Push
Submitted by Bill on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 8:30am
This is part 17 in a series of blog posts that I am dedication to my favorite photos of 2009. Today's inductee and now a resident in my "Cycling" photo album is "Push". I took this photo July 30th, 2009 at 7:39 PM with my Canon SD1000 point and shooter.
Connecting with friends, both the story behind this photo and last night have one thing in common, connecting with friends. Isn't that the essence of living life to its full happiness? That great feeling when you first spot a friend that you haven't seen in a while.
Last night I gathered with friends and made new ones. We gathered because of a movie playing at the Roxy called Race Across the Sky. The movie was Olympic coverage style and so that was not what made the night great. It was connecting with fiends. So this weekend make a effort to connect with friends and go mountain biking.
When I got back from the worlds last year I gathered with my friends from Plattsburgh New York. The little one “Willow” was about to take her first MTB journey. She rode in this cool seat that fits between the rider and the handle bars. It was pretty cool.
This shot was taken in the Rattlesnake when “Niko” and I left the group for a little outing on some side single track. We took on some gnarly stuff and I took this awesome photo that because my camera was broken blurred the image. So I went with it and burred it some more and made it high contrast black and white. The result I think kind of stand for the image or icon in my inner soul of the sport I love, mountain biking. Mountain biking, the reason friends gathered last night.
Master
Submitted by Bill on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 7:55am
This is part 16 in a series of blog posts that I am dedication to my favorite photos of 2009. Today's inductee and now a resident in my "Rocks" photo album is "Master". I took this photo July 28th, 2009 at 11:30 AM with my big Canon SLR (Canon EOS 10D).
This heavily rock could be seen the entire week that my crew and I were in Canmore. It was truly inspirational and a landmark of the community. It was the master of ceremonies at the World Solo Championships as it can be seen in my photos, videos, as well as the movie made by 24 Sports.
Today a couple attendees of the worlds will be in Missoula. Rebecca Rusch the World Solo Champion and Bob Waggoner also an age group World Solo Champion. WSC in the house! Tonight is a showing of the movie "Race Across the Sky" where Reba will be flaunting her famousness and Bob a handful of Butte 100 posters.
Seriously folks, if you see this movie and are inspired don't think you can get into the 2010 Leadville 100. You wont. But you can sign up for the Butte 100. It is better and more single track, and is reportedly harder (previous Leadville racers).
The movie is at the Roxy and you can buy tickets at the Pre Party taking place at Big Sky Bikes in their new location. It is reportedly selling out…o/o
Peace
Submitted by Bill on Wed, 03/10/2010 - 8:03am
This is part 15 in a series of blog posts that I am dedication to my favorite photos of 2009. Today's inductee and now a resident in my "Lakes" photo album is "Peace". I took this photo July 28th, 2009 at 4:07 PM with my big Canon SLR.
Could I use a little Peace today. Current events have me unable to sleep and I am contemplating giving up relationships, societal requirements, and my job to go to this place of Peace.
I was trying to get back to the lodge last July when the sickness I had required me to stop by the roadside to take a break from concentrating on the road and the consistent nausea. I found a little turn out and refuge. This scene made me feel better actually and I was able to continue shortly after taking this shot.
I took a mandatory break last night on my training ride out to Clinton. The one time I put a tube in my tire (to lazy to run Stans) I got a flat. Only 9 minutes down the road. Welcome back to tire/tube life again … hate it.
Tomorrow I get to see two things that I also saw in Canmore. Bob W. (Mr.. Thirsty) TRP head honcho and the Queen of Pain … "What! I have to do another lap … WWHHHHYYYY?" … Rebecca Rusch. Wonder who else I will see … Sten … Rich maybe. Never know. Yea, its a long drive and Montana can be quite nasty in the passes.
Why the ramble … 5 hours of sleep dudes.
Perfect Place is Being There
Submitted by Bill on Tue, 03/09/2010 - 8:28am
This is part 14 in a series of blog posts that I am dedication to my favorite photos of 2009. Today's inductee and now a resident in my "Creeks Streams and Rivers" photo album is "Perfect Place is Being There". I took this photo Jul 28, 2009 at 4:27 PM with my Canon EOS 10D.
Another photo taken after the 24 Solo worlds on my sightseeing day (http://goo.gl/oJa4). This place was truly magical. This is actually a rest stop just down the mountain from the Ptarmigan Cirque. Numerous hiking trails went from this place and when I return I want to hike them.
I remember this was where I realized that my day was over and that I must turn around and head back to the lodge. I really really wanted to stay but I was feeling weak and getting sicker by the moment.
There was this family playing Frisbee in the parking lot. I remember them well because they were so happy. Here in the states you see families on vacation and they are always bickering and arguing.
Alberta Meadow
Submitted by Bill on Mon, 03/08/2010 - 8:10am
This is part 13 in a series of blog posts that I am dedication to my favorite photos of 2009. Today's inductee and now a resident in my "Meadows" photo album is "Alberta Meadow". I took this photo Jul 28, 2009 at 2:45 PM with my trusty Canon PowerShot SD1000.
It is the same area as the last two days but believe me if I had time, health, and tripod at the time I shot these I could of spent the entire day just in this meadow. Some elements I like are the foreground silt laden creek and the moose and its little mooselett in the mud hole. And of course those majestic mountains. What a place to build a homestead.
So on this Monday if work is really getting to you just go visit this meadow.
Thrust
Submitted by Bill on Sun, 03/07/2010 - 9:11am
This is part 12 in a series of blog posts that I am dedication to my favorite photos of 2009. Today's inductee and now a resident in my "Mountains" photo album is "Thrust". I took this photo Jul 28, 2009 at 1:40 PM at the same time as yesterday's photo. I know, posting the same photo twice is boring but it really isn't the same photo. This one was shot with my Canon EOS 10D because I wanted to get across that meadow to capture the mountain.
Another photo taken after the 24 Solo worlds on my sightseeing day. I really wish I could go back but not today. It is sunny here in Missoula and the skies are blue. There is no need to find a better place as this is it. I don't know how I will utilize the day but I am sure I can come up with something.
Yesterday I did my 20 minutes threshold test up route 12 from Lolo. I warmed up and noticed that riding was effortless. i was really going to have a great time trial. About 30 minutes from Lolo I launched my effort.
I flew and I covered more ground then ever before. I swear I averaged 28 miles an hour uphill in full knobby tires. I cooled down and stopped to turn around at the 20 mile mark. I thought, "Wow! Nice! 40 miles in 2 hours, that's cooking on this cross bike". Then I turned to head back and it hit me.
Rarely does the wind blow from Lolo West. Yesterday decided to mix things up and fool anyone out on route 12. I passed a flag completely unfurled and whipping in the wind. I knew my return trip would be a slow one.
Then I met up with my friend Ross and he towed me back into town. Damn wind always humbles me. Better get used to it because the upper plateau at the Devils Slide is windy and the best effort through the wind will win the race.