Documenting your rides (digital equipment, cameras, etc.)

[Cataboo]

I used to carry a gps just in case I got lost - I know the area better and haven't been bothering lately. I used to record how many miles I've ridden,I haven't been bothering lately. Even when I was recording tracks, I never really bothered to download the tracks and see how fast I was going.

I keep a small waterproof camera in a fuel belt bento box on my top tube, and whip it out when I want to take some pics. If I'm riding with someone else, I don't hold them up by taking photos. If I'm riding by myself, it depends on my mood. Some days I just want to bike and don't stop to take photos. I just pass things and think "that would be an amazing pic, too bad I'm not stopping" Other days, I just want to explore and get some nice pics.

I went out riding yesterday 'cause there's a road near by along a creek that is usually covered with daylilies in bloom on either side... I biked over and found that someone had mowed down the daylilies I started biking the route that I've been doing lately and realized I was bored, thinking about my to do list, and just really didn't want to be biking. So I turned off down some other roads and decided to just explore. All of a sudden, I was enjoying my ride.

And getting some wacky pics:

[Suze]

AdHi Chat Noire,

First, great name!

I do blog, and do carry a camera. In ancient, 35mm film, days I had an Olympus and a number of lens, but my lovely camera got old, was injured, and out of date, and heavy. So now I use a point and shoot Canon A590. Sometimes I stop for photos, sometimes I set it for motion (I think they call it children and pets setting, but I imagine that gives priority to a fast shutter speed) and shoot while I ride. I think the images lose a fair amount of quality when I load them to my site, but that may be my lack of understanding of modern technology.

I've read about a smaller, thinner, Canon, that might be better quality, but I have no budget for it right now.

Mostly I take photos when I am riding alone, or casually with friends. This season, I've ridden some good routes with local cycling groups and I don't even take the camera, it is all I can do to keep up. I will figure that out, maybe take photos later, because I want to include the rides in my local routes section. But, no photos= no posts.

Happy cycling, and photography!
Suze

[Crankin]

I looked at your blog, Suze. We usually do a trip to the Berkshires every year; next one may be the weekend of the 22nd, depending on the weather.
I've done many of the routes you described. It was fun to read someone else's descriptions.
I have to say riding in the Berkshires is almost as tough as riding in Europe. Last year, I did the climb up Monterrey Rd, as opposed to the Tyringham "wall." I almost didn't make it, but I did, at times seeing 3 mph on my computer.
Alford is one of my favorite towns. Did you know you can use the rest room at the town hall, without asking? It's always open.