Hey, I Think He's Talking About Me

While looking through some cycling blogs, I found one written by a friend of mine. It was funny because I had no idea he kept a blog. In this entry, I think he is referring to me and my new found "joy" in cycling. Check it out.

Photo From First Ride

As promised, here is a picture from the first ride on my new bike.

I've been able to put about 90 miles in this week. It's been fun. I just need to keep working hard so I can put in 90-mile-days instead of 90-mile-weeks.

Rodney Smith Exibit

Alan Leaping from 515 Madison Ave (1999)

Thursday night I was able to attend a gallery party, at the Brigham Young University Museum of Art, highlighting the work of Rodney Smith. The gallery was packed, making it difficult to really take my time and enjoy the show. Despite having a crowd to contend with, it was cool to see so many people showing up to a photography exhibit. Granted, there was free food (chocolate fountians) so I question the motives of some.

Each of Smith's photographs were silver gelatin prints. There was no indication the artist made his own prints; I'd like to know if he does. In the documentary movie War Photographer the photographer James Nachtway is shown working with a printer to get his gallery prints prepared. Because so much of the black and white picture is done in the dark room, I'd like to think the artist does his own prints.

I really like the picture shown above. It is so easy to have your subject blend into the background of a B&W picture. Amazingly, Smith is able to use light and shadow to highlight the man and keep him the central figure of the picture despite the busy background.

I'm looking forward to going back to spend more time examining the photos.

Need for Speed

Shortly before turning 16, I spent most of my savings on a new mt. bike. One of my friends had just spent $1300 dollars on a '80 Honda Civic and couldn't understand why I would spend over half that amount on a bike rather than a car. (I didn't need a car, I could bum rides from all my friends.) The bike was a '90 Specialized Rock Hopper and I rode it everywhere. Every day after school the shorts came on and I'd hit the backroads of Southern Utah County. I rarely spent any time on mountain trails.

In '93 I was called to serve an LDS mission in Ventura California. While there, I spent 22 months with my bike as my only transportation. It was great for my legs, but when I got home in '95 I was burned out. I didn't want anything to do with my bike. To this day it hangs in my dad's garage.

After moving back to Spanish Fork---and after 10 years of not riding---I felt it was time to get back on a bike. But I didn't want to go back to my old ride. I wanted something lighter and faster. After a bit of research, I bought a Cannondale R900 as shown above.

I got what I wanted. Last week I put in 53 miles and I'm planning to double that tomorrow with a ride around West Mountain. I've been using a great site called Activebody.org. It's a free site that allows you to track your milage and other ride statistics. It also tracks running, walking, weight lifting, and other fitness stats and goals. I highly recommend it. I also joined the Utah Velo Club and look forward to joining some of their rides before the weather turns too cold. A friend of mine took a few snapshots from my first ride. I'll post the pictures as soon as I get them.

Family Camping Trip

To celebrate the Labor Day weekend, my family and I went camping. The family of Julie's brother-in-law owns a small little cabin up near Snow Basin resort; so we spent Friday and Saturday there with Julie's sister, brother, and their families.

Friday night was spent eating hot dogs and roasting marshmallows. Jacob became quite a roasting pro, but it didn't come with out a few confectionary casualties. Monday morning we spent time hiking and playing in the river.