down and shot photos of the races as they came through (see previous posting).

By the time about all of the racers came through, the sky was overcast and threatening.  I drove over to the Wilson Lake area for Taste de Trails (food).  This year, the "Taste" was organized a little different.  The 2 other times I attended, you rode the trail, stopping at different stations for food.  This time, all of the food was under 1 tent.

Food was sponsored by the following business in the area:  Brick House Cafe, Coop's Pizza, Delta Diner, Namakagon Grocer, and Rivers Eatery.  Seems that they had plenty food for the riders.

I had the bike with me, but just did not feel like riding.  The weather was turning for the worse, spitting rain, cold, and raw.  On the way back to my motel, I detoured to one spot where I could get my ticket punched along the road.

That done, it was time for a nap until the mountain bike party with food, beer, videos and music.  The party was up in Cable at Rivers Eatery.  The place was packed.  I ordered my pizza and a beer.  It was not comfortable outside under the tent, but that's where I sat for dinner (with a couple other folks).  Did not say very long after I had eaten - just too raw.  I headed back to Hayward to my warm motel room. 

Mt. Borah Epic

Today was the running of the Mt. Borah Epic. While the race is  on the Saturday of  Festival of the Trails - it is separate from the festival.

According to the promoters:

"The Mt. Borah Epic is nothing short of its true definition. A series of trail systems developed by the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association, also known as CAMBA, have led Mt. Borah to stage a race that pays tribute to the trails and offers a one-of-a-kind experience found no where else but Northern Wisconsin.

Skill, endurance and perseverance will be asked of each rider as they challenge the Epic this upcoming spring. Each section of the course holds its own key to success. Racers will traverse rocks, roots and navigate through pine groves, all while enjoying the epic single track that has inspired us to stage this race from the very beginning."

I was not in Cable, WI for the start (probably should have gotten up earlier enough, but needed my rest).  Taking a break from shooting some photos of the skill class, I noticed a growing number of folks in blue sweatshirts gathering at OO Trailhead.  I learned that the point-2-point race will be coming through here.  Found a seat and spend about an hours shooting the riders.

OO Trailhead was about 1/2 point of the 30 mile race and the only (for what I know) fuel/water stop. Photo with this posting is the race leaders at the fuel stop. Once they are sorted, proof copies will be on my events & race web site.

Platte River Battle Royale

Racers are off with a Le Mans style start at Platte River Battle Royale and Nebraska State Mountain Bike Championship..  The race is a part of the Psycowpath Mountain Bike race series.

Race weather was near perfect with clear, sunny skies and temperature near 60 degrees.  A cool wind was blowing from the NW at up to 25 mph.  Thankfully, most of the course is in the woods which provided some shelter from the wind.

Today's photo is of the start of the Category 2 race.

Photos I have taken of the race are posted on my Race & Events photography web site.  http://win-photo.photoreflect.com.

Photos posted on the web site are proofs for ordering purposes.  When photo files are orders, I will process the original camera RAW file and touch-up in Photoshop Elements before sending the file to the customer.  Enjoy.

Swanson River City Shoot Out

A long weekend of mountain bike racing was capped off by Swanson River City Shootout.  The photo to the right is the first of the lead-out group of the day.- Marathon.  These racers rode laps over the course for more than 4 hours!

The weather started cool and threatening some rain.  By the start of the first race, it was comfortable for racing.  The sun cam out and the air warmed up causes me to shed my sweatshirt.  By the second race was lining up for the start, it was down-right balmy.  Thermometer in the car showed 77 when I headed home.  Back to the race...

The first race of the day was for the Marathon riders, Juniors, and Category 3.  Cat 3 and Juniors races one lap around the course.  I hope that I caught ever racer on the course for a photo.  I stayed for the first awards podium call.

Was down to the starting line for the second race of the day - Category 1 and Category 2.  At the short track race Saturday, I scoped out shooting places not too far from the start line.  That lowered my walking time.  Shot photos of all of the Cat 2 and Cat 1 racers as they raced their first lap.

By this time, my body had enough.  Sucked on a shot blok and slowly walked up to the registration area.  Said my good-bye's and headed home.  I knew I would miss the kids race and second podium call, but I just could not do any more.

A shout out for Nebraska Lottery for their support of the Psycowpath Mountain Bike Series.  Another shout out for Edge Physical Therapy for providing the food at the race. Race results will be available on the Psycowpath web site.

Now, for my shameless plug - my photos of Swanson River City Shoot Out are available on my race and events web site:  http://win-photo.photoreflect.com

Psycowpath Mountain Bike Series is Off with a Weekend of Racing

Saturday morning, the Psycowpath Mountain Bike Series started the 2013 season with Jewell Jam - a time trial helt at Jewell Park in Bellevue, NE.  Jewell Jam was the first race of a two stage race.  The second stage was the Swanson Short Track Race.

Swanson Short Track was held Saturday afternoon at Swanson Park, also in Bellevue, NE.  The course of the Short Track Race was reported to be 0.9 mile in length.  This made for a full day of racing!

The photo here, is of Junior (13-15) category racer Jack Ferguson of The Bike Way Racing Team.  Jack was the first racer on the course.

Race results are available on the Psycowpath web site.

I attempted to to catch a photo of each racer during both Jewell Jam and Swanson Short Track.  Race photos are available a http://win-photo.photoreflect.com.  As usual, photos posted on the web site are "proofs".  When a order comeoms if for a photo file, I will retrieve the original camera raw file for processing.  The processed files will be e-mails to the customer.

Screwed up the focus on many of the photos at Jewell.  I had the telephoto zoom lens set on "anual" focus to shoot Eagles at Lake Manawa.   Wondered why I was having problems getting a focus lock with the camera.  Realized the problem and corrected the error for Swanson Short Track.

Please note that I did NOT stay for the last race of the day - Category 1  Short Track.  It was just too much in one day.  As it was, I had to suck/chew on a Shot Blok on the walk up tp the start line to ward of a bonk.

Photos of today's Swanson River City Shootout should be posted tomorrow.

They are Off!

Yesterday, I took photos of the Greenstreet Cyclocross race at Fontenelle Park. Day one of the race was a warm, windy day. I think the temperature hit 80 during the afternoon.

Its going to be a different situation today for the second day of the race. Its still windy, but temperatures are forecast to be in the 30s and some light drizzle (cyclocross weather).

As usual. my photos are available for viewing and purchase on my race and events web site http://win-photo.photoreflect.com. The photos on the web site are jpg proofs. When a photo file is ordered, I will start from the camera RAW file do some touch-up before converting to jpg and e-mailing the file to the customer.