What does one do with his first day as a pro photographer?

Go for a bike ride of course.

Today was my first official day as a full time photographer. I've been counting down the days, and it's finally here. I did get a lot of photography related work done today, but I wanted to do something that would be a huge reminder of the benefit of making this lifestyle work. I figured if I taste what this life is like, and the perks that come with it, it'll give me real motivation to bust my chops at it.

I started out by taking my oldest son to kindergarten. He loved that I was the one taking him. I washed my truck, did a little banking, and then hit the mac editing some photos from a shoot I had over the weekend. Had lunch, and after that, I gave myself what I consider a great luxury, and something that brings me huge pleasure. An afternoon bike ride. I don't know why, but riding my bike in bright daylight, when the world is bustling and things aren't sleeping is my favourite time to ride.

With the warm temps (5C) I figured it was time the Karate Monkey got a taste of some gravel again. She missed it. So did I. An easy 10 mile gravel cruise. What a great way to enjoy my first day in my new career. Couldn't be happier, couldn't want to work harder for anything else.

Gravel Goodness

Drowning Machine - Careful!

Soaking in the country views

I opted not to drink the water I brought with me

Canal crossing

And the ride wouldn't be complete without stopping at the santa statue in the middle of no where for a photo.

All this riding was done right close to home. I say that I'm doing it for the exercise, but even if this was bad for me, it's way too good not to do. The mud was thick, the legs got soar and it was a blast. I love these little adventures smack dab in the middle of my day.

Guess what I've got planned for tomorrow?

14 Miles of (mostly) Gravel

With the temps rising (+12C) today, I figured the gravel should be firmed up enough to ride. I like to run mostly on the gravel, and until now, it's been pretty soft. 6 miles were on a really nice little country road that passes a bunch of acreages, a golf course, and a whole lot of horses. I used to run this route on weekends and it was always quite busy. Being the middle of the day and most people at work, it was a great quiet ride.

I love the fixie for it's silence. The tires on the road were the only noise that came from me. A great little get away in the middle of the day indeed.

Foggy Fixie Lunch

Road a nice gravel road out of town, jump on the # 1 and started spinning. Then, started grinding. On the other side, spinning again, followed by grinding. Thus is the cycle of riding a fixed gear. Good fun. The crest of the climb seems so much sweeter on a fixie than it does when on a gear bike.

Finally got a few pictures that I tried to get a while ago. Only bummer was that it was ridiculously foggy.

I stabbed my toes into the stiff crusted now, and felt like an ice climber for a moment.

To have this much fun on a lunch break is a beautiful thing.

Change Battery Pack...

...was the message my camera gave me after I had set up a great photo of fixie dangling gingerly over a snow cliff that looked like it was going to avalanche. Light was perfect, the composure would have been great, and it looked cool. Ticked off at my lack of checking the batteries. Put the camera back in the bag. Fixie fell off the cliff.

either way it was a great 20kms of hills.

Fixed after all

After the snow cleared up this morning, and a judgment call that turned out to be the right one, the fixie was the steed of the day. Started out on the roads, which for the most part were clear of slush, just wet. Ended up on a bike path and headed towards my old house. The bike paths were pure slush. Past the my old house, the golf course, and checked up on a trail I’d seen the other day while looking at show homes. It is a great path along an irrigation canal, but once off the beaten bath, 6” of soft snow proved too much for the fixie. Even with those nice fatties mounted. So I turned around.
On the way home, I hammered Wheatland trail, which is the route I used to commute on every day. It’s been too long since I’ve had nice asphalt that was snowless. It felt so great to wax it out on a road bike is temps above freezing. Snow and ice biking have their places, but when you’re limited to only that type of riding for months on end, it sure feels good to whirl up the cranks a bit. Of course I was soaked, but I was planning on that.

A nice little 18kms for lunch. Mmm tasty.

Lunch Time Ride

It was a gooder.

Slightly more favorable conditions than the last time I rode this route.