garyt

Andy- At the risk of turning this into a Trials Photography thread...I think the picture is particularly powerful **because** of the shadow. By silouetting the statue it becomes a far stronger graphic element than if all the detail had been shown, especially so from this distance. And by having the back light it draws attention to the raised arm of the person. I didn't notice that it was a left arm until you mentioned it. You could always flop the photo and it becomes a salute!

Andy- Its a very fitting soundtrack. I can't imagine a piece of music that would be more appropriate. I must admit though that I was curious as to what the lyrics were...my Scottish Gaelic isn't what it should be. I posted a link to the movie on a newsgroup that I read and turns out that one of the guys is a huge Runrig fan! He filled me in. I also wanted to compliment you on the photo of what appears to be a soldier saluting the monument. Its a very powerful image, and really is a once in a lifetime shot. Nice job, looking forward to your next effort.

In case anyone's interested, here is a translation of the music in the movie. Cearcal a Chuain The Ocean's Cycle We are all on an ocean Steering a course through life Sailing a dark vessel Lost in the grasp of the ocean The wind is astern The boat forging ahead And time and the sea Makes no sense to us at all The sea is calm It is wild, it is vast It is beautiful, it is mysterious It is vengeful and deep O, but we, are blind and all we have is life Raise the sail, lift the oars Til we get up speed I intend, I do intend when the sun is sinking down To be seen steering a westerly course On the ocean's cycle to Uist O the ocean's cycle Forever I'll be turning To take me back to the pole machair in the west Where the day has dawned

Gret job Andy...that was fun to watch. Thanks for the effort.

Dave- We're still working out our schedule. I only know that we'll be there in April, exact dates to be determined. If you could direct me to a schedule of events in Scotland, that would be very helpful. Gaff- Thanks for the tip and the link to motorbiketrials. Do you have biker-babes like that at all the motorcycle events? If so I might apply for a visa while I'm there.

Thanks Rabie for the info. I couldn't manage to locate the UK National schedule, but will keep looking. Is the venue for the event on the 25th within a short driving distance of London? I might be able to get my wife to divert her sightseeing plans, but only for only a few hours. I would like to take in an event if its close.

Ishy- It looks from the Scorpa site that the bike can accomodate a seat as part of the road-going package. I agree that the seat is lacking in the looks department, but perhaps its meant to do double-duty.

Thanks Andy. Now that might just fit the bill. Close enough to Edinburgh that I can sneak away without too much trouble. I'll send them and e-mail and see what they offer. This trip is looking better and better!

I would love to take in a World Round, but I don't think time will allow. Anything to do/see in Fort William that is trials related in April? Or is just basking in the ambiance of previous trials the best that I could expect? I'm still hoping to find something in and around London or Edinburgh that I could break away for an hour or two, to see. I know that trials is small...but if I can't find something in these areas of the UK, then its smaller than I thought!

My wife is planning a family trip to London, with a side trip to Edinburgh, in April. The Edinburgh journey will be to visit friends and will only last a few days. I don't imagine I'll have too much **free** time, but was wondering if there's anything trials related in the vicinity of either of these two locations that I ought to see. I'd be happy with just walking into a m/c shop that sold trials gear to take a break from the usual sightseeing.

Hey Ridgrunr- Here's specifically what I'm looking at. http://www.dual-star.com/index2/Rider/heated_grip_kit1.htm It seems that these would go under my regular grips. I also have my headlight wired to a quick disconnect plug. I don't see why I couldn't use that same wiring to power the grips instead of the headlight. It's also been pointed out to me that I might be a wuss for even considering using heated grips. At the same time it was suggested that I might try my hand at knitting. Both valid and good suggestions...I think after installing the grips I might just knit myself a handlebar cover so that no one will see the wiring, sparing me any embarassment while adding a certain sense of style to my bike.

I just might give that a try...I've heard that it can soothe the soul. Is there room in your knitting circle for one more? And if so, do you know if they make heated knitting needles? I wouldn't want to be chilled! But seriously...I suffered frost bite as a kid and ever since then, when my hands are exposed to cold weather it gets downright painful. Makes concentrating on anything other than my hands difficult. Plus, unlike the Pacific Northwewst, here in the Northeast, we get real weather in the wintertime.

Just wondering if anybody has tried heated grips on their bikes. I have a hard time riding when the temp gets down to the 30's and below, and it seems that heated grips might provide a solution, or at the very least help a little. Wiring on some of the ones I've seen seems pretty straight forward, and the cost is also reasonable. Just wondering if there's something I might be overlooking as it all seems pretty simple.

I agree with the laying the bike over trick. Can't explain how or why it works but can tell you that when it gets real cold here, my 00 GG will only start if its been laid over first. Once it comes to kicking, NO throttle and a few kicks and I'm good to go. Someone explained to me recently that the Dell Orto carbs don't have a choke, but rather, have an enrichment circuit and that this circuit will have difficulty drawing fuel if the throttle is opened.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread....&threadid=29723 Pics from the 50's of some real adventurous motorcyclists on some heavy bikes.

This is NOT a focus issue, its one of not using a fast enough shutter speed to freeze the rider. If you look carefully, you'll see that the area of focus extends on either side of the rider. What's happening in this picture is that the rider is moving within the frame while the shutter remains open. Use a faster shutter speed if you have the ability to set it, or alternatively if you have no control over the shutter settings, you'll need to use a faster film/higher ISO in order to have the shutter fire at a higher rate of speed. Hope this helps- GaryT

Reasonably priced- Canon 10D. About 1400 USD, body only. 6 MP equivilent to about a good 8x10 print at 300 dpi. Loads of features. No shutter lag. I've had lots of experience with this camera in the studio and am very impressed with its capabilities. I would think it would make a great camera for capturing trials action with the right lens attached. Expensive- Canon 1Ds. About 8,000USD. 12MP, should produce 16x20 or larger digital print at very food quality. I used one last week and was very impressed with its ability to render fine detail and color. Unbelievable focusing capability, no shutter lag. For the guy that has to have the best in digital cameras, this is the one. In the film world, any 35mm camera that has aperature priority metering, and the ability to interchange lenses could produce excellent trials photography. Just remember that much like in the sport of trials, the machine only plays a part in the overall results...so it is with a camera. the best camera in the world is only part of the equation for producing good photography.