RIDE LONG AND SMILE

Meet the new Honey Badger by Spot .  It is a really fun bike to ride!  The steel frame is super lively and responsive on the climbs yet ridiculously smooth and compliant on the descents.  The crenellated down-tube mated to the machined tapered head-tube makes the front end nice and stiff so steering is precise!  The "animal leg" seat stays and TT-style  cutaway seat-tube give the back end the feel of suspension without the weight and bobbing. The Manitou Tower Pro fork is very plush and laterally stiff thanks to the 15mm thru-axle that is really easy and fast to use.  It's the best feeling fork I've ever ridden. The Crank Brothers bar, stem, seat post, pedals, and saddle are all bombproof and light.  The saddle is super comfortable for those all day epics. Should you actually need to slow down or stop the TRP Dash Carbon brakes will stop you on a dime and give you a nickel for change.  The adjustable reach and power knobs are easy ...

The North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) was once again a great time.  With it being right here in Denver it made it very easy to get to.  The craftsmanship and creativity is always impressive.  It was fun to get to shot some of the bikes in the event, as it allowed me an up-close -nd-personal view of some of the bikes. Muse Cycles. REEB Speedhound Stijl Sycip This English Cycles bikepacking bike was one of my favorites.  I think if Darth Vader rode a bike this would be it.

I had a great long ride this weekend.  I started out a bit before the sun set which meant the animals were out.  I just love riding in the evenings.     The evening light creates some nice flat light for soft shots of flowers.    It also sets an interesting mood for when you come across old ruins.  (I'll have to come back to this place to set up some experimental shots) This was a challenging shot to try to capture.  It's a 30 second exposure with a flash at the beginning of the exposure.  The red line is from my taillight as I rode down the path illuminating the trees as I went.  I just set up the camera on a rock, set the timer, and hopped on and hoped I was in the frame when the flash went off.  It took a few tries, but I think the result was interesting. This was a fun shot to set up.  It's a 100 second exposure with no flash and the only post...

I've been out in Moab for the past week doing a lot of riding.  It's been really good for me to get some solid and difficult miles in ... while taking in the scenery and warmth.  Moab is so scenic with the contrast of desert and snowy mountain peaks in the distance. The snowy mountains provide for some interesting waterways down in the desert. The farther you get from the mountains the drier and more desolate it becomes. Musselman Arch. The White Rim is a tiring place for a fully rigid single speed.  But it is still a lot of fun!

It's been awhile since I've posted anything on my blog.  Been busy I guess.  I have still been taking pictures though, some have even been specifically for work - like these shots of a Nicolai track bike with the Gates Carbon Drive.  Pretty sweet bike!

... here's proof that I do.  Or, I at least bring my bike on my lazy bird-watching toodles. This was up in Leadville on some of the new single-track they have put in.  It's great to see them adding single-track to an area where there are already a ton of jeep roads.  They are catering to a more physically able clientele!

Thanks CHL for taking another great picture!  You have so many skills!

 This is the drive train on the new Spot.  Genius!