Afton Cyclocross Racing

I covered another race this last weekend. Actually got to race this one, and it was fun. Afton is a local ski hill, so any event there is bound to contain some elevation. Race course planners sent we unfortunate racers up a rather large "run-up". A run-up is essentially what it sounds like. You run up it, rather than ride. You are carrying your bike slung across your shoulder. Pain soon follows. Most run-ups are short little interruptions to a bike race, but this was a monster. It was about 75 feet of 25% grade hill. It was also thick, wet grass. Sounds like fun, eh?

Here's the write-up/images on Generation Oudoors: CLICK ME

More Cyclocross racing & Generation Outdoors

I was approached by the guys who operate Generation Outdoors, a new outdoor news, review, social site thing. They wanted to get my help to cover outdoorsy happenings in the area. So, I went to the Hudson Big Ring Flyers Cyclocross race and shot some of the action and did a short write-up. In my quest for total coverage, I was forced to dodge high-speed racers and scale 8' chain-link fences. My kind of job!

Go have a look.

Black Elm Custom Furniture

It's no secret that I love well designed, unique furniture and architecture and the companies that are passionately committed to them. So, it brings me joy to tell you about another company I've had the pleasure to work with. Black Elm Woodworking is a Minneapolis based custom wood working shop.

Owner, Kris, has a knack for building ridiculously well crafted furniture. In a era where most furniture is a glorified cardboard monstrosity, or 72 piece afternoon assembly project, Black Elm represents the antithesis. Each piece is custom, made of 100% hardwood and highly detailed.

Have a look around his site and if you appreciate well made, distinctive furniture, give Kris a call. I think you will find his prices are modest for the level of work he's doing.

Freeriding Pt. 2

One year ago I spent a day shooting freeriding at Dave B's place (which he calls Snake Trails) Somerset, Wisconsin. I'll save the elementary explanation of what freeriding is. Have a look at the photos, visit the link above and most of all enjoy living vicariously thorough the guys in the photos.

Ely, MN - the Boundary Waters Canoe Area

I've wanted to go to Ely, MN since I was 18 years old- long before I wanted to be a photographer. I had read the article on Jim Brandenburg's photo project where he took one photo a day for a period of (I believe) 80 days. They images were fantastic, and I developed a new idea of what great outdoor/nature images should look like. This far away (I was in N.C.) place called Ely fascinated me.

Fast forward a bit to this summer when I got the call to visit Ely, MN and photograph it for a section that the New York Times calls " Havens". Havens is essentially a post card look at a town, highlighting its best features and characteristics. I spent two days climbing bluffs, riding in motorboats, etc to get the shots I needed. I got a lot of nice images. It is a beautiful community. In the end the Times ran one image. This is the whole reason I started this blog was to show some of the images that never get published. So here are a few from that trip that have never made it off my computer until now.

Here's the accompanying article by Greg Breining if you'd like to read about the place.