Photographer/Videographer specializing in Life Style, Travel, and Aerial Imagery. FAA 107 Certified for sUAS flight operations throughout the US. Fully insured. Videography work is limited to Aerial productions.
Based in Maine (May-December) and SWFL (Jan - April). Available for travel year round.
One of the things I love most about upcoming trips is the planning process. What will the route be, what are the gear requirements, how am I going to carry what I need, and what camera gear is needed? Early in the process I begin making lists, sorting through requirements and eventually bringing out the scale to insure that I have not gone overboard with the 'oh I could use that piece of kit' syndrome.
My Gen 1 Fargo on the Oregon Coast
Next month, I head to California to bike the lost coast. A stretch of road, trail and beach that runs from the Oregon/California border down to the beautiful city of San Francisco. I will ship my bike and gear out to Crescent city because their is simply no way to fly there on a plane big enough to carry all my kit. I will hop from the east coast to San Francisco, meet up with my riding partners, Erik and Andrew, and then take one of those puddle jumpers up to our starting spot.
Camping amidst the giant redwoods
My goal for this 7 day trip, since it is short, and in the relative confines of civilization, is to go as light and fast as possible. The exception to this could be my camera gear which largely rests on the issue of bringing the D800 and Zeiss lenses. Over the next several weeks I will begin to share my process of planning, pairing and then packing. This will be a SUL (Super Ultra Light) bikepacking trip for me, with a goal of coming in under 10 pounds for everything but food, water and cameras.
Stay tuned as the Fall is about to get really fun!
I can't believe it is about to be the middle of August... where has the time gone. For me it has a different summer, busier, less riding, more projects. I still have not had time to finish editing my images from the Alaska trip. I have completely rebuilt my Salsa Mukluk, although I am still missing a few bits. I acquired a used Cannondale Hooligan and it has been a blast to ride, while the Muk was down and the Fargo & Spearfish have not arrived. I built up a new Salsa Mukluk for E as a gift and the purple theme of the bike looks stunning. The bike turned out perfect in every way with the exception of not finding a 'Grape Ape' frame, but instead having to settle for a black and red model. In either event, the Purple and red seem to work well. Pics coming soon when the rain finally stops.
Made in the US, Twenty6 pedals are a work of art with aggressive pin placement
I have some fun testing going on now, especially focusing on the performance of Flats over clipless for the style of riding I do. I installed a set of Canfields on E's muk and a set of Twenty6 on mine. Two beautiful sets of pedals, but uniquely different. The pins on the Twenty6's are very sharp and from what I understand, somewhat soft. They no longer make Ti replacement pins, so I am starting with the anodized versions and then will switch to the steels when they wear out. The patter of pins on the Canfields is less extreme, and the shape of the pedal is simply striking.
My quest for a new saddle commences with a test of several different models. I have a Gilles Berthoud leather saddle in house and a Fizik Kurve (courtesy of North Central Cyclery). Totally different saddles with totally different purposes in mind. However, there is only one way to know what works and that is to try them out. E got a 'cork' model of the Gilles Berthoud for her Muk and it is beautiful!
The new Salsa 2014's are out and I have a new Fargo coming. The update from last year is subtle, but welcome. I think I am most excited about the addition of a Carbon fork that has mounts for the Anything Cages. I had always planned on adding a Carbon fork even though it was going to mean the loss of the cages. Now I don't have to compromise. I am toying with the idea of going IGH and the venerable Rohloff. My Fargo is my go anywhere touring machine and the thought of not messing with derailleurs while in some far off land is very appealing. If you have an opinion on Rohloff's I would love to hear them. I have been toying with a little 3 spd IGH on my Hooligan and have become quite fond of it, shifting nuances and all.
There are a couple of other surprises coming, including a Fish and a special project being built just for me. Summer will soon come to a close and the traveling will begin anew!! Fall, late fall, and winter plans are shaping up nicely.
With the release of the 2014 Fargo and all of its new greatness, I thought I would pay a little photo homage to the Gen 1 Fargo, aka "Fun Guy Green", that started it all. From the south to the north, to Ireland, England, Scotland, Morocco, and many points in between, the Fargo took me everywhere without skipping a beat. One bike for the ultimate in Adventure Cycling.
The new 2014 Fargo picks up where the previous generations left off and takes the bike to a whole new leve. Updated geometry; alternator dropouts; beautiful Carbon Fiber Fork W/BRAZEONS; the bike is sure to be a huge success.
Images taken from around the world traveling on my Fargo. More images available over on my Flickr account.
