First cycling of 2019

First time out this year, I was busy from early on Saturday. Sunday dawned cold but clear. I met Matt at the green as normal.

We headed for the bus stop, the long way. It was great to be out on the bike, and look forward to 2019.

No photo opportunities though. This pic is close to home on the way back. Tennis may be a way to keep fit but if you are like me with no eye-hand coordination cycling is a better bet.

Matt will be writing much more than I about the ride, our conversations just don't stick in my head long enough to type them up. Old age is creeping up on me

It's an escape, a way to switch off from what else is going on, keeping fit as well. After, I think, twelve years I can't imagine not cycling at the weekends.

I saw a post of Facebook about a cycle route of over 3600 km or 2200 miles across Europe,10 countries, 6 Rivers. It's called the EuroVelo 6. Matt and I said it would be another item on our list for when we strike it rich. We would need about a month; eighty miles a day would leave plenty of time to take in the sights. And what a sense of achievement. It would have to include Richard and "other" Matt as well. A trip like this is much better if it's a shared experience. Another book for Matt and some great pictures for me.

As we sat drinking tea we looked at our bikes, and questioned their cost. The cyclist passing us got us thinking about this. We estimated the value of the bikes the group rode. Bearing in mind even budget bikes from the big names start at a thousand pounds. the swish of tyres could have been worth close the ten thousand pounds. There were six of them. They had all the gear so it would not be unreasonable to think their steeds were not from the cheaper end of the range. I follow bike websites and they always talk of "cheap" bikes for the winter. But often they are fifteen hundred pounds. If you buy a bike for that much to save your "summer" bike, how much must you have spent on it. We couldn't see how that cost was justified, by the materials used or the labour involved in their manufacture. Matt said is was considered a leisure activity and priced accordingly. I can see the value in buying above the very cheap end of the scale. But not the high end, unless your compete. That's where every ounce counts, but the majority of the cyclists we see can't be pro's in training. 

My mountain bike is second hand and it's had some replacement parts as they have worn out, my road bike is the same. But I don't think it will have been the bikes that prevented me from keeping up with others who have spent more. 

I guess everyone can spend what they want, we are happy with what we have. And they get us where we want to go. 

I got a heart rate monitor for Christmas, today was my first opportunity to try it. Unfortunately it stopped working near the end, but it was still interesting to see how much effort I was putting in. I don't think I'll be buying power meters or anymore tech though. It shows how quickly I start to recover after the hills, which is a good thing I think.

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Last cycling of 2018

The weekend came around quickly, two bank holidays and day off will do that to a working week.

Saturday was warm for the time of year, so we wanted to cycle a bit further than normal. I have cycled to Godstone Green a few times this year when out alone. I climb the Enterdent to add some distance and extra challenge. It had been some time since Matt and I had drunk tea at the green so it was agreed this was to be our destination. With the addition of the Enterdent. This is usually part of our joint route to Merstham and the Hungers End cafe so Matt hadn't rode it for a long time. As is always the case it appears daunting but isn't too hard once you get into it.

The green was bereft of Christmas decoration, which was a shame. I really wanted a picture of the bikes with lights in the background.

Sunday was very foggy, as I left the house visibility was so bad I thought about aborting. But as I rode into the valley it got a lot better. I arrived a bit early so I took the chance to take a pic.

The only other lights we have seen this year have been on houses.

Matt arrived as I was putting the camera away, he hadn't noticed me so was looking at the road I normally arrive from. I wanted to walk up behind him and ask who he was looking for, but he turned to greet me before I was close enough. We went the long way to the bus stop, much safer than the Limpsfield Rd. We chatted about what we would do if we won a lot of money. The world had so many places and people to see, getting bored wasn't likely. We could also indulge our hobbies. Matt would devote time to writing, me to photography. We would obviously do more cycling.

He could spend time in his new house by the sea becoming a successful writer.

It would have a studio, setup to meet my requirements. So many studios are just white rooms with maybe a brick wall on one side. Or the sets they have don't suit my style. It would have land I could also use. Even existing or new structures that would make interesting backdrops.

We couldn't understand someone buying a lottery ticket or tickets every week, winning a large sum of money and not traveling or pursuing a hobby. Why would you go back to your old job? I can understand your friends would not have the same lifestyle you now had. But you could involve them in your new life.

Monday cycling was cancelled. My cold that started on Sunday had really taken hold when I woke up. The most debilitating part being the runny nose. I was tired with a headache but I would have gone out if it wasn't for the waterfall that was my nose.

So the last part of the last post of 2018 is a little disappointing.

Other cold cures are available

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2018, looking forward to 2019

Where did 2018 go? I think I wonder at the speed the past year has gone every year. And I look back too.

My photography has included a wedding, more great shoots with Xandria and her mum in September and December. 

A project to shoot pictures for a clothing designer is in the early planning stages. Location scouting and model choice is happening now. The shoot isn't likely until Feb or March, so watch this space.

My personal projects had more focus. This will be my goal for next year. I want to continue to learn, but I also want to produce more eye catching pictures. The shoot with Natasha had that. Next year I want to be more creative, produce images that insist on a second look.

I worked with two male models, I plan to work with more next year.

Do I work again with models I know or with new ones? My confidence has improved a lot this year, Natasha said as much during our first shoot. I'm not so anxious as the shoot gets closer. Meeting new people regularly has helped me to quickly become comfortable. I think I'll try to do both.

I hope to work with Xandria and her mum again. They both have good ideas and goals they want to achieve. I enjoy the challenge of delivering them. I hope to work with Janayah again.

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Whilst I didn't lead it I did organise a group studio shoot for the Caterham Photography Society. It was a good experience and I was able to pass on some of what I had learned. Maybe if I plan another one it will be more of a teaching shoot with more structure.

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I also want to photograph other subjects. 

I use to shoot a lot of motorsport, both on my own and at track-day events. Lydden Hill and Canada Heights aren't far from me. Both great locations if you don't have a press pass.

I have had a couple of food photography sessions, whilst I thought they looked okay at the time. Now I can see they needed work.

Landscape is isn't something I have explored. The most recent time I really focused was in March at the first meeting of the Caterham Photography Society. Although I did take a couple of portraits during the walk.

Many years ago I was in the Lake District on holiday. 

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There is also my cycling. I have covered more miles this year, and set some goals for 2019. I want to improve my speed to Canterbury and up Waller Lane.

Looking at my recent pictures and older ones; I have improved but it is harder to keep being original. We cycle to the same places, they have been photographed from every angle. So it will be visit more places and start thinking of different ways to keep the old places fresh.

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I don't do new years resolutions. It wasn't my intent for this post to list some possibilities that's for sure.

I guess I'll have to see what 2019 brings.

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Cycling at Christmas

Christmas is nearly here, which means a couple of extra days for cycling.

Saturday 22nd at the bus stop

Saturday was a good day, the slow way to the bus stop and back. It's a nicer route, avoiding lots of  traffic, with a few good climbs. It was much warmer than last week, so no falls this time.

Sunday's ride was a washout, heavy rain and cold winds. Out intended destination was St Leonard's Church. We don't go there very often, but just recently it's become a popular place. It was where Matt and I discussed our obsession with drinking tea.

Monday was much better. It had warmed up a lot, we decided to go to Flower Farm near Godstone. This is another half way stop we don't go to very often. I don't know why, it's not very far; about 17 miles there and back. If does mean a steep hill on the way back, but it always seems worse than it is. Once crested we always say, "that wasn't so bad". 

A very good part of the ride is the food at the farm shop. Tasty cake is always on the menu for us. They served it this time with a couple of slices of apple so it was good for us too.

We met at the green a little later than normal so the farm was busier than usual, but our favourite spot by the fire was free.

Monday at Flower Farm for tea and cake.

Christmas Day is a family day so no cycling, we hope to be out again Boxing day.

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You never know what's around the corner

Frosted grass was an indication it was colder than yesterday, but as I started my ride it didn't seem so bad. Must be all the layers I had on.

The roads were wet, but they didn't appear to be more slippery than expected. The sun was just coming up.

When I took the picture at the top of this post as I waited for Matt; all was good. Two rides in a weekend, it wasn't that cold and not too windy. Perfect.

Matt arrived and we set off the slow way to the bus stop.

This route avoids a lot of traffic on a fast road, includes some hills to make the short distance worth while and the bus stop has covered seating. Makes the tea break pleasant. And we are obsessed with our tea.

Up and down hills without a care. Through puddles, chatting and all was well.

And then, bang. I'm picking myself up off the road.

It was low speed, and the back wheel went first, so I was able to get a foot down, and hop for a bit. But the bike got away from me and I lost my footing. And down I went. A gash on my knee was all that I had to show for it. My knee is also a bit stiff, but I guess it would have been worse if it had happened as we descended a hill at speed. If Matt had had a camera my heroic efforts to stay upright would have been recorded. You'll have to take my word for it; I used all my ninja skills.

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The last photoshoot of 2018

The last photoshoot of 2018. And it was really productive, as it always is with a good team. They both had clear ideas about what they wanted, and came well prepared. You always have to adapt a bit if you're not in a controlled environment like a studio. But I think that adds to the challenge.

The plan was for two looks; one a bit edgier than we had previously shot and the second more editorial.

Xandria's mum found the location, a good call considering the weather. It's so much nicer working in the warm.

 The first setup wasn't particularly well lit, a dim stairwell, with one window. I think it worked for the theme though. I used a speedlight to add a bit of punch to the lighting. It was attached to a remote trigger and placed in a softbox. I try to use off camera flash as much as possible, it gives more control and options.

The second setup was completely different; against some big windows. It still needed the softbox to balance the background exposure and to give some depth.

We have started a search for a location for the next shoot.

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