Congratulations to Ross Martin for winning Feature Thread of the Week with 4 votes - View Previous Winners
Last fall I crossed off a bucket list experience - riding a bike through the majestic Zion Canyon scenic road, when the road is closed to vehicles, and golden fall colors abound. I’ve photographed this canyon many times over the last three decades, but the experience of seeing these glorious cliffs decorated with color from the perspective of a bike felt fresh and new and was completely exhilarating!
Brilliant set Ross! The bike is certainly a great way to get around the restrictions. Must offer a much quieter experience of greater solitude as well.
guidostow wrote:
Brilliant set Ross! The bike is certainly a great way to get around the restrictions. Must offer a much quieter experience of greater solitude as well.
Thanks, Guy! I was surprised at the feeling of solitude I got on both days I rode (weekdays). The shuttles were running of course but they are not allowed to pass bikes until you stop and pull over for them. Most people were congregated at the end where the Narrows walk starts so that left plenty of places for me to get off the bike and photograph with no one else around. It was my first time using an ebike and the lower setting of motor assistance was appreciated since I had my backpack and tripod, but I still got a good workout.
A bicycle/photography question for you. (From a long time — now former — serious cyclist.) How are you managing gear when you cycle through the canyon? Are you foregoing a tripod?
A bicycle/photography question for you. (From a long time — now former — serious cyclist.) How are you managing gear when you cycle through the canyon? Are you foregoing a tripod?
Dan
Thank you, Dan! I took my usual photo backpack with 16-35, 24-105, and 50-400 lenses, and I also took my ‘smaller’ tripod (still extends to 59” with no center column). The rental bike had a nice sized basket on the back and I was able to keep the pack and tripod in that, just barely. I also tried for awhile wearing the backpack and tripod strapped to it, but that got annoying.
Nice set Ross! It’s amazing how you see things in an entirely new way from a bike. Everything is enhanced from the sights, smells, and things you notice that you wouldn’t from a vehicle. Sounds like a great time and you captured it beautifully.
adventure_photo wrote:
Nice set Ross! It’s amazing how you see things in an entirely new way from a bike. Everything is enhanced from the sights, smells, and things you notice that you wouldn’t from a vehicle. Sounds like a great time and you captured it beautifully.
Thanks, Scott! You are so right about what you described, all the senses are enhanced on the bike, it’s very inspiring!
This sounds like a dream trip — love the contrast between the yellows and reds, as others have said. During my one time in Zion, I found it really hard to capture the quality of light, but I think you've managed it, especially (for me) in images 1, 2 and 4.
