Off Season Training. Photography, Biking and Blogging

Biking is out of the question for a while because of the heavy snowfalls we are experiencing.  The winter months do offer a chance to improve this blog as well as some bike riding planning.   I bought a used DSLR camera and am studying photography both online and book reading. Right now it’s Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. Along with the photography class, I’m learning use video and video editing to add some zip to the site.  Even with all that there is still time to  research the annual summer bicycle tour.

Brandon and have narrowed our tour to two routes. Buffalo to Albany New York on the Erie Canal, which we have done twice together. Our other option is to ride the  C&O towpath from Washington to Cumberland, MD where we will join the Great Allegheny Passage trail  to Pittsburgh. I did the GAP last year with a large tour group, but would love to ride the rail trail route again this summer with just the two of us.  We will mix camping with Hostels and B&Bs.

In order to make sharing all the above more interesting I’m taking a blogging course.  I did sign up for “blogging 101” but am also going to dive right in to blogging 201.  I feel like I’m in between the two classes and can get some good experiences and training using both simultaneously.  Today’s topic on “101” was to introduce yourself which can be a challenge and awkward. Introductions can lead to self depreciation, overdone self praise or just plain uninteresting rambling.

I wanted to go back to my first bicycle blog posting on MyDearDiary but that is no longer available.  In 2005, I moved to another blogging site and now have to consider that my first blog.  I was new to the bike club scene and began riding with the Brown University Tuesday night  Blackstone Blvd. Paceline group.  On May 11, 2005, I made my first BLOG POSTING Continue reading “Off Season Training. Photography, Biking and Blogging” →

Depth

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Depth.”TimeSquareBrandon

This says New York subway on it’s own.   The deco, Times Square, 42nd St. and the subjects lost in the moment.  The photo shifts our impression however,  when the third person is noticed.

Stationary Bike For Quite A While

The last storm gave us in excess of two feet of snow.  There is the possibility of two more substantial snowfalls this weekend. Needless to say, I’ll be on the stationary bike for a while.  I looked around the web and found an interesting workout from Men’s Health Magazine.  I’m going to give this eight week get back in shape program a go.

In the mean time, check out this dog rescue video.  All of my dogs shown in the previous post are rescue dogs which explains my soft spot when I see things like this.

Good Touring Video of the Southern Tier

This definitely give me the touring bug.  Click the youtube icon at the bottom right of the video to give this guy some hits on his site.  We all love to know that people are watching our videos.

End To Ender

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Easy Fix.”

Lunch break
Lunch break

CCI01232015
I have biked the Erie Canal twice.  The first time in 2008 we did not do the whole route but did ride from Buffalo to Utica, NY.  In 2012 we returned and rode our bikes from Buffalo to Albany.  That qualified us for the following award. It’s not a big deal, but it is kind of fun to be part of this group of “End to Enders”.

If you also want to read about that tour,  CLICK HERE for my crazyguyonabike.com journal.  We had a great week of riding and when we finished “All was right in the world“.

NYC Five Boroughs Bike Tour

If you can you should put this on your list of must do bike rides.  The number of riders can sound intimidating but I can promise you through experience that this will be one of your favorite bike rides.  It’s my 7th time doing this and it’s a ride I always look forward to and enjoy.   In addition to the Sunday ride, spending Saturday in New York City can be the highlight. When in New York, expect the unexpected.  Last year while aimlessly strolling around Manhattan, I was recruited to be an extra in the making of a movie.

If you do decide to ride this year, when prompted, feel free to join our team. “amidnightrider.com”.  No cost, no commitment, just a spot at the front of the line.