Recently a huge step forward in the world of urban bike parks has taken place. We all know of the Seattle I-5 Colonnade out in Washington. Colorado now wants in on this action. On May 10th, phase 1 construction on the new Valmont Bike Park in Boulder, CO began. This $4.1 million bike will be professionally built by a local construction firm while the company Alpine Bike Parks from Vancouver, BC will do all the features and build the trails. Let’s hope it spurs even more interest in the sport…eventually leading to more places to freeride.
This park will be huge. It even includes a cyclocross course with spectator stands for races. Here’s a great description of the park, “Current plans include cyclocross sandpits and staircases, wall rides, banked turns, rollers and tabletops, log rides… everything you need to visualize Valmont Bike Park in your dreams.”
In other news, IMBA is officially lobbying congress for more urban mountain bike parks. Earlier this year representatives from IMBA went to DC to lobby for funding to build urban bike parks. During the National Bike Summit in Washington, DC IMBA put a special focus on raising awareness for urban bike parks and specifically urban jump parks. If you look at this presentation that appear’s to be for IMBA’s volunteers during the summit they seem to have a great grasp on what it takes to build an urban park. I especially like the argument that trails near stores will generate more business for the store owners.
There’s some animosity out there between freeriders and IMBA, maybe this will turn around soon?
After seeing video after video on the net filmed with dslr still cameras I thought I’d put up a post and share my thoughts on this.
Not too long ago, seeing any video coming from a still camera made you want to puke. Not anymore. The past couple of years has seen a huge advance in high definition technology for the upper end consumer cameras. It makes sense really, the cameras already have incredible sensors. They should be able to shoot video too right?
It’s not quite that simple, but I won’t go into the tech details about mirrors and the difference between cmos and ccd sensors. What it comes down to is it’s hard enough to make the high end sensor of a dslr not burn up when taking 30 pics a second continuously let alone trying to process such huge images that fast.
Nikon figured out the magic numbers first with the Nikon D90 released in 2008. Here’s a D90 film:
Another major step forward was made with the release of the Cannon 5D Mark II that is capable of a full HD 1080P rather than just the 720p resolution of the D90. Here’s a sample:
The video capabilities got so great that a new term was introduced, “HDSLR”. Now even some non-DSLR have great video.
The Panasonic GH1 isn’t technically a DSLR, but it has the same if not better video capabilities than any DSLR out there. This is partly because it was designed to be more of a video camera than the others. It even ships with a video oriented lens. The GH1 along with the new Canon 7D are can even shoot at 60fps (using 720p). For a bike filmer, the ability to slow down a 60fps shot is a huge advantage.
Cutting back on the gear you haul every ride could be another reason to go with HDSLR. By combining your still camera with your video camera you have one less piece of equipment. And if you are a spandex wearing “climbers have the right of way” roadie on dirt, then you could argue there is a weight savings. But I don’t go there.
That’s it. I’m sold. My next video camera will be a dslr.
So now that winter is upon us in full force, I thought I’d post up some winter races I thought were a little different.
1-Sappee Bike Challenge This took place last winter in Finland. It looks like a perfectly normal bike comp, but on snow.
2- BMX Ice Cross
Took place on Dec. 28th in Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada. I’m not sure it looks like a lot of fun, but hey it’s riding in the nasty Canadian winter.
3- Ice 4 Cross Race
Ok, not bikes…but this is so extreme I had to share it. Take a 4 cross course, cover it in ice and slap on some ice skates. Now you have Ice Cross Downhill! Season starts January 16th, 2010.
Santa’s a little low on funds this year, so this is how he’s rollin’ now. See you all next year. I’m headed to Texass to hopefully get some time in on dry dirt. -Shannon
Came across this guys site, defgrip.net, and loved the photos but what made it even better was the little story that comes with each picture. http://blog.defgrip.net/2009/11/empire-bmx-in-colorado/ Definitely check out the rest of the site because there is sure to be tons more awesome albums like this one.
Saw this on Thrashbike’s blog. Although it’s not cool to jack their post, this is too cool not to share.
Christopher Vanderyajt killing it
Heres something that No Brakes Chris or as you may know him Christopher Vanderyajt has put together with some photos that hes been taking. Chris if you don’t know him is a weird little dude that chain smokes loves his dunk’in donuts ,is a dope photographer and a good friend of mine. ENJOY Read More »
I was cruzin’ through the KSFR forum and saw that Dirty put together a new promo vid. It’s got some old and some new video and some really stupid drops. Check it out.
Kirt Voreis must have the best garage ever. Looks like a stellar place to ride when it’s crappy outside. So whose going to take the plunge and build this in their garage?
I caught ahold of this while researching some BMX dude that goes by ‘Elf’ who does some wicked X-Up grinds that are out of this world. This video is awesome! The build up is spot on. The gnar from trying to be progressive is spot on. The editing is amazing. Check it.
-Shannon
