Nature Valley Gran Prix, Minnesota

We are smack in the middle of the Nature Valley Gran Prix. For those unfamiliar, this is Minnesota's premier road race event. Professionals from around the world are here competing. Teams like Toyota United, Rock Racing, Kelly Benefit, Healthnet, Jelly Belly and more are battling on the streets as we speak.

June 7-8th started things off with an event called the Fixed Gear Classic that was held at the National Sports Center's Velodrome in Blaine, MN. It was bar none the fastest, most exciting track racing that I have witnessed. One highlight was watching Roberto Chiappa break 2 long standing track records. He hit speeds of 41mph on his way to setting the record. Wild!

Our hometown racers came out and held their own quite well against the big boys of the world. Well done guys and girls-you know who you are.

I showed up in the rain to shoot the Criterium race in downtown St. Paul on Wednesday. The poor racers had to endure some really sloppy conditions. There were a lot of wrecks at the corners - sometimes as many as one every other lap. Kristin Armstrong took off a few laps into the race and rode like a freight train the remainder of the race. I could be wrong, but think she lapped all but a few riders. Really impressive ride.

The men's race was really fast. It felt like they were attacking the whole time. I am always amazed at the strength of these pro riders. Unfortunately, the mens race was cancelled before the finish due to one of the motorcycles wiping-out due to the terrible weather. The riders decided to call the race off and donate the nights' prize money to charity. True gentlemen.


For images of the events go to my gallery page.

* AllI ask it that you remember to give me photo credit for any use and no one is permitted to use these for anything other than personal use. That would be violating the riders' rights as well and mine. Thanks all.

Tough motorcycles: part two

I promised to show my motorcycle build, so here it is. It took me a long time to build, because when I started this project I was WAY under qualified. That didn't stop me from learning to weld and fabricate enough to do the job though. So far it has stayed in one piece - even at highway speeds (+).

This bike was my reaction to wanting an antique bike but not being able to afford one. I figured I'd make my own version. It started life as a 1977 Yamaha 650xs and I quickly cut the frame up and began making it into what is is now. Most of the parts were originally on another machine - be it a motorcycle, tractor, truck etc...

Some would call it a "chopper" and technically I did chop it, but others would call it a "bobber" style. I just call it the most fun I've ever had on a motorcycle. You dig?

History being made

Today is just another day for me. I am working from home, doing little chores and emailing clients - nothing out of the ordinary. But I am keenly aware that something big is happening. Hillary Clinton, the first woman with a decent chance at US presidency has thrown in the towel. The fact that she made it this far is a victory for equal rights in and of itself. The fact that she lost the nomination to a black man is even more impressive.

I do not consider myself a racist and I believe that the issue is in fact a non-issue. Though to many black Americans, racism is still alive and well. I am a little shocked at how bad some people think it is, because I do not see it in my community. I have a lot of respect for the way Barack Obama is helping to dissolve the problem of racism. Whether or not he gets the job, he has put a stake in the heart of the problem and I think that great things lie ahead for our nation. Black America is so proud right now - as they should be. I feel that Barack has earned his way to the nomination and not been handed a favor. He beat a very worthy opponent this week.

We are witnessing history right now. We've seen men on the moon, walls fall in Russia, and Sadaam be brought to justice. This is one of those moments. Writer, Christina Cappechi and I talked to people on the street Tuesday evening and it was amazing to hear the excitement of the black community in St. Paul. What was also exciting was the amount of support that the average white person has for Barack. I take great pleasure in seeing the race of this man take a back seat to his vision.

Go read the article in the NY Times today (link below) and look at the face of Wilhelmina Brown. Get swept up in the change that is happening right now. It is not dependent on Obama winning the Presidency. He has won something potentially bigger already.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/us/politics/05race.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Obama and I

Image property of T.C. Worley - please ask for permission to use.


Yesterday I worked the beat for the NY Times at Barack Obama's Rally in St. Paul. It was a little outside my normal assignment, but was really exciting to see up close and personal. The amount of energy in the room when he accepted the nomination for Democratic nominee was really incredible.

I wish I could say I heard more of his speech, but as soon as you get the shot you want, you sit down and file images as fast as your fingers can go. This was easily the most intense news assignment I have done.

If you're a supporter - congrats, your man is on the way. This is a big leap for the US to have a minority man in contention for President. 50 years ago some would not have allowed him to eat a hamburger next to them. History was made last night. Enjoy the images. Here's the link to the NYT slideshow:
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/06/03/us/0603-BARACK_index.html

Kids are Cool: part 2

I've been photographing my children a lot this spring for some reason. I go in phases. You'd think that a photographer dad would be great about photographing his kids. Not so. But I am on a roll for now and wanted to post a few of the boys.

They went with me to South Dakota and Wyoming on assignments earlier this month and we had a great time. A few of the images are from Wall Drug, a cornerstone of kitch and curiosity in the western US. They got cowboy pistols and proceeded to shoot at most everything for the rest of the trip. There are way more imaginary bad guys out west by the way.

The portrait is of Boone. Jack, his older brother got his first school photo this year and it was so cute that I had to do one of Boone too.

If you are thinking of procreating and are not sure if it is for you, I suggest that it just might be. If you are into laughing and having a lot of lighthearted fun, you should get one of these! Not always easy, but always worth it. Here's to kids.

Velodrome season starts tonight!

I'm surprised by how many people don't know what a velodrome is (think Nascar for bicycles). I was fortunate enough to see one when I was a child and have always wanted to ride one. I got my chance last year - thanks, Super Rookie! In a week or two I will be done with the prerequisite class that will allow me to race on it. It is such a rush to sweep around the track! Not for everyone, but definitely for me.

Tonight starts the "Thursday Night Lights" series and the National Sports Center Velodrome in Blaine, MN. I will be there cheering my team on. Which brings me to this:

I am not only riding for the Grumpy's/ Little Guy Racing team this year, but am proud to be a sponsor as well. If you look close, really close and squint, you can see my logo on the back of the jersey. It is roughly business card size or smaller. I don't expect business from it as much as I am very happy to further a group of great people and the sport of cycling in general. Contrary to what jealous, opposing teams might tell you, they are a great bunch. Check them out: www.littleguyracing.com

Enjoy these images of the beautiful sport of Velodrome racing. They are from the latter part of the 2007 season.

Big Bog Recreation Area

Last week I went on assignment to north central Minnesota to cover a fairly new rec. area. As the name suggests, it is a big bog. Not much more than that. The upper area of the state is really, really flat and as a result there is a huge peat bog there. The water does not really have anywhere to go, so it has been sitting there for centuries (?). Our guide said that if you were to squeeze all of the moss in the bog, the volume of water would be enough to cover the state (MN) in a foot of water. If there's ever a huge drought... well you'll know where to find me.

It is not a high flying adventure area like most of the stories I do. Rather it is a botanist, or bird watcher's paradise. Animal sightings can range from wolf or bear to Sandhill cranes and Tundra geese. I personally was most afraid of a moose encounter. I was running (literally) near dusk, to be at a certain spot for sunset and was praying I did not run up on a big moose and startle it. I'd have met my fate under it's gigantic hooves for sure. Then the bears would have eaten me.

You can read more about the bog on my adventure travel partner, Stephen Regenold's "GearJunkie" site. paste this link: http://thegearjunkie.com/trip-report-big-bog-minn


Earlier in the day we flew a Cessna over the bog for a birds-eye-view of the place. We saw elk migration trails that have gone unused for decades, but still scar the land. Also, because the land is so flat, every river zig-zags its way to the nearest lake. From the air they are like black serpents or sometimes like veins and arteries. guess my favorite part was seeing carnivorous plants growing wild. There are pitcher plants and a few others that grow well within view of the boardwalk. That alone is worth the drive.

I cannot post image that were submitted for the article yet, but here are some that I liked from the "2nds" pile. The yellow squiggles were not actually part of the bog, but a farmers field that we flew over. Not sure what made them, but they looked cool from the air.

Look for a follow-up once the article has gone to print.

Climbing Devil's Tower - Wyoming

This was another assignment where I have to shake my head and admit out loud that I have an incredible job. This last weekend I left for the west side of South Dakota for a few days to climb Harney Peak and then to head into Wyoming to tackle Devil's Tower. I'll post about Harney another time, because Devil's Tower was my favorite. A lot of people think it is an old volcano or something. Not quite, though it was formed by magma and then the river washed away the soil to reveal the tower we see. It is a huge structure - over 900' tall.
We climbed a route called "El Cracko Diablo" - The Devil Crack. It was not that terrifying. In fact it was one of the greatest crack climbs I've ever done. Having gotten a late start, we made the summit around dark and had to spend few hours rapelling in the dark - which is also not as terrifying as it might sound. When all you can see is what your headlamp reveals, it is not that scary. You cannot see that you are 600' from the ground.
Climbing Devil's Tower this week was a realization of a dream. A smaller dream, but a dream all the same. I am already planning a return trip to the tower to spend two days there and add a few more routes to my list.
The guy in the orange helmet is my adventure journalism partner, Stephen Regenold (visit: www.thegearjunkie.com). He is interviewing our guide at about 500' off the deck. The older gentleman is Tower guide, Frank Sanders who is well on his way to climbing the tower every day for one year! At 56 he is the real deal, a true hardman. He's touched foot to Devil's Tower summit over 2000 times! I'm not sure I've summited that much in my 11 years of climbing! (Check here for more info on Frank's vision: www.devilstower-sacredtomanypeople.org - site should be up soon) also see: http://www.devilstowerclimbing.com/

As Frank said, "Blessed are those who live out their dreams". Preach it!

tough motorcycles: part one

This is Kevin Baas's "Panhead" Harley. He built it from a pile of old parts (mostly) and fabricated a few of them himself. This is my kind of bike - old and tough. I shot these images of Kevin and his bike for a publication out of London, called The DicE. This was last years bike, and Kevin tells me that he has another bike, this one a "Knucklehead" that he needs photographed for another publication. The man is cranking out awesome bikes all the time. When he isn't he's teaching kids how to as a shop teacher. No kidding, his shop classes are spent helping teens learn how to build motorcycles. Makes your birdhouse you were so proud of seem lame now, doesn't it? He's also operating a small business of metal signs and what-nots. Check out his site: www.baasmetalcraft.com

More of these rides to come.