A bit of a circle

About 18 months ago I decided to give really small cameras a try.  I bought a Fuji X100s and rented the Fuji XE-1 along with two lenses.  I used that kit to photograph the Lost Coast, a story that has been one of my most popular ever and will be featured in a magazine this spring.  

While I enjoyed the size and weight of this kit, and felt the images were good, they still did not give me what I was personally looking for when my goal is to tell a story via the web and have the ability to print large.  At that time, I felt that the Fuji kit was nice, but just not up to the task, so I divested myself of the little X100s and moved on.

Fast forward to 2015, and one could argue that Fuji is on a roll, with big names jumping on their bandwagon and a host of my good friends signing up as well.  Since that Lost Coast trip I have seen one of my X100s images printed wall size by the wizards at Dugall which again reminded me that today's cameras have plenty of oomph to do just about anything we want of them.  

Still, I believe it is important to feel a connection to your gear, something that transcends simply taking photographs.  At least for me, this is an important element to my photography. So here we are, and I have now picked up a little Fuji X100T to be my 'grab' camera for my next two trips.  I have 3 weeks biking through Ireland, an environment full of spring time color and great old textures.  This will be a wonderful palette to play with the little Fuji.  Of course, it will not be my primary tool -- that task will belong to the Leica M240 and a 35/50 Summilux combination.  

Next, 2 days after returning from Ireland, I head to Alaska for 3 weeks of deep winter cycling through the barren AK interior.  A region known for white and shadows, dancing night lights and temperatures that will reach -30F at night.  An environment that is hostile towards people and electronics.  For that trip, I will again rely on the little X100T as a grab camera alongside my trusty Nikon D810.  

My last trip to Alaska I used a D800E for two months with much success.  I came back with images that to this day blow me away.  They have graced the covers of Salsa's catalogs; are all over their website; and are blown up life size in their traveling display.  The quality and image size of the D800 along with the large lithium batteries will be key to dealing with the environment of Alaska winter.  

This is not too say that a Fuji couldn't, but I am not prepared to make to big a jump as of yet.  So I consider these two trips as my attempt at dipping one of my toes back into the land of Fuji to see if the X series can appeal to my photographic needs.  Follow along as the X100T and its wireless capabilities should get a tremendous amount of action on my Instagram and Twitter feeds.  I will follow up after the trip with some of my thoughts on how this gear selection worked out and where I see myself going in the future.

2015 Salsa Carbon Horsethief

Last year I acquired a Salsa Spearfish and absolutely loved that bike.  To date, it is the nicest Full Suspension bike I had ever ridden.  A trip through Arizona however left me wanting just a bit more travel than what the Fish provided.  This is not a knock on the Fish, but more of a refinement on my part of what kind of FS bike I need for the trips that I plan to take.

Enter the 2015 Carbon Horsethief.  Like the Fish, the Thief features the new Split Pivot design.  Unlike last years Fish, this year the Thief is Carbon Fiber.  I must say, I am super stoked about this new design.  I built up the bike this morning and took it out for some pictures in the foot of snow we got yesterday.  While this makes for pretty snaps, it does not allow me to actually get on the bike and ride...

This year I am off to the SW again to put the bike through its paces and then onto several longer and more robust trips in 2016.  I am definitely excited about getting out and putting this bike through its paces.

Salsa Cycles

Once again I am honored to have a selection of my images from this past year used to promote both the Salsa Cycles brand and the philosophy of 'Adventure By Bike'.  This year, among others, they have chosen a selection of images from my Oregon Outback adventure, along with my good buddy Josh Spice, to promote life with a Fargo.  

You can see a brief glimpse of them on the Salsa Cycles website, and in print at your local Salsa Cycles dealer.  If the images intrigue you, the full story of the trip can be seen at my Exposure site.

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.

G-

The Path

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Oregon Outback - Leica MM + 50Lux

I always find that my adventures teach me more than I could ever have imagined and that my images are the words and the memories of all those lessons.  The path, that which we follow, always leads us to new and beautiful places.  Trusting in it, giving in to it, is the way I choose to live my life.

Here, Josh and Erik, contemplate the fact that we see no end in sight.

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.

School of Eszter ... Going Sub 10

Ok, since I tossed the weight out there, I will post a bit of a list.  Josh and I are going to do a detailed writeup of our kit, plus pictures, plus a bit of verbage on what worked and what didn't after we complete the Oregon Outback.  After spending a week cycling through Arizona with Eszter, I learned that what I thought was light, wasn't and what I thought was needed, wasn't... At least for that sort of trip. 

So, here is a brief breakdown on kit, with, as I said, more details to follow. The weights include the weight of my Rear, Frame, and Handlebar Bag.  Weights do not include Food, Water, Fuel, or Camera Gear (although electronics is included), nor does it include the clothes that I wear while riding. Like all trips, there will be last minute things that get added and/or subtracted causing the weight to go up a bit or down a bit.  The main goal is that the bulk of my kit be small enough so that at the end of the day, my bike, and my gear, is not the enemy of my legs...

My non-winter riding kit now consists of an Ibex sleeveless top, cycling jersey, cycling vest, arm warmers, buff, cycling shorts with over shorts, socks and shoes. I find that this can be more than comfortable for me from 40 degrees to hot.  If it is colder I simply throw on my rain jacket or nano puff until I am warm.

The main goal is that the bulk of my kit be small enough so that at the end of the day, my bike, and my gear, is not the enemy of my legs...

Handlebar Bag (including cuben bag) 3.0 lbs
Neo Air Pad
Rain Knickers
Rain Jacket
Cap 4 Top
Spare Socks

Saddle Bag (including bag, non-cuben) 3.1lbs
Bivy
Sleeping bag, 40 degree
Patagonia Puff Jacket
 

Frame Bag ( including bag 3.6lbs)

Electronic Ditty Bag (Batteries, Goal Zero Guide Plus, Cables, A/C)
Cook Kit (not counting fuel, going canister for this trip)

Tool kit with spare tube
Pump
Headlamp 
Chemicals
Snow Peak Ti Cup

Coconino 250 - Slowly getting the story done

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Leica and the Coconino 250

A gamble, taking the Monochrome to the desert... Would it work, would I be able to tell the story only in B&W? Would the Monochrome survive, like its fore fathers? Who knows, but looking at this first image, one of Eszter's Salsa Spearfish, I am very excited about the possibilities...Looking at a second, of Eszter bombing down the trail gets me really going...

It will be another week or so before I look at everything, but....

Controlled Chaos

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Old City, Morocco -- Sony NEX-5 16mm @F/9.0

Celebrating the release of Bunyan Velo issue number 04, this is another shot from my Morocco bikepacking trip.  A speeding Moped races down the narrow stalls full of people, vendors, goods and bikes.  A crazy scene, which could be described as 'Controlled Chaos' is something that has to be experienced to be appreciated. 

You can read about the trip in the current issue and then next week I will upload the full Photo Essay.

Fargo's, Fargo's, Fargo's -- Tis the season for Fargo's

At long last the 2014 Salsa Fargo's are really rolling out the doors.  I know the non-Ti models have been shipping for a while, but now the Ti ones are hitting peoples doors.  This means that a ton of cool Fargo Adventures are about to take place.  As incentive to share your Fargo plans, I have a brand new Porcelain Rocket handlebar Pack (and possible another goody or two) that I will give away to the person who shares the coolest story of how they intend to use their new Fargo. 

Stories must be shared on my Facebook page.  If you don't have FB, then go ahead and drop a line here and I will share it with the FB audience.  You must have a Fargo in possession or on order for this to be fair, so lets everyone play nice please...

Lets give it 30 days and then I will pick the winner.  Have fun and lets share some stories.

Ok, 1,2,3 GO!

Handlebar bag will be black w/o the pouch -- Photo (c) Scott Felter

Bunyan Velo -- Issue 04

The newest issue of Bunyan Velo is out and it is better than before.  Full of amazing photographs and inspiring stories, all from the perspective of Cyclists, it is a must read.  Check it out at http://www.bunyanvelo.com/ and be sure and read my story on Bikepacking Morocco.  I will follow up in a week with the full Photo Essay from that memorable trip.

NAHBS Bound - 2 Weeks and counting

With the show being on the East Coast this year, I am going to make the pilgrimage down to Charlotte with the MM and a rented (Lensrentals.com as always!!) Fuji X-T1 in tow.  I am looking forward to seeing all of the amazing creations from some fantastic frame and bike builders. 

While checking out this segment of the bike industry is my main goal, a secondary effort will be spent evaluating the new Fuji X-T1.  A camera that is really generating a ton of buzz and one that I feel could really make a great (rugged, weather sealed) bike adventure camera.  I shot the Lost Coast trip with two Fuji cameras and a little Nikon V1 with mixed impressions.  Both of those cameras had pros but a ton of cons.  I am excited to see what Fuji has done and give it a real chance.  I am really stoked to try out the WiFi component and do some live blogging while roaming the show.

After finishing up with NAHBS, I will head to the mountains of Western NC for some trail riding on the new Salsa Cycles Spearfish.  I need to learn how to set the bike up to go tubeless in preparation for a run on the AZT in April.  An area full of flat inducing Goatheads, I have to figure this whole thing out.  Sooner or later, manufactures will make the whole process of running tubeless easier...

If you are going to be at NAHBS or out in those western regions of NC and want to connect, please comment or drop me an email.

It appears that the Fuji X-T1 is in stock at BH Photo with the kit lens, while the body only is still on 'Pre-Order'.

Magazine Happenings

Cool things happening this February and March. Keep an eye out for the latest issue of Ocean Paddler and one of my images from Kayaking up the Inside Passage.  Next up is the upcoming issue of Bunyan Velo and my photo essay on Bikepaking Morocco.  Bunyan Velo is an online magazine full of incredible images and stories from some really terrific cyclists, adventurers and photographers.  Stay tuned for details.