Sumter National Enduro 2009

Russell Bobbitt tearing it up (again!)



Mike Lafferty wheelieing his way through the Sumter forest.


There are many reasons I dig taking pictures, shooting Enduros is probably #1 on my list. First, this is sort of a fringe sport. It is well organized, everyone is nice and talks to each other. You meet fantastic people and you get to be outside in some of the prettiest woods you would otherwise never see.

I met some great new people at this enduro and saw some old friends I have met over the years at other Enduros.

More pictures to come....

The Smokies

Barn across from the Caldwell House


Old Man's Beard Lichen


View of the Park


Elk bull eating



The Cataloochee entrace to the Smokies is just 10 miles from my house! Our National Parks are in trouble, to stay informed of issues facing our Parks please visit the NPCA website. Perhaps the biggest threat are fights over land use, hunters, hikers, whitewater folks, and mountain bikers must learn to use the land together. Its all of our tax dollars that pay for Park land, so no one group should be forced out of using the land responsibly. Let's hope the new rule for allowing mountain bikers to use Park land will go into effect smoothly and Parks such as the Smokies will come into compliance with the new rule.

I look over Park land everyday from the view from my house and everday I feel lucky to be able to look and see undeveloped land.

Holidaze

Whoah nelly, the year is almost over. I don't have too much to say this time of year mostly because, I've had too much sugar, food, and alcohol to put a coherent sentance together. However, its been a great year for me despite all the apparent turmoil in the world. I heard a segment on NPR today that made me laugh out loud, about how Bush said he didn't want to leave a big mess for the next President. (This was in regards to the shamefully huge auto bailout package). That is mighty white of ol' President Bush considering the two wars, financial ruin, and educational failure of his administration that Obama will now have to attempt to clean up.

I'm from Washington, DC so sorry I can't get politcal analysis off my brain. However, a buddy of mine was in town a few weeks ago and said how his lifestyle has never changed in past 2 decades so he doesn't pay much attention to politics. Truthfully, mine hasn't either. That economic stimulous package bought a few extra bags of dog food for my two mutts, but thats about it. I do feel being informed is important, but it shouldn't run our lives.

So I am going to continue to go on my merry way (and run a few extra miles) over the next few weeks and get prepared for another wonderful year.

Feliz Día de Acción de Gracias

Turkey Day is upon us! (Wild Turkey's from my driveway pictured above) This year I have a lot to be thankful for I have:

• A great job
• A great boyfriend
• Wonderful friends who appreciate my flakiness and know that if I disappear into the woods all weekend or don't call them for several weeks, I still love them just as much
• An amazing family
• all the toys a girl could want to go have fun in the woods or where ever (mtn. bike, dirt bike, sweet camera, dual-sport, kayaks, rafts, riverboards, a pick-up truck, a new iMAC and much more)
• all the animals one should ever have (two dogs, two cats, a rooster and four chickens)
• and the opportunity to be thankful for things!

Set The Controls For the Heart of Fun (and a little pain!)

I hopped on my KTM 250 2-stroke and took off through the South Carolina pines, for the relatively flat terrain just south of Spartanburg. Enoree OHV offers some busy, fun, and fast riding. Not one section of the trial is straight for more than about 3 seconds. Riding smooth through several berms, I kicked my bike up another gear, the trees got a little more blurry...I see a berm a little too late try to lean and counter steer a little too hard and wham..... Dirt sample with my left shoulder into a few somersaults. I jump to my feet and turn around, my two fitty is laying on the other side of the berm, mocking me.
I pull in the clutch and pick her up, (she is still running in 3rd gear laying on her side!?!) Anyone who rides a 2-stroke knows the power on those things comes from another world. I can hear my little 250 telling me, you should have ridden me more this summer, instead you were out riding that other bike.
My other bike is a KTM 530, I use it as my dual-sport. I plea with the 250, gas prices were so high, I couldn't afford to haul you all over the place, plus I can ride 150 of gravel and dirt right from my driveway. I am sorry little 250, I promise to take better care of you, you are still my favorite. This old gas tastes terrible she says as I ride her back onto the trail.
The rest of the day I spent in a zen like, irie state as the 250 moves through the trail effortlessly underneath me. The whoops, berms, and mud holes and pines trees all cooperated with my movement. There is nothing in the world like cruising through the woods in the Southeast.
(Picture above from the Sumter National Enduro of Jared Bolton from my gallery)

Pimp Your Ride

Lee Walker from Walker Mounts has designed a very clever way to add some personality and safety to your two-wheeled friend. This pics are from the SWANK 65, the bike looked really sweet. Click on the pitures above to get a better view of his ride. He has a variety of shapes and reflective colors available, so go to Walker Mounts and pimp your ride.

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