Normally, I won't do a double post in one day, but I am all pleased with things at the moment and felt like talking about it.
I have found my runner's legs again.
You need to understand something for this announcement to make any sense at all: I don't like running. As I mentioned previously, I really like cycling and grew up on the bike. I used to not be able to run more than 100m without my knees really hurting - to the point where I could hardly walk without pain. (Turns out that was the result of a weird muscle imbalance which I was able to fix fairly quickly once I was shown how by a friendly person I once knew.)
Years ago, I used to run a lot. I got to the point where I could run about 25km if I felt like it at a nice steady pace. The thing is, I never really enjoyed it. I did it because it was good for me fitness wise, but I never fell in love with it.
I have, though, a desire to deeply imbed endurance sports into my routines to the point where not participating in them would feel just wrong. Like most people, I am not getting any younger. Unlike some I know, I admit it. It does not bother me much, but I want to maintain a good high level of fitness as I get older so I can reduce potential health problems. Besides, which, endorphins are fun!
So, the discovery of my runner's legs is important.
There is also another factor to consider.
You see, I have this plan. Over the next six months I intend to run during the week, and cycle during the weekends. I will take a day or two off each week for recovery. Once the snow flies, it will be all running - either indoors at a local track, or in the snow and ice. I want to hit the rail trails on my bike next spring with my core fitness and endurance all the way up.
So, refinding my runner's legs is good.
It is no longer torture to run. I just finished about 10km of running and nothing really hurts. I did some walking, but when I was running, my competative "hulk smash" mentality surfaced and I really hoofed it.
Ahhhh bliss.
Tuesday 28 September 2010
the Olympus E-5
I think I might end up getting myself one of these once the dust settles on the price of the beast. I currently shoot with an E-3 and a trio of HG lenses (50mm f2, 14-54mm f2.8-3.5, and a 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 swd). I very much enjoy these lenses and desire to keep system weather sealing intact. Switching to another brand and matching the quality of what I have while maintaining the rugged build would cost more than I am willing to spend. Sadly, until recently, it looked like that might be the only option open to me.
I don't think that way any more.
I have been watching with some interest the speculation about what Olympus is up to and whether or not the company was listening to the voice of its customers at this end of their camera line up.
It appears that they did listen. The new camera, from all reports, fixes a great deal of what people did not like about the old one while preserving that which worked well. Initial photos appear to show an improvement in picture quality (which is really what it is all about.) I look forward to reading some full reviews.
Should what I am seeing be right, it will be good enough for me. I don't need any more than what I have now that the E-5 does not fix, at least on paper.
As well, enough has been said by people at the top at Olympus to convince me that while the form of their top camera might change, it will still exist and be fully compatible with their current stable of lenses. I suspect that they know more about what is going on than vocal speculators on various Internet fora do.
So, now to wait.
I don't think that way any more.
I have been watching with some interest the speculation about what Olympus is up to and whether or not the company was listening to the voice of its customers at this end of their camera line up.
It appears that they did listen. The new camera, from all reports, fixes a great deal of what people did not like about the old one while preserving that which worked well. Initial photos appear to show an improvement in picture quality (which is really what it is all about.) I look forward to reading some full reviews.
Should what I am seeing be right, it will be good enough for me. I don't need any more than what I have now that the E-5 does not fix, at least on paper.
As well, enough has been said by people at the top at Olympus to convince me that while the form of their top camera might change, it will still exist and be fully compatible with their current stable of lenses. I suspect that they know more about what is going on than vocal speculators on various Internet fora do.
So, now to wait.
Sunday 26 September 2010
Cambridge to Brantford - big burn
I hooked up with one of my friends today who teaches at Wilfrid Laurier University. We have known each other literally from the very first day of frosh week 22 years ago. This is amazing when you stop and think about it.I try not to as it makes me feel old :)
We met at the trail head in Cambridge and set out for Paris. This morning was cold. It was the kind of cold that seeps right through you when you are on the bike. I usually dress in a series of layers - cycling jersey on the bottom, a wind blocking vest next, and a long sleeve insulating synthetic shirt over that and mountain bike shorts with Sugoi leg warmer - and manage to be quite warm. Today, it was not working. There was fog on the river, and the sheltered, shaded trail made for a very chilly start to the day. My phone was indicating it was about six degrees out, and I would guess that on the trail it was nearer three. Our intention was to head out slowly and finish waking up as our legs were pretty much dead. The chill meant that lasted all of about 30 seconds. It took about four or five km of cycling to chase away the effects of the chill and damp.
Anyhow, the ride was good. We ended up bypassing Paris and rode all the way into downtown Brantford where we sat in the sun and enjoyed (very much) a nice piping hot coffee and some snacks at the Coffee Culture there.
The Coffee Culture in Downtown Brantford is situated at the edge of a large public square with shops on one side and some pretty nifty looking condos on the other. A street fronts it. There are fountains, and lots of benches and things for people to sit on. Over all, it is quite lovely.
(Photo taken using my HTC Legend Smartphone and a nifty retro camera app - in this case it is simulating an old toy camera. Clicking the picture will make it bigger. One of these days I will get a proper small camera. I would like the rumoured Lumix with a 4/3 sensor and a bright Leica lens stuffed into a body the size of an LX3. What a gem that would be.)
Today, there were a large number of people doing stretching exercises to the loud amplified encouragement of someone standing a touch too close to the amps (feedback ouch) and a rousing remix of Lady GaGa's "Just Dance". It was loud. No sleeping for you if you live in those condos!
It took me a minute to figure out what was going on - a charity walk.
The truly strange part of it (to me, I am sure there was good reason for it but whatever the reason was escaped me) was the bagpiper and drummer who lead them out playing "Scotland the Brave".
Anyhow, after that, the ride continued as normal.
For those interested in such things, here are some speedo stats:
Time: 2:55:27
Distance: 68.39km
Average Speed: 23.3 kmph
Maximum Speed: 51.3 kmph
Pretty slow, no? Considering I only got my season going about seven or so weeks ago (dumb dumb dumb), I am reasonably happy with that. The gravel of the trails coupled with the knobbies on my cross bike serve to make it feel some days like I am riding through glue or oatmeal. This is especially true between Paris and Brantford for some reason (I keep checking there to see if I am running 20 or 30 psi down on my rear tire, but nope, it is just the trail.)
Either way, the ride worked and my legs are dead.
We met at the trail head in Cambridge and set out for Paris. This morning was cold. It was the kind of cold that seeps right through you when you are on the bike. I usually dress in a series of layers - cycling jersey on the bottom, a wind blocking vest next, and a long sleeve insulating synthetic shirt over that and mountain bike shorts with Sugoi leg warmer - and manage to be quite warm. Today, it was not working. There was fog on the river, and the sheltered, shaded trail made for a very chilly start to the day. My phone was indicating it was about six degrees out, and I would guess that on the trail it was nearer three. Our intention was to head out slowly and finish waking up as our legs were pretty much dead. The chill meant that lasted all of about 30 seconds. It took about four or five km of cycling to chase away the effects of the chill and damp.
Anyhow, the ride was good. We ended up bypassing Paris and rode all the way into downtown Brantford where we sat in the sun and enjoyed (very much) a nice piping hot coffee and some snacks at the Coffee Culture there.
The Coffee Culture in Downtown Brantford is situated at the edge of a large public square with shops on one side and some pretty nifty looking condos on the other. A street fronts it. There are fountains, and lots of benches and things for people to sit on. Over all, it is quite lovely.
(Photo taken using my HTC Legend Smartphone and a nifty retro camera app - in this case it is simulating an old toy camera. Clicking the picture will make it bigger. One of these days I will get a proper small camera. I would like the rumoured Lumix with a 4/3 sensor and a bright Leica lens stuffed into a body the size of an LX3. What a gem that would be.)
Today, there were a large number of people doing stretching exercises to the loud amplified encouragement of someone standing a touch too close to the amps (feedback ouch) and a rousing remix of Lady GaGa's "Just Dance". It was loud. No sleeping for you if you live in those condos!
It took me a minute to figure out what was going on - a charity walk.
The truly strange part of it (to me, I am sure there was good reason for it but whatever the reason was escaped me) was the bagpiper and drummer who lead them out playing "Scotland the Brave".
Anyhow, after that, the ride continued as normal.
For those interested in such things, here are some speedo stats:
Time: 2:55:27
Distance: 68.39km
Average Speed: 23.3 kmph
Maximum Speed: 51.3 kmph
Pretty slow, no? Considering I only got my season going about seven or so weeks ago (dumb dumb dumb), I am reasonably happy with that. The gravel of the trails coupled with the knobbies on my cross bike serve to make it feel some days like I am riding through glue or oatmeal. This is especially true between Paris and Brantford for some reason (I keep checking there to see if I am running 20 or 30 psi down on my rear tire, but nope, it is just the trail.)
Either way, the ride worked and my legs are dead.
Saturday 25 September 2010
Bikes, Rail Trails, and Guns
Nope, this is not going to be a rant. I don't do those :)
When I was growing up, I spent a lot of time with my father riding bicycles. I think I was about ten when I got my first road bike and starting doing what was for me long rides through the countryside. Through high school, I rode many many thousands of km with him each year.
After attending university and graduating a couple of times, I got seriously into off road riding and spent hours each week riding in the dirt and on the road. I had a job which allowed me to set the hours, and required evening work, so I built a schedule around mountain biking. I managed to get in 24 to 25 hours a week of saddle time. My bike was referred to by my wife as "the other woman." A serious, painful, over the handlebars crash onto ashphalt caused by a dog, low psi tires, water, and road paint put my love of cycling into a tailspin and for a time I took up running.
These days, I spend a fair bit of time riding the rail trails and doing some running. I am not as comfortable doing a lot of high speed off road riding as I used to - I don't heal quite as fast as and crashes are a fact of life when you off road as much as I would like.
My bike of choice is not a moutain bike, but rather a cyclo cross bike. I use a Kona Jake-the-Snake.
I am very fortunate in that I have two very good friends who also happen to love road and rail trail riding. For us, the advantages of intercity rail trails are plain and obvious. It is possible to get a serious turn of speed on them as there are no real intersections (or rather, few of them) and often, there are no other trail users other than long distance hikers, and the occasional bike. It is not like riding on a converted trail in the city which is so full of people that getting a good spin going is inconsiderate at best, and dangerous at worst. The rail trails are also appealing because largely, we are tired of sharing the road with motorists, many of whom are inconsiderate or dangerous in their interactions with cyclists (how cyclists make things worse for themselves is a topic for another day.) Using the rail trail is a fantastic way of avoiding this concern entirely.
The rail trail we frequent (one which runs from South Cambridge to Paris and beyond in Southern Ontario) is one of the most civilized places to get a workout on a bike that it has been my pleasure to experience. The people we meet there are friendly, and open to friendly greetings. Not once have we had a negative interaction between us and other trail users (except for a few cyclists we met one day who were rammy and inconsiderate of other trail users that were going slowly. I don't like that much.) Between Cambridge and Paris, there is one intersection over a distance of about 21km, so getting up to speed and staying up to speed is easy to do.
Today's run was great. The weather was cool and crisp and there was some off again on again misty rain falling. Staying warm involved triple layering the torso, and using some leg warmers along with the usual cycling shorts (these days, I tend to use linered mountain bike shorts because pockets to hold phones, keys, and money are useful!). Again, we met some wonderful people along the way - it is encouraging to see so many people out riding.
The only off putting part of the ride were three loud bangs near the trail. I just hope that the hunters were shooting away from the trail and people's homes. It sounded like they were almost on top of us...
When I was growing up, I spent a lot of time with my father riding bicycles. I think I was about ten when I got my first road bike and starting doing what was for me long rides through the countryside. Through high school, I rode many many thousands of km with him each year.
After attending university and graduating a couple of times, I got seriously into off road riding and spent hours each week riding in the dirt and on the road. I had a job which allowed me to set the hours, and required evening work, so I built a schedule around mountain biking. I managed to get in 24 to 25 hours a week of saddle time. My bike was referred to by my wife as "the other woman." A serious, painful, over the handlebars crash onto ashphalt caused by a dog, low psi tires, water, and road paint put my love of cycling into a tailspin and for a time I took up running.
These days, I spend a fair bit of time riding the rail trails and doing some running. I am not as comfortable doing a lot of high speed off road riding as I used to - I don't heal quite as fast as and crashes are a fact of life when you off road as much as I would like.
My bike of choice is not a moutain bike, but rather a cyclo cross bike. I use a Kona Jake-the-Snake.
I am very fortunate in that I have two very good friends who also happen to love road and rail trail riding. For us, the advantages of intercity rail trails are plain and obvious. It is possible to get a serious turn of speed on them as there are no real intersections (or rather, few of them) and often, there are no other trail users other than long distance hikers, and the occasional bike. It is not like riding on a converted trail in the city which is so full of people that getting a good spin going is inconsiderate at best, and dangerous at worst. The rail trails are also appealing because largely, we are tired of sharing the road with motorists, many of whom are inconsiderate or dangerous in their interactions with cyclists (how cyclists make things worse for themselves is a topic for another day.) Using the rail trail is a fantastic way of avoiding this concern entirely.
The rail trail we frequent (one which runs from South Cambridge to Paris and beyond in Southern Ontario) is one of the most civilized places to get a workout on a bike that it has been my pleasure to experience. The people we meet there are friendly, and open to friendly greetings. Not once have we had a negative interaction between us and other trail users (except for a few cyclists we met one day who were rammy and inconsiderate of other trail users that were going slowly. I don't like that much.) Between Cambridge and Paris, there is one intersection over a distance of about 21km, so getting up to speed and staying up to speed is easy to do.
Today's run was great. The weather was cool and crisp and there was some off again on again misty rain falling. Staying warm involved triple layering the torso, and using some leg warmers along with the usual cycling shorts (these days, I tend to use linered mountain bike shorts because pockets to hold phones, keys, and money are useful!). Again, we met some wonderful people along the way - it is encouraging to see so many people out riding.
The only off putting part of the ride were three loud bangs near the trail. I just hope that the hunters were shooting away from the trail and people's homes. It sounded like they were almost on top of us...
Friday 24 September 2010
why the blog
I have always been fascinated with the idea of writing things down and sharing them, and have done so in other venues off and on for quite a while via photo sharing sites such as flickr, smugmug, and pbase. It will take me some time to format this blog so that it matches what I am looking for visually. I plan to link to my pbase site when I get the chance (and to link to here from there.) Bear with me as I construct this little space on the internet.
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