SWANK 65 2008

From a photographer's view, the SWANK 65 is quite a production. Todd, Heather, and Paula from Blue Ridge Adventures are some dedicated race organizers who know how to put on a phenomenal race. Here is what I love about photographer mtn bike races:
1) The smiles on people's faces
2) The challenge of shooting digital in not the best conditions (i.e. - ISO NOISE-yeck! Thank goodness for good photo software.)
3) Meeting people that really inspire me - there are some badass chics out there so watch out boys!

So here are some pics from the race...

Shana Powell and Beth Roberts Getting Ready to Race

The Infamous LeMans Start

Ryan As Sweep - Always Smiling!!!

The First Climb

The Demise of the English Language

Okay, we all use incorrect grammer from time to time. However, I have noticed among all people that the English language is being abused. Not only that but quotes from commercials pervade our daily expressions (including church billboards as seen above). It is hard for me not to correct people when they make glaring errors. Mispeaking is one thing but getting the whole use of a word wrong repeadetly is another. Along with intentional mispellings, such as Kountry Kitchen. Up until this year, the Ingles grocery store near my house had a sign up on the muffin and cookie display saying "Muffins and doughnuts must be rang up separate". Now I know I live in rural America, but this is entertaining. I heard someone saying they can "make pretend" something for Halloween, hopefully they meant "make believe". Another favorite I have heard recently with the political debates is, "the point being that". Yes, there are too many words here a point already exists, it does not have to be. In case you are wondering, it should be "the point is that".

Maybe I should just accept the dumbing down of America and not let these things bother me. Really, I think we need to spend more money on education.

Valentino Rossi MotoGP Title #6

Valentino Rossi is one of the best racers in the history of the world. In September, I went to Indy to see the first MotoGP race at Indy. Last weekend, he won the race at Motegi, confirming that he has won his 6th MotoGP Title and his 8th World Chamionship overall. Funny enough his current winning percentage is 46%, which is his race number. If he wins this weekend in Australia, he will bump up his ratio to 50%.


I am continually amazed by his skill, sense of humor, and dedication to his sport. He is the Michael Schumacher of the MotoGP world. In fact Valentino Rossi, once tested a Formula 1 Ferrarri and came just seconds to Schumacher's time! During his break from the MotoGP he will drive a rally car, his other favorite past time, in the Wales GB Rally.


(Picture above by the author at Indy MotoGP Race Qualifying #2)

P.S. Would someone please buy me a Rally car? I swear I'll drive it nicely if all the trees stay out of my way.

Say No to the Bailout Package!!!

I am puzzled that every single hardworking American is not up in arms over the potential bailout package! Oh wait no I'm not, we are a Nation of lazy, pass the blame, spend more than we have idiots. Cause and effect has escaped the minds of all Americans.
There is still a chance for hope! This is people like you and me who care about the future of America and will stand up and write to our legislators and make our voice heard.
It is easy. Here is a link to contact your Congressperson - Write Your Congressional Rep
Here is the link to contact your Senator Write Your Senator(s)
You can write something like this:
Dear Congressperson/Senator You Let Me Down:
The economic bailout package is a scandal. Why should your taxpayers go into more debt financing insurance agencies, financial institutions, investment bankers and corporations? The people who created this mess, knew that selling mortgage securities was a volatile idea from the beginning. I do not want my tax money to go to helping out corporate America. Please oppose this bill and this package, it will do nothing but bring this country more financial ruin in the future. You were voted into office to represent and support your consituents and you have let us down. If you are going to throw our tax money away of bad securities debt, then you might as well just give it back to us instead. I do not want my hard earned tax dollars to go to bad decision making. I need to pay off my own debt not other people's. This package is completely unsound. Sincerely, Your Name

Please get educated on this issue and stand up for your rights as a taxpayer!

Indianapolis Motor Speedway MotoGP 2008

There was a time when I thought sportbikes were for big egos and little privates. But 4 years ago, I went to watch the AMA Superbike race at Barber Motorsports in Alabama. When you see those guys go over 150 mph on a precision motorcycle, you change your mind very quickly. Then I got into watching the MotoGP and I was entirely hooked on the motorcycle racing scene. This weekend I had the once in the lifetime opportunity to see the Ignaugural MotoGP race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Hurricane Ike decided to pay us a visit up there, but despite the rainy conditions, these riders pushed themselves and their machinery to the limits. My favorite rider is of course, 5 time world champ Valentino Rossi. Let me tell you this guy is the epitomy of smooth.

The picture to the right is of Rossi -
The Doctor, buzzing by at probably over 170 mph in the rain with his front tyre off the ground. If I could just have once ounce of his skills on a motorcycle I would be completely stoked. The whole weekend was completely amazing.


Red Bull (where they get their funding I have no idea) put on race called the Red Bull Rookies Cup, this race was for these junior riders. These guys were bornin the late 80s and early 90s and were charging it just as hard as the MotoGP Premier Class riders. Below is a picture of their little 125cc KTM bike, that they rode in the race. Every rider had the same bike, same tyres, and were only allowed to change the rebound and compression in the springs to fit their weight.

Norweigan rookie Sturla Fagerhaug won the Rookie's Cup. Of course, I ended the weekend with big smiles, as Valentino Rossi took 1st place giving him a significant lead in the points standing. Hopefully he will claim another World Championship title this year.

(All pictures by the author)

Babylon By Bike

This State Trooper from SC is indeed spitting his dip into a mini-powerade bottle! Is this safe? I think not.

Tired but good

Have you ever felt completely exhausted but good? This is how I have felt the last two weeks. The weekend before last, I shot some pics of the NOC Dagger Competition. My friend Cystal Gustin (above) rocked out on the wave. More are coming on my photo site when I get the motivation to post them. That week, I took friends kayaking after work that had never been before, twice.

The week flew by and one of my closest friends Maddy came and visited. We went to the Tuckaseegee and paddled and hung out with our friend Barry K who takes pictures of the Tuck at Tuckshot.com. On Sunday I went to the USACYCLING Pro Chamionships in Greenville, SC. Tyler Hamilton won. It was incredible to see Roadies flying around downtown Greenville at high speed. The coolest thing was the BMW K75 Photo Bike support. I will have to add pictures of this incredible moto set up later.

Monday was Labor Day, I should have labored. Instead, I worked on playing disc golf and making my stomach hurt from laughing with friends.