Cyclocross Racing in Blaine, MN

These images are from the Grumpy's/Little Guy Racing (my team) Cyclocross Race held in Blaine, MN this fall. It was on the grounds of the NSC Velodrome (see earllier posts on this blog). Matt "Little Guy" and Rob "Tuffy" designed a course that was more difficult and varied than anyone suspected possible. It was my first Cyclocross race ever and it was a ball! In 30 minutes, I had to make as many laps around a 2k course as I could. Obstacles included: muddy hills, muddy ditches, thick grass (worse than it sounds), 18" hurdles. There were off-the-bike hills too, but not large ones. I finished in the front half of the pack, not too bad. It was a gas.

The NY Times sent us out to cover the race, so I raced the "c" race, which is for the slower and rookie riders. Then I shot the next two races, which get longer for the participants. "A" racers go for one hour! Brutal!

It was really good exposure for the sport, which is really a niche here in the US. European countries go nuts for this type of racing, but they are not competing as much with the Mall of America, Wii systems and reality TV for entertainment. Sad, we have too many options for entertainment here in the US. Anyway...

Bjorn Selander, divinginto the ditch in the Blue/white Ridley Factory jersey became the (under 23) National Champ in Cyclocross 2007. I think he is only 19, or 20 yrs old. Look out! Congrats, Bjorn.

Aric Hareland, jumping the barrier in the black/white Silver Cycling jersey is another local tough guy.

Enjoy the images. Try to catch a Cyclocross race in the future if you have not. It is a great spectator sport, as it takes place on a short course and involves laps. The Velodrome is good entertainment too. I'll be there this next season. It should be entertaining; spandex.

When it was warm...

Some of you know that I grew up on the east coast and rather enjoyed the surfing and skateboarding lifestyle that the coastal states are known for. So, it was with great joy that I accepted an assignment to wakesurf here in Minnesota. I had done it before, and was excited to get the chance again. Really fun.

Here's the skinny: You get a boat, preferrably one with an inboard motor and prop. Weight one side of the boat (with water bladders call "fat sac's". The boat then produces a larger, heavier wake. Using a surfboard shaped device you pull yourself into the wake just behind the boat and when you can let the wake's power propell you, you toss the rope into the boat. Now you're wake surfing. *Not to be confused with wake boarding, where you hang on to the rope the whole time - lame...

Check out the photos. First, Bill Tyler is deep in the curl. Not easy to do, but he's doing it with style. The rest are of Todd "Z-man" Zaugg on his home lake. He's quite comfortable on the board... comfortable enough to accept a beverage from someone in the boat. Nice Todd.

As a disclaimer, this can be really dangerous without the proper equipment. DO NOT try this with an outboard motor boat, as your body parts and the prop may tangle.

Recycling is Rad: messenger bags

A number of people asked me about the messenger bag I was wearing last night. I was proud to tell them that my wife, Bekah made it. What's more, she made it of recycled plastic bags and caution tape. The caution tape came from the small scraps from the Grumpy's/LGR Cyclocross race this fall.


She takes plastic bags destined for the trash and fuses them together to create a super tough plastic fabric. If you'd like to see more or contact her about getting one made for you, you can contact her at:

http://recyclingisrad.blogspot.com

About half of the bags she makes are custom ordered, so if you have preferences, she can ususally accommodate. You can see some in person at the CRC coffee shop and Re-gifts.

You'll be seeing more and more of these around. They rule.

COLD SPRINTS! - November edition

Last night was the first of four "Coldsprints" hosted by Grumpy's Bar and Grill, Behind Bars Bike shop and One-on-One Bike shop. If you aren't privy: "Coldsprints" (normally "Gold" sprints) are bicycle races on indoor training rollers - a fancy version of a staionary bike. In 20 seconds, you go as fast and hard as possible and try to beat the score of other contestants. A computer tracks the speed and distance and displays it on a screen. Think interactive video game for active types. Have a look:









Two teammates of mine won the event. Jake H. and Lindsey of Team Grumpy's/Little Guy Racing. I barely missed the qualifying heat, but vow to spin faster and harder next time. As a bonus, proceeds from last night went straight to the food shelf. Big thanks to everyone who helped out. Enjoy the images and try to make the next one if you missed this event.

More: Bike Project 2007

Here are a few from another indoor trainer session in the basement. This time Tim sports his actual race kit ( www.littleguyracing.com - go Grumpy's!) The outdoor images are of Spencer Haug, another teammate on the Grumpy's/Little Guy race team. He's turning on the power in these images. enjoy.

Bike Project - continued

This image is from the very first day I shot for the bike project. This is Tim "Super Rookie" Hayes. Tim agreed to let me photograph him through the winter and into the racing season. So, in January, we met in a basement studio and the project began. Tim is on an indoor trainer - the part of cycing that most of us loath. More of these to come...

Timberlake Family

I do not photograph a lot of families ususally. I do not operate out of a studio, and I generally photograph in a more editorial (candid, natural) way. Not a lot of families are looking for that. I got a call from the Timberlakes a few weeks ago and they wanted family photos exactly the way I shoot them. So, we decided to get together one morning and these images are a few of the 300 or so that I took. I especially love the fish face that the 3 year-old is making at his pet fish. Kids rule.

I like architecture.

I do a fair amount if architectural photography - something I never thought I'd like to do. Turns out I do like it, and I think it is because I appreciate good design. I have a problem of collecting chairs - old chairs ususally. All of them are designed well. Thus my problem. Anyway. These images are from one of my newest and favorite clients, ROOM DESIGN. They are an architecture firm based in Minneapolis. It is really fun to work with them, because they are the ones who designed the place and are excited about seeing it photographed well.
These images are from a loft in uptown, really close to Lake Calhoun. The bathroom is great, isn't it. I look forward to working more with these guys in the future. They are a talented bunch. Look for more of their work at the Franconia Sculpture Garden, as ROOM is designing the coming campus. Should be really cool when it is done - I've seen the models!

your next vacation?

One of my first assignments for the NY Times was to go Sailing in North Dakota. When I heard about it, my forehead wrinkled into a confused frown. What could we possibly sail on in ND that would be worth the NY Times' attention? Of course, I took the assignment though...

I had a lot to learn about ND. I will preface the rest of this story with this: North Dakota is now one of my favorite states. Why?! you might exclaim. The reason I love it is the same reason I didn't think I would. There is not much there. It is spread out, vast and empty for the most part. Living in a metropolis for the last 7 years has taught me to appreciate the "empty" space of some of our "bread basket" states.

Back to the sailing now. Lake Sakakawea is the product of damming the Missouri River at the edge of the badlands. So, as you can see from the images, the lake is the badlands - now with water in it. Gorgeous! The sailing was great. The lake is huge. Not very wide, but look at a map of the state and you will see how much area you can cover on the lake.

We sailed on the "Sovereign", captained by Mike Quinn who lives in Haven, ND. He's a jolly, affable gentleman who make you feel like you've know him for years - and once you meet him you will want to. I really enjoyed Mike's company. So much so, that this summer - a year after the assignment, I took my family of four (Wife, son {6}, son {3} and I) of an overnight sail on the "Sovereign" - Mike's 35-40' sailboat that sleeps as many as 6 (more if you get cozy).

The highlights, besides the beautiful scenery and sailing, were grilling burgers on the boat at sunset, searching for (and finding) fossils in the red clay hills, dragging behind the boat on a rope - with a kid on my back. After a busy day, we fell asleep to the gentle rocking of the boat. Just like mom and the rocking chair. Ahhh...

From Minneapolis, Haven is a 7-8 hour drive. A do-able distance. If you are looking for your next domestic vacation and you desire an adventure that is at the same time relaxing and fun, give me a shout and I'll connect you with Mike. He charters the boat during the summer and would love to show you his lake. You won't be disappointed.

While you are out there, you might also want to make a short drive to the rustic cabins on the edge of the badlands. Cheap - no seriously - CHEAP and quiet little cabins - not luxurious, rustic. From there you can hike as far as you'd like into the badlands. Great times. If you have any questions about the trip, let me know, It is a trip I will take again and think that some of you might also enjoy. (www.badlandstrailrides.com)- cabin information and photos.

Trouble adding images - will come soon though.

Freeriding!

Quick lesson for those who are not into the cycling thing: Freeriding is sort of a new segment of mtn biking. All those bmx kids that used to fly off things and jump down stairs - well, they grew up and became freeriders. They still fly of of things, they just do it with bigger bikes.

Dave and Brock are two such guys. Dave built a place on his grandmother's land in Somerset, WI, that he calls "Snake Trails". It consists of large sets of dirt doubles and wooden ramps (and other obstacles that I don't have names for). All of them are for going big. Big air, big gaps, all things big.

Our first photo session actually got rained out. I managed to fire off about 6 frames before the rain was too much. Here are a few. More to come when I revisit Snake Trails in October. Pray for dry dirt, boys.

Also, Dave is trying to find a place for himself in the bike video world. He has a decent start from what I have seen. I'll try to work on a link so that you can see for yourself. Enjoy.

Portraits - Travis N. senior photos

I don't shoot too many seniors usually, but I had two guys, Travis and Bryan, give me a call this year telling me that they like my portraits because they did not look like "senior portraits" - I took that as a compliment. Thanks boys.


Here are Bryan's images. We shot down by St. Anthony Main - his idea. I think it worked out pretty well!
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Here are a few of Travis that I liked. (Travis is wearing the plaid shirt) As well as owning this sweet VW, he's got a few nice bicycles as well. You're on your way, Travis!
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2007 Assignments - Part 1

I'm going to highlite some of the best assignments I did this year. Most were for the NY Times - Travel section.

This is the perfect place for me to release images that might ever be seen otherwise. The NYT only publishes a couple images per assignment, but ususally there at least a handful of interesting shots. Let the chronicle begin.
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This is Mount Bohemia, in Upper Michigan. It is a EXPERT ONLY ski/board area. Black diamond runs with "gladed areas" - which are tree runs. In other words, it is backcountry. Miss the trees and you are having fun. Ski over your head and you are going to end up hurt.
Somehow I managed to walk away from this one despite my non-black diamond skills. I did most of the photography by running (literally) around the mountain on snowshoes.

If you are into backcountry with rocky drops and tree hazards - the closest destination is Mt. Bohemia. Great atmosphere, run by great people. You will not be dissapointed.

* If you'd like to use any of these, please ask first. Thanks.

Photo Project 2007

I am fortunate enough to get to photograph a lion's share of cool things. I am not in need of exciting work ususally. But my job has left me a little unsatisfied in that my assignments are small glimpses at things. I mean that I do not get to really get into the middle of things like I want to. I don't get to experieince them fully - you dig?

So, to remedy that, I gave myself a long-term assignment to follow a local bicycle racer (or racers as it turns out) through a season. It started in a dimly lit basement. Two guys spinning on trainers - the dirty work of cycle training. It progressed into racing in the spring, both on the road and on the Velodrome. I have captured what I feel are some great shots of the beautiful, elegant sport of bicycle racing.

This project has spurred me to begin racing - something I always wished I had done. And I am joining the team for this next season. I intend to race both mountain bike and track (velodrome - see www.mnvelodrome.org ) I'll keep you posted on how that goes.

Here is a sampling of the project. Big thanks to Tim "Super Rookie" Hayes, Dan Wold, Spencer H. and the rest of the Grumpy's Cycling Team. Enjoy!