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Moving Target

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|| The heat has returned to Utah. The dirt is dry and mountain biking season is back in full foce. In honor of the heat, I decided it was time to post these POV mountain biking photos. This is a continuation of the series I started a couple years ago during the winter. All of the bike photos were shot on the trail in Corner Canyon in Draper, Utah. I rode the same bike for every shot, a Civilian Bicycles Young Turk, and used the same camera rig described in my winter post.

With the explosion of HD resolution helmet cameras, this point of view is nothing new. No matter, as cliche as it sounds, this project was about trying a new technique and having fun. I accomplished both missions and came away with a series of photos that I find interesting. Years from now, when I’m old and gray, these photos will remind me how fun it was to ride my bike. My hope is that they’ll do the same for someone else too. ||

Wagon Wheels Pt.2

Headtube of my Diamondback Mason mountain bike

Brakes and rear Maxle on my Diamondback Mason hardtail 29er

Showing off the Easton Havoc handlebars on my hardtail Mason 29er build

Camelbak waterbottle squeezed into a King cage in the front triangle of my Mason

The Mason toptube logo and raw aluminum frame finish

The 1x10 crank and drivetrain and thick rear chainstays of the hardtail

Fizik Gobi XM saddle and Fox DOSS dropper post on my Mason with white cable housing

Full-length shot showing off the complete Mason 29er hardtail build and Easton wheels

A season of riding my Civilian Young Turk hooked me on the idea of 29ers. With parts from my Santa Cruz Heckler and the Young Turk, I was able to build this Diamondback Mason. I was attracted to this particular frame because of the slack head angle (66.5 deg), 12×142 rear axle, and dimensions that closely matched the fit of my Heckler. Thanks to Mr. Brian Bernard for the wrench time, the teachable moments in the shop, and a general beardiness.

Look for a mid-term review once I’m able to ride the Mason a little more. Bike Magazine posted a review here.

The Stats

For the stats nerds: this is a medium frame with 750mm bars, 70mm stem, a 140mm fork with 20mm thru axle, a 1×10 drivetrain, and one seriously long rear brake line.

Highland

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|| I’ve lived on three different streets in five years. Utah’s grid system lends itself to an interesting mix of residential and commercial buildings. This walk took me from Highland to Elgin, Elgin to 13th, and 13th to the grocery store. Salt Lake City needs more walking space and less smog. ||

Something’s Brewing

The sun peeks through a brewing storm cloud over Brian Head Utah. Two mountain bikers look on from a rocky cliff over the forest.

Re Wikstrom and Shaun Raskin take in the view over Brian Head, Utah. Mountain bikes got us there and mountain bikes got us back… but not before the storm hit. Muddy rides are worth enjoying.

The Location in Brian Head

This overlook is a classic stop on this particular ride. Some days it’s overcast, some days it’s sunny, and some days you get a powerful mix of weather. Re and Shaun provide the perfect amount of scale for this photo.

Coming Soon

A POV photograph of skiing powder at Brighton Ski Resort in Utah.

|| We need more of this, now. This was one of many early season laps before the resort opened for the season. I was chomping at the bit this particular day, so Re, Erme, and Anna met me after I had taken a few laps. This particular moment speaks to me because you can see one pole clearly, one ski clearly, and the other ski and pole are in motion. Lots of people have said that these shots will cease to become interesting because of the latest round of high-resolution helmet cameras. Go shoot something like this on a GoPro, I’m sure you can get…close….

Shot at Brighton Ski Resort with a Canon 5dMkii on a chest harness. ||