Mavic Cross Ride Mountain Bike Wheels

I just picked up a set of these wheels for my Salsa hard tail.  The current WTB Speed Discs that I had on there have been designated as my winter studded set.  This wheel set is by no means a high end one as far as Mavic is concerned but after reading many complimentary reviews I had to check these out for myself.  Once I opened the box from REI, where I purchased them, I was blown away at the quality feel and relative light weight for a $200+ set of mountain bike wheels.  If they ride as good as they look and photograph I will be a happy camper.  I also just received a set of Avid G3 Clean Sweep Rotors, as soon as tires and rotors are mounted later today the true test will happen on the trails.

Noam Chomsky at the University of New England

I recently had the pleasure of being hired to photograph a lecture given by Noam Chomsky for the University of New England.  The event was held at the Westbrook Performing Arts Center.  The University choose this location for it's size knowing that Noam's presence in Maine was sure to gather a standing room only crowd.  There was not a space in the parking lot by the time the lecture got under way.  Before the lecture Noam met with UNE president Danielle Ripich at her office in Portland for a meet and greet session before heading off to the Westbrook PAC for his lecture.  The highlight of the evening for me came at the very end as Noam's dedicated followers stared in awe and waited to get their books autographed.  To see the excitement in their eyes was a great moment for me.

On Location in Nova Scotia

Today I am traveling to Nova Scotia for Next Era Energy.  I am headed to Pubnico Point to photograph one of their wind sites.  More details on this adventure soon.  The ferry is almost ready to dock...

After several weeks of waiting for a two day blue sky weather window to open, it finally did. Just days before the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Pubnico Point, NS is over ten hours of driving and ferry time from my office in Portland.  I had consiered flying, but due to the sketchy weather forecast for the return part of my journey I decided driving would provide me with the most flexibility.  I did not want to get stuck by a grounded airplane in a snowstwom.  As it turned out, there was a huge snow storm on my return travel day and I would have been stuck at the closed airport. 

While on location I was treated to perfect weather for photographing the 17 turbine windfarm both from the ground and air.  I shot at sunrise and sunset and during the day.  The late November timing of this shoot made photographing in the middle of the day fine due to the shortened day and low angle of the sun for this northern location.  With a day and a half of shooting time I had enough time on the ground to provide my client with a varied body of work that captured the windfarm from many different angles and with a wide range of lighting options provided by mother nature.  The locals in Nova Scotia were very friendly and being able to use US funds in Canada made leaving for this trip last minute a breeze. 

Downeast Bicycle Specialists

Continuing my focus on cycling in New England, yesterday I traveled up to Fryeburg to photograph the staff at Downeast Bicycle Specialists.  DE Bike supplies shops, stores and independent bicycle dealers with every imaginable piece of cycle gear you could ask for, from wheels to trainers to patch kits and soft goods, they have it all.  All of the employees are also dedicated cyclists, racers and outdoor enthusiasts.  Watching some of the employees skateboard thorough out the warehouse with five dogs running in every direction was a blast.  The skateboards do indeed help with the efficiency of getting the product the customers are requesting.  It clearly also helps with morale and adds to the positive feeling you get from the business. A great taste in music adds to the positive vibe.

21st Cycle-Smart International Cyclocross Weekend

Look Park, Northahmpton, MA was the setting once again for this Fall Cyclocross Classic.  I was able to attend on Saturday for the mens and womans elite races.  The weather was perfect and the competition blazingly fast on the realatively dry course.  The shot below is one of my favorites from the womans race at the end of the sand pit.  More photos will follow as soon as process them.  Enjoy ths image for now and be sure to check back.