Coconino 250

I have finally gotten my photo essay online of my bikepacking trip on the Coconino 250 loop.  A stunning and somewhat challenging loop in Northern Arizona that takes you through forested pines, high alpine trails, dessert sand, and beautiful slick rocks.  This is a must do loop and one that I look forward to revisiting in the future.  

My bike of choice for this trip was the amazing Salsa Cycles spearfish.  Fast and nimble, it was absolutely the perfect rig for this trip.  Everything was photographed on my Leica Monochrome and a single 50mm Summilux.  Forcing myself to shoot with a single lens and in black and white was definitely one of my most rewarding photo expeditions.

Enjoy

Quick Q Update

After two weeks with the Q I can say without a doubt it is the real deal; all the reviews were correct; it is the best single lens compact camera I have ever shot.  Amazing build quality, stunning IQ and lightning fast AF all in a small compact body.  For the most part, I have put down my M240 and have only been shooting with either the Q or the Monochrom.  With the release and now readily available set of reviews on the SL, I am beginning to re-think my overall kit strategy.  More on that at another time.

I had previously mentioned that one of the only negative things I had to say about the Q was the way it was held in the hand.  Leica's little thumb indent helps, but the body still has just a bit too much heft to make that a stable platform for holding the camera.  There are a couple of options for remedying this including buying Leica's own grip; buying one of the JB Camera Design grips; and adding the new Thumbs Up adapter.  

I currently have these Thumbs Up adapters on my M240 and my Monochrom, so going that route was a natural first step.  The adapter arrived yesterday in the standard beautiful packaging. The adapter itself is meticulously machined and fits the Q like a glove, giving the hand a rock solid hold on the camera.  While I will still add a JB grip, this is a great first step and enhancing the feel and ergonomics of the mighty Q.  

Leica M240 and the Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH

I must admit, I am really starting to find a sweet spot with the M240, especially when paired with the Summilux-M 35m f/1.4 ASPH.  Yesterday I had the chance to get out for a cold weather bike ride into the woods and take a few pictures and then that night, play with some long exposures.  In both scenarios, I was incredibly pleased with how the camera and lens performed.

In a similar fashion to the way my MM pairs with the Summilux-M 50 f/1.4, I find a similar gorgeous pairing between the 35 and the M240.  I don't know if it is the way my eye sees or the way those two cameras render the scene, but I do find myself more and more sticking to these pairings.  

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Downeast Maine, an old Smoke House barely stands tall -- ISO 1600, 8 seconds

The Ramble - My Top 30

I tried hard to put together a selection of images that would tell the story of our little trip.  10 guys, fatbikes and cameras in tow, it was not easy to narrow it down. We spent 6 days riding and I spent more than 8 days in all.  That equates to a lot of shooting, even for someone that tries to be a bit slower, shooting manual and never on continuous.  Still, I feel a responsibility to show a selection of images that I feel encompass the beauty, the spirit, and the love that took place on this little ramble. 

As Such, here are my top 30 (and even that was rediculously hard) images from the trip.  A combination of landscapes to portraits to priceless moments.  Enjoy!

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And we are done -- Not!

The Farm To Table Cycle trip has come to a close and now we dig deep, edit images, and begin the process of telling the fantastic stories that we encountered.  For now, you can read updates over on our 'Micro' blog site -- www.farmtotablecycle.com where we will be posting images and telling short versions of these stories.   Shortly, I will have the Farm To Table Cycle photo essay online where more images and a few words will be shared with all.

For now, a huge thanks to all of the people that helped make this extraordinary trip possible.  I am once again honored and humbled buy the lives of so many people doing such inspirational things.

5 Days and counting

A journey for change, the Farm to Table Cycle starts in 5 days.  Follow along at www.farmtotbalecycle.com as I ride through New England, visiting farms, markets, restaurants and key innovators, all of whom are contributing to a vibrant New England Food ecosystem. 

Images will be shared on Twitter, Instagram, FB and on my Exposure site: stories.glenncharles.pro

A Catalyst for Change

I often ask myself how can I make a difference.  How can I use the skills and the passions that I have, to affect a change for the positive. Over the last several years, as I have traveled the world, I have come to believe in the power of the lone traveler to break down barriers and in the ability of imagery to open our eyes to the world around us.

With these brief thoughts, I am super stoked to announce my first effort to proactively make a difference in a cause that I feel strongly about.  In conjunction with Wholesome Wave, I will embark on a Journey through New England this September documenting the rich and vibrant local food systems and how this organization is reshaping the way we all have access to fresh foods.

It is my and our hope, that by using a simple bicycle,  along with my camera, I will be able to tell the story of the people, the organizations, the communities and the farms that are working so hard to bring all of us, but especially the undeserved, fresh,  locally grown food.

The story will unfold at our new Micro Site -- www.farmtotablecycle.com and on my stories site. I hope you will follow along, contribute to the cause where you can, and if you are in the path of this trip, come out and join me at any event or cycling leg.

We all have the power to make a difference.

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Desert Bikepacking Load Out - Salsa Spearfish

This is just a quick post on what a high desert packing kit can be.  For this trip, we carried up to two full days of water and food and planned for zero precipitation.  For me, this was one of my lighter loads with minimal extra kit.  Water was carried in a camelback Mule, a spare water pack that could be lashed wherever was practical and a feedbag on the handlebars which always held 24 ounces of water.  The trip was on a FS Spearfish thus minimizing any 'frame' bag space, an obvious location to store mucho water....  Since this is a quick post, fire questions and I will attempt to expand where needed:

Front Roll Bag

1. Bivy (UL Cuben)
2. Pad - Neo Air
3. Small Food Bag
4. Clothes
   1. Cap 4 top
   2. Wool knickers
   3. Spare socks
   4. Rain Jacket/Wind Break

Rear Bag

1. Sleep bag 
2. Down sweater

Frame

1. Pump
2. Tool bag
3. Lube
4. Co2 kit
5. Light headlamp **
6. Fuel (Alcohol)
7. Stove (Trangia)

Handlebars

1. V1 in feed bag
2. Snacks on top tube
3. Snacks, water in feed bag, makeshift
4. Light **

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Eszter admires my shiny new Fish ;-)

Back

1. Camera
2. Cam batteries and filters
3. Electronic ditty (Batteries, cables, etc)
4. Warm Hat
5. Warm Gloves
6. Arm Warmers
7. First aid
8. Knife
9. Shock pump
10. Chemicals
11. Wallet
12. Snow peak pot

On Me:

1. Bib Shorts
2. Jersey
3. Over Shorts
4. Sidi Shoes
5. Socks
6. Vest

Food was stuffed wherever. The Camelback Mule did not provide the flexibility to carry food. I would not choose that pack again.  Also, as noted, this was on a Spearfish. With a Frame Bag, spare water would go there and lighter, bulkier items would go in the backpack where applicable.  Carrying 1 or 2 platypus bags as backup water storage along with your choice of straps for lashing them in different spots is critical.

Logistically or philosophically, I carry only what will be used.  Therefore my on bike clothing is my camp clothing with the obvious exception of my bibs.  Get to camp, take off bibs, add puffy, gloves, hat and I am set.

Below is an image of a similar load out on the Oregon Outback.  With the addition of a full size frame bag I was able to ditch the backpack. Camera gear was carried on handlebars using a makeshift camera bag lashed to the bars.

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Salsa Fargo, Porcelain Rocket frame bags - SUL setup

Slowing Down

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Stumptown Coffee, Snow Peak Drip, Porlex Grinder -- Leica M240 + 50 Lux

It is easy to get caught up in all that exists around us.  The rush of day to day life can overtake us in the blink of an eye. I know that for me, the switch to Leica has enabled me to slow down even more with my photography; to become even more contemplative in what I am trying to accomplish.  The simplicity of the range finder and manual focus lenses just lends itself to slowing down.

Applying the same principals to other aspects of my life is paramount to long term peacefulness.  Recently I found myself making coffee in the ho-hum bulk way of a big drip machine.  The coffee, even with fresh grounds, just never tastes as good as it does when I brew it one cup at a time. 

Yesterday I received my little kit from Stumptown Roasters that included the travel Porlex Grinder; a travel drip kit from Snow Peak; a small ceramic cup; and a bag of their lovely beans.  Learning to slow down in all facets of life is good, but especially with your morning cup of coffee....

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Where'd he go?

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The missing driver -- Leica M240 + 50Lux

Trinkets

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M240 + 50 Lux

Thoughts

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Coconino 250, AZ -- Leica MM + 50 Lux & Salsa Cycles

The power of a bike, not only as a form of transportation and recreation, but as a tool to help cleanse the soul.  We climbed hard that day and were rewarded with a vista that required no words to describe -- we simply sat, in awe of the natural beauty.

Morning Stillness

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My morning walk in Downeast Maine - Leica M240 + 50 Lux

Not Winter

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Downeast Maine, Winter 2014 -- Leica Monochrom + Lux 50