Photography and peddle power . . .

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CJS

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I have to loose weight and get fit . . . says the doc., if not . . . :rules: OK, but at my age easier said than don . . . a lot of thinking, dont fancy, all that pointless sweating and grunting in a gym, or the cost? . . . Then a eureka moment! A bicycle, when I was 5, I got my first 2 wheeler, did thousands of miles from there, through school, paper rounds and work, social visits, fishing trips Seventeen years old, it all stopped, my first car, never looked at a bicycle again, did not need to, my job was the equivalent of a gentle work out for 8 hours every day! . . . in those days I was fit, fit, fit, these days, I'm fat, fat fat!

I could go swimming, but, although I can . . . could swim like a fish, I dont like it much these days, fairly aimless, 20-30 lengths then home? Although one could use it as an alternative when the weather is bad to keep the rythum going? Best not use the camera though, be looked at as some kind of pervert . . . :lol:

So, bicycle . . . ? but what if I made it a goal, rather than a pointless journey. Take the camera :thinking: either cycle to a destination of interest, plenty in Ipswich Town and Water Front where I live, have a 10-15 minuet photo session, or do a round trip, stopping off every so often, a sort of mini travel log? I'm still a fisherman, so angling sorties, can, on occasions be don on two wheels, especially the ones that are only accessible by long country foot path, camera can come to, of course. Make it a sort of meaningful 52-365 type idea with a difference?

Anyone already do this, if so, what is it called? If not, any ideas to name it?

CJS
 
This link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bGwt1Jaleo is a video made by Bennedict Campbell, a professional photographer who also writes for Digital SLR Photography magazine.

It's inspired me to get a mount for my camera and fix it to the bike for my rides (just waiting for eBay to send it).

Good luck.
 
Bloody good idea actually.

I go to the gym 5 days a week so no need (edit, can't be bothered) to get on a bike but if you tie it in with photography it could work very well.

I guess just limit the kit you take to reduce making the journey to and from uncomfortable.
 
Bike plus camera is a great combination, as you don't have any parking problems and can stop anywhere, even on narrow country roads. It also opens up all the canal tow paths and bridleways.

Don't take too much kit. I find the LowePro Slingshot 100 or 200 is good, as your back doesn't get so sweaty as with a regular rucksack, it is easy to get the camera out without taking the bag off, and it has a waterproof cover in case you get caught in the wet.

Then I also have rear rack with a small pannier, or just a bag bungied on top, to hold waterproofs, sandwiches and basic repair kit. Don't forget a lock, either.

I don't think it has a special name - just FUN!
 
I do it all the time, I normally have a quick look at the os map and then see if I can find some interesting spots. Its great fun but I spend a lot of time stopping to take images :D
 
CJS...I think you've answered your own question...

On Yer Bike.....!!!

Look forward to seeing the results and a new slimmed down you in the near future!

Janet
 
Confirming how I thought it would be 'work out fun', even better if one could find a tog biking buddy? . . . I'm looking at the breed of bike they call 'Hybrid', active front forks, semi slick tyre, for road/off road use, handle bar bag for camera, mudguards! and a pannier set of bags on the back as needed for fishing tackle, food, drink, water proofs etc., travel light and enjoy. Just realised I said food/drink . . . I meant celery/carrot sticks, fruit and a bottle of water or flask of coffee, fortunately I dont take sugar.

I get the feeling it could open a whole new way of taking pictures in remote, inaccessible locations and as has been pointed out, stopping is not a problem . . . :naughty: £400 or so that it will cost to set up is better than paying gym fees, with the freedom thrown in for free?

The other idea I had was an exercise bike . . . if its included as part of the regime, 20 mins on the 'X bike', on days that one cant go out, keeping the rhythm up, burning calories . . . I'll be able to hide behind a lamppost in 12 months . . . and have loads of pictures and experience to draw on, and thats only the first year . . . :lol:

Is it 'free running' the youn'us do . . . how about 'tog free wheeling' . . . :shrug: We start to then consider best kit for the job . . . ???? I think a 'bar bag' is the most convenient, two lenses max? Camera . . . I have a Panasonic G1/14-45 and a 45-200, nice light kit, or may be, get a 20mm to use with the 45-200? Or there is my Nikon D90/18-70 . . . ? I find the lens more of a problem at DSLR level, big/heavy?

The other way, turn the idea on its head . . . bikes are so convenient to get to remote locations. The bag becomes the important choice, treat it like an army training run, load up with gear (100lbs:gag:) and sweat!

CJS
 
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go for it dude! cycling is one of the best forms of exercise you can do, good cardio with no impact to the joints. i enjoy cycling but the weather means i don't get to do much at the minute, come the summertime i'm going to be making a habit of taking my camera with me. maybe heading off in a different direction each time i go out.

the first couple of times you go cycling will be the hardest but once you get into the habit you'll love it. get a good seat though because your arse will be killing you the first month or so lol
 
lexie said:
the first couple of times you go cycling will be the hardest but once you get into the habit you'll love it. get a good seat though because your arse will be killing you the first month or so lol
Click to expand...

My god!!! . . . when I went to the cycle shop the other day, the seat was excruciating just sitting on it!!!:gag: But, there are plenty to choose from, I fancy an 'old mans, old fashioned type' . . . wide, not to pointy and a couple of springs underneath . . . :lol:

The weather factor is why I'm looking at an 'X bike' in the spare bedroom!

CJS
 
I started back on the bike last august after years of not doing a lot,also gave up smoking almost 2 years ago.
In fact i was out today,its brilliant with my kit on my back,love being back on the bike again.:):thumbs:

P.S. You can get theses saddles where you put air into it,i have one,love it.:clap:
 
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jockwav said:
I started back on the bike last august after years of not doing a lot,also gave up smoking almost 2 years ago.
In fact i was out today,its brilliant with my kit on my back,love being back on the bike again.:):thumbs:

P.S. You can get theses saddles where you put air into it,i have one,love it.:clap:
Click to expand...

i like your thinking
 
I used to to this when my car was off the road for a while,

got back into it again, when I needed to access some place that can't be accessed by car...

my kit comprised of...

1. a 10 year old Sidewinder 18 speed MTB
2. Centon backpack
3. Jessops Tripod case

the back pack and tripod case are strapped to my back then two more straps come round to secure the tripod case and thats it, jump on the bike and go, everything is balanced.

got no pics of it though

:)
 
Hybird bikes are perfect as I always find myself going from road to country ditch, my fixed gear bike gets abused...
 
Yep they are brilliant.:thumbs:
 
Been looking through fleBay at 'exercise bikes' . . . what a mine field and what a load of rubbish to the unwary buyer . . . :shrug:

CJS
 
Get a real bike & get out & about.:)
I picked up my mountain bike for £45 at a boot sale & i put 2 new tyres on it & replaced the brakes,brilliant.:thumbs:
 
jockwav said:
Get a real bike & get out & about.:)
I picked up my mountain bike for £45 at a boot sale & i put 2 new tyres on it & replaced the brakes,brilliant.:thumbs:
Click to expand...

Yep, the real bike is coming, but a bit more research first. I want to do the 'Tog Free Wheel' bit, improving pictures and health at the same time :lol: . . . but, as an 'old silver wimp' I'm not so keen on the wintry weather, no good getting pneumonia to throw a spanner in the wheels :shrug:. . . so I need the 'static back up' . . . :thumbs:

CJS
 
Agree with all comments, ie;
Fantastic exercise and can go so much further than just walking,
Will get you very fit but the first few times your legs & lungs will give out at the first hill,
Your arse will kill you for the first month.

Much better than running or sweating in a gymn and easy to carry the camera.
 
CJS said:
Yep, the real bike is coming, but a bit more research first. I want to do the 'Tog Free Wheel' bit, improving pictures and health at the same time :lol: . . . but, as an 'old silver wimp' I'm not so keen on the wintry weather, no good getting pneumonia to throw a spanner in the wheels :shrug:. . . so I need the 'static back up' . . . :thumbs:

CJS
Click to expand...

why not just get a wheel lift so you can use the 'real bike' indoors, im sure they exist.

weheyyyy found them
http://www.google.co.uk/products?hl=en&q=bicycle rollers&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wf
 
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You can,t beat getting out there,fresh air ,the freedom,i am no spring chicken either but i have been out a few times this month so far.:):thumbs:
 
A great way to get fit and indulge in photography at the same time, I do it quite a bit. I'm planning on a spot of camping later, as well as the Whitehaven-Sunderland coast-to-coast. Best of all worlds: get a bike rack for the car. Drive out into the wilds, use the car as a base. Spend a day or best part radiating out and snapping stuff too :)
Just a suggestion. I'd stay clear of rollers, they're not particularly easy to use. More for road-racers than hybrids/MTB's. I have a racer and an MTB so I went for this one:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160525542511&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
Decent reviews for budget kit, not a huge amount of money and should last a couple of years.
Oh and rollers/turbo-trainers can be noisy unless you use slick tyres, pumped up as high as safely poss :)
 
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Bike roller . . . ? I can see problems there, any way I have found a decent X-Bike at a fair price that I recon will do?

Been around the bike shops today, Halfords . . . Very helpful but a wast of time on the bike front, push their own brand and charge as much as I can buy a Raleigh Voyager GLX for, although they seem to be good on accessories?

Went to Cycle King in Colchester, helpful, had a nice looking Viking Virago Hybrid, with all the knobs and whistles I want, ready fitted. Before Christmas selling at £285.00, sale price £199.00 . . . 'they say' :shrug: yes, I'm a bit of a sceptic, or is it a no brainer? :thinking:

Alloy frame, 21 Shamano gears with EZ Fire change, active adjustable front forks, mudguards, pannier rack, bike stand, sealed bearings, semi slick tyres, lots of adjustment points so it fits me. Yea, it had wheels and brakes as well:lol:

http://www.cycleking.co.uk/VIKING-VIRAGO-3-3-product-68.html

I had a look at Halfords 'Handlebar Bags' perfect for my Panasonic G1 + the 2nd lens, might get the D90 in if I fancied it, not sure if I could get the 70-300 in as well?. . . Cycle King not so good on these sort of accessories?

Looks like the plan is coming together . . . :banana:

CJS
 
CJS said:
Bike roller . . . ? I can see problems there, any way I have found a decent X-Bike at a fair price that I recon will do?

Been around the bike shops today, Halfords . . . Very helpful but a wast of time on the bike front, push their own brand and charge as much as I can buy a Raleigh Voyager GLX for, although they seem to be good on accessories?

Went to Cycle King in Colchester, helpful, had a nice looking Viking Virago Hybrid, with all the knobs and whistles I want, ready fitted. Before Christmas selling at £285.00, sale price £199.00 . . . 'they say' :shrug: yes, I'm a bit of a sceptic, or is it a no brainer? :thinking:

Alloy frame, 21 Shamano gears with EZ Fire change, active adjustable front forks, mudguards, pannier rack, bike stand, sealed bearings, semi slick tyres, lots of adjustment points so it fits me. Yea, it had wheels and brakes as well:lol:

http://www.cycleking.co.uk/VIKING-VIRAGO-3-3-product-68.html

I had a look at Halfords 'Handlebar Bags' perfect for my Panasonic G1 + the 2nd lens, might get the D90 in if I fancied it, not sure if I could get the 70-300 in as well?. . . Cycle King not so good on these sort of accessories?

Looks like the plan is coming together . . . :banana:

CJS
Click to expand...

Always handy :lol:
 
Viagra hybrid,wow:lol::):thumbs:
Time to get out there,no excuse now,i did about 30 miles yesterday,felt it last night but brilliant.:)
 
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CJS said:
I have to loose weight and get fit . . . says the doc., if not . . . :rules: OK, but at my age easier said than don . . . a lot of thinking, dont fancy, all that pointless sweating and grunting in a gym, or the cost? . . . Then a eureka moment! A bicycle, when I was 5, I got my first 2 wheeler, did thousands of miles from there, through school, paper rounds and work, social visits, fishing trips Seventeen years old, it all stopped, my first car, never looked at a bicycle again, did not need to, my job was the equivalent of a gentle work out for 8 hours every day! . . . in those days I was fit, fit, fit, these days, I'm fat, fat fat!

I could go swimming, but, although I can . . . could swim like a fish, I dont like it much these days, fairly aimless, 20-30 lengths then home? Although one could use it as an alternative when the weather is bad to keep the rythum going? Best not use the camera though, be looked at as some kind of pervert . . . :lol:

So, bicycle . . . ? but what if I made it a goal, rather than a pointless journey. Take the camera :thinking: either cycle to a destination of interest, plenty in Ipswich Town and Water Front where I live, have a 10-15 minuet photo session, or do a round trip, stopping off every so often, a sort of mini travel log? I'm still a fisherman, so angling sorties, can, on occasions be don on two wheels, especially the ones that are only accessible by long country foot path, camera can come to, of course. Make it a sort of meaningful 52-365 type idea with a difference?

Anyone already do this, if so, what is it called? If not, any ideas to name it?

CJS
Click to expand...

Im hoping to do 85km London - Brighton cycle charity ride inc the devilish Ditchling Beacon, going to take camera with me. Not doing it in 2011 but in 2012 in spirit of the olympics.Probably going to take d300s and a rented 85 prime, should get some nice wide open shots like that :D
 
Well, there we go, done the deed . . . Hazel came up trumps and paid the bill :love:!! In the end, we went to a local shop, got a 'Claude Butler' with all the knobs and whistles spec., in their sale. A few quid more but local and a proper 'name', a Claude Butler bike was to die for when I was a young'un . . . Happy bunny or what :thumbs:

Off to pick it up now, they are bolting on my goodies . . . :naughty:

CJS
 
I used to cycle a lot, but a recent back injury (old war wound) has meant I can't ride for a few months till I heal.
It's possible to cover 30-40 miles runs quite easily once you get in shape, and a 100 miles isn't out of the question, it has several advantages over the car, you can park just about anywhere, your nice and quiet if wildlife is your goal, your going slow enough to see the courtyside your going through and it's easy to pull off and grab a shot if you see someting worth a shot.
Good luck, get a helmet and hi-vis jacket, and watch for lorries turning left.
 
i'd get some of those shorts / pants with the foam inserts in them... as has been mentioned before... you'll be walking like John Wayne!
 
I bike about quite a bit and it's a great way to see places. No need to worry about parking, plus taking your time means you're much more likely to notice a shot before you sail past it. Wintery weather doesn't bother me so much: just stick me in a decent set of waterproofs and an extra layer if need be and I'm fine. I find after I've been more than about a mile the exertion keeps me warm anyway.
 
leftcurl said:
i'd get some of those shorts / pants with the foam inserts in them... as has been mentioned before... you'll be walking like John Wayne!
Click to expand...

Had a bigggg, softttt, coil sprung (large coils!!!) gel saddle put on! Compared with the 'auto castration' versions I have tried, its heaven. The man in the shop says he sells loads of this one!

800SadlerwP1000945.jpg


And the handle bar bag, takes my mini camera bag with G1/14-45, or the D90/18-70, just. Any more lenses requires a rethink? . . . I think Halfords do a slightly larger version? Alternatively, a box on the pannier and a larger camera bag in the box, a layer of foam in the bottom of the box . . . :thinking:

800BagopenrwDSC_0099copy.jpg


I think most of my trips will be withing 15 miles of home, thats 15 miles when I get fit! Plan is, this year, loose weight, harden up with trips up to 5-6 miles, there are some great opportunities around Ipswich within that distance . . . Then next year, as the weather warms, I will start to lengthen the journeys. Trips to the river Stour, wild life photography and a bit of fishing thrown in?

CJS
PS-Sorry about the 'snap shot' picture quality :thinking:
 
CJS said:
Had a bigggg, softttt, coil sprung (large coils!!!) gel saddle put on! Compared with the 'auto castration' versions I have tried, its heaven. The man in the shop says he sells loads of this one!
Click to expand...

If you actually ride your bike for a bit, you'll find a proper saddle better than an atrocity with springs ;p At the start it will definitely be painful in the nether regions, but a saddle like ain't going to help.

Personally I swear by a Fizik Arione, and have one on all of my bikes.

4406417282_330b6f0304.jpg
 
redddraggon said:
If you actually ride your bike for a bit, you'll find a proper saddle better than an atrocity with springs ;p At the start it will definitely be painful in the nether regions, but a saddle like ain't going to help.

Personally I swear by a Fizik Arione, and have one on all of my bikes.
Click to expand...

I'm an old gentleman, 'sit-up and beg' on a large, soft saddle, at a steady pace will suit me just fine for the foreseeable future . . . ;)

CJS
 
I'm on the lookout for a new bike too. I rode to work every day and everywhere at the weekends for 20 years. Was fit as a fiddle. 3 years ago I decided to buy a motorbike and I've put on 4 stone since. I've sold the motorbike and going back to cycling the 8 mile round trip to work and both my main locations for photographing kingfishers are 6 miles away so that's the weekends covered.
Also our council has built a mountain bike trail around our local lakes so that will give me a good workout as well.

Paul
 
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